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According to Volkswagen, the T-Cross is intended to sport a more funky design than the brand鈥檚 larger SUVs. Inside, the dashboard layout is almost identical to that of the Polo supermini. That means there鈥檚 a large infotainment display sitting above a pair of central air vents, simple, logical control layouts and an attractive steering wheel. As with the outside it鈥檚 possible to liven up the largely grey decor with some contrasting colour finishes. S and SE models come as standard with traditional analogue dials, while higher up the range it鈥檚 possible to add a 10.25-inch digital readout instead. This allows the driver to customise the information presented, choosing a regular looking speedometer and rev counter or prioritising trip or navigation readouts. The graphics are sharp, and while it isn鈥檛 completely essential, it does make the cabin feel more high-tech than those of many rivals. While the dash design is pretty much the same as the Polo鈥檚, the driver gets a better view of the road ahead, thanks to a hip point located 100mm higher than in the supermini. The similarities between the Polo and the T-Cross shouldn鈥檛 come as a surprise, as the pair share Volkswagen鈥檚 MQB A0 platform.

The T-Cross is 54mm longer overall, but that鈥檚 still comfortably shorter than a Golf, so it鈥檚 an ideal size for city driving. Every model in the T-Cross range comes with an eight-inch touchscreen as standard. In S and SE models, this includes Bluetooth and a DAB radio, but no built-in satellite navigation, which is a 拢725 option unless you stretch to an SEL or R line model. If you鈥檙e happy to make use of your smartphone, the SE cars and above have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included. The infotainment system itself is one of the best in its class to use. The graphics look clear and sharp, while the touch sensitive shortcut buttons which surround the display are big enough to not be distracting on the move. The two physical dials - one for volume, one to adjust the navigation zoom - are quite small and fiddly though. Programming the navigation system is easy, thanks to a large on screen keyboard. Loading times are quick enough, and it鈥檚 possible to pinch and swipe on the display if you want to preview a route. The eight-inch screen also houses the reversing camera, which is a 拢260 option. The R-Line also features a 10.25 inch Active Info Display as standard. It鈥檚 a 拢375 option on SE and SEL models, but as pretty as it is, it isn鈥檛 a must-have option. The audio experience is the one area of the VW infotainment system that lets the side down. Sound quality from the standard speakers is nothing better than okay; the speakers lack clarity and punch. The optional Beats system, complete with a 300-watt output, fixes the latter, but doesn鈥檛 really add anything in terms of quality, so it isn鈥檛 worth the extra 拢430.

In the United Kingdom, for instance, the crossover retails from 拢46,344. In the U.S., expect the upgraded model to be just a tad more expensive than the outgoing crossover. As I said before, this segment is pretty ripe with competitors, and the BMW X3 is one of the key players. Redesigned for the 2018 model year, it has a sportier design and a well-equipped interior. However, it鈥檚 nowhere near as aggressive as the 911-inspired Macan, so Porsche kind of wins in this department. The X3 is available with just two drivetrains in the U.S. There鈥檚 the xDrive30i model, which uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 249 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Sprinting from 0 to 60 mph takes six seconds, so this trim is a solid competitor for the base Macan. The second model is the M40i, which is similar to the Macan GTS. Powered by a 3.0-liter inline-six, this model comes with 355 horsepower and 369 pound-feet on tap.

Getting to 60 mph takes 4.6 seconds, while top speed is reached at 130 mph. In Europe, there鈥檚 a less powerful four-pot with 181 horsepower, as well as a couple of diesel offerings with 187 horses and 295 pound-feet and 261 horsepower and 457 pound-feet. 54,300 for the M40i. Read our full review of the 2018 BMW X3. The recently introduced F-Pace is also a solid competitor for the Porsche Macan, but the highlight here is the SVR model, basically one of the very model that can give the Macan Turbo a run for its money. Fitted with a more aggressive exterior, it also uses a massive, supercharged, 5.0-liter V-8 that delivers an incredible 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. The SVT hits 60 mph from a standing start in only 4.1 seconds, a tenth-second quicker than the Macan Turbo with the Performance Package, while delivering the best top speed in class at 176 mph. 8,000 less than the Performance Package version.

Read our full story on the 2018 Jaguar F-Pace SVR. I鈥檒l be honest here, the Macan gained a bit more changes than expected inside and out. Sure, the LED taillight strip and the four-point headlamps were obvious choices, but Porsche made the Macan look significantly more aggressive by adding new bumpers front and rear. The bigger infotainment display and the sportier steering wheel are also welcomed additions, but some of the more interesting features are still optional. I鈥檓 a bit disappointed that Porsche didn鈥檛 upgrade the engines, but to be honest, the Macar is powerful enough as it is in all trims, even when compared to its rivals. Sure, Porsche still needs a Turbo S model to go against the F-Pace SVR, but maybe the Germans are working on one as we speak. Read our full review on the 2018 Porsche Macan. Read more Porsche news. Update 1-4-2018: The Porsche Macan was caught playing again, this time in the snow. Check out the latest images below.