The Best Luxury Subcompact SUVs
The number of luxury subcompact SUVs in the market is quickly growing, with several new models arriving this year from Jaguar, Cadillac, Volvo, Lexus, and others. They blend the utility of liftback designs with good fuel economy, well-appointed interiors, and nimble handling.
2019 Volvo XC40
$35,200 | U.S. News Score: 9.1/10
The all-new Volvo XC40 just recently arrived in America, yet it has already claimed a spot at the top of our rankings of luxury subcompact SUVs. In addition to a potent engine, the 2019 Volvo XC40 comes with loads of standard equipment, including automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist.
Power comes from a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 248-horsepower, which it sends to the wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive currently comes standard, though a front-wheel-drive model is expected to become available at a later date.
You can outfit your XC40 with Volvo's Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving system, which manages acceleration, braking, and steering in certain situations. Drivers still need to pay attention and can't release their grip on the steering wheel, or the system deactivates.
2019 Volvo XC40
Every 2019 Volvo XC40 includes a touch-screen infotainment system with a vertically oriented 9-inch display. The system supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An 8-speaker audio system comes standard, while a 13-speaker Harman Kardon system is available.
There's seating for five, though you likely won't want to put more than two adults in the back seat. All seats have enough legroom; however, some critics find that front seats aren’t as comfy as those on pricier Volvo models.
2018 BMW X1
$33,900 | U.S. News Score: 8.6/10
The 2018 BMW X1 holds a spot near the top of our rankings of luxury subcompact SUVs. There’s only one engine available, but it’s a punchy four-cylinder turbo that cranks out 228 horsepower. Front-wheel drive is standard, while all-wheel drive is optional.
Earlier models of the X1 were known for their crisp handling. The latest models have a more relaxed ride, though their handling is still among the best in the class. A multi-mode drive selector allows you to tune the X1's various systems into Eco Pro, Comfort, and Sport setups.
2018 BMW X1
If you think that subcompact means that there isn’t much room inside, the 2018 BMW X1 might change your mind. It features plenty of room for passengers in both the front and rear seats. The rear seats slide and recline so that passengers can find just the right spot.
The X1 comes with a 6.5-inch infotainment display that is managed with a dial controller on the center console. Unlike most cars, BMW charges extra to activate Apple CarPlay in the X1.
The X1 does not come standard with many advanced safety or driver assistance features beyond a backup camera. You can upgrade to automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, and other options, though you have to buy them in pricey option packages.
The Top Luxury Compact SUVs
Going up one size class brings you into the crowded field of luxury compact SUVs. With nearly every luxury automaker having a competitive product in the segment, it's easy for buyers to find a vehicle that matches their needs and style.
The least expensive SUVs in the class are priced from a little over $33,000. You can exceed $100,000 on some heavily optioned high-performance models.
2018 Audi Q5
$41,500 | U.S. News Score: 8.9/10
The top model in our rankings of luxury compact SUVs is the redesigned-for-2018 Audi Q5. It’s also the winner of our 2018 Best Luxury Compact SUV for Families award. It’s not the least expensive offering in the class, but its generous amount of standard equipment makes it worth the price.
The base model of the 2018 Audi Q5 comes with a 252-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine matched to a seven-speed automatic transmission. The high-performance SQ5 model bumps the power to 354-horsepower with a twin-turbo V6 under the hood. All Q5 models come standard with Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system.
2018 Audi Q5
Every 2018 Audi Q5 includes leather upholstery, eight-way power-adjustable front seats, a 7-inch infotainment system, push-button start, and a 10-speaker audio system. Its rear seats split 40/20/40, allowing long items to be carried even when there are a pair of passengers in the back seats.
Top models can be outfitted with Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, a 12.3-inch customizable display that replaces traditional analog instrument panel gauges.
Automatic emergency braking at speeds up to 52 mph comes standard on all Q5s.
2018 Volvo XC60
$41,500 | U.S. News Score: 8.3/10
The fully redesigned 2018 Volvo XC60 hits nearly every mark for customers looking for a compact luxury SUV. Not only does it come standard with a number of the most sophisticated safety and driver assistance features available, but it's also powerful, efficient, smooth, and includes all-wheel drive on every model.
The base engine in the XC60 is a 250-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder. You can upgrade to a 316-horsepower four-cylinder that uses both a turbo and supercharger for additional power. Upgrading to the more powerful engine only costs you one mpg in both city and highway estimates. Properly equipped, the XC60 can tow up to 5,291 pounds, which is outstanding for the class.
