Best 2015 Small Luxury SUVs

For a certain set of people shopping for a luxury automobile, only SUVs will do. However, what they’re really looking for is an elevated seating position and expanded utility, ideally without the size and ungainliness associated with traditional SUVs. For those buyers, the marketplace has come up with an enticing proposition; the small luxury SUV crossover. Blending the best attributes of SUVs with driving characteristics and features of luxury cars, the best 2015 small luxury SUVs give their owners the ability to order a huge wedding cake, transport it to their destination of choice, and eat it too.

Acura RDX

Acura’s RDX combines crisp styling with sporty handling, a comfortable ride and a 273-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 with 251 ft-lbs of torque. A six-speed automatic feeds either the front wheels or all four if you choose to order your RDX equipped with all-wheel drive. There are two trim packages; base and RDX w/Technology. The vast majority of features you expect on a luxury car can be had on the base model; the Tech package gets you extras like a GPS linked automatic climate control system, navigation, voice controls, and a surround audio system. 2015 Acura RDX pricing starts at $35,095.

Audi Q3

Audi’s delightfully handsome new small crossover suv is offered in two states of trim, Premium Plus, and Prestige. Key features on the base Premium Plus model include xenon headlights, dual zone automatic climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and leather upholstery. Order the Q3 Prestige and you’ll also get a power tailgate, voice control, navigation, and a Bose surround audio system. Power comes from a 200-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with 207 ft-lbs of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission routes power to the front wheels, or all four if you get Quattro. For 2015, Q3 Pricing starts at $32,500.

Photo by Audi

Buick Encore

Buick’s Encore will surprise you the first time you see it in person. Much smaller than it looks in photographs, we’re talking MINI Countryman, FIAT 500L, Nissan Juke small—but jam-packed with features. Standard equipment includes a touchscreen, smartphone app integration, Bluetooth, and a rearview camera. The top model brings rain-sensing wipers, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and front and rear parking sensor arrays. Power comes from a 138-horsepower, 1.4-liter turbocharged four rated at 148 ft-lbs of torque. A six-speed automatic feeds either the front, or all four wheels if you get all-wheel drive. Pricing starts at $24,160.

BMW X1

As you’d expect from BMW, a great deal of emphasis is placed on the X1’s driving characteristics. Standard features include automatic headlights, automatic wipers, automatic climate control, and Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity. Options include keyless entry, a panoramic sunroof, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, pushbutton start, iDrive, navigation, and iPhone app integration. Power comes from a 240 horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four with 260 ft-lbs of torque; or a 300-horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six with 300 ft-lbs. The four gets either rear- or all-wheel drive. The six is all-wheel drive only. BMW X1 pricing starts at $30,900.

Cadillac SRX

The Cadillac crossover is a terrific handler with a comfortable ride. Power comes from a 3.6-liter V6 with 308 horsepower and 265 ft-lbs of torque. A six-speed transmission feeds power to either the front, or all four wheels—if all-wheel drive is specified. Standard features include an eight-inch touch sensitive display screen, Bluetooth, and a reclining rear seat. Options include keyless entry and start, blind spot warning, front and rear parking sensor arrays, a power liftgate, a panoramic sunroof, and voice activated navigation. Other options include lane departure warning, forward collision warning, and automated parking. Pricing starts at $37,605.

Infiniti QX50

Infiniti offers the QX50 in two levels of trim—base and Journey—with Premium, Deluxe Touring, and Technology packages. Power comes from a 3.7-liter V6 with 325 horsepower and 267 ft-lbs of torque. A seven-speed automatic feeds the rear wheels—all-wheel drive is optional. Standard features include keyless entry and start, dual zone automatic climate control, leather, a touchscreen display, and a rear view camera. Go Journey and you’ll add Bluetooth audio, front and rear parking sensor arrays, and navigation. Lane departure warning and prevention, forward collision monitoring, and blind spot monitoring are also available. Pricing starts at $35,000.

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

The littlest Range Rover has big shoes to fill. A member of the family of the most capable and luxurious SUVs on the planet, people regard it with high expectations. Offered in two-and four-door configurations; automatic wipers, a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensor arrays, keyless entry, pushbutton start, a dual-zone automatic climate control system, as well as Bluetooth telephone and audio are standard. Power comes from a 240-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four with 251 ft-lbs of torque. A 285-horsepower version of the engine is optional. The nine-speed automatic routes power to all four wheels. Pricing starts at $41,100.

Lexus NX 200t

The new Lexus compact crossover SUV is similar in size to the Lexus IS sedans. Power comes from a 235-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four with 258 ft-lbs of torque, and a six-speed automatic. Front-drive is standard, all-wheel drive is optional. Standard equipment includes keyless entry and start, dual-zone automatic climate control, a seven-inch display screen, Bluetooth, Siri based voice control, and full iPhone integration. Options include navigation, a power liftgate, front and rear parking sensor arrays, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, and collision mitigation. Pricing had yet to have been announced when this was written.

Mercedes-Benz GLK

Sleekly curvaceous and definitively sexy, the new small Mercedes-Benz crossover SUV is based on the company’s new CLA line of smaller cars introduced for 2014. Standard features include automatic climate control, a 5.8-inch display screen, and a power liftgate. Power comes from a 208-horsepower, turbocharged inline four-cylinder with 285 ft-lbs of torque. A seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission routes power to either the front- or all four wheels. Yes, there is also an AMG version, making 355 horsepower and 332 ft-lbs of torque from the same engine. All-wheel drive is standard equipment with this one. Pricing starts at $31,300.

Mercedes-Benz GLA

Sleekly curvaceous and definitively sexy, the new small Mercedes-Benz crossover SUV is based on the company’s new CLA line of smaller cars introduced for 2014. Standard features include automatic climate control, a 5.8-inch display screen, and a power liftgate. Power comes from a 208-horsepower, turbocharged inline four-cylinder with 285 ft-lbs of torque. A seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission routes power to either the front- or all four wheels. Yes, there is also an AMG version, making 355 horsepower and 332 ft-lbs of torque from the same engine. All-wheel drive is standard equipment with this one. Pricing starts at $31,300.