Porsche Macan GTS vs S | How Different Are They?

The Porsche Macan GTS and S are the top two offerings in the Macan lineup, but how different are they really? The Macan is one of Porsche's best selling cars but after they refreshed the model back in 2021, many people are wondering what are their differences since they both are now equipped with the same engine.
Gone is the Turbo and the GTS now reigns supreme. Its basically the same car as the Turbo with a few minor tweaks. The S comes second, but also has the same engine as the GTS. The GTS has a couple other minor aesthetic differences but otherwise, the two cars are mostly the same. The interior of these examples had a really nice upgraded leather package in red and overall the quality of the Macan interior is great.
So which would you choose, the Macan GTS or S?
If you're interested in the Porsche, make sure you send me a DM or give Porsche DTLA a call
MACAN GTS REVIEW- • Can The Porsche Macan ...
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[@DriveSteady]

Which Macan would you choose, GTS or S?

[@billboyce4178]

Great review! I like how you detailed the differences, but got right to driving. You're really testing Torque though... not HP, and there's only 22 lbs-ft difference in the Torque ratings. I think you're right that the sport exhaust in the GTS contributes a lot to the "feel" of acceleration.

[@michellelanden3017]

GTS 🤫

[@markschweitzer661]

Great review

[@migu3l_sebastian_athanasius]

GTS

[@mrs2741]

Great review mate. Probably the best video i have seen comparing specs on the Macan since looking into getting one, thanks

[@DriveSteady]

Appreciate it. Thanks! Both great cars

[@garsimmulholland4984]

Wife has a macan gts….over 8 months it is getting better, love the little button on the steering wheel and the exhaust sound. It also does a drop on suspension at speed. Cracking car.

[@LaSombraa]

Enjoy the car payments!

[@garsimmulholland4984]

I paid cash and trade in. I expect we will lose £15k in a year.

[@luvsallbikes279]

Enjoy the car !! I am looking into these ..will buy one used , just think it would be a fun little vehicle ..I have an older 911 and it really is amazing.

[@Macca5]

Great video, thanks from the uk 👍🏼

[@shaneroyal5881]

Man I enjoyed this review so much you have a new subscriber! 👏🏾🔥

[@DriveSteady]

Thanks!

[@ogdenwernstom4085]

Traded in my 2018 S for a 2023 GTS last year. Both are great cars, and with the same engine I didn't notice a huge change in power during test drives. I wanted some performance options though, as well as air suspension and by the end of it the price difference wasn't big enough to justify the increased depreciation of a highly optioned S. I didn't actually care that much about sports exhaust at the time I bought in, but in retrospect it's probably one of my favorite things about my new car compared to my old one.

[@KevinWilliams-ki5wh]

Great write up. I took my 2018 Macan S to Florida two weeks ago (couldn't give it up) and flew back to Michigan to take delivery of my new 2024 Macan GTS. I went through the same option S vs. GTS and made the same choice. I love the GTS. Mine feels much stronger and smoother when it hits the middle of the power band. I also like the updated shift program and the noticeable down shifts on moderate breaking. Funny comments about the exhaust. I call the sports exhaust the 'magic button'. It's a totally different sound to the 2018, sounding more 'boxer' than 'V'. Enjoy your new GTS!!!

[@dannys.6148]

Nice video!

[@jrafaelacosta3687]

Great job!

[@dck8511]

My 24 Macan S gets here next month. Can't wait! Fully specced with chalk exterior with red interior. Came out to be close to GTS's starting price. Kinda bummed 23 Macan S was cheaper but its the same as 24 Macan S. Should've ordered last year.

[@ukaszczarnota1007]

When U add same spec like air suspension, sport exhaust, better brakes, better wheels etc price is very similar. Additional gts has lower suspension and better residual value in the future . Thats why I chose GTS 😎

[@s.h.2546]

Great video brother. Keep on doing your thing!

[@DriveSteady]

Appreciate you. Thanks for watching!

[@1MTEK]

Resale value is another thing to consider. You may be better off getting a GTS than a loaded S that only saves you a couple grand.

[@DG-wo8fx]

I was lucky and found a used 2017 Macan GTS in perfect condition and optioned exactly the way I wanted back in 2022. I actually prefer the appearance of the front end of the 2017 GTS to the latest version.

[@gincarzox]

You can leave the transmission in Manual mode by pressing the '-M+' button on the left side of the steering wheel

[@DriveSteady]

Thanks for the info. I knew I was missing something

[@merlinkatz9797]

My 3rd Macan S…2016,2021, 2024. PROS: power, handling, looks, build quality,comfort, exhaust tone, tech options, Bose CONS: PSCB brakes seem weak, must use paddles to manually shift (console lever will not), strongly preferred the one color interior of the 2016 (compared to the required black dash,carpet,headliner now) Bottom line: I like it. A lot.

