Porsche Macan vs Lexus TX

The 2022 Porsche Macan retained much of its original design from its 2015 debut, despite undergoing several updates over the years. In 2022, it received a styling refresh, larger standard wheels, and a new centre console with haptic touch controls, enhancing both its aesthetic and functional appeal. The Macan lineup in Canada included four models: the base Macan, Macan T, Macan S, and Macan GTS, with the latter two benefiting from high-output powertrains. Our test vehicle, a Macan S, showcased a Volcano Gray exterior with 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels, exuding a sporty and upscale appearance. Inside, the Macan featured a driver-focused cabin with red leather, gloss black trim, and silver metallic accents, maintaining Porsche's tradition of combining luxury with performance.

The 2026 Lexus TX offered a variety of packages tailored to different powertrains, including the TX 350 and the hybrid TX 500h. The TX's exterior design featured a large grille, sharp bi-LED headlights, and rear LED lighting spanning the vehicle's width. Inside, the TX provided three interior colour options and ambient lighting, though the material quality fell short of luxury standards. The redesigned door handles were a unique touch, but some might have preferred more attention to cabin detail. The TX's interior was spacious, especially in the third row, and offered practical features like a one-touch button for easy third-row access and ample cargo space, making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2022 Porsche Macan offered a range of powertrains, with the base Macan and Macan T featuring a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 261 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The Macan GTS inherited a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 from the previous Macan Turbo, delivering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Our Macan S test car was equipped with a twin-turbo 2.9-litre V6, generating 375 hp and 383 lb-ft, capable of accelerating to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package. All Macans came with a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission and a fully variable AWD system. The Macan S featured larger 20-inch wheels, PASM adaptive damping, and optional performance upgrades, providing a thrilling driving experience with precise handling and strong braking performance.

The 2026 Lexus TX 350 was powered by a 275-horsepower 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the TX 500h hybrid increased output to 366 hp. The gas model used an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the hybrid employed a six-speed automatic. The TX 350 featured electronically controlled full-time AWD, while the TX 500h used Lexus's Direct4 AWD system. Drivers could choose between Normal, Eco, and Sport drive modes, with Sport mode offering increased throttle sensitivity. The TX 500h included adaptive suspension and rear steering for improved handling. While not a sports car, the TX provided a comfortable and responsive ride, with the hybrid model offering enhanced performance and efficiency.

The 2022 Porsche Macan offered a comfortable driving experience, with our test vehicle featuring optional 14-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation. However, rear-seat space was limited, especially for taller passengers. The Macan's interior included a redesigned centre console with haptic touch controls, though it required drivers to look away from the road to use. Cargo space measured 488 litres behind the rear seats, expandable to 1,503 litres with the seats folded. Despite its sporty nature, the Macan provided practical storage solutions, though it lacked ample space for larger items.

The 2026 Lexus TX excelled in interior space and practicality, offering three-zone automatic climate control, heated and cooled front seats, and heated second-row seats. The third row was spacious, with a recline function and ample headroom. A one-touch button facilitated easy third-row access, though folding the second row flat was more complicated. The front seats were roomy but lacked thigh support. The TX provided excellent cargo space, with 572 litres available with all seats in place, expanding to 2,747 litres with all rear seats folded. The TX also offered a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kilograms when properly equipped.

The 2022 Porsche Macan featured a 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a navigation system. The system included touch-sensing virtual buttons and proximity sensing, though the icons could be confusing. The voice recognition system was less reliable than competitors, but stereo volume and tuning controls were separate from the touchscreen. Once configured, the Macan's infotainment system required minimal interaction, allowing drivers to focus on the road.

The 2026 Lexus TX's technology was a mixed bag. The 14-inch touchscreen was user-friendly, but some features lacked polish, such as the inability to manually input satellite radio stations. Steering wheel controls were multi-functional but confusing, with functions displayed on the gauge cluster or head-up display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though connectivity issues occasionally arose. The TX offered a range of subscription-based features, including navigation and a voice assistant. The back-up camera provided a clear view, and the Advanced Park system handled parking duties. With seven USB ports and wireless charging, the TX ensured devices stayed charged.

The 2022 Porsche Macan came standard with lane-departure warning and a reversing camera. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Our test vehicle included most of these technologies, which performed as expected. The Macan also offered optional Park Assist and a surround-view camera. However, it lacked more advanced driving assistance features found in other Porsche models. The Macan had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2026 Lexus TX included Safety System+ 3.0 as standard, featuring forward collision warning, lane tracing assist, lane departure warning, and traffic sign recognition. Proactive Driving Assist was also included, though it could be overly sensitive. Adaptive cruise control worked well once set up, though it was slow to resume speed in traffic. The TX received a five-star crash safety rating from NHTSA and an "Acceptable" rating from IIHS for the small overlap front crash test on the driver's side.