2022 Porsche Macan vs 2021 Honda CR-V

The 2021 Honda CR-V had a design that blended seamlessly with other compact crossovers in the market. Its styling was almost indistinguishable from its competitors, with a similar side window opening shape. While the CR-V had a few unique details like its grille and some chromed plastic features, it wasn't a vehicle that stood out based on exterior looks alone. The color options were limited, especially for the base LX trim, which only offered black, silver, and white. The interior featured black, gray, and ivory cloth or leather, with higher trims offering more upscale touches like wood panels and chrome.

In contrast, the 2022 Porsche Macan maintained a design that was nearly identical to its original 2015 model, despite regular updates. The 2022 model received a styling refresh, larger standard wheels, and a new center console with haptic touch controls. The Macan S test vehicle, priced at $87,670, featured Volcano Gray paint and 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels, giving it a taut, athletic look. Inside, the Macan drew inspiration from other Porsche models, with a flat and wide dashboard, ignition switch to the left of the steering wheel, and a center console housing most secondary controls. The red leather, gloss black interior trim, and silver metallic accents added to its upscale, sporty appearance.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was not designed for high-speed thrills but rather for smooth and steady acceleration. All trims were powered by a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, achieving 0-60 mph in about 7.8 seconds. The CR-V featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that provided a consistent driving experience, though it lacked the engagement of conventional transmissions found in competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The CR-V's suspension setup included a MacPherson strut in the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear, offering decent handling and ride quality.

The 2022 Porsche Macan, on the other hand, offered a range of powerful engines. The base model had a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 261 horsepower, while the Macan GTS featured a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 with 434 horsepower. The Macan S, our test vehicle, had a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 375 horsepower, accelerating to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package. All Macans came with a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission and a fully variable all-wheel-drive system. The Macan S also included larger 20-inch wheels, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), and optional performance upgrades like Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV+) and Porsche Surface Coated Brakes (PSCB). The Macan S delivered an exhilarating driving experience, with precise handling and powerful acceleration, though it required more effort to initiate a stop.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized functionality, offering 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The cargo area could be accessed via a manual tailgate on lower trims, a power tailgate on the EX-L, and a hands-free version on the Touring trim. Roof rails were standard only on the top-tier Touring trim. The CR-V's interior was designed to comfortably fit five passengers and their gear, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2022 Porsche Macan, while sporty, also provided comfort for its driver and front-seat passenger. The Macan S test vehicle featured 14-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, though the rear seats were cramped for taller passengers. The redesigned center console with haptic touch controls offered a clean look but required the driver to look away from the road to use. Cargo space measured 17.2 cubic feet behind the back seat, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Macan's interior was luxurious, with high-quality materials and a focus on driver comfort.

The 2021 Honda CR-V offered a basic 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity on the base LX trim, while other trims featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The audio system ranged from a 180-watt system with six speakers on the Special Edition and EX trims to a 300-watt system with a subwoofer on the Touring trim. Charging ports were available throughout the cabin, with the Touring trim adding a wireless phone charger.

The 2022 Porsche Macan came equipped with a 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system called Porsche Communication Management (PCM). This system included wireless Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, a navigation system, and connected services. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with options to upgrade to a Bose premium surround-sound system or a high-end Burmester audio system. The user experience was generally intuitive, though the voice recognition system was less reliable compared to competitors. The Macan's infotainment system was complemented by physical controls for frequently adjusted features, reducing the need to interact with the touchscreen while driving.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star overall crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick award. The CR-V's Honda Sensing system included a suite of advanced safety features as standard, such as a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. The only feature not standard on the base LX trim was the blind spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2022 Porsche Macan included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a reversing camera as standard. Blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist were optional, with blind-spot monitoring included in the Premium Package of our test vehicle. The Macan also offered front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and an optional Park Assist system. However, the Macan lacked more advanced driving assistance technologies found in other luxury vehicles. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had published safety ratings for the Macan.