Coming soon is a plug-in hybrid model that Volvo touts will put out 400 horsepower.
2018 Volvo XC60
In our rankings of luxury compact SUVs, the 2018 Volvo XC60 holds a spot just below the segment leader. It was a finalist for both our 2018 Best Luxury Compact SUV for the Money and Best Luxury Compact SUV for Families awards.
The XC60 comes standard with a host of advanced safety technologies, including an automatic emergency braking system that recognizes other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and large animals. Lane-keeping assist, run-off road mitigation, oncoming lane mitigation, and a driver drowsiness monitor also come standard.
Available technologies include a semiautonomous driving system that can help with driver fatigue by helping to manage acceleration, braking, and steering functions. The driver needs to stay alert, with their hands on the steering wheel, in order to keep the system active.
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC
$40,050 | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10
With engines ranging from mild to wild, the 2018 Mercedes GLC fits a variety of buyers. In the base model, you’ll find a 241-horsepower turbo four-cylinder. Step up to the powerful AMG models, and you can get a GLC with as many as 503 horses under the hood.
The GLC is available in standard SUV and fastback SUV coupe models. Rear-wheel drive comes standard, while all-wheel drive (4Matic in Mercedes-speak) is available.
In our rankings of luxury compact SUVs, the GLC holds a spot near the top. It was a finalist for our 2018 Best Luxury Compact SUV for Families award.
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC features one of the most beautiful interiors in the luxury compact SUV segment, with high-quality materials and excellent build quality. Base models have smooth, quiet rides, with a suspension that can be tuned by the driver for various driving conditions. Air suspension is available.
A 7-inch infotainment system comes standard. Though it’s not a touch screen, it can be controlled by voice commands, a dial on the dash, steering wheel buttons, or a touchpad controller on the center console. Support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are optional.
The GLC comes standard with automatic emergency braking, a driver drowsiness warning system, and crosswind assist to help you stay in your lane when you are buffeted by winds on one side of the vehicle.
2018 Acura RDX
$36,000 | U.S. News Score: 8.9/10
The 2018 Acura RDX is not only one of the least expensive models in our rankings of luxury compact SUVs, but it is also one of the highest-rated. The RDX is the winner of our 2018 Best Luxury Compact SUV for the Money award and features a more car-like ride than many competitors.
In a segment where many rivals use turbocharged four-cylinder engines in their base models, the RDX employs a composed, quiet V6 that has plenty of power for most conditions. However, it’s not as powerful as some competitors’ engines, and it’s the only engine available.
2018 Acura RDX
There’s plenty of room in both the front and back row of seats for adults in the 2018 Acura RDX. Synthetic leather seats come standard, with full leather available in option packages. A sunroof, keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a power liftgate also come standard.
With the rear seats up, the RDX has an average amount of cargo room, but fold them forward and it has one of the best capacities in the class.
Where the RDX doesn’t impress is with its confusing, non-intuitive infotainment systems. Whether you choose the base model’s single screen setup or the upgraded two-screen system, you’ll be faced with slow performance and complicated menus.
There’s a redesigned RDX arriving in 2019. It has a four-cylinder turbo and a greatly improved infotainment system.
2018 Porsche Macan
$47,800 | U.S. News Score: 8.6/10
The 2018 Porsche Macan is a luxury compact SUV with the performance and handling of a sports car. It has the highest base price in the segment, but for that price you get an all-wheel-drive SUV that is just as adept at carving corners as it is at carpool duty.
The Macan's pricing starts at $47,800, but when you load options onto the top-trim Macan Turbo, you can quickly push the price past $110,000.
Four engine options are available, ranging from a 252-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder to a 400-horsepower twin-turbo V6. There’s no manual transmission available, but each engine is matched with a lightning-fast seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The base model can propel you from zero to 60 mph in 6 seconds, while the Macan Turbo can get there in a brisk 4.4 seconds.
2018 Porsche Macan
The 2018 Porsche Macan earns a spot near the top of our rankings of luxury compact SUVs. Its interior can seat up to five, though taller adults might wish for more second-row space. Leather and Alcantara seating surfaces come standard, with high-grades of leather available.
A 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system comes standard, though you’ll have to pay extra to get Apple CarPlay. Support for Android Auto is not available at all. While the Macan can undoubtedly move fast, it won't move much cargo. Its steeply raked rear window and tapered back end reduce its cargo space, even when the rear seats are flipped forward.
