It's the ultimate compliment that can be paid to a luxury SUV - that it offers a driving experience on par with that of a large premium sedan. The primary goal for high end crossover vehicles is to offer the additional passenger and hauling capacity that family shoppers are looking for while simultaneously masking the extra girth and higher center of gravity that comes with those features.
Modern technology has given engineers and designers the ability to produce sport-utility vehicles that transcend their size and provide car-like handling. Let's take a quick look at eight luxury suvs that drive like much smaller sedans.
The 2012 Lexus RX has long enjoyed status as one of the best-selling members of the Japanese luxury automaker's lineup. The Lexus RX offers spacious five-passenger seating as well as a hefty 80 cubic feet of total cargo room with the second row out of the picture. The RX's standard suspension system is geared towards offering a smooth ride that absorbs road insults with ease, but an optional Sport package adds tighter handling to the crossover's tool kit.
The 2012 Lexus RX benefits from a 3.5-liter V-6 that generates 270 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to hit 60-mph in a respectable 7.1 seconds. A six-speed automatic handles the gear shifting duties and buyers are given the option of either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Fuel economy for the former checks in at 18-mpg city and 25-mpg highway.
02. 2012 Acura MDXThe 2012 Acura MDX competes directly against the Lexus RX, and it employs a healthy dose of high technology in order to provide drivers with an engaging experience behind the wheel. All versions of the MDX come with Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) which not only offers increase poor weather traction but also the ability to shift engine torque to the outside wheels when moving through a corner in order to improve grip and exit speed. This feature is over and above the MDX's three rows of seating that gives it seven passenger capability, as well as its maximum cargo rating of 83.5 cubic feet.
The 2012 Acura MDX is motivated by a 300 horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6 that also produces 270 lb-ft of torque. The MDX, which is offered with a six-speed automatic transmission, matches the RX's 7.1 second sprint to 60-mph and delivers fuel economy figures of 16-mpg city and 21-mpg highway.
03. 2012 BMW X5The 2012 BMW X5 belies its larger size thanks to BMW's intensive efforts to polish its chassis until it is worthy of bearing the brand's blue and white badge. With optional seven-passenger seating and 75 cubic feet of total storage space the BMW X5 is impressive even in base form, but adding the M Package dramatically increases the vehicle's handling capability thanks to the inclusion of an adaptive suspension system.
The 2012 BMW X5 presents a trio of engine options to potential buyers. The most fuel efficient of the three is a 3.0-liter turbodiesel that is good for 265 horsepower and a stump-pulling 425 lb-ft of torque. Matched with a six-speed automatic transmission, fuel economy for this mill checks in at 19-mpg city and 26-mpg highway. The entry-level X5 is gifted with a 3.0-liter, turbocharged inline six-cylinder that offers up 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque, while the top of the line model is outfitted with a 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V-8 that churns out 400 horses and 450 lb-ft of twist and delivers a 5.3 second 0-60-mph time. Each of these engines is shifted via an eight-speed auto gearbox, and all versions of the X5 come standard with all-wheel drive.
04. 2012 Lincoln MKTThe 2012 Lincoln MKT is the closest thing to a wagon that the domestic premium brand has ever produced. The Lincoln MKT's controversially extroverted styling conceals interior room for as many as seven passengers as well as the ability to haul up to 76 cubic feet of gear. Although not particularly sporty, the large MKT is definitely confident, comfortable and composed even when asked to traverse rough pavement.
The 2012 Lincoln MKT starts out with a 3.7-liter V-6 engine that is good for 268 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive is optional with this motor, and fuel economy for the base model shows as 17-mpg in city driving and 23-mpg highway. Moving up to the EcoBoost trim introduces a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 that develops 355 horses and 350 lb-ft of torque, sent to the ground through a standard all-wheel drive system. Fuel economy remains comparable to the all-wheel drive, naturally aspirated edition of the crossover despite the additional thrust that sees the MKT EcoBoost hitting 60-mph from a standing start in a swift 6.3 seconds. Six-speed automatic transmissions are found with all versions of the Lincoln.
05. 2012 Infiniti FXThe 2012 Infiniti FX is the sports car of the crossover world, a vehicle that borrows its basic platform from the Infiniti G sedan / coupe and tweaks it to add features such as a two-mode suspension system and active rear steering. The Infiniti FX, which can accommodate five occupants or transport 62 cubic feet of cargo, also offers the choice of rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, with the former a rarity in the crossover segment.
The 2012 Infiniti FX comes in both V-6 and V-8 flavors. The FX35's 3.5-liter, six-cylinder motor provides 303 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque while also delivering fuel economy of 16-mpg city and 23-mpg highway. The all-wheel drive-only FX50 substitutes a 5.0-liter V-8 that offers up a 6.6 second zero-to-60-mph run courtesy of its 390 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed automatic transmission comes free of charge with either FX model.
06. 2012 Cadillac SRXThe 2012 Cadillac SRX is another wagon-replacement that is not quite as spry as some of its competitors but which manages to keep its ride locked down and comfortable - as befits a crossover wearing Cadillac wreath. All Cadillac SRX models offer five passenger seating as well as 61 cubic feet of total cargo space, and the Performance trim does add an extra bit of spice to the vehicle's driving dynamics through the installation of a stiffer suspension system with adaptive shock absorbers and 20-inch wheels.
The 2012 Cadillac SRX has simplified its drivetrain choices down to a single engine: a 3.6-liter V-6 that generates 308 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. With a 7.1 second run to 60-mph the SRX is a reasonably quick performer, and all-wheel drive is available as an option with the crossover. Fuel economy for the Cadillac, which makes use of a six-speed automatic transmission, is reported as 17-mpg around town and 24-mph on the highway.
07. 2012 Acura RDXThe 2012 Acura RDX is another tech-loaded crossover that makes an interesting option for compact luxury shoppers. The Acura RDX seats five and can be configured to handle 61 cubic feet of cargo, but like its larger MDX sibling its most interesting feature is optional SH-AWD, which dramatically improves the handling dynamics of the crossover.
The 2012 Acura RDX is exclusively powered by a 2.3-liter, four-cylinder engine that makes use of a turbocharger to produce 240 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission is charged with corralling all of those ponies, and the SUV can hit 60-mph in 6.9 seconds. Fuel economy for the smallest Acura people mover checks in at 19-mpg city and 24-mpg highway.
08. 2012 Lincoln MKXThe 2012 Lincoln MKX is a mid-size crossover vehicle that skews towards the comfort side of the ride spectrum, offering full-size sedan shoppers an alternative that maintains five passenger capability but adds considerable cargo hauling potential (up to 69 cubic feet).
The Lincoln MKX is found in front-wheel and all-wheel drive trims, both of which make use of the same 3.7-liter V-6 that is rated at 305 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is responsible for managing the crossover's gear shifts (and plays a role in its 7.3 second 0-60-mph run), and fuel economy for the vehicle shows as 19-mpg city and 26-mpg highway.