The landscape of automotive luxury has dramatically shifted, and today’s Best Small Luxury Suvs stand as a testament to this evolution. Gone are the days when opting for a compact SUV from a premium brand meant sacrificing upscale features compared to their sedan counterparts. Modern small luxury SUVs now deliver an experience that rivals, and in many ways surpasses, traditional luxury cars. Expect to find amenities such as heated and ventilated seats, meticulously crafted cabins adorned with leather and wood, and cutting-edge infotainment and safety technologies, all within a more versatile sport utility package.
The appeal of the best small luxury SUVs extends beyond mere opulence. These vehicles are designed with practicality in mind, offering generous cargo space, a crucial advantage in the small vehicle sector. Furthermore, the availability of standard or optional all-wheel-drive systems across these models ensures they are ready to tackle diverse driving conditions and provide an added layer of confidence. Our selection focuses exclusively on SUVs from the compact and subcompact categories, ensuring we highlight the most agile and city-friendly options in the luxury segment.
2019 Acura RDX
Acura’s comprehensive redesign of the RDX for 2019 has undeniably paid off, positioning it as a strong contender in the best small luxury SUV category. The revamped RDX has garnered significant accolades, including an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating and recognition from WardsAuto for its innovative infotainment technology. This critical acclaim has translated to market success, contributing to Acura achieving an all-time annual sales record.
The 2019 Acura RDX makes a bold statement with its striking design, both inside and out. The cabin showcases a futuristic center console that seamlessly integrates the center stack and armrest, creating a visually captivating and ergonomically efficient space. For those seeking elevated refinement, the RDX offers interior options such as open-pore ash wood trim and hand-stitched leather surfaces. Externally, the RDX is instantly recognizable thanks to Acura’s signature “Jewel Eye” LED headlights, projecting a sophisticated and modern image.
2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
While Alfa Romeo classifies the Stelvio as a midsize SUV, its dimensions are surprisingly compact, making it a worthy inclusion in our lineup of the best small luxury SUVs. Slightly shorter than some compact competitors like the Acura RDX, the Stelvio compensates with exhilarating performance. Notably, it holds a Nürburgring record for the fastest lap time achieved by any production SUV, regardless of size, underscoring its sporty DNA.
The 2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio enhances its appeal with newly standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, along with newly available heated rear seats and carbon-fiber exterior accent packages. Retaining its distinctive front-end styling and a range of track-inspired options like Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes and Sparco racing seats, the Stelvio caters to driving enthusiasts seeking luxury with a performance edge in a smaller SUV format.
2019 Cadillac XT4
Despite Cadillac’s strategic shift away from sedans, the brand remains a strong player in the SUV market, particularly with the 2019 Cadillac XT4. This all-new model firmly establishes itself among the best small luxury SUVs, boasting a cabin adorned with premium materials such as carbon fiber, genuine wood, and diamond-cut aluminum. These upscale finishes create a truly luxurious ambiance, perfectly complementing the XT4’s optional heated and ventilated front seats, which also offer a massage function for ultimate relaxation.
Beyond opulent comfort, the Cadillac XT4 integrates advanced technology seamlessly. Mobile Wi-Fi hotspot capability, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and sophisticated safety features like Cadillac’s digital Rear Camera Mirror enhance the driving experience. Visually, the XT4 makes a striking impression with standard LED signature headlights and eye-catching aluminum-alloy wheels, available in sizes up to 20 inches, solidifying its position as a stylish and technologically advanced small luxury SUV.
2019 Infiniti QX30
For buyers seeking an accessible entry point into the luxury SUV segment, the 2019 Infiniti QX30 stands out as one of the best small luxury SUVs in its class. As the starting model in Infiniti’s SUV lineup, the QX30 presents a compelling value proposition with a starting MSRP just above $31,000. Despite its competitive price, the QX30 doesn’t compromise on style, featuring an exotic exterior design that sets it apart from more conventionally styled, pricier competitors.
The Infiniti QX30’s nimble dimensions and sporty engine options contribute to a more engaging driving experience compared to many rivals. For those desiring heightened luxury, the QX30 offers upgrades such as heated Nappa leather seating and LED headlights. It’s important to note that the QX30’s compact footprint, slightly shorter than a 2019 Honda Civic hatchback, emphasizes its agility and urban-friendly nature within the small luxury SUV category.