2018 BMW X3
$42,650 | U.S. News Score: 8.5/10
The 2018 BMW X3 strives to put the “sport” in sport utility vehicle with athletic handling, an energetic base engine, and a potent 355-horsepower turbocharged V6 option. In our rankings of compact SUVs, the X3 holds a spot in the middle of the pack.
Even with copious power and standard all-wheel drive, the X3 gets above-average fuel economy, with EPA estimates of 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.
The X3 was fully redesigned for the 2018 model year. While it is nowhere near the priciest car in the segment, its base price is above average.
2018 BMW X3
The 2018 BMW X3 comes standard with an intuitive iDrive infotainment system, plus tri-zone automatic climate control and a 12-speaker audio system. Optional equipment includes wireless Apple CarPlay (which is still a rarity among automakers,) gesture control for the infotainment system, and a 16-speaker Harmon Kardon audio setup.
There’s seating for five, though putting three adults across the back seat makes for a tight fit. Leatherette surfaces come standard, while real leather is available. Cargo room is above average, and the rear seat splits 40/20/40, so you can load long cargo while keeping two rear seats open for passengers.
2018 Jaguar F-Pace
$42,065 | U.S. News Score: 8.6/10
Just a few years ago, the idea of a Jaguar SUV would have been met with scorn. Now that we have one, people are asking “what took so long?” The 2018 Jaguar F-Pace has quickly risen to a place in the upper tier of our rankings of luxury compact SUVs.
The F-Pace comes standard with a peppy 247-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but it comes alive when you upgrade to the 296-horsepower turbo-four or the 380-horsepower supercharged V6. For buyers who are looking for more efficiency than power, Jaguar offers a turbodiesel, which earns EPA fuel economy estimates of 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.
2018 Jaguar F-Pace
When it comes to hauling cargo, the 2018 Jaguar F-Pace excels. With the rear seats up, the F-Pace can hold 33.5 cubic feet of cargo. Flip them forward, and it can swallow 63.5 cubic feet in its flat-floored cargo area. A power tailgate comes standard, with a hands-free hatch optional.
The 2018 Jaguar F-pace seats five, though there are choices in the class with more space in the rear seats.
An 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system comes standard, as does an 11-speaker audio system, a panoramic sunroof, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. An upgraded infotainment system with a more user-friendly interface and a 10-inch touch screen is available.
The Best Luxury Midsize SUVs
Stepping up to the luxury midsize SUV segment gets you more passenger and cargo space – along with higher base prices and sky’s-the-limit top trim models. Prices range from about $39,000 to more than $150,000. For many luxury automakers, this class holds their highest-volume models.
2018 Porsche Cayenne / Cayenne Hybrid
$79,900 | U.S. News Score: 9.0/10 (Cayenne E-Hybrid)
$60,600 | U.S. News Score: 8.9/10 (Cayenne)
Porsche's original SUV, the Cayenne, continues to set the pace in the fiercely contested luxury midsize SUV segment with exceptional performance, high quality, and excellent predicted reliability. The 2018 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid adds a sophisticated plug-in hybrid powertrain to the performance equation.
In our rankings of luxury midsize SUVs, the 2018 Porsche Cayenne and Cayenne E-Hybrid hold top spots.
Porsche offers a number of engines in the Cayenne, ranging from a 300-horsepower V6 in the base model to a 570-horsepower turbocharged V8 in the Cayenne Turbo S. The Cayenne Hybrid uses a wildly complex electric motor/V6 gasoline engine combination to produce 416 horsepower.
All Cayenne models come standard with all-wheel drive.
2018 Porsche Cayenne
There’s seating for five in the 2018 Porsche Cayenne’s standard leather interior. The seats are spacious, yet supportive, with sliding and reclining seats allowing rear-seat passengers to get comfortable. Power front seats with eight adjustments come standard, with 16-way power adjustable seats available.
While many carmakers are placing more and more functions into their infotainment systems, where they can be controlled on the main screen and instrument panel, Porsche has stayed with buttons for most functions, and there are dozens arrayed across the SUV’s interior.
Cargo space isn’t one of the Cayenne’s strongest features, with smaller-than-average capacities in both the Cayenne and 2018 Cayenne Hybrid. What space there is, however, is easy to access, with an available power liftgate and air suspension that can lower the car for easy cargo loading and unloading.
