2023 Porsche Macan S vs GTS performance 

I knew the Blue one would be faster .

I really give Nick a lot of credit for regularly discussing the price differences in the Porsche range, and asking "is it worth it?". Too many car channels on RU-vid, including several from people who really should know better, always just drool over whatever luxury car they happen to be reviewing that day. And of course, common consensus is that the more expensive car is always the better car. But as Nick demonstrates over and over again, that's just not the case. Keep up these great "value-for-money?!" rants. They are a great addition to all the fanboys on RU-vid who just run through the features list in their videos. Thank you!

I have been waiting forever for this video! Especially since I just ordered a Macan S last month. I dropped everything at work to watch it as soon as it was posted.

2020-2021 Macan, GTS is the sweet spot. 2022+ Macan, S is the sweet spot.

Thank you for doing this comparison, Nick! I'm tired of reading the geezers on the Porsche forums who say that the Macan S is a pathetic offering compared to the Macan GTS even for 2022....I think this video proves them wrong.

I just test drove them back to back and noticed the same thing. I mentioned it to the salesman and he couldn't really defend it. Lol.

You are one of my favorite car youtuber. Love the fact that you are able to speak ''normally'' and genuinely to your audience. A lot of car youtuber seems to be transitioned to a way too formal presentation or obviously trying to put a show, which loses some authenticity along the way

Nick brings a unique presentation to auto journalism. I like it. He’s funny, self deprecating, sincere, knowledgeable, witty, and fair. He keeps it down to earth. Well done video/presentation. I agree with Nick on all points! Had the S & loved it. Cheers/B

Thanks for doing a straight ahead and honest review. Very useful for me! Great job. Love all your videos.

I enjoy Nick’s video, down to earth content and detailed comparison between models 👍

I wish there were more honest comparison video reviews like this. Excellent stuff.

This the review I was waiting for! Collecting my Macan S tomorrow after 8 months since putting the order. Thanks Nick

Loved the video! The race results did look like it could be a difference of 60hp in my book. A 10hp difference would've made the race virtually a tie, the GTS wouldn't have been able to pull away like that. I don't think Porsche is fibbing, but the peak hp number only tells part of the story, it comes down to where it's making the extra horses in the powerband and for how much of the power band it's making them. I think this is a great illustration of how a raw hp number won't necessarily equate to more performance in the real world. This video should serve as a good check for those who want a GTS just because of the hp figure. it's a lovely car but the extra hp isn't where the GTS's value is.

i have a 2022 macan gts. when i spec a s model with same options on my gts the price is the same....why would I not pick a gts. both at current prices..

great video, your videos are always spot on, you helped me get my first Audi A3 a few years ago and now im looking for an SUV and was thinking on a macan! thanks

Nick's comment of the year "I wouldn't want it any stiffer". Great video mate 👌👊

Hi Nick, I saw you driving the Green Macan today on 95 North. I was driving my 991 Cabrio in the next lane but you exited onto the Milford Connector. Regardless, the green color looks amazing. And of course the green color of Kiwi, the fruit, and your being from NZ makes the plate “A-Kiwi” on the Green Macan priceless.

Dear Nick - I got so impressed with this video of yours that I am now a subscriber of your channel. I am a super big fan of the Macan S to the extent that I have two of them - a 2017 Macan S 3.0L V6 TwinTurbo 340bhp since June 2017, and now got delivery of the 2022 Macan S 2.9L V6 375bhp in March 2022, and I so much appreciate your analysis that the GTS is just a "placebo" option that has very little difference to the Macan S that is the "sweetspot". It re-endorses my choice. A wonderful video that highlights blatantly the reality of Macan GTS. Thank you.

Thanks for another great video, Nick. My wife drives a 2017 Base Macan. We have had no problems of any kind. However, the caliper covers on the front are flat black and the rears are gloss black. I really appreciate the comparisons but hoped you’d include a comparison list of which I could take a screen shot. I would also like your rating on the room in the back seat of cars for tall people.

This is a great video thanks loads. I got out of my 992 911 S last year and was considering the Macan GTS as I used to have a Macan S Diesel back in the day 2018. Your video has me reconsider and to buy thr S

Good to see you back in the saddle with a new typical outstanding video. Thank you.

Absolutely excellent review. The plain sincerity was so refreshing. I was on the fence and deciding between the S and the GTS and you just helped me make my mind and helped me save $15,000. That was awesome and thank YOU!

