Best Luxury Small and Compact SUVs for 2023
The best used and new luxury small and compact SUVs based on a data-driven analysis of each vehicle's reliability, resale value and safety.
The best luxury small and compact SUV is the Acura RDX based on our analysis of 12 million vehicles to assess their reliability, resale value and safety. Its overall rating of 8.8 out of 10 reflects the RDX’s reliability, value retention and safety scores. A new Acura RDX costs between $41,750 and $53,750 while a used version costs between $25,999 and $46,796. This luxury small and compact SUV can seat up to 5 people and is EPA rated to deliver up to 24 miles per gallon in mixed city/highway driving.
The Luxury Small And Compact SUV category consists of 29 models priced between $33,400 and $118,600 for new vehicles and between $20,801 and $117,435 for used vehicles. iSeeCars has sufficient vehicle data to rate and rank 15 of these 29 models based on their reliability, value retention and safety scores.
Why Should I Buy a Luxury Small SUV?
Luxury small and compact SUVs are versatile vehicles offering ample passenger and cargo space while offering attractive fuel economy. They appeal to buyers who want a vehicle more spacious than a sedan, but don’t require a midsize crossover or large SUV.
What Are the Best Luxury Compact SUVs?
The best luxury small and compact SUVs provide a comfortable ride, responsive acceleration, high fuel efficiency, premium cabin materials, and confident, sporty handling. The vehicles on this list also vary in terms of practicality and function. There’s the Acura RDX, which is among the most affordable and most reliable vehicles in the class, but if you’re looking for something more upscale that handles like a sports car, the Porsche Macan might suit your needs. And if you want a luxury compact SUV with off road prowess, look no further than the Land Rover Discovery Sport.
If you’re looking for good fuel economy, the Audi Q5, Buick Envision, and Volvo XC60 lead the compact luxury SUV class with combined MPG ratings of 26. And if you want a small luxury crossover with a large cargo area, the Acura RDX and Jaguar F-Pace are the most roomy of the bunch.
Because these are luxury cars, they are equipped with up-to-date safety technology and infotainment systems. The BMW X3 features a 10.25-inch touch screen and has a full suite of standard safety features, including blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and forward collision warning with pedestrian detection. The vehicles on this list also have appealing comfort features, including heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic moonroof, a power liftgate, and remote start.
Some vehicles on this list of luxury compact crossovers appear twice for their regular versions and high-performance variants, like the Audi Q5 and the Audi SQ5, or the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio. Both the Audi Q5 and the Alfa Romeo Stelvio come standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while their performance variants feature a turbocharged V6 for added horsepower. The Mercedes-Benz GLC luxury crossover SUV also has an array of engine choices ranging from practical to robust. The GLC coupe comes standard with a four-cylinder engine, but has multiple AMG performance trims with more robust engine options including a turbocharged V6 and a range-topping turbo V8.
Most of these small luxury SUVs come standard with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive is available. Some vehicles, like the Audi Q5, come standard with all-wheel drive (AWD), and the Land Rover Discovery Sport off-roader comes standard with four-wheel drive (4WD) for added off-road prowess.
What Other Vehicles Should I Consider?
Buyers who wish to forgo the premium nameplate should check out our Best Small and Compact SUVs list. Or, if you want something even smaller, check out our list of the Best Luxury Subcompact SUVs. Midsize SUV shoppers can browse our Best Luxury Midsize SUVs list, and if you want something more fuel-efficient, check out our Best Luxury Hybrid SUVs list.
Why Should I Buy a Luxury Small SUV?
Luxury small and compact SUVs are versatile vehicles offering ample passenger and cargo space while offering attractive fuel economy. They appeal to buyers who want a vehicle more spacious than a sedan, but don’t require a midsize crossover or large SUV.
What Are the Best Luxury Compact SUVs?
The best luxury small and compact SUVs provide a comfortable ride, responsive acceleration, high fuel efficiency, premium cabin materials, and confident, sporty handling. The vehicles on this list also vary in terms of practicality and function. There’s the Acura RDX, which is among the most affordable and most reliable vehicles in the class, but if you’re looking for something more upscale that handles like a sports car, the Porsche Macan might suit your needs. And if you want a luxury compact SUV with off road prowess, look no further than the Land Rover Discovery Sport.