2019 Jaguar I-Pace
The 2019 Jaguar I-PACE represents a groundbreaking addition to the best small luxury SUVs, and its accolades extend beyond our own assessment. Recognized by the Green Car Journal as the 2019 Luxury Green Car of the Year, the I-Pace distinguishes itself with its all-electric powertrain. This innovative system provides an EPA-certified range of 234 miles on a single charge, catering to environmentally conscious luxury buyers.
Beyond its eco-friendly credentials, the Jaguar I-Pace delivers impressive performance. Its electric powertrain generates 394 horsepower and 512 lb-ft of torque, enabling a 0-60 mph acceleration in just 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 124 mph. True to its luxury branding, the I-Pace also offers a refined cabin with leather seating, genuine wood trim, and advanced technology features, blending sustainability with premium appeal in the small luxury SUV segment.
2019 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
The 2019 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque exemplifies the fusion of striking design and off-road capability within the best small luxury SUVs. The Evoque’s exterior presents a modern and sophisticated aesthetic, accentuated by standard LED headlamps and distinctive side vents. Personalization options include a fixed panoramic glass roof and contrast-color roof choices in black or silver, allowing for a customized two-tone exterior.
Inside, the Evoque’s cabin echoes its exterior elegance with nearly all-digital controls, creating a contemporary and uncluttered environment. Despite its refined interior, the Evoque remains true to Land Rover’s off-road heritage, offering over 8.3 inches of ground clearance and a water wading depth of nearly two feet. This blend of style and ruggedness positions the Evoque as a uniquely versatile small luxury SUV.
2019 Lexus NX
The 2019 Lexus NX expands the best small luxury SUVs category by incorporating hybrid power. Specifically, the NX 300h model features a hybrid powertrain that delivers a combined 194 horsepower. The primary advantage of this hybrid system lies in its fuel efficiency, achieving EPA ratings of 33 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined, all while providing the added security of electrically enabled all-wheel drive as standard.
Luxury features in the Lexus NX include climate-controlled front seats upholstered in supple leather. The NX 300h also prioritizes safety, offering a comprehensive suite of standard safety technologies. This package encompasses adaptive cruise control, automatic forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, lane-keeping assistance, and a rearview camera, making it a well-rounded and safety-conscious small luxury SUV.
2019 Lincoln MKC
The 2019 Lincoln MKC demonstrates that the best small luxury SUVs can offer benefits extending beyond the vehicle itself. The MKC provides a luxurious interior with available Bridge of Weir leather seating and genuine rosewood or ash wood accents. Technological highlights include mobile Wi-Fi and automatic emergency braking. Performance is also a focus, with two turbocharged engine options, including a 2.3-liter unit producing 285 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque.
What truly differentiates the Lincoln MKC is the Lincoln Black Label program. This exclusive membership offers a collection of premium services and experiences, ranging from access to gourmet restaurants to expedited airport security processes. This added layer of personalized luxury elevates the MKC beyond a mere vehicle, positioning it as a gateway to a more refined lifestyle within the small luxury SUV segment.
2019 Porsche Macan
For driving enthusiasts seeking performance within the best small luxury SUVs, the 2019 Porsche Macan is a compelling choice. The Macan Turbo, in particular, delivers sports car-like performance figures, reaching a top speed of 169 mph and accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds, thanks to its 440-horsepower twin-turbo V6 engine.
Achieving peak performance requires the optional Porsche Performance and Sport Chrono packages, which also incorporate comfort features. The Performance sport steering wheel, for example, is heated and trimmed with leather and Alcantara. Additional packages cater to luxury preferences, offering high-end materials and advanced technology, ensuring the Macan appeals to both performance and luxury-oriented buyers in the small luxury SUV market.
2019 Volvo XC40
The 2019 Volvo XC40 generated significant buzz upon its launch, partly due to its introduction of Volvo’s vehicle subscription program. However, the XC40’s enduring appeal solidifies its place as one of the best small luxury SUVs, regardless of purchase method. Whether buying, leasing, or subscribing, the XC40 impresses with its striking exterior design, further enhanced by options like a contrast-color roof, Volvo’s signature “Thor’s Hammer” LED lighting, and bold aluminum-alloy wheels up to 20 inches in diameter.
Volvo elevates cabin luxury with the XC40’s Inscription trim, featuring a distinctive cut-crystal gear-shift knob by Orrefors. True to Volvo’s reputation, the XC40 prioritizes safety, incorporating a comprehensive suite of safety technologies. This combination of Scandinavian design, opulent details, and renowned safety makes the XC40 a standout in the small luxury SUV segment.