I have a 22 Macan GTS. Loaded out. Love it. My 911 on stilts. Please note that unless you have the GTS in Sport plus mode vs sport…..you haven’t dialed up the mapping to maximize the HP and Torque figures, not to mention the PDK mapping. The options standard on the GTS and the lower profile is great. You mention the exhaust….wow, it’s great. The big deal with the GTS is the chassis. I do like the S grille better…..but ordered mine in Smoke grey and it looks sinister. Thanks for an intriguing review.

Nice video Nick. Was deciding between a Macan S and Macan GTS and your video popped up!

Nick, appreciate your honesty and refreshing approach. You are my go-to for Porsche advice 👍

Having owned the first gen Macan S with the 3.0 and a Cayenne S with the 2.9, dropping the 2.9 in the Macan will have made a world of a difference even if it was “detuned”. Excellent review as always Nick!

Thank you soo much for this video ! After a config torture, tomorrow I will sign for the S.

Always nice to see you !

I have a 2022 Macan S on order. Fully loaded with $30k+ options.. I got the S model at MSRP sticker.. they wanted like 20k over sticker for a gts. The S model with all the options was cheaper. I plan on pumping the performance up anyway with some help from Flat 6 Motorsports. It doesnt arrive until October this year.. Super excited.

Thanks, Nick. Been sleuthing down this comparison myself and wondering if the S isn't just under-reported. Much appreciated

Thanks for all the information you share with us! My Macan S is coming this month and I took your advice against my dealer's recommendation for a GTS. The light colour interior looks mega though, I kinda regret going for the safe black interior.

Geetings from NZ. Sorry I missed your get-together down here! Nick, this is an awesome and informative video: one of your absolute best, and I love the thought bubbles! I have a Euro 6 Diesel S with air suspension, 21-inch 5-spoke wheels, 18-way seats, full sunroof and some other goodies in Sapphire Blue. Fantastic MPG and absolute torque for getting through all those curves. Would I swap to a GTS if offered?...probably not. Thanks again.

Good candid review as always. Looking to buy a Macan S when and if I fall out of love with my X3. Always fun to watch your videos. The Macan on blocks in the configurator was priceless :)

Just can't wait to see the 911 comparison of the S and GTS... looking forward to it!!!!!! Thanks for the excellent video!

One of the best and reasonable Macan S vs. GTS review I ve watched.

My wife just bought an S. We went to look at a GTS but found a beautiful, very well appointed S for much less in her favorite color (Chalk). Awesome car.... it's getting wrapped and a ceramic coating this week.

Great review Nick. You sold me on choosing the “S” over the “GTS” model! Well done!

Great review Nick. In the process of buying the Macan S having come to the same conclusion. Other point to note is that replacing the PSCB brakes on the GTS will be a much more costly affair when compared to the brakes on the S. Also good to know that the air suspension is excellent….have added it to the spec.

Two cars I won’t buy but you still make the comparison fun to watch!

Thank you Nick! After two Macan S 3.0 I bought a Macan S 2.9 as tested in the video. The Macan S delivers, even on a German autobahn. I never missed the 60 hp compared to the GTS. Top speed (tach) is next to 170 mph and the car isn't nervous at all (but the passengers are). One comment: In Europe, the GTS comes with standard PSCB (coated brakes, not carbon brakes!). Replacement cost: USD 14 k for all 4 discs and pads. The standard brakes on an S come for approx. USD 2 k.

Nick, I throughly enjoy watching your car videos, I find your presentation both informative, entertaining and credible. Please don't let the nay-sayers get to you, keep up your videos and chats. Maybe time for an update on your 993? Keep the flag flying.........

I’ve got an S on order ( couldn’t afford the GTS) this video makes me feel a lot better !Thanks Nick

Love your channel Nick!

Curious if porsche numbers the parts numbers for the S and gts different(specifically suspension components and drivetrain. Also if anyone who does aftermarket tuning for these cars has run both on the dyno .

I went from a 2014 SQ5 to a 2018 Macan GTS. Really miss the turbo diesel push back in the Audi but the drive and handling of the Macan is second to none. Great honest videos. Love it. Thank you

Excellent review and valuable to watch.

Loved this video. I ended up getting a 2023 GTS (traded in my 2018 S) because I wanted to grab a few of the performance options, air suspension, sports exhaust, etc and by the time I did, the price difference wasn't big enough to justify the increased depreciation of the highly optioned S. Both are great cars. Thankfully I got my order in before Porsche decided to increase the price for all their models without any sort of update to the Macans.

