Porsche Macan S

Yet even Porsche purists haven’t been able to ignore the Cayenne, the large SUV that opened up the segment .

Eager to repeat that success with a car in the burgeoning compact SUV market, Porsche has developed its baby brother, the Macan. And while its origins can be traced back to Audi's Q5, Porsche's engineers have transformed that car and put the sport into sports utility.

Although clearly influenced by the look of the Cayenne, the Macan is more streamlined in profile and doesn't tower over regular cars like its conventional rivals. Crucially this athletic stance does much to banish any notion that the Macan is all show and no go.

The Macan is unmistakably a Porsche, from the large, distinctive headlights, bulging wings and bold grille to the lettering on the tailgate.

For now, it's six-cylinder turbo power across the range - two petrol and one diesel. Furthermore, Porsche's popular seven-speed dual clutch PDK gearbox is standard fit.

The Macan's cabin will be familiar to the Porsche faithful, thanks to the car's jam-packed central fascia replete with the climate and performance-enhancing switchgear easy to hand. The main colour touchscreen allows access to a high-quality audio and navigation tools.

With a steering wheel and tail lights influenced by Porsche’s 918 hybrid supercar, you're left in no doubt as to the Macan's heritage. But It also ticks the boxes regarding the accommodating cabin and family-friendly boot space, giving it the potential to deliver the best of both worlds if you're restricted to owning only one car.

Predictably in 340bhp S petrol guise, the Macan behaves nothing like the traditional SUV stereotype. Agile, rapid and engaging, there’s no hint of a compromise when behind the wheel.

The Macan S strikes strike an attractive balance between ability and affordability.

It's an engaging, practical and stylish all-weather premium experience.

Factor in the plethora of driver-orientated options - adjustable dampers, air suspension, intelligent power distribution and traction electronics - and you've got the recipe for an accomplished all-rounder.

And remember, the Macan will also happily tackle tricky off-road terrain.

Unlike with the Cayenne, Porsche enters an already developed market with the Macan. There was no shortage of choice, but what was lacking in the sector was a credible sporting alternative to the conventional high-rise template.

The Macan, with its combination of ability and an engaging driving experience, more than fills the gap. It is a genuine Porsche in the way it drives, just better at carrying people and luggage.

It will happily swallow five people and their luggage, although for comfort two adults across the back seat is preferable. The driving position is excellent and there’s decent space for odds and ends in the cabin too. The boot is impressively large and can easily cope with a full set of suitcases for a week-long holiday, with the electric tailgate making loading that little bit easier.

On the open road it steps easily into a sportier frame of mind, responding with relish to steering inputs and heavier inputs on the throttle. Press the Sport button and shift manually for the full experience and the Macan is remarkably quick yet still composed.

You get a lot for your money - although the options can considerably increase the price - and you arguably get two cars in one. There are similarly-sized SUVs for similar prices that can’t hope to match the Macan’s performance, and yet it doesn’t lag behind any of them for practicality or comfort.

If you've outgrown your cherished sports car, then you might well want to take a closer look at the Macan.

At a glance

Porsche Macan S
Price: from £43,300
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 twin turbo petrol unit developing 340bhp
Transmission: 7-speed PDK dual clutch transmission as standard, driving all four wheels
Performance: Top speed 157mph; 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds
Economy: 32.5mpg combined
CO2 Rating: 204g/km