Compare the2024 Porsche MacanVS 2023 BMW X2

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Porsche Macan have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW X2 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Porsche Macan are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW X2 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Macan has a standard Multi-collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The X2 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Macan. But it costs extra on the X2.

The Macan offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The X2 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The Macan’s optional blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The X2 doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

Both the Macan and the X2 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

The Porsche Macan weighs 408 to 881 pounds more than the BMW X2. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Macan’s reliability 13 points higher than the X2.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 25 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in long-term dependability. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, BMW is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Porsche 1 place higher in reliability than BMW.

The Macan has more powerful engines than the X2:

As tested in Car and Driver the Porsche Macan turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the BMW X2 2.0:

The Macan has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the X2 (19.8 vs. 16.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Macan offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The X2 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

For better stopping power the Macan’s brake rotors are larger than those on the X2:

The Macan stops shorter than the X2:

For better traction, the Macan has larger standard tires than the X2 (F:235/55R19 & R:255/50R19 vs. 225/50R18). The Macan’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the X2 (F:265/40R21 & R:295/35R21 vs. 225/50R18).

The Macan’s optional 295/35R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the X2 M35i’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Macan has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the X2. The Macan’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the X2 M35i.

The Macan has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Macan’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The X2 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Macan’s wheelbase is 5.4 inches longer than on the X2 (110.5 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

The Macan’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55.7% to 44.3%) than the X2’s (57.2% to 42.8%). This gives the Macan more stable handling and braking.

The Macan S handles at .93 G’s, while the X2 xDrive28i pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Macan has a greater minimum ground clearance than the X2 (7.9 vs. 7.2 inches), allowing the Macan to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Macan’s minimum ground clearance is 1.7 inches higher than on the X2 (8.9 vs. 7.2 inches).

The front grille of the Macan uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The X2 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Macan has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the X2 with its rear seat folded (53 vs. 50.1 cubic feet).

The Macan has a 4409 lbs. towing capacity. The X2 has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Management on the Macan uses the Porsche Stability Management sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The X2 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Macan has a much higher standard payload capacity than the X2 (1288 vs. 941 lbs.).

The Macan has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the X2 (1383 vs. 970 lbs.).

The engine in the Macan is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the X2. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 13% lower rating, BMW is ranked 7th.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the X2, the Macan offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Macan’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The X2 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The X2’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Macan’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The Macan has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the X2. The Macan also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the X2.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Macan keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The X2 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Porsche Macan has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the X2.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Porsche Macan and the BMW X2, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Macan was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024 and 6 more times in the last 8 years. The X2 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Porsche Macan outsold the BMW X2 by over 141 to one during 2023.