[@oxxxeee]

got custom 2023 S in February with full leather and 18 way seats and air suspension. best value build IMO. unless you live in a rural area with twisties like I do all this stuff does not matter much. if yer a city driver, get a Lexus 350 or Genesis GV70

[@TheHoosiers2008]

Well done

[@bigmantingz5127]

Would've been good to do a review of both the interior & exterior, highlighting the differences

[@johnkokinis2313]

Hoping to buy one of these this year. Just curious as to what was up with the paddles not working. And in the gts, can it stay in manual mode? Great review.

[@DriveSteady]

Seems like that was user error. Several comment mention there is a switch on the left side of the steering wheel. I never saw it.

[@kiostsang]

Yes, i think he should have selected manual by pressing on the M button on the steering

[@sethcohan6911]

Great review. You may have saved me money. I’m thinking of the S with air suspension if I can find one. Need it to be a bit more luxury and the GTS might be a touch too stiff.

[@DriveSteady]

@NotEnoughLions wow that's a long wait

[@uroKAT]

well done , Sir . I love our German technology.

[@richardgray8144]

Mrs RG's 19 plate "S" has just been replaced with a well specced 2024 MACAN 23 GTS. What a car ir is, my daily is a 911 GTS and I find the new MACAN a real dilemma; in the past I always jumped in the 911 now the Macan is a real drive and one I love taking out. The old Macan was fabulous the new one is just superb, we opted for the non GTS air so it would default to comfort for my wife but can be lowered and hardened easily. I am not knocking the current S just feel the GTS offers "more" and looks "more", a great place to be!

[@tamartopuria6907]

Thank you

[@maximranchev4848]

Manual shifting -> -m+ button on stearing wheel on S and GTS as well.

[@AresOnCodm]

Even the base Macan got this

[@DriveSteady]

Yup realized this after I drove the gts, good catch. 👍

[@marikyr]

Have an S. Love it. Don't know where you can fully exploit the extra power of the GTS as the roads are so limited where i live.

[@DriveSteady]

The S is a wonderful car. One of favorites for all purpose use.

[@aim-for-greatn3z947]

How long have you owned a gas for?

[@jayp398]

One could say that about the S as well over the Base. For 99% base is more than enough.

[@aim-for-greatn3z947]

@jayp398 for the most part. I'm considering a S or GTS because I own a fleet of cars and I believe my clients would like a vehicle like this. I currently own a SQ5 and my clients LOVE IT!!

[@latuya8388]

What year are these models?

[@greg5143]

It's a bit odd that you just use speed to differentiate them, but during the drive talk about a huge difference between the two when it comes to handling and steering feel. Seems like the question is, do you want a Macan that has some sportiness, but is a bit more docile or do you want a Macan that is sport-focused in all things.

[@DriveSteady]

You got it

[@user-ui7vt6mm1t]

Do you know if I'll still be able to clearly hear the exhaust burble notes even if I have insulated glass windows when the moonroof and windows are closed ? Thank you

[@JSnow427]

Just rented a 2022 Macan S 2 days ago, even with the windows closed and moon roof closed you can still hear everything very clearly. I'm debating getting one, I've never been in a Porsche before and now I want one of my own haha.

[@AhmadAlAjeel]

I am waiting to get a GTS when PCM 6 is updated on the macans

[@mikemaslanka3786]

Nice review. I have a ‘22 S. My salesman told me that the GTS would have a rougher ride due to the air suspension. Also at .3/second faster to 60, I’m not sure that’s very noticeable in the GTS. Spec’d out with the same options as my S the GTS would have only been $6K more expensive (my S was heavily optioned). I came to the conclusion that the biggest benefit for me getting the GTS was having the badge on the back and for that reason it wasn’t worth it. I’m very happy with my S.

[@DriveSteady]

Good choice. Thank you for watching!

[@mikemaslanka3786]

@@DriveSteady p.s. anyone wanting to order one strongly consider paying for lighter colored dials for the tach and speedo. My standard dials are too dark in my opinion. The hood over the tach casts a shadow on that dial which adds to the problem.

[@DriveSteady]

Oh! Interesting point

[@ronn68]

Air suspension should be smoother not rougher

[@jesusarita7515]

The wheel size and tire size also plays a factor with comfort. 21s are going to ride different from the 20s.

[@minimustang2197]

Good video, you did miss at 7:40 when you told the GTS hp, it is 400’s, not 300’s!

[@DriveSteady]

Good catch! It's 434 not 343

[@mikemaslanka3786]

@@DriveSteady I think most of us knew that :)

[@kemalpiskin1304]

You press M on the steering wheel now to get manual shifting because the old way caused inadvertent shifting into manual mode from the shifter.

