Porsche is entering the fast-growing small SUV market with the Macan. The Macan — the name comes from the Indonesian word for "tiger" — is six inches shorter than its sibling, the Cayenne SUV, but features the same muscular look. It also uses some tricks to look more substantial, like a broad, wraparound hood that encompasses the headlights. Porsche designed two versions: The Macan S, with a new, 3.0-liter V6 engine that gets 340 horsepower and the Macan Turbo, with a new 3.6-liter V6 that gets 400 horsepower. Both are all-wheel drive and have Porsche's seven-speed PDK double-clutch transmission. Standard features include an off-road mode, which optimizes the vehicle for off-roading at the touch of a button. Off-roaders may also choose the Macan's optional air suspension chassis, which can set the vehicle's ground clearance at three different levels. Porsche says the Macan is the only vehicle in the small SUV segment with this feature. The Macan goes on sale this spring at a starting price of $50,895 for the Macan S and $73,295 for the Macan Turbo. It's hitting the market at the right time. Sales of small luxury SUVs are up 25 percent so far this year, making them the fastest-growing segment in the luxury market.

This performance comes in a package that, compared to the Q5, is 2.1 inches longer in length, sits 0.2 inch lower, and stretches a negligible 0.2 inch between its axles. In keeping with the Porsche’s sportier tone, it is an inch wider than the Audi. The Macan does retain the Q5’s five-link front and trapezoidal-link rear suspension, but adds a variety of spring and damper choices. A steel-sprung setup is standard on the S, but Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), which incorporates steel springs with adjustable dampers, is optional; it’s standard on the Turbo. Finally, both the S and the Turbo can be had with an air suspension that offers three ground clearances: Normal, High 1, and Low. Selecting Low or pushing the Sport Plus drive-mode button lowers the suspension 0.4 inch from Normal; pick High 1, and the suspension rises 1.6 inches. A trunk-mounted Load button lowers the Macan two inches below Normal to ease cargo loading. Staggered-width 19-inch tires, which measure 235/55 up front and 255/50 out back, as well as an optional rear-axle torque-vectoring function further help handling.

The Macan Turbo will sprint to 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds (4.4 seconds with the Sport Chrono package) and reach a top speed of 164 mph. The Macan S needs 5.2 seconds to reach 60 mph (5.0 seconds with the Sport Chrono package) and will max out at 156 mph. The Sport Chrono package enables the chassis, engine and transmission to be tuned to an even sportier level and includes a Launch Control function

A kerb weight of 1865kg for the Macan S makes it 200kg lighter than the Cayenne S, while the Macan Turbo tips the scales at 245kg less than the Cayenne Turbo, at 1925kg.