If you’re looking for good fuel economy, the Audi Q5, Buick Envision, and Volvo XC60 lead the compact luxury SUV class with combined MPG ratings of 26. And if you want a small luxury crossover with a large cargo area, the Acura RDX and Jaguar F-Pace are the most roomy of the bunch.
Because these are luxury cars, they are equipped with up-to-date safety technology and infotainment systems. The BMW X3 features a 10.25-inch touch screen and has a full suite of standard safety features, including blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and forward collision warning with pedestrian detection. The vehicles on this list also have appealing comfort features, including heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic moonroof, a power liftgate, and remote start.
Some vehicles on this list of luxury compact crossovers appear twice for their regular versions and high-performance variants, like the Audi Q5 and the Audi SQ5, or the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio. Both the Audi Q5 and the Alfa Romeo Stelvio come standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while their performance variants feature a turbocharged V6 for added horsepower. The Mercedes-Benz GLC luxury crossover SUV also has an array of engine choices ranging from practical to robust. The GLC coupe comes standard with a four-cylinder engine, but has multiple AMG performance trims with more robust engine options including a turbocharged V6 and a range-topping turbo V8.
Most of these small luxury SUVs come standard with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive is available. Some vehicles, like the Audi Q5, come standard with all-wheel drive (AWD), and the Land Rover Discovery Sport off-roader comes standard with four-wheel drive (4WD) for added off-road prowess.
What Other Vehicles Should I Consider?
Buyers who wish to forgo the premium nameplate should check out our Best Small and Compact SUVs list. Or, if you want something even smaller, check out our list of the Best Luxury Subcompact SUVs. Midsize SUV shoppers can browse our Best Luxury Midsize SUVs list, and if you want something more fuel-efficient, check out our Best Luxury Hybrid SUVs list.
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
8.6
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.7
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
8.3
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.6
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.0
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.9
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.9
/ 10
-
Value Retention
6.8
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
5.8
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.7
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.8
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.5
/ 10
-
Safety
9.0
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
5.5
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.8
/ 10
-
Safety
9.9
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.0
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.3
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
5.6
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.3
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
7.1
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.9
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
6.1
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.9
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
5.8
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.6
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
6.3
/ 10
-
Value Retention
8.0
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
5.9
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.8
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
5.6
/ 10
-
Value Retention
7.8
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
Lexus NX 300
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
9.0
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
9.0
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
9.0
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
8.7
/ 10
-
Safety
9.3
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
8.5
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
8.1
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
7.9
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
7.9
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
7.8
/ 10
-
Safety
9.0
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
7.8
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
7.8
/ 10
-
Safety
Not Available
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
7.5
/ 10
-
Safety
10
/ 10
Lincoln MKC
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
7.2
/ 10
-
Safety
8.0
/ 10
iSEECARS SCORE
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on an analysis of data from over 12 million cars that assesses how long each vehicle lasts and how well it retains its value over time, along with safety data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association
See how we rank these cars
-
Reliability
Coming soon
-
Value Retention
Coming soon
-
Safety
Not Available
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How We Rank These Cars
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings are calculated based on the latest research by our data science team and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
We analyze data from over 12 million new and used vehicles in our Longest-Lasting Cars and 5-Year Depreciation Studies, combined with the NHTSA's Safety Ratings to give you an unbiased guide to the best vehicles in each segment.
After being evaluated, vehicles with the highest average scores earn a spot in the iSeeCars Best Car Rankings. (No final score is given to vehicles missing a score in any of the categories, but scores for other categories are still shown.)
Vehicles are scored in three categories:
Reliability | 33.3%
The reliability score represents an analysis of iSeeCars' proprietary research on the longest-lasting vehicles.
Value Retention | 33.3%
The value retention score is based on our data science team's statistical analysis and prediction of 5-year depreciation from MSRP to determine which cars hold their value best, using US Bureau of Labor Statistics data to adjust for inflation.
Safety | 33.3%
The safety score is calculated based on the last five years of crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and incorporates the latest Top Safety Pick information from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).