Top 10 Most Stylish Crossovers

Just a few years ago, “Stylish Crossovers” was an oxymoron, like “Jumbo Shrimp” or “Resident Alien.” Crossovers were built for function, and often were relegated to the category of “cute utes.” Some tried to look like their bigger SUV brethren, some attempted to look rugged, and others simply gave up.

Today, however, crossovers have come of age, and a new crop of stylish crossovers currently crowd the marketplace, vying for your attention and hard-earned dollars.

Here are 10 Stylish Crossovers worth considering for your next vehicle purchase.

When the Infiniti QX70 made its debut as a 2003 model under the name “Infiniti FX,” it was the most assertive and sporty crossover on the market. Almost a decade and a half later, the second generation 2017 Infiniti QX70 is still a stunning vehicle. Scarab-shaped, it packs an abundance of stylish design into its carapace, with a bulging hood and pronounced wheel arches connected by swooping bodywork and great details. An extremely high level of fit and finish, an Infiniti hallmark, brings QX70 into sharp focus and amplifies its stylish design.

The first-generation Mazda CX-5 ran from 2012-2016 and made a splash as the more compact replacement for the CX-7 in the Mazda lineup. Now all new for the model year, the 2017 Mazda CX-5 features an evolved, more stylish exterior and interior design while maintaining the majority of the mechanical underpinnings of the successful crossover vehicle.

Mazda had to be careful with this makeover not to lose the momentum that the CX-5, its best-selling model, has built through the years. It saw over 112,000 sales in 2016 – just nipping the Mazda3 at the finish line. The CX-5’s design conforms to Mazda’s KODO: Spirit of Motion theme, and is engineered using its SKYACTIV engineering principles.

Cadillac has been on a path of continuous improvement recently, and the mid-size 2017 Cadillac XT5 stands as an example of progress. It replaced the neglected SRX, which never really got the respect that it deserved.

The XT5 should garner respect based on its excellent handling and performance and will draw admiration as a stylish crossover. From the big grille up front (with the tasteful Cadillac crest) all the way to its elegant rear fascia, the XT5 oozes style. Most important is the full-LED lighting package, with signature daytime running lights up front and graphic tail lights in the rear. Cadillac fanciers will appreciate the nod to the brand’s heritage in the mini-fin shapes of the brake light housings, a stylish touch if there ever was one.

Jeep’s compact crossover, the 2017 Jeep Compass, borrows styling cues for the company’s flagship crossover, the Grand Cherokee. The Compass runs away with the “most improved” award for its complete update over the outgoing generation of Compass.

Instead of cute styling (like the Renegade) or bizarre styling (like the Cherokee), the Compass brings elegant, mature styling to the compact field. Featuring a version of the famous Jeep six-column grille that mirrors the Grand Cherokee’s, Compass presents a very attractive face, with expressive headlights and fog lights. The nicely tucked-in body sides support a tall should line, and the broad rear end gives a sense of stability. In a lineup that is long on purpose-built style, Compass is the most stylish crossover.

Often overlooked, the Nissan Murano was the 30^th best-selling SUV in the US last year. But for those seeking a stylish crossover vehicle, it would be a mistake not to consider the 2017 Nissan Murano. Its striking profile is both elegant and powerful, with a truly unique daylight opening (DLO) – designer-speak for the area defined by the side windows of the vehicle. A variety of planes and curves capture the light, creating a very sculptural and sophisticated body side view. This year’s Murano Midnight Edition amps up the stylishness with black outside mirrors, black 20-inch alloy wheels, and black roof rails. Add to this a supremely comfortable and tailored interior, and you’ve got a stylish crossover that stands out in a crowd.

Land Rover Head of Design Gerry McGovern has been busy over the past few years, filling in the gaps in the company’s lineup and updating its design language. The smallest vehicle in the Land Rover collection is the 2017 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque. Still a recognizable variant on the brand’s design theme, the Evoque is a stylish compact crossover that is available in three models: Five-door, coupe, and convertible. The hard-top versions share a lowered version of Range Rover Sport’s “floating” roof, available in contrasting paint colors to emphasize the ethereal look further. All three models have expressive faces, sleek exterior lines, a rising beltline and an athletic stance. Gorgeous interiors retain a sense of purpose wrapped in elegant materials and finishes.

Did Jaguar need a crossover vehicle to complete its lineup? We would have said “no” a few years ago, especially considering that Jaguar and Land Rover are both owned by the same parent company, Tata Group of India. But much like Porsche before it, Jaguar found a way to design the F-Pace, a stylish crossover that recognizes the brand’s sports car and luxury sedan heritage that delivers a thoroughly modern and functional ownership experience.

Led by Head of Design Ian Callum, Jaguar designers grafted the face of a Jaguar onto a body that has sculpted elegance. Inside, modern British vehicle design gets executed with superb fit and finish and clever touches. Corporate synergy brings off-road prowess to the table, too – making the 2017 Jaguar F-PACE the most all-around capable Jaguar ever built.

The XC60 has been the best-selling compact luxury crossover vehicle in Europe for years and is a staple of Volvo’s lineup in the US. The all-new 2018 Volvo XC60 sharpens the familiar exterior design and elevates the interior to new heights of Swedish luxury design. Instead of a mild refreshing of the interior, the new XC60 scraps the previous generation’s look in favor of a modern, elegant, stylish design that echoes the strong look of the new XC90. Central to the design is the 9-inch portrait-oriented Sensus Connect color touchscreen, a beautifully functional element all in itself. Materials like driftwood, real metal trim, and available Nappa leather elevate the XC60 into the realm of stylish crossover.

When Porsche produced its first crossover, the 2003 Cayenne, sports car purists lost their minds – and not in a good way. Despite the gasps of “blasphemy!” from brand loyalists, the Cayenne quickly became Porsche’s best-selling vehicle, by a long shot.

When the compact crossover, the Macan, arrived as a 2015 model, an eager public snapped it up, and fans admired its stylish design and sporty performance. The 2017 Porsche Macan continues to dazzle with its unique virtues. Sharing classic Porsche exterior design cues and a driver-centric interior design, the Macan handles like a Porsche and swiftly transports five in style and comfort – along with their luggage.

Some people claim that Bentley is all about style. Even if that were true, we’d still have to include the 2017 Bentley Bentayga on our list of stylish crossovers. The largest and most expensive vehicle on our list, the Bentayga oozes class, elegance, and style from every pore. The familiar grille and headlight array unmistakably proclaim brand heritage upon arrival, and the muscular haunches leave no doubt about the crossover’s capability upon departure. Inside, it’s an all exclusive men’s club, with attractive leather, wood, and real metal furnishings. The Bentayga is the crossover vehicle for those who have made it, and aren’t afraid to let others admire their success.