There are more than 50 luxury SUVs on the market in a range of sizes and seating configurations. Each year new models are added to meet the country’s growing appetite for cushy, higher-riding vehicles loaded with the latest advanced technology and entertainment options. While many consumers may think these pricey luxury vehicles are out of reach, many premium brands have expanded their offerings with entry-level options designed to entice buyers out of their mainstream cars and into the up-market SUV segment.
No longer reserved for the well-heeled, several luxury five-seaters, such as the BMW X3 and Cadillac XT4, have base prices that hover around the national average cost of a new car. Automotive data provider ALG forecasts that consumers spent an average of $37,018 for a new vehicle in October 2020.
Many recently introduced luxury SUVs are priced to lure shoppers into high-end dealership showrooms and introduce them to the brand’s ownership experience, said Eric Lyman, ALG chief industry analyst. It’s cheaper to retain a new customer than acquire a new one, so winning over younger luxury buyers can pay dividends for years if the customer remains loyal, Lyman said.
Beware, however: Staying under budget can be hard in the luxury market for buyers used to value-oriented vehicles bundled with standard features. Luxury vehicles configured with the latest technology and other extras can cost thousands of dollars more than the SUV’s advertised base price.
But standard amenities and quality without add-ons typically rivals fully-loaded mainstream offerings, so staying on budget is a reachable goal.
- 2020 Acura RDX Great value, many standard features
- 2020 Lexus NX Comfortable cabin, big grille, many creases
- 2020 Acura MDX Great value for the money
- 2020 BMW X3 Roomy, comfortable, sporty, safe
- 2020 Mercedes GLB Comfortable, rides well
- 2020 Infiniti QX60 Smooth ride, flexible 3-row seating
- 2020 Cadillac XT4 Comfortable, roomy for small SUV
- 2020 Infiniti QX50 Upscale looks, unique engine
- 2020 Audi Q5 Fabulous cockpit, refined ride
- 2020 Lincoln Corsair Quiet cabin, affordable
Why We Picked It
Completely redesigned in 2019, the fourth-generation Acura RDX compact crossover is in a heated battle with the Lexus NX over which is the most popular among buyers. Through September 2020, Acura sold 37,788 RDXs compared with 35,929 sales of the NX. That’s also more sales than any other crossover it its class. The Acura RDX starts at $37,800.
Pros & Cons
- Well-built
- Great standard safety tech
- SH-AWD is fun and effective
- Tricky infotainment controls
- Tight rear seating
- Stiff ride possibly exacerbated with the larger wheels of A-Spec trim
Specs
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2020 Lexus NX
Price Starting From
$36,870Why We Picked It
With aggressive styling, sporty handling and a $36,870 base price, it’s understandable that the 2020 Lexus NX compact SUV was the second-best selling model in its segment through September 2020 (behind the Acura RDX).
Pros & Cons
- Very stylish
- Fun to drive
- Spacious seating and cargo areas
- Finicky infotainment system;
- Base model doesn’t feel very luxurious;
- V6 and V8 models can get pricey
Specs
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Why We Picked It
The 2020 Acura MDX midsize SUV is larger than its RDX sibling and offers a folding third row that makes it a popular choice among consumers that want a premium, family-friendly SUV. The MDX stands out in a very crowded segment: Through September 2020, sales of the MDX hit 32,553, tailing only the perennially popular Lexus RX andKia‘s all-new Telluride. The base price of the Acura MDX is $44,500.
Pros & Cons
- Distinctive and smart styling
- Gobs of tech in engineering, performance, safety, and infotainment
- Great value for the money
- Doesn’t have the over-the-top luxury aura of a Mercedes, Lexus or BMW
- Average interior design
- Sometimes confusing multi-screen infotainment setup
Specs
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Why We Picked It
Performance-oriented drivers looking for an SUV to support their active lifestyle flock to the versatile 2020 BMW X3 compact SUV. It provides a composed type of luxury with a mix of serious sport potential and family friendliness. Through the first nine months of the year, BMW sold 36,400 X3s, which is right on the heels of Lexus’ NX. The 2020 BMW X3 starts at $41,950.
