Land Rover Defender 90 V8

The odds are good, if you know cars, you know the Land Rover Defender.

The current Defender may have little in common with the legendary 20th-century version from a mechanical point of view, but it still excels at the same task: going just about anywhere.

Its off-road prowess ranks near the top for new stock SUVs, aided by a host of tech old (low-range four-wheel-drive) and new (360-degree cameras) alike. But the new version goes about it in far greater comfort, making it better suited for those times you’re on-road.

In production since: 1983 or 2019, depending who you ask
Top powertrain option: Supercharged 5.0-liter V8
Power: 518 horsepower and 461 ft lbs of torque
Zero to 60 mph: 4.9 seconds
Top speed: 149 mph
Starting price: $114,900

Best Compact Luxury SUVs Maserati Grecale

Known for decades primarily as a purveyor of borderline exotica, Maserati has spent the last few years going mainstream — at least, by comparison.

The Grecale, which arrived earlier this decade, is the clearest proof of that push yet.

It may be compact and high-riding, but one look and it’s clear that it’s related to the likes of far pricier Masers like the MCPura, GranTurismo, and Quattroporte.

And this little SUV will blow away many a classic Maserati thanks to a twin-turbocharged V-6 that makes well over 500 hp in the range-topping Trofeo ($102,500) variant.

The all-electric Folgore model has even more pep, with its dual-motor powertrain making 550 hp, but is a tad slower.

In production since: 2023
Top powertrain option: Twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 (Trofeo)/Dual electric motors (Folgore
Power: 523 horsepower and 457 ft lbs of torque/550 hp and 605 ft lbs of torque
Zero to 60 mph: 3.6 seconds/4.0 seconds
Top speed: 177 mph/137 mph
Starting price: $84,500/$119,250

Porsche Macan

There may be no better illustration of how far the SUV has come than the Porsche Macan.

When the German sports car maker’s second high-riding model arrived in 2014, it helped redefine what an SUV could be.

Sure, in look chic, in a way the class wasn’t necessarily used to, but it also offered sports car-like performance.

More than a decade later, it remains the go-to choice for drivers looking for something that’s both fun and somewhat practical.

This is especially true of the range-topping GT3 (which starts at $94,200), which makes 434 horses and can reach a top speed of 169 mph.

There’s now a revised, all-electric option (which starts at $80,300) to choose from, which features more tech, more power, and even quicker acceleration.

In production since: 2012/2024 (Electric)
Top powertrain option: 2.9-liter turbocharged V-6 (GTS)/dual electric motors (Turbo Electric)
Power: 434 hp and 405 lb-ft/630 hp and 833 ft lbs of torque
Zero to 60 mph: 4.3 seconds/3.1 seconds
Top speed: 168 mph/162 mph
Starting price: $65,400/$80,300

Best Compact Luxury SUVs Cadillac Optiq

Cadillac’s first wave of EVs has given its non-Escalade EVs a much-needed jolt of electricity. Just look at the Optiq, which is more forward-thinking and stylish than its closest gas-powered equivalent, the XT5, has ever been.

The all-electric compact is also surprisingly powerful, especially now that a V-Series variant ($67,300) is available. The high-performance model has a dual-motor AWD powertrain that makes 519 hp and 650 ft lbs of torque, allowing it to sprint from zero to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds

In production since: 2023
Top powertrain option: Dual electric motors (V-Series)
Power: 519 hp and 650 ft lbs of torque
Zero to 60 mph: 3.5 seconds
Range: 317
Starting price: $54,995

Audi Q5

In a world full of look-at-me SUVs, the understated Q5 family stands out by not standing out.

Audi has subtly slowly refined its best-selling model’s design language over three generations—the current version looks more athletic than ever—but its simple, clean lines mean it doesn’t draw attention in the way some of its edgier peers do.

Sometimes, being able to pass in anonymity is good especially if you opt for performance-oriented SQ5 ($65,400), which has a turbocharged V-6 that’s potent enough for a smaller sports car.

In production since: 2008
Top powertrain option: Turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 (SQ5)
Power: 362 horsepower and 406 ft lbs of torque
Zero to 60 mph: 4.6 seconds
Top speed: 155 mph
Price: $52,800

Best Compact Luxury SUVs BMW X3

Much like the 3 Series sedans that have long defined the compact luxury sedan category, BMW’s X3 set the standard for compact luxury crossovers.

BMW’s often-polarizing design language is at its best here.

The two-row SUV drives with the verve and fun that we’ve come to expect from the brand without sacrificing comfort, both in terms of offering ample space for the class and luxurious features and finishes.

Plus, if your inner Ricky Bobby is calling, the 393-hp X3 M50 Xdrive version ($66,500) can put many true sports cars to shame in a straight line and on a track.

A new all-electric iX3, which will be the first of the automaker’s “Neue Klasse” EVs, is set to arrive later this year, too.

In production since: 2003
Top powertrain option: Turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six (X3 M)
Power: 393 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque
Zero to 60 mph: 3.9 seconds
Top speed: 155 mph
Starting price: $51,300

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Few brands—automotive or otherwise—can claim the recognition and cred of Mercedes-Benz.

Its logo has graced some of the most famous cars (and SUVs) in history and remains a signature on many of the best vehicles on sale today.

Don’t let that get you thinking the Three-Pointed Star on the grille is doing all the work for the GLC-Class, though; behind it lies a thoroughly modern luxury machine, replete with an elegant interior and enough technology to impress to boot.

The model is only available with a turbocharged inline four, something that will dismay more than a few enthusiast out.

But, that mill has some pep,  especially in the range-topping AMG GLC 63 S E ($86,750), where it makes over 670 horses thanks to plug-in hybrid technology.

In production since: 2015
Top powertrain option: Turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four with plug-in hybrid technology (AMG GLC 63 S E)
Power: 671 horsepower and 752 fts lbs of torque
Zero to 60 mph: 3.5 seconds
Top speed: 171 mph
Price: $49,550

Best Compact Luxury SUVs Genesis GV70

In its brief existence, the Genesis lineup has already become renowned for both elegant design and class-leading luxury.

The GV70, like its GV80 big brother, boasts the sort of stately looks that would seem at home on a Bentley.

given that Genesis designer Luc Donckerwolke used to work there —Interior materials that punch above their weight and a choice of a 304-hp turbo inline-four, a 380-hp turbo V-6, and a 483-hp all-electric version.

This compact crossover feels like a six-figure ride at half the price.

In production since: 2020
Top powertrain option: Twin-turbocharged V6 (3.5T)/Dual electric motors (Electrified)
Power: 380 horsepower and 391ft lbs of torque/483 horsepower and 516 ft lbs of torque
Zero to 60 mph: 4.6 seconds/3.8 seconds
Top speed: 150mph/146 mph
Range: 263 miles
Starting price: $48,985/$64,380

Acura RDX

Acura’s smallest crossover, the RDX, features plenty of unique features, like the brand’s torque-vectoring Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive and an infotainment system with controls like a laptop trackpad.

But its most desirable feature is the optional 710-watt ELS Studio 3D audio system, tailor-made for the car by Grammy-winning producer Elliot Scheiner and packing 16 speakers to make this compact crossover feel like Carnegie Hall.

It’s so impressive that you’ll find yourself seeking out the RDX instead of your Sonos system the next time your favorite artist drops an album.

In production since: 2006
Top powertrain option: Turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four (A-Spec)
Power: 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque
Zero to 60 mph: 6.2 seconds
Top speed: 112 mph
Starting price: $44,700