Thank you Nick! As a former Macan owner (2017 base), and having spent a lot of time in various loaners (good relationship with my dealer has had me taking lots of them on extended test drives) and (until an unfortunate race car accident caused me to cancel) as someone who had a 2022 GTS on order... I have a question for you. One thing that was immediately noticeable when comparing all of the models vs. GTS in the PREVIOUS generation (2015-2018): the PDK tuning. The S, the base, and even the Turbo, always felt "lazy" with the PDK tuning. Wanted the higher gear all the time, took its time to downshift when rolling into the pedal, etc. The GTS, by comparison, was always quick to grab a downshift, always ready to go. That in itself made the GTS feel much more spritely when driving around.... and it's what made it a "no brainer" for me to order the GTS over the S. I drove a 2018 GTS for a few days, and a 2021 Turbo for a few days - and while there was an obvious HP gap between the two (expected).... the Turbo felt lazy thanks to the PDK. Did you notice anything like this, in your comparisons of the 2023 S vs. GTS?

Finally, the video I had much awaited for. Thanks Nick!

"Welcome to Porsche, please leave your wallet at the door"

I’ve got a 2019 facelift, Macan S, it’s the previous 3 litre model. Having also driven the latest 2.9 litre GTS, I think my car is more tractable in the lower rev range? Particularly noticeable in Normal-Mode! Excellent review!!

An another great video. By the way, where can I buy the windshield tripod that you used in this video?

Great video. I have a 2022 S and added 20k in options. Still more options for the money than you can get with a GTS (-9k to be exact) and with my spec you can not tell it’s not a GTS. I love my S

Nick love these videos we need more. Do these for the 911 range would be epic

I always enjoy the juxtaposition of the classical music intro followed by Nick Murray in a ridiculous t-shirt. lol

Thank you for this, I didn't know there was this little difference. I'll definitely check out the macan s too, although I was leaning towards the f pace svr

Just got my 2022 macan s and it is just such a great car.

Thanks for keeping it real! I'm starting to think the S is the sweet spot for my needs too; since I'll never be racing my SUV on a sports track with my Porsche, lol.

Great and entertaining video for me, Nick, even I would never buy Macan for myself. I hate SUVs. Keep on going like this. Cheers!

Are the gear ratios the same for both? Not that I am in the market but both seem amazing!

Interesting video. One thing I noticed as you said you were running Sport mode and you can see that on the display. Car wow just tested the Macan GTS vs all model Porsches and the Macan kept up with the 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 for at least half of the drag race over 1/2 mile starting in Sports + mode. In the Sport mode it didn’t do as well. Note it is possibly missing sports chrono as not standard in UK so may be even better.

Having received my blue Macan S 4 months ago, I have been wondering if I should have spent more for the GTS engine. I love everything about my S with painted exterior package that gives me more blue than GTS! My only complaint is normal mode changes gears way to low, so I just drive in sport mostly and sport plus occasionally. Did you try both cars in sport plus to see if much difference? Wonderful video for your viewers-honesty over hype always appreciated.

Do you have any opinions/insights on the Burmester sound system vs the standard Bose?

Nice review Nick!

Good honest Nick consumer advice.. 🎉 more please…

Thanks for your honest review. It’s refreshing to find a RU-vidr that doesn’t just parrot manufacture marketing material. I love Porsche products, but even I can’t stand the way they ‘nickel & dime’ their customers over options that should be standard in vehicles in this price range. A luxury brand acting like an entry level brand is never a good look.

Awesome love the content!

I have 3.0l model as yours. How would you compare it to GTS MY23? I was thinking about replacing my S with GTS as the last combustion Macan.

Hola que tal, excelente comparacion. Pero que opinan en habilidad y mejor sensación entre MS y MT 2023 en camino con curvas . Cual me recomendarían ?

Nick, X3M vs Macan S which one to choose

Love to order mine with the specific options I want! Hmm, I wonder how long the wait is?

991.1 GTS vs S...no contest. The way that car sounds and goes, it's amazing. Press the "sport plus" button and let it rip. Too bad it had those weird spoke paddles for the PDK.

I configured and ordered a '23 S and have been twisting myself up thinking if I should have just paid up for the GTS instead. I'm glad I didn't after watching your video. Thanks! 😅

Brilliant! Thanks, Nick.

