PORSCHE MACAN 2.0 * 2014 * 14-PLATE * 19,108 MILES * £34,995

Porsche’s best seller since its first full year of production is now also well established on the used car scene. Entry level is about £30,000 which nets a high mileage diesel; priced a little above that is this early petrol 2.0. The two litre Macan arrived ‘properly’ in 2016, but this 237hp model was specific for the Far East, Brazil and the UK, when the Macan was launched in 2014. It uses a four-in-line turbo VW group engine, the EA888, mildly massaged by Porsche to give 15 more horses than in the Audi Q5. This white, two-owner example was first registered in November 2014 by Porsche Centre Cardiff and serviced most recently by them. An intermediate service at 12,200 miles was performed by PC Nottingham in November 2016. Nothing in its appearance suggests this Macan has had anything other than careful use: white exterior paint all looks original and there is a complete absence of scuff marks on the door thresholds and the loading bay. Tyres, Michelin ‘Green’ Xs are all evenly (about half) worn and the brake discs have plenty of material. The 18-inch alloys will never win a style competition, but their 55 section rubber saves them from that bane of urban use – kerbing. Inside, the embossed leather upholstery still looks new. Under the bonnet, the modest 2.0 in-line four hides beneath its black plastic cover; lifting this both engine and gearbox appear clean. Like the rest of the car, the under bonnet has not been specifically prepared for sale.

Turn the key and the Macan fires with an unfamiliar if smooth rumble. Macans are all PDK (and 4WD) and this 2.0 feels quite cultured as it glides away. The VW engine is never obtrusive, managing to sound relatively composed even at full throttle: given it has some 1750kg to propel, it is an impressive performer. Depressing the sport button makes the seven speed PDK that much more reactive and a reminder this is no run-of-the-mill SUV and neither does it steer like one: the high sitting position takes some adapting to, but given its dimensions the Macan can be hustled with remarkable accuracy: as ever with Porsches, body control is in another league: the Macan simply goes where it is pointed and you soon begin to take advantage of the excellent forward and lateral visibility. With the chunky tyres fitted to this example, road noise is relatively well isolated: the ride is firm, but if anything biased to comfort.

Although four years old, this Macan feels almost new: with a fresh MOT and next service due in late 2020 it also represents inexpensive Porsche motoring – the bills for the two Porsche Centre services amounted to £400 and £560; on the drive from Cardiff where vendor Ashgood acquired it, fuel use was 37.6 mpg. With Porsche’s wide angle reversing camera and front/rear parking sensors this basic model is nicely equipped for urban living; as a Euro 5 petrol, it will also be persona grata much longer than equivalent diesels which will be banned from many built-up areas within a couple of years. You could get a best-selling Kia Sportage for less than half the money, but if you appreciate Porsches and need an SUV, this Macan is a decent (if expensive) compromise. PW