If you want to find a set of rivals for the Jaguar F-Pace, look to Audi, Merc and BMW. Up against the Q5, GLC and X3, Jag’s first SUV has the feel of a winner.

But for the ultimate competitor, Jag went elsewhere. In the company’s own words, the Porsche Macan ‘set a handling benchmark we simply couldn’t afford to ignore.’

With a build up like that, excuses won’t do. The F-Type needs to come back with a scalp.

So here we are giving it the chance to do just that. We have each vehicle in six-pot diesel form, the F-Pace packing 296bhp to the Macan’s 255 but both delivering much the same in terms of performance and other vital stats. So on paper, they’re well matched.

But in intent? This is where it becomes harder to accept that we’re comparing like for like.

In the F-Pace, you sit in a traditional SUV-style raised seat, surrounded by a cabin designed to feel opulent. It’s more spacious, particularly in the boot and back seats. The Macan by contrast feels like a sports car, with a low-set seat and a dash which, while impeccably put together, has an austerity to its styling which leaves you in no doubt that this is a car to be driven.

So let’s do that, then. Both pull like trains, but despite its lower power the Macan responds with greater alacrity – helped, in no small measure, by a smarter auto box. The F-Pace is revvier, but ultimately it’s as good as a dead heat on pace alone.

And on dynamics? Less of a dead heat than a knockout blow. Delivered by Porsche, through a combination of balance, agility, response, control, grip and steering feel that leaves its rival snoring on the canvas. Its handling is exquisite, its attitude in corners honed to perfection, its steering full of feel and feedback.

And it really works. It’s direct, accurate and full of life, nailing you to corners as the body crouches and all four wheels grip without compromise. You can even adjust it on the throttle. It’s less SUV-like, more reminiscent of something like a Panamera.

And this is on air springs, which can so easily leave you feeling numb. Our F-Pace by contrast was on coils, and they were much softer than the Macan’s – as was its steering, short of dynamic intent by the need to combine cosseting luxury with family-car practicality.

When the road gets rough, however, the F-Pace is more forgiving. That’s no small matter in Britain, and you could certainly picture it allowing Jag Man to keep on pushing long after his mate in the Porsche has backed off.

Yes, in dynamic terms the F-Pace is trounced by the Macan. But that doesn’t change the fact that it is still very good indeed. It’s precise, agile and very well balanced – all areas in which the its excellence only goes to show just how good the Macan really is, because between them there’s no contest.

So, we know which of these is the better driver’s car. But is that alone enough to win the day?

If, to you, buying an SUV means giving in to the inevitable, then probably yes. But if what you want is something as much like your old Boxster as possible, but with space in the back for the kids, the Macan is perfect.

For most, though, an SUV is something that blends many qualities together and out pops the definitive family car. In which case, the F-Pace looks a lot like the vehicle that gets the balance right. Stunning dynamics may or may not be on your must-have list for a 4x4 family wagon, but enough space for people and luggage certainly is.

So too is the plushness of experience only the F-Pace delivers. These things are critical, too.

And so the result is a bit of a score draw. Or, to be honest, a mismatch. Fact is, these two vehicles are addressing two different audiences.

To call the Macan a one-trick pony would be an outrage. But its focus on what some of us love most makes it less of the all-rounder your typical 4x4 driver needs.

For those people, the aforementioned Q5, GLC and X3 have long provided every answer. But now the F-Type is here, they’re being asked a whole new set of questions.