Pros & Cons
- Top-shelf handling
- Great styling
- Compact size makes it agile
- Somewhat lackluster acceleration
- Limited cargo
- Complex infotainment
Specs
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#2 in 15 Best Compact Luxury SUVs
#8 in 15 Best Compact SUVs
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2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB
Price Starting From
$36,600Why We Picked It
With an optional third row that expands seating to seven and more standard features than expected in a Mercedes-Benz, the 2020 GLB compact crossover has become popular with young families. An all-new entry for the 2020 model year, the Mercedes-Benz GLB sits between the GLA and the GLC in terms of size. Despite being on the market for under one year, it’s already topped sales of 18,700 through the first three quarters of 2020. The 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLB has a base price of $36,600.
Pros & Cons
- Attractively-priced base model includes generous comfort and technology
- Available third row expands seating to seven
- Optional adjustable suspension easily tackles difficult terrains
- New MBUX infotainment system voice operation needs some fine tuning
- Optional third row is a tight squeeze (29.1 inches of legroom)
- Advanced driver’s assistance tech that is standard on many mainstream crossovers is an expensive option
Specs
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2020 Infiniti QX60
Price Starting From
$44,350Why We Picked It
High styling and a spacious interior are just two of the many reasons that families flock to the 2020 Infiniti QX60 midsize SUV, a roomy three-row SUV that seats up to seven and starts at $44,350. Though it’s middle of the pack among rivals (sales through September 2020 were 17,505), it’s a top-seller in Infiniti’s lineup. It also shares the same architecture as theNissan Pathfinder.
Pros & Cons
- Ease of ingress/egress to all rows
- High-end cabin and materials
- Supple suspension makes long drives tolerable
- Third-row legroom is child-size
- CVT is not refined in execution
- Little to no off-road capability
Specs
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2020 Cadillac XT4
Price Starting From
$35,695Why We Picked It
Packed with standard advanced driver-assistance safety tech that often costs thousands of dollars more in luxury vehicles, the 2020 Cadillac XT4 compact SUV is a popular choice for value-oriented buyers. A new entry for Cadillac that’s still early in its first generation, sales of the XT4 hit 15,485 through the first three quarters of 2020, a feat considering it competes against segment stalwarts like the Acura RDX, Lexus NX and BMW X3. The base 2020 Cadillac XT4 costs $35,695.
Pros & Cons
- Quiet ride
- Cargo area offers plenty of space despite its subcompact classification
- Comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and full-featured driver safety suite
- Not very fast despite the turbocharged engine
- Interior lacks pizazz
- Premium Luxury trim doesn’t offer much in the way of actual premium luxury
Specs
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#11 in 15 Best Compact Luxury SUVs
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Why We Picked It
Refined styling inside and out draw consumers to the 2020 Infiniti QX50 compact SUV that also has an attractive base price of $37,250. Completely redesigned for the 2019 model year, the QX50 offers a well-appointed interior and an impressive 31.1 cubic-feet of cargo space, which is five more more than the popular Audi Q5. Through September, the Infiniti QX50 sold 14,569 units.
Pros & Cons
- Two new premium trims (Autograph, Sensory) join the lineup
- Standard safety technologies include blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, automatic rear braking, high beam assist, and rear cross-traffic alert
- Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
- The dual-touchscreen infotainment system is not intuitive
- Occasional lag from CVT
- Occasionally noisy engine
Specs
Why We Picked It
Refined styling and renowned German engineering are some of the reasons that the 2020 Audi Q5 is compact SUV is popular with consumers and the brand’s top-seller. It offers buyers plenty of utility for recreational use or family hauling and also can hold its own off road. Through September 2020, Audi sold 29,350 Q5s, putting it just behind its German rivals in the segment, the Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW’s X3. The base 2020 Audi Q5 costs $43,300.
Pros & Cons
- Nimble performance for an SUV
- Excellent infotainment
- Solid efficiency and comfort
- Awkward display placement
- Interior can feel cramped
- Big grille up front perhaps too big
Specs
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#9 in 15 Best Compact SUVs
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Why We Picked It
The 2020 Lincoln Corsair compact SUV is an all-new entry and fills the void left by the outgoing Lincoln MKC. It’s also the smallest crossover in the premium brand’s lineup. The modern interior and attractive base price of $35,945 makes it a compelling purchase for buyers entering the luxury market. It also shares the same platform as the new-for-2020 Ford Escape. Lincoln sold 14,009 Corsairs though September 2020.
Pros & Cons
- Gorgeous, inside and out
- Strong optional engine
- Generous standard safety features
- Gets expensive fast
- Somewhat cramped back seat
- Disconnected driving feel
Specs
Editor’s Note: Sales data provided by MotorIntelligence. All prices include destination fees.