Totally agree with you Nick. I would get the S with additions and be happy. 👌👏

Nice job on pissing off some GTS fans on the Macan forum! Always love your no BS reviews. By the way, contrary to what the pinned user said about GTS being the same price as S spec'd with options, it depends on which options are chosen. If you choose options that don't come standard on GTS the price gap you mentioned remains.

After watching this Im glad to have chosen the S. I have a 2022 with premium +, sport chrono and 18 way seats

Best 911 Porsche channel ever somebody give this man more money

Another nick Murray classic

I love this candid car test!!

Watched video even though no interest in Macan . Just love Nick videos.

Amazing video!

Unless you want the options that are standard on the GTS. When I optioned an S up with 21" wheels, PASM, Sports Exhaust, Sports Chrono (all standard on GTS in Australia) there was very little difference in price. I also like the GTS seats and some of the styling of the GTS which adds to the value I see in the GTS. And a stock GTS should always have a higher resale price than an optioned up S (who pays for options on a second hand car?) so in my opinion it's worth the extra couple of grand even if there isn't a huge performance difference.

Hi Nick. I want to share something with you. I don't know why, but when I watch your videos, I fall asleep the best. I do not know why. Maybe because of the sound of Porsche engines. Or because of your voice. (We both know it's because of your angelic voice).

Hi Nick, which Macan model would be a car that can be more reliable for a daily driver?

Nick, great video. You'll NEVER shut down those who choose to let their quest for the "biggest, bestest, fastest, costliest, mostest options" run away with their emotions and pocketbook. For some, it is akin to someone being completely obsessed with buying a set of speakers that are "....SO good, the human ear can't hear the full range of sound they put out..." It's a completely personal decision that frankly has more to do with ego than with the cars...if someone thinks they are an Einstein for buying a GTS, wonderful. Both cars are equally great-- depending on one's priorities and desires.

Look at the torque figures for the S and GTS and you'll see why there's very little difference in pickup. On the older Gen 1 cars, it made sense to upgrade from the GTS to the Turbo Performance as the power and torque increase were worth it, but I agree here and would pick the S out of the two.

Doing it for the people, cheers Nick 👍

my 1st gen '17 GTS is awesome , would still pay more for a '23 if I was to get a new one - like the extra options

Nearly a 2 year old video so might not get a response. But im looking at 16/17 plate Macans, again on stats for bhp is a lotttt. But is it similar to how you compared the two and noticed nearly no difference or will there be a noticeable difference in the older model with older tech/tuning??

Wow, Nick 2023s being delivered already.

Hi Nick.. Thank you for your hard work and wonderful video's through the years.. I truly look forward to them every time.. Well done. Would you please considered doing the same type of video with the 718 2.5 L and 4.0 L side by side like you did with this one.. Comparing chassis and engine responses at varying rpms and torque..Which one is better on b-roads and so on... .I know you talked about the two different 718's in the past, but I felt you did not really compare them with the same quality. Thank you again and keep on posting your love for Porsche...

Hmm, when I added the options to the S that I wanted it would have cost more than the the GTS...that is why you get the GTS. Sure, could have skipped some options but in grand scheme of things it was insignificant amount of money. In the previous generation of Macan the GTS was the obvious choice.

great review!

Nick does a great job. Only complaint is I wish he had more content. I realize this isn’t his job however. B

What about throttle mapping? Are they the same in that respect?

I ordered a new Macan S back in February. I couldn't justify the price difference here in the UK for a GTS. A few nice options, and I have a well specced S on order. The only problem is that coming up to August, I've still not had a build date. And TBH I don't expect one this year. Who knew all those essential car parts were all made in the Ukraine? More like Manufacturers delaying petrol / diesel cars to push EV's to lower their overall emissions to meet targets. 2 year waiting list for a 911, but you can have a Taycan within 6 months !!! Obviously EV's don't have all those electronics petrol cars need !!

"It doesn't matter if you win an inch or a mile, winnings winning." Dom

You’re scratching the surface of genuine automotive journalism and consumer advice with your inimitable charm. Terrific video.

Acceleration at low speed is mostly determined by torque output. Power and gearing determine top speed. So without reading the specs I would guess the cars have similar torque output but the GTS does indeed have higher power. By way of example, a 2000 Audi RS4 has around 45% more power than a 2000 S4 but only 10% more torque. The RS4 only knocks around half a second (10%) off the 0-60 time.