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If you're searching for a luxury SUV, the Porsche Macan and BMW X3 will rise to the top of your list. Both vehicles have reputations for exceptional performance, sophisticated cabins, and the cutting-edge tech that make them ideal SUVs for your daily Livermore commute. To help you decide which vehicle suits your style best, we have asked our experts to provide the following Porsche Macan vs BMW X3 comparison.
Design and Interior Comfort
In addition to superior performance, the 2025 Porsche Macan offers exceptional comfort and convenience features in its cabin. Porsche designed its Macan for maximum forward thrust and expertly integrates the driver into the vehicle.
The ergonomic seats provide elevated views while keeping that connected feeling with the road. Leather seats come standard on every Macan model, and with higher trims, quality and variety go from impressive to amazing. Optional packages can wrap the dash and door trim in leather.
A three-zone climate control system keeps all riders in their perfect comfort zones. Heated seats come standard with ventilation as an option. The rear cargo area has 17.2 cubic feet of space that opens up to 53.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded flat.
The BMW X3 comes standard with sport seats in three available colors. Unfortunately, the standard upholstery is faux leather, with an optional upgrade available that combines faux leather and faux suede. You can upgrade to leather for a premium price. BMW wraps the instrument panel in a woven fabric made from recycled polyester, something they've never tried.
BMW X3 models have a two-zone climate control system that leaves the rear passengers stuck with the front control setup. You can get heated and ventilated seats in the BMW X3, depending on your model's configuration.
Performance and Handling on City Streets and Highways
Porsche engineered its Macan SUV to deliver exceptional performance driving characteristics. The Macan was meant for those surfside cruises along the Pacific coast bluffs and through the winding roads, surrounded by redwood trees, on US-101.
The Macan base model has a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder turbocharged engine that makes 261 horsepower, which proves spritely on Livermore streets. It will sprint to 60 mph in 6.0 seconds when you get on the I-580 onramp to Dublin. The Macan S model comes alive with a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine that produces 375 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain allows the Macan S to race to 60 mph in as little as 4.4 seconds and record a top speed of 161 mph.
The top-tier Macan GTS uses a modified turbocharged V-6 engine that pumps out 434 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque. This engine doesn't disappoint, as it reaches 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and achieves a top speed of 169 mph.
BMW equipped its X3 30 xDrive SUV with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that puts out 255 horsepower. This powertrain lets the X3 30 xDrive reach 60 mph in 6.0 seconds and achieve a top speed of 131 mph. The BMW X3 M50 xDrive uses a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine that produces 393 horsepower. This model races to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds.
Technology and Driver Assistance Features
Porsche's infotainment system has plenty of high-tech features, and the Macan has USB ports and 12-volt outlets throughout the cabin to keep everyone's devices fully charged. A Wi-Fi hotspot and Apple CarPlay come standard to let you sync your smartphone for hands-free operations. A 10.9-inch interactive display controls all your infotainment.
Porsche offers a menu selection of driver assistance technologies, letting you configure your technology suite. You'll have options for lane keeping, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and more.
The BMW X3 has a larger 14.9-inch touch-screen display and features similar connectivity and operational controls. You also have Wi-Fi hotspot capability and available wireless charging to keep everyone connected and charged.
BMW takes a similar approach with its driver assistance offerings, giving you basic features such as automatic emergency braking as standard equipment but charging extra for systems like adaptive cruise control.
Pricing and Value Comparison
Porsche makes its Macan in four attractive trim levels designed to entice specific drivers. BMW offers its X3 SUV in two trims with design and performance features that appeal to different driving styles. Here's a look at how these two SUVs compare in pricing:
| Porsche Macan Trim Level | MSRP | BMW X3 Trim Level | MSRP |
| Porsche Macan | $64,600 | BMW X3 30 xDrive | $50,900 |
| Porsche Macan T | $70,300 | BMW X3 M50 xDrive | $65,900 |
| Porsche Macan S | $78,000 | ||
| Porsche Macan GTS | $93,100 |
The BMW X3 30 xDrive offers entry-level luxury and the performance you expect from BMW. The Porsche Macan starts at a higher price point but comes with more standard luxury features, like authentic leather rather than the faux leather and polyester materials in the BMW X3.
Both vehicles have impressive power, but the Macan GTS edges out the BMW X3 M50 with more horsepower, a faster sprint to 60 mph, and a higher top-end speed. Macan SUVs drive like a sports car, which means every ride feels like a mini track day. Every corner you take and each straight-ahead acceleration feels like an event. BMW X3 models offer a more balanced ride quality, one that's comfortable yet still quick.
Porsche Macan vs BMW X3: Which SUV Is the Better Fit for Livermore Drivers?
Both vehicles are well-suited for Livermore driving. If you want an SUV that drives like a sports car, the Macan will take you on more thrilling rides. If you prefer more comfort and less adrenaline, the BMW X3 has what you need. At Porsche Livermore, we always recommend you test-drive a vehicle before purchasing. We have an expansive inventory of new Macan SUVs at competitive prices.
We invite you to shop our online inventory or visit our Livermore showroom and speak with one of our friendly, knowledgeable staff. They'll answer your questions and coordinate a test drive in your preferred Macan model.
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Model Comparison