The Carophile ratings for the top luxury compact SUVs are based on U.S. News and World Report rankings of the automobiles. The basis for the rankings is the average of the automobile overall performance, interior, safety, and expert critic’s overall assessment of the automobile on a zero to 10.0 scale for each category. If a category is not measures by U.S. News and World report, the score is not listed under the SUV description.
1. 2016 PORSCHE MACAN S
Starting price: $52,600
The 2016 Porsche Macan is one of the best luxury compact SUVs sold today. The automobile is rated by U.S. News and World Report as a 9.0 overall, with a 9.2 critic’s ranking, 9.4 performance, and 8.4 for the interior. The auto features a very comfortable ride and handles similar to a sports sedan. The overall gas mileage rating of the Macan is 17 MPG (city) and 23 MPG (highway). The SUV is powered by a 3.0 liter twin-turbo six-cylinder rated at 340 horsepower and is combined with a seven-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The vehicle has a towing capacity of 1,653 lbs, and can go from zero to 60 MPH in 4.3 seconds. The top overall speed of the auto is 156 MPH.
2. 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLC-CLASS
Starting price: $38,950
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC Class is one of the top luxury compact SUVs on the market. The SUV is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as an 8.9 overall rating, with an 8.9 critic’s rating, 8.0 performance, and 8.6 for the interior. The GLC-Class offers a large number of standard and optional features when buying the auto new, and the auto has one of the top-rated interiors of the class. The overall gas mileage rating of the vehicle is 22 MPG (city) and 28 MPG (highway). The auto is powered by a 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine rated at 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque combined with rear-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available as a dealer option, and the auto can go from zero to 60 MPH in 6.3 seconds. The top overall speed of the vehicle is 130 MPH.
3. 2016 AUDI Q5
Starting price: $40,900
The 2016 Audi Q5 is one of the best luxury compact SUVs on the road today by U.S. News and World Report rates the auto as an 8.6 overall with a 9.1 critic’s rating, 8.5 performance, and 8.5 for the interior. The Q5 offers a very luxurious main cabin of the crossover and has a number of powerful engine options for the consumer to choose from when buying the vehicle new. The overall gas mileage rating of the Q5 is 24 MPG (city) and 31 MPG (highway). The stock engine for the auto is a 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine rated at 220 horsepower. Other drivetrain options include a supercharged 3.0 liter V-6 rated at 272 horsepower, and a 3.0 liter diesel V-6. The Q5 has a towing capacity of 4,400 lbs, and comes standard with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The auto can go from zero to 60 MPH in 5.8 seconds, and the Q5 has a top overall speed of 128 MPH.
4. 2016 BMW X3
Starting price: $38,950
The 2016 BMW X3 is one of the top luxury compact SUVs sold on the market today. The X3 features an extremely roomy cabin and handles above average when compared to other vehicles of the same class. U.S. News and World Report rates the auto as an 8.6 overall, an 8.8 for the critic’s rating, 9.0 performance, 8.2 on the interior, and 9.7 for safety. The overall gas mileage rating for the auto is 27 MPG (city) and 34 MPG (highway), and the stock engine in the auto is a 2.0 liter turbo-four cylinder rated at 240 horsepower. Consumers can also choose to upgrade to a 3.0 liter turbo-six rated at 300 horsepower, and a 2.0 liter diesel four cylinder as dealer drivetrain options. The maximum speed of the X3 is 127 MPH, and the auto can go from zero to 60 MPH in 5.3 seconds.
5. 2016 ACURA RDX
Starting price: $35,370
The 2016 Acura RDX is one of the top luxury compact SUVs on the market. The automobile offers a roomy cabin and top-safety ratings. The RDX is rated by U.S. News and World Report as an 8.5 overall, 8.9 critic’s rating, 8.0 performance, 8.1 interior, and 9.7 for safety. The overall gas mileage rating of the crossover is 20 MPG (city) and 29 MPG (highway) with a towing capacity of 1,500 lbs. The stock engine in the vehicle is a 3.5 liter six-cylinder rated at 279 horsepower combined with front-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Consumers can choose to upgrade to all-wheel drive when buying the auto new, and one can also choose to include adaptive cruise control and forward-collision warning as dealer options. The RDX can go from zero to 60 MPH in 6.2 seconds, and the maximum speed of the auto is 135 MPH.
6. 2016 LEXUS NX 200T
Starting price: $34,965
The 2016 Lexus NX 200t is one of the best luxury compact SUVs sold. The auto features a highly rated interior cabin and very roomy back seats. U.S. News and World Report rates the auto as an 8.5 overall, an8.7 critic’s rating, 7.8 performance, 8.4 interior, and a 9.3 for safety. The overall gas mileage rating of the NX 200t is 22 MPG (city) and 28 MPG (highway). The stock engine for the SUV is a 2.0 liter turbo four-cylinder rated at 235 horsepower, and the overall towing capacity of the auto is 2,000 lbs. The auto is sold with a six-speed automatic transmission, and there is a Sport and Hybrid version of the SUV available for purchase. The top overall speed of the NX 200t is 124 MPH, and the auto can go from zero to 60 MPH in 6.9 seconds.
7. 2016 LEXUS NX 300H
Starting price: $39,720
The 2016 Lexus NX 300h is one of the best luxury compact SUVs on the roads today, and the hybrid has quickly become known for its highly rated interior and fuel economy. U.S. News and World Report rates the SUV as an 8.5 overall, 8.5 critic’s rating, 7.6 for performance, 8.2 interior, and a 10.0 for safety. The overall gas mileage rating of the NX 300h is 35 MPG (city) and 31 MPG (highway). The car is sold standard with front-wheel drive with all-wheel drive available as a dealer option. The auto can go from zero to 60 MPH in 6.9 seconds, and the maximum speed of the NX 300h is 124 MPH.