2018 BMW X5
$57,200 | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10
The 2018 BMW X5 artfully straddles the divide between comfortable cruising and dynamic performance. It not only holds a spot near the top of our rankings of luxury midsize SUVs, but it also earned our 2018 Best Luxury 3-Row SUV for Families award. The X5 was the first BMW SUV to be built in America.
BMW offers a number of powertrain options for the X5, including plug-in hybrid and turbodiesel models. The base six-cylinder engine cranks out 300 horsepower, while a 4.4-liter V8 in the top-trim X5 M produces 567 horsepower. The X5 M can launch from zero to 60 mph in just 4 seconds.
2018 BMW X5
The 2018 BMW X5 is strong on comfort, with standard 14-way power adjustable front seats (20-way seats are available). The second row of seats includes plenty of legroom, but the cramped optional third row is best left for small kids or infrequent use.
BMW’s iDrive system in the X5 is centered around a 10.2-inch dash display that is managed via a touchpad controller, voice command, or a knob on the center console. The system can be upgraded with either a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen or Harman Kardon audio system and Apple CarPlay.
Navigation, a panoramic sunroof, and push-button start all come standard.
2018 Lexus RX 350 / RX Hybrid
$43,270 | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10 (RX)
$45,695 | U.S. News Score: 8.7/10 (RX Hybrid)
The 2018 Lexus RX is the top-selling luxury midsize SUV in America by a wide margin so far this year. In our luxury midsize SUV rankings, it holds a spot near the top of the list. It is U.S. News & World Report’s 2018 Best Luxury 2-Row SUV for the Money award winner.
There are two powertrains available in the RX, including a smooth-running V6 that produces 295 horsepower and is matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 2018 Lexus RX Hybrid pairs its gasoline engine with three electric motors to improve efficiency, earning an EPA estimated 31 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.
Front-wheel drive comes standard on the RX, while all-wheel drive is available on the RX and standard on the RX Hybrid.
2018 Lexus RX 350
New for 2018 is a 3-row model of the RX. The 2018 Lexus RX L seats up to seven, or six if you outfit the second row with captain’s chairs. The standard 2018 Lexus RX seats five in its two rows. Synthetic leather seating surfaces come standard, with full-leather seating available.
Advanced safety and driver assistance features are costly options on many luxury SUVs, but they come standard on all models of the Lexus RX and RX Hybrid. Every RX includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights.
2018 Audi Q7
$49,900 | U.S. News Score: 8.7/10
The 2018 Audi Q7 cleverly blends nimble performance, high-technology, efficiency, and luxury in a 3-row SUV package. In our luxury midsize SUV rankings, the Q7 holds a spot just below the segment leaders. It features a host of advanced technologies that are hard to find in the class.
Audi offers a choice of two engines in the Q7. The base engine is a turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 252 horsepower. If you plan to tow or frequently fill your Q7 with passengers and their stuff, opt for the available 333-horsepower supercharged 3.0-liter V6.
2018 Audi Q7
The 2018 Audi Q7 seats up to seven in its three rows, though folks using the third row will find the space cramped (which is common in this class). Unlike most rivals, the Q7 comes with five full sets of LATCH hardware, making it easy to install child seats in different configurations.
Using the cargo space in the Q7 is easy, with a standard power liftgate, a hands-free liftgate option, and power-folding third-row seats. When equipped with the available air suspension, you can lower the height of the vehicle for easy loading and unloading.
Every Q7 comes standard with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection. Optional advanced safety and driver assistance gear includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, a head-up display, active collision avoidance, and a night vision camera that can recognize animals and pedestrians.
2018 Maserati Levante
$74,050 | U.S. News Score: 8.7/10
The Maserati Levante arrived in the U.S. for the 2017 model year as the Italian automaker’s first SUV. Though not as practical as some models in the segment, the 2018 Maserati Levante has acceleration, handling, and style that has propelled it to a spot near the top of our luxury midsize SUV rankings.
Each Levante carries a twin-turbo V6 that feeds power to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. In the base model, the engine is tuned to 345 horsepower, while the Levante S creates 424 horsepower. The great performance comes at the cost of fuel economy, which is near the bottom of the class.
2018 Maserati Levante
The 2018 Maserati Levante seats five, though taller rear-seat passengers won’t be happy on long trips. Those up front, however, will find themselves coddled in supportive, heated, eight-way power-adjustable seats on the base model. Ventilated and 12-way power-adjustable seats are optional.
