[masraum]

We had a break in the rain today, so went out to drive a couple of vehicles. Turns out the rain stopped just long enough for us to get ready and get half way there. I drove a 2018 Outback with the 3.6L H6 and a crosstrek. Then I drove an Audi Q5, then a Merc GLC300 then an AMG GLC43.

Audi Q5 vs Merc GLC300. Both are 250hp 4cyl. The Audi was sportier, but the Merc was more comfy. Since this would be for the missus, more comfy would win. The Outback has a 250hp 3.6L flat 6 and was pretty nice. It wasn't as plush as the Mercedes or sporty as the Audi, but it had a bunch of safety features which appealed to the missus and looked nice (and wasn't white, silver, gray or black [all with black interiors]) and was reasonably comfy.

The AMG GLC43, ~360hp twin turbo V-6. Yowza, faster 0-60 than my Boxster S according to the magazines. It was comfy and sporty and at $42k wasn't that expensive. That's awfully tempting, although not entirely practical.

The Crosstrek was slow, but not nearly as slow as I expected.

I'd love a Macan, but the Macans are harder to find and more expensive than the rest, and based on what I've read, they are more sport focused than the Audis, so they'd probably be great for me, but the missus is less sport and more comfy and safety focused than I am. For her, the requirements are probably 1 Safe, 2 Comfy, 3 Sporty.

Nothing concrete, just thoughts on a few test drives.

We'll have to drive a couple/few again more extensively, preferably on a day that's not dark and rainy.

We may look at a Grand Cherokee and Wrangler 4dr and highlander just to satisfy her curiosity and mine.