Porsche has a surefire winner on its hands with the Macan. The small SUV is deeply rooted in the company's sporting heritage, as is evident with even a passing glance. The Macan's steel and aluminum body has near-perfect proportions and, as Porsche says, it "embodies sportiness, dynamism, and precision, together with an elegance and lightweight construction." Taking cues from the Cayenne, 911 and even the 918 Spyder, the Macan is unmistakably Porsche.

The Macan is available in Base and Macan S, both feature active all-wheel drive and the latest development of Porsche Traction Management. The rear axle is always powered, while the front receives its cues from the available traction. In particularly unstable driving situations, such as icy roads, fully 100 percent of the Macan's power can be shifted to the front wheels through a multi-plate clutch.

The Macan also benefits from an aluminum 5-arm wishbone suspension up front, with a self-tracking trapezoidal link suspension in the back. Paired with big 6-piston brakes, 19-inch alloy wheels and fat tires, the Macan is as sure-footed as they come.

Two engines are offered in the Macan. The base Macan is powered by a turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder making 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Porsche claims a sprint from 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The Macan S is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6, which produces 348 horsepower at 5,400 rpm and 354 pound-feet of torque from just 1,360 rpm. That's enough to propel the Macan S to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, with a top speed of 156 mph.

Both engines are mated to Porsche's PDK dual-clutch 7-speed automatic transmission, which makes for extremely fast gear changes. Paddle shifters make changing gears a snap and a selectable Sport mode allows for more responsive engine and transmission management. This equates to faster shift times, a higher redline and a sweeter sound from the exhaust.

Standard amenities in the Macan include 18-inch wheels, bi-xenon headlights with dynamic headlight leveling and cleaning, along with LED running lights and fog lights. Porsche Communication Management (PCM) with hard-drive navigation is also standard, as is a 14-speaker Bose audio system, Bluetooth connectivity, 3-zone automatic climate control, rearview camera and parking sensors and a power tailgate.

The Macan S builds on these features, and in addition to the larger engine, it includes dual exhausts, 19-inch wheels, and larger brakes.

Macan interiors are as luxurious and ergonomically efficient in the only way Porsche knows to build. Leather abounds. The large tachometer sits front and center before the driver, with the ignition on the left--a Porsche hallmark. All models feature a 3-way rear bench that, when folded, allows for 50.3 cubic-feet of cargo space.

Some exceptional options and packages are offered for the Macan. Wheel choices go all the way to 21 inches in several designs. The Sport Chrono Package is a button-operated change in the way the Macan responds to driver input, thanks to an even more aggressive mapping of the engine, transmission, and chassis, along with "launch control" for the fastest starts possible. When equipped, 0-60 mph sprints in either model are reduced by 0.2 seconds. Air suspension is also available, a Macan-exclusive feature in this segment. It includes a leveling system, ride height adjustment, and PASM, the automakers' brand of active suspension dampeners. The Premium Package Plus includes front and rear park assist, with a reversing camera, ventilated front seats, auto-dimming mirrors, a 2-piece panoramic sunroof, lane keep assist and lane change assist, which helps check for any potential hazards around the vehicle when a driver begins a lane maneuver. Finally, European delivery from Porsche factories at either Leipzig or Zuffenhausen is a no-cost option.;