Leather comes standard on all Levante models, with silk inserts available as an option. When it comes to the rest of the Levante's interior, however, you might feel a bit let down. While it's stylish, it features some low-rent materials that are not worthy of a European luxury vehicle.
When it comes to hauling cargo, the Levante compares poorly to the space found in most segment rivals.
Bottom line: If you’re looking for fun, the Levante should definitely be on your shopping list. If practicality is more critical, you should probably look elsewhere.
2018 Acura MDX
$44,200 | U.S. News Score: 8.6/10
When it comes to the list of things that most luxury SUV buyers are looking for, the 2018 Acura MDX does an excellent job of checking things off, though it doesn't excel in any one particular area. It earns a spot in the top half of our rankings of luxury midsize SUVs.
It is also the winner of our 2018 Best Luxury 3-Row SUV for the Money award.
The MDX gets its confident acceleration from a smooth 290-horsepower V6. Front-wheel drive comes standard, with Acura's performance-oriented Super-Handling all-wheel drive optional. The nine-speed automatic transmission isn't as refined as the rest of the powertrain, however, with occasional strange shift timing.
2018 Acura MDX
The 2018 Acura MDX comes standard with the AcuraWatch suite of advanced driver assistance and advanced safety technologies. Every MDX is equipped with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, road departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert are optional.
There’s seating for up to seven in the MDX, or six if you opt for the second-row captain’s chairs. The first two rows are roomy and comfortable. The third row, like many in the class, is too cramped for adults to fit comfortably. There are three full sets of LATCH hardware in the second row, so installing car seats is a bit less of a chore than it is in some vehicles.
Cargo space lags most rivals by a few cubic feet, though the MDX’s flat load floor makes it easy to load and unload cargo.
2018 Land Rover Range Rover Velar
$49,900 | U.S. News Score: 8.6/10
The 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Velar is a brand-new model that brings an ultra-modern cabin to the luxury midsize SUV class, where it holds a spot in the top half of our rankings. The Velar is loaded with tech, from its door handles that pop out as you approach to its innovative display-filled dashboard.
Land Rover offers a choice of three powerplants for the Velar. The base engine is a 247-horsepower turbo-four that’s linked to the SUVs electronically controlled four-wheel-drive system through an eight-speed automatic transmission.
If you’re looking for better performance, you can step up to a supercharged V6 that produces 380 horsepower and can fling the Velar from zero to 60 mph in a brisk 5.3 seconds. Buyers looking for the best fuel economy should opt for the available turbodiesel, which is EPA-rated to get 26 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway.
2018 Land Rover Range Rover Velar
The interior of the 2018 Land Rover Range Rover Velar features comfortable seating for five with standard synthetic leather and suede trim on the base model. You can upgrade the seating surfaces to perforated leather or an opulent wool blend.
Most of the Velar’s functions are accessed through a pair of 10-inch touch screens that display Land Rover’s Touch Pro Duo infotainment system. Unlike many rivals that use buttons or knobs to control the vehicle’s traction and suspension management systems, the Velar’s are all managed through the touch screens, with impressive graphics to guide you.
The Range Rover Velar looks trim on the outside, but don’t let it fool you. There's an above average amount of cargo room in the back, and the rear seats can be folded completely flat in a 40/20/40 split for maximum versatility.
2018 Tesla Model X
$79,500 | U.S. News Score: 8.5/10
The 2018 Tesla Model X is unique in the luxury midsize SUV class in a number of ways. It's a high-performance battery electric vehicle with a design unlike any of its peers. Not only can it out-accelerate its SUV rivals, but it can also outperform many supercars from zero-to-60 mph.
In its top trim, the Model X can launch from zero to 60 mph in less than 3 seconds, according to Tesla. The base Model X 75D is rated to travel 237 miles on a single charge (about the same as a 2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV). Step up to the Model X 100D and the range increases to 295 miles.
In our rankings of luxury midsize SUVs, the Model X earns a spot about halfway down the list.
2018 Tesla Model X
The 2018 Tesla Model X can seat up to seven, though in its standard configuration it seats five. There’s plenty of room for those in the front row, and only the tallest passengers will complain about legroom in the second row. Like many 3-row midsize models, the third row is best left to kids.
The second and third row are accessed through falcon doors that swing up and over the car.
