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SUVs have evolved from truck-like body-on-frame beasts into car-like vehicles with unibody construction. Though off-road enthusiasts still prefer the body-on-frame brutes, most consumers have embraced crossovers thanks to their combination of car-like driving dynamics and a commanding seating position.
Even though they don’t offer the same off-roadability as their body-on-frame counterparts, most crossovers can hold their own on a beaten off-road path. While the BMWX3 M and PorscheMacan aren’t the best off-road examples, they offer better handling, performance, and luxury than most of their counterparts.
10/10 BMW X3 M: Well-Thought-Out Interior
Besides having a beautiful interior, the X3 M also gets thoughtful organization and high-quality materials. One thing that stands out in the X3 M is the comfortable and well-bolstered M sports seats. They hold the driver in place while being comfortable and easy to climb into.
At the center of the dashboard is a 12.3” touchscreen that uses the latest iDrive system. Even though the center stack might feel outdated, the simplicity and combination of button controls and the rotary knob is something most enthusiasts appreciate.
9/10 Porsche Macan: Modern And Elegant Interior
The Macan offers a substantially enhanced interior with its elegantly designed center console. The console features a new operating concept taking advantage of touch surfaces instead of tactile buttons. According to Porsche, the layout helps bring a clear structure to the cockpit.
The Macan also gets a shorter selector lever like most new Porsche models. Besides the aesthetic changes, the Macan also gets plenty of online services and functions as standard. You can access these services and functions through the 10.9” full HD touch display.
8/10 BMW X3 M: ZF Automatic Transmission
If you want an excellent shifting transmission besides Porsche’s PDK unit, get a BMW with the ZF. It’s so good that you might think it’s a fancy dual-clutch. Not only is it milliseconds shy of the PDK, but it shifts quickly enough up and down the gears.
In addition, the available Sport and Sport+ modes make the X3 M fun to drive aggressively. Switching to Comfort mode changes the entire ride for a more relaxed ride. The X3 M offers some wheel-mounted shift paddles with excellent tactile response.
7/10 Porsche Macan: Maximum Steering Sensitivity
Besides having an optimized chassis, the Macan gets maximum steering sensitivity. The sensitivity is crucial for any sporty SUV since it offers a better driving experience like any other two-door Porsche sports car.
Porsche optimizes the power steering software to adjust the friction and damping. It helps deliver precise steering that also improves steering feedback. With more feedback, drivers can position the Macan precisely and drive it more dynamically.
6/10 BMW X3 M: BMW M Handling
Even though SUVs are known for not offering much fun like sports cars, the X3 M isn’t your typical SUV. Behind the wheel, the X3 M feels more like a sports sedan than a midsize SUV. That’s thanks to its compact dimensions, M Drive Sport mode, and stiff anti-roll bars that reduce body roll.
The X3 M gets the playful and hooligan personality of the M2, making it one of the best sporty midsize SUVs on the market. In addition, the X3 receives adaptive M suspension that uses electronically controlled adaptive dampers to offer a smooth, comfortable ride or a sporty, engaging ride.
5/10 Porsche Macan: Optimized Chassis
The Macan is one of the best sportiest SUVs in its segment. Its optimized chassis helps strengthen its position while delivering thrilling driving experiences. The Macan receives optimized running gear like more sensitive steering and stiffer anti-roll bars for better handling.
As a class-leading sports SUV, the Macan offers a balance between comfort and dynamics more effortlessly. The Macan receives a wide suspension bandwidth that allows for new sports air suspension in the GTS model.
4/10 BMW X3 M: Lovely Inline Six Powerplant
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At the heart of the X3 M is a lovely inline-six powerplant. The S58 3.0-liter twin-turbo engine offers excellent performance, similar to the M2, M3, and M4. In the standard X3 M, the S58 produces 473 hp. The figure increases to 503 hp in the Competition trim.
No matter the X3 version, there is no shortage of power. The Competition trim takes everything a notch higher thanks to its sporty exhaust system. It offers the classic BMW straight-six sound even though some enthusiasts may prefer it to be louder.
3/10 Porsche Macan: Punchy V6 Engine
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All engines in the Macan are reasonably robust. The S and GTS variants get a 2.9 lite Biturbo V6 powerplant that offers instant power and transmits it using the 7-speed Porsche PDK dual-clutch transmission.
The Macan also gets Porsche’s proven Porsche Traction Management all-wheel drive system. It helps transmit power continuously to the rear axle and variably to the front axle. The all-wheel drive layout offers greater agility, allowing the Macan to utilize its 434 horses and 405 lb-ft of torque fully.
2/10 BMW X3 M: Cohesive Competition Package
Choosing the Competition package adds an extensive upgrade to the X3 M. for starters, you get a sports exhaust, thicker anti-roll bars, extra gloss black interior trim, M Sport seats, a 30 hp bump, and unique lightweight wheels.
In addition, the top speed increases from 155 mph in the standard X3 M to 177 mph. All these upgrades help make the X3 M Competition a capable SUV that can quickly sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. The M sports exhaust system also helps add richer engine sound characteristics.
1/10 Porsche Macan: GTS Sport Package
Porsche offers an additional GTS Sport package for the Macan GTS. The package is an additional dynamic upgrade that, besides the extensive interior and exterior modifications, adds Pirelli P Zero Corsa performance tires and Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus).
The GTS also receives an electronically controlled, fully variable LSD to help ensure that more torque reaches the rear when on the outside of the bend. The LSD helps ensure the Macan has better cornering ability and traction on any road.
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