It鈥檚 the matte-plastic wheel-arch trim (and in some cases bumper-cover decoration) that says to buyers: 鈥淚鈥檝e now develop into some thing else. And, even though they should surely see the plain old station wagon beneath, consumers wish to oblige. The dress-up wagons promote a lot far better than their donor versions that Subaru and Audi do not even bother giving the non-butch versions anymore. But boy, would a buyer shell out enough if he chose a Cross Nation equipped like our check vehicle. For 2017, the sole accessible drivetrain configuration will be the T6 model, which includes a supercharged and turbocharged 316-hp 2.0-liter inline-four, an eight-speed automated transmission, and all-wheel drive. 69,440 when it had been loaded up with soft-leather interior trimmings, massaging front seats, heated rear outboard seats, four-zone climate handle, a Bowers & Wilkins audio system, head-up display, air-spring rear suspension, metallic paint, and other niceties. This drops the Cross Nation during the pricing chasm between the A4-based Audi Allroad and the Mercedes-Benz E400 wagon. The Volvo would be the size of your Mercedes with an engine the size of the Audi鈥檚.
Even so, that four-cylinder generates impressive output (with 295 pound-feet of torque to go with its load of horsepower). And the 4266-pound Cross Country鈥檚 5.9-second run to 60 mph is plenty quick, if not quite on the pace of your Germans. The problem could be the way in which that power is delivered. It surges and ebbs. If you鈥檙e riding the torque wave, this wagon feels genuinely quick. Fall off it, though-as you frequently will-and the auto feels breathless and wimpy. Climbing back up takes a moment, and the engine moans at the effort. The Cross Country turns in a middling braking performance, requiring 173 feet to stop from 70 mph. And the brakes are grabby and difficult to apply consistently. Its steering is indifferent. We鈥檙e glad to note that, despite wearing optional 20-inch wheels (in place of stand颅ard 19s), the Cross Country rides more comfortably than the somewhat flinty sedan on which it鈥檚 based. Put the mode selector into dynamic should you want a less comfortable ride. The Cross Country鈥檚 structure feels stouter than the sedan鈥檚. We chalk that up to the cushier ride. This is good, because we really want the V90 to be great. It looks stunning (especially in non-Cross Country dress), and the interior is beautifully designed and finished. It鈥檚 roomy and practical. And dammit, we like wagons, even when they鈥檙e festooned.
Most of the Macan's rivals beat it in the cargo department. The Porsche crossover offers just 17.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 53 when they're folded (though they don't fold completely flat). However, a power liftgate is standard. While this is a minor quibble, Porsche doesn't yet support smartphone connectivity using Android Auto. Apple CarPlay is available on higher trims only. Although the 2018 Porsche Macan is an outstanding SUV, it also has the highest price in its class. Those that want to spend less and get a more spacious interior and similarly athletic performance might consider rivals such as the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Jaguar F-Pace. Porsche is getting major accolades in recent years for effortlessly combining the best attributes of a sports car and an SUV. With the 2018 Macan, they have created an all-around excellent luxury vehicle that will appeal to a wide swath of buyers. The 2018 Porsche Macan even received a rare five-star rating from Car and Driver; the publication also named it the year's best luxury SUV. J.D. Power and Associates also gave the new Macan five stars overall.
Unlike the majority of its rivals, the Porsche Macan is an SUV that is designed to appeal to the keen driver. In fact, it's aimed at the sort of families who have outgrown a Cayman but who don鈥檛 want to give up the Porsche badge and the driving enjoyment that goes with it. Think of it as the best of both worlds - an enjoyable yet reasonably practical SUV. Since its introduction in 2014, the Macan has become a huge seller for Porsche, giving buyers who don't fancy a larger SUV like Porsche's own Cayenne a more compact alternative in this crowded market. For 2019, there's a facelift that updates the looks with a new full-width rear light bar, new bumpers and of course, some new colours. Inside there's a bigger 10.9in infotainment system and there's been tweakery under the bonnet, too. Although it will cost more to buy than most rivals, it will also be worth a lot more than those same SUVs when the time comes to sell it on. For some, of course, the cachet of having the word 'Porsche' on the tailgate of your SUV will be well worth the extra expenditure. You might want to keep the fact that the Macan shares much of its internal parts with the previous-generation Audi Q5 quiet, though.
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