8. 2016 INFINITI QX50
Starting price: $34,450
The 2016 Infiniti QX50 is one of the top luxury compact SUVs on the market. The auto features sporty handling and very roomy seating. The overall U.S. News and World Report rating for the QX50 is 8.4 overall, 8.6 critic’s rating, 8.5 performance, and 8.0 interior. The stock engine in the vehicle is a 3.7 liter V-6 rated at 325 horse power and 267 lb-ft of torque. The overall fuel economy rating of the auto is 17 MPG (city) and 24 MPG (highway). The car is sold standard with a seven-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting mode, and can go from zero to 60 MPH in 5.7 seconds. The maximum speed of the auto is 145 MPH.
9. 2016 LINCOLN MKC
Starting price: $33,260
The 2016 Lincoln MKC is one of the best luxury compact SUVs sold. The SUV includes an above average features list and is extremely quiet; however the interior seating is a bit cramped. The overall U.S. News and World Report ratings for the MKC are an 8.3 overall, an 8.7 critic’s rating, 8.0 performance, and an 8.9 for safety. The stock engine in the car is a 2.0 liter turbo-four rated at 240 horsepower with the option to upgrade to a 2.3 liter turbo-four rated at 285 horsepower. The MKC has a towing capacity of 2,000 lbs, and the overall gas mileage rating of the vehicle is 20 MPG (city) and 29 MPG (highway). The vehicle has a top overall speed of 130 MPH, and the MKC can go from zero to 60 MPH in 6.6 seconds.
10. 2016 VOLVO XC60
Staring price: $36,600
The 2016 Volvo XC60 is one of the top luxury compact SUVs on the road today. The automobile features sporty handling and a very roomy interior. U.S. News and World Report rates the SUV as an 8.3 overall, 8.8 critic’s rating, 8.3 performance, 8.2 interior, and a 9.7 for safety. The stock engine in the auto is a 2.0 liter turbo-four rated at 240 horsepower, and there is a turbo and supercharged 2.0 liter four-cylinder rated at 302 horsepower available as a dealer upgrade in addition to several other drivetrain options. The auto comes standard with all-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission. The overall fuel economy rating of the XC60 is 22 MPG (city) and 30 MPG (highway), and the auto can go from zero to 60 MPH in 6.1 seconds with a top overall speed of 122 MPH.
11. 2016 BMW X4
Starting price: $45,250
The 2016 BMW X4 is one of the best luxury compact SUVs on the road today. The automobile is rated by U.S. News and World Report as a 7.9 overall, 7.8 critic’s rating, 8.7 performance, and 7.6 for the interior. The SUV has very responsive steering, an easy-to-use infotainment system, but does lack when it comes to cargo and cabin space. The stock engine for the vehicle is a 2.0 liter four-cylinder rated at 240 horsepower, and consumers can choose to upgrade to a 3.0 liter V-6 rated at 355 horsepower when buying the auto new. The overall gas mileage rating of the X4 is 20 MPG (city) and 28 MPG (highway). The overall towing capacity of the SUV is 3,500 lbs, and the auto can go from zero to 60 MPH in 5.2 seconds with a maximum speed of 144 MPH.
12. 2016 AUDI Q3
Starting price: $33,700
The 2016 Audi Q3 is one of the top luxury compact SUVs sold today. The automobile rates extremely high for safety, but the interior cabin and cargo space are below average when compared to equivalent models of the same class of auto. The U.S. News and World Report rating of the auto is a 7.8 overall, 7.8 critic’s rating, 7.8 performance, 7.8 interior, and 10.0 for safety. The stock engine in the Q3 is a 2.0 liter turbo-four cylinder rated at 200 horsepower and combined with front-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission. Quattro all-wheel drive is available as a dealer option, and the gas mileage rating of the vehicle is 20 MPG (city) and 29 MPG (highway). The Q3 can go from zero to 60 MPH in 7.8 seconds, and the maximum speed of the SUV is 126 MPH.
13. 2016 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY SPORT
Starting price: $37,455
The 2016 Land Rover Discover Sport is one of the top luxury compact SUVs on the roads today. The automobile is rated by U.S. News and World Report as a 7.8 overall, 8.3 critic’s rating, 7.8 performance, and a 7.9 for the interior. The stock engine in the vehicle is a 2.0 liter turbo-four cylinder rated at 240 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque coupled with a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The driver can also take advantage of the four-mode Terrain Response system to choose the appropriate environment to maximize the handling performance of the SUV. The overall gas mileage rating of the auto is 20 MPG (city) and 26 MPG (highway). The Land Rover Discovery Sport has a maximum speed of 124 MPH, and the auto can go from zero to 60 MPH in 7.3 seconds.
14. 2015 LAND ROVER LR2
Starting price: $36,600
The 2015 Land Rover LR2 is one of the best luxury compact SUVs on the market. The automobile handles above average when off road, and the overall U.S. News and World Report rating of the vehicle is a 6.7 overall, 6.5 critic’s rating, 7.0 performance, and 7.2 interior. The stock engine in the LR2 is a 2.0 liter turbo-four cylinder rated at 240 horsepower combined with four-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission. The Terrain Response system allows the auto to adapt to the surrounding environmentals, and the auto cabin is extremely quiet. The overall gas mileage rating of the vehicle is 17 MPG (city) and 24 MPG (highway), and the maximum speed of the auto is 124 MPH.
Source : Carophile