An impressive 17-inch touch-screen display is used to control most of the car’s functions. Otherwise, its interior design is elegantly Spartan. Excellent materials are used, but quality control seems uneven on both the car’s interior and exterior, leading to inconsistent panel gaps.
Compared to most other vehicles in the class, the Model X has excellent cargo room. In addition to plentiful space in the cabin, the Model X features a front trunk, in the place where the engine on a traditional car would be.
The Best Luxury Large SUVs
If you’re looking for a luxury SUV with loads of passenger and cargo room, plus the ability to tow RVs or boats, the luxury large SUV class is where you'll want to be. Most of the vehicles in the class are body-on-frame designs, with robust construction and opulent interiors that rival the finest cars.
2018 Lincoln Navigator
$72,055 | U.S. News Score: 9.2/10
Lincoln completely redesigned their flagship Navigator SUV for the 2018 model year, catching up with a decade’s worth of innovation compared to the outgoing model. The 2018 Lincoln Navigator is loaded with technology, from its high-tech twin-turbo engine to its intuitive and feature-packed SYNC 3 infotainment system.
While many rivals rely on big V8s to get their power to the road, the new Navigator uses a twin-turbo V6 and a 10-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, while four-wheel drive is available. When properly equipped, it can tow up to 8,700 pounds. That's enough for a boat or small camping trailer.
The Navigator features the smooth, quiet, and confident ride you would expect from a Lincoln, but with a maneuverable side that belies its large size. Surprisingly for a new model, there’s very little advanced safety and driver assistance technology included as standard equipment. Systems such as adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning are optional.
2018 Lincoln Navigator
With more than 103 cubic feet of storage space available when the two back rows of seats are folded down, the 2018 Lincoln Navigator is the class leader when it comes to hauling stuff. The extended length Navigator L can carry up to 120 cubic feet of cargo.
The only thing preventing the Navigator from being a great hauler is a fixed second-row center console that gets in the way of loading large items.
Standard equipment includes a 14-speaker Revel audio system, SYNC 3, tri-zone automatic climate control, and a 10-inch touch screen for the infotainment system. All Navigators include support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
In our rankings of luxury large SUVs, the 2018 Navigator holds the top spot.
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS
$69,550 | U.S. News Score: 8.9/10
Whether you’re buying it to take the kids to soccer practice or your company president to meetings, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS has the luxury, features, and room to impress even the most demanding passenger. It seats up to seven in its 3-row interior.
There’s a choice of three engines available in the GLS. The base GLS 450 features a powerful, yet efficient, 362-horsepower twin-turbo V6 that earns EPA-estimated fuel economy of 17 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway. Those looking for more power can opt for the 449-horsepower GLS 550 or the 577-horsepower AMG GLS 63.
All-wheel drive comes standard on the GLS. In our rankings of luxury large SUVs, the GLS holds a spot near the top.
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS features a world-class luxury interior, with top-notch materials covering every surface. Synthetic leather comes standard, but you can upgrade with multiple grades of leather available.
There’s very little in the way of leading-edge infotainment, advanced safety, and smart driver assistance features included as standard equipment. You can get them, but you’ll have to open your wallet wide to get the option packages that include those items.
The cargo area of the GLS doesn’t compete with the class leaders, but it is ample for most families’ needs. Properly equipped, the GLS is capable of towing 7,500 pounds.
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The Best Luxury SUVs
2019 Volvo XC40
2018 BMW X1
2018 Audi Q5
2018 Volvo XC60
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC
2018 Acura RDX
2018 Porsche Macan
2018 BMW X3
2018 Jaguar F-Pace
2018 Porsche Cayenne
2018 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid
2018 BMW X5
2018 Lexus RX 350
2018 Lexus RX Hybrid
2018 Audi Q7
2018 Maserati Levante
2018 Acura MDX
2018 Land Rover Range Rover Velar
2018 Tesla Model X
2018 Lincoln Navigator
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS
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SUVs That Blend Indulgence With Capability
Luxury isn’t just for big sedans anymore. Buyers can find SUVs and crossovers in sizes small to large with opulence and amenities that rival anything in the market. Luxury SUVs feature seating positions that give you a commanding view of the road, spacious cargo areas, and roomy interiors.
Advanced safety and driver assistance features first found on cars are quickly making their way to SUVs, with some luxury models including features such as automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control as standard features. In most cases, luxury SUVs are available with all-wheel drive.
Click through the following slides to see the best luxury SUVs available in each class.