[@GasBrakeSim]

Why weren’t the paddles working on the GTS?

[@phantpwr]

Manual mode is the M button on the left side of steering wheel.

[@billboyce4178]

Macan S is the better value, I think.

[@JennTrotter]

Yes, indeed👊

[@markjoppru8015]

Not even close. S is just as fast. Check the torque curve. S is so much more value

[@PeterSdrolias]

I have the S with air suspension and sport crono. Love it

[@Mario-lj7gm]

These cars are really only different on paper and on tbe bedge. If you did a blind test, with the same exhaust and similar options, you could not tell the difference. Maybe just the suspension like you mentioned. I just got a nicely optioned new 23 S for $73k. Good luck paying that for the gts. I’ll keep the $20-25k.

[@DriveSteady]

Yup!

[@iphoneappverse7631]

While that may be true in a blind test, I'd have to differ on what is nicely optioned here. $73k is not a very high MSRP for an S, and many dealer specs have about that much in options out the door. The reality is that if you do get a truly nicely optioned S, the price becomes very close to the GTS with the same options, and the GTS has made many of those upgrades standard (sports exhaust, clear tails, PSCB, etc. ).

[@dck8511]

If you fully spec a Macan S, the MSRP is close to a GTS.

[@aplanedividedthesky]

What's up with that panel gap between the driver's fender and the hood?

[@adventsociety5382]

I believe its poor QC. Even 1st gen macans had issues with panel gaps. Its due partly to the design of the Macan's hood. It is also rumored that Porsche has higher QC standards for the Cayenne and 911.

[@phantpwr]

I have an S with air suspension and 21 inch 911 rims.

[@HiddenWen]

I'll take the S. The S's front facia looks much better.

[@michaelnardini4934]

You didn’t mention until the very end that many of those options are also available to choose for the S.

[@DriveSteady]

I mention it at the end

[@michaelwang9535]

It is not a fair comparison for performance when one is on sport and the other is on sport+, on the other side, it is not fair to compare comfort level when one is on 20 in rim and the other is on 21 in rim, one with air and the other without air. I believe if both are identically equipped and ran, the actual differences are much smaller.

[@babenkoff]

Cheap and easy ECU tuning will bring almost 500 Hp to an S. With correct options S is a beast.

[@DriveSteady]

Yup!

[@MrDahkilla]

Wouldn’t it void the warranty?

[@babenkoff]

@@MrDahkilla You can revert changes back.

[@dck8511]

@@MrDahkilla i heard people do it after the warranty runs out. might as well have some fun with it. Well-specced S with tuning is the same as GTS.

[@michaeldee8653]

I have S but l am having transmission issues. Is there anyone who has transmission issues on his S version.

[@johnmorrison27]

GTS

[@anthonycoleman8399]

I’m surprised they dropped the turbo 🥹

[@user-kv8dd3vy7e]

Which is better GTS or Turbo????

[@kemalpiskin1304]

The GTS is essentially what the now cancelled Turbo used to be and the S has moved up into the GTS spot….going by previous specs before the Turbo was cancelled.

[@D.N.A.23]

GTS the best 😊

[@ObiWineKenobi]

What year are these models? 😂

[@DriveSteady]

2022

[@turbokid99]

the GTS has about 440HP now 385......

[@gav25x]

The car with more power and torque is quicker? Shock horror 😂

[@DriveSteady]

Big time

[@lin350gg]

you can use the shifter smh you don't need the paddles smh

[@Warrior11117]

I owned a 2022 Macan gts before switching to a 2022 GTS. That turned out to be the most regrettable decision I've ever made.

[@lucaslonghurst]

?

[@adventsociety5382]

The S sounds like a 4 cyl.

[@k1wytr642]

Just go get the macan s. End of the day is just a macan. If you want to throw an extra 20, 30k on a car, get the cayenne not the macan gts.

[@dck8511]

Some people dont want a Cayenne cuz its big. Macan's driving experience is better. Just go get cayman or boxter or 911 if you want a performance car

[@cosmiclion6765]

Also, you’re spending a lot more than just 20k more for the Cayenne once you get into the options.

[@andresmattos7541]

Overpriced AF

[@lesgrossman9492]

Best in class resale value. It’s not only about what you pay, it’s about how much you sell it for too. Most Macans are cheaper to own than the comparable M bmw’s or AMG merc’s.

[@sjp417stevepaterson5]

Poor inaccurate comparison video

[@djstonewood8653]

Your English is good. What is your first language ?

[@sinisajakus3602]

reklama

[@realkingtv7885]

You are Pathan

[@SubbuJois]

GTS