Compare the2024 Porsche MacanVS 2024 Lexus UX

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

The Macan offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The UX 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.

Both the Macan and the UX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available blind spot warning systems.

The Porsche Macan weighs 546 to 917 pounds more than the Lexus UX. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Macan’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the UX’s (12 vs. 6 years).

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 Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in initial quality. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is rated lower.

The Macan’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 80 more horsepower (261 vs. 181) than the UX’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Macan S’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 194 more horsepower (375 vs. 181) than the UX’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Macan GTS’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 253 more horsepower (434 vs. 181) than the UX’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

Both the Macan and UX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Macan has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Macan has 9.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the UX (19.8 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Macan’s optional launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The UX doesn’t offer launch control.

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

The Macan’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the UX are solid, not vented.

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

The Macan’s optional 265/40R21 front and 295/35R21 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the UX’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Macan has standard 19-inch wheels. Only 18-inch wheels are available on the UX. The Macan offers optional 21-inch wheels.

The Macan has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the UX; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Macan offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The UX’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

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 UX doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Macan’s wheelbase is 6.6 inches longer than on the UX (110.5 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

The Macan’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55.7% to 44.3%) than the UX’s (57% to 43%). This gives the Macan more stable handling and braking.

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 UX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Macan has a 4409 lbs. towing capacity. The UX 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 UX doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Macan has a much higher standard payload capacity than the UX (1288 vs. 890 lbs.).

The Macan has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the UX (1383 vs. 890 lbs.).

The Macan uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The UX uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

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

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the UX F Sport Handling, 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. An easy entry system costs extra on the UX.

The power windows standard on both the Macan and the UX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Macan is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The UX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Macan’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The UX’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Macan to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The UX doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Macan has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the UX, and aren’t available on the UX Base. 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 UX.

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 UX.

The Macan’s optional Self Steering ParkAssist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The UX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Porsche Macan and the Lexus UX, 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 UX has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Porsche Macan outsold the Lexus UX by over two to one during 2023.