Today’s market for small luxury SUVs is brimming with exceptional choices that redefine premium driving. Forget the days when compact luxury meant compromising on upscale features compared to their sedan counterparts. The SUVs we’re highlighting are packed with everything you’d expect from a high-end luxury car, and more. Think plush heated and ventilated seating, meticulously crafted cabins with leather and wood accents, and cutting-edge safety and infotainment technologies. The real advantage? You gain the added versatility and capability that only a sport utility vehicle can offer.
Our top picks excel in providing generous cargo space, a crucial factor in the small vehicle segment. They also come standard or offer available all-wheel-drive systems, empowering you to confidently embrace any adventure. To maintain a focus on the “small” aspect, we’ve curated this list to include SUVs from the compact and subcompact categories, ensuring agility and urban maneuverability without sacrificing luxury.
2019 Acura RDX: A Redesigned Benchmark
Acura’s complete overhaul of the RDX for the 2019 model year has undeniably paid off. This all-new iteration secured a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, earned a spot on the prestigious WardsAuto top-10 list for infotainment technology, and fueled the nameplate to achieve an unprecedented annual sales record. The 2019 Acura RDX is a testament to Acura’s commitment to innovation and luxury in a compact package.
The RDX makes a bold statement with its striking design, both inside and out. Inside the cabin, a futuristic center console seamlessly bridges the gap between the center stack and the armrest, creating a unique and driver-focused environment. For a touch of natural elegance, open-pore ash wood and hand-stitched leather surfaces are available, elevating the interior ambiance. Externally, the RDX proudly showcases Acura’s signature “Jewel Eye” LED headlights, a hallmark of modern Acura design.
2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio: Italian Performance and Flair
While Alfa Romeo officially classifies the Stelvio as a “midsize” SUV, its dimensions are actually more aligned with the compact class, being just inches shorter than competitors like the Acura RDX. Therefore, we confidently include the 2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio in our lineup of top small luxury SUVs. It distinguishes itself as a performance leader; the Stelvio holds the Nürburgring record for the fastest lap time by a production SUV, regardless of size, showcasing its sporty DNA.
The 2019 Stelvio enhances its appeal with newly standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, along with newly available heated rear seats for added passenger comfort. New packages featuring carbon-fiber exterior accents further amplify its sporty aesthetic. Carrying forward its distinctive front-end styling and a suite of track-inspired options like Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes and Sparco racing seats, the Stelvio remains a uniquely compelling choice for those seeking driving thrills in a luxury SUV.
2019 Cadillac XT4: American Luxury Redefined
Despite Cadillac’s recent shift away from sedans, the brand remains a strong contender in the luxury SUV segment, particularly with the 2019 Cadillac XT4. This all-new model delivers a truly premium cabin experience, boasting high-quality materials such as carbon fiber, genuine wood, and diamond-cut aluminum trim. These elements create a lavish backdrop for the XT4’s optional heated and ventilated front seats, which also offer a relaxing massage function, enhancing the sense of Cadillac comfort.
Complementing the luxurious ambiance are advanced technologies, including mobile Wi-Fi hotspot capability, seamless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, and sophisticated safety features like Cadillac’s innovative digital Rear Camera Mirror. The XT4 also makes a striking visual statement with standard LED signature headlights and eye-catching aluminum-alloy wheels, available in sizes up to 20 inches, projecting a confident and modern Cadillac presence.
2019 Infiniti QX30: Entry-Level Elegance with Flair
For buyers seeking an accessible entry point into the luxury SUV market, the 2019 Infiniti QX30 stands out as a compelling option. As the starting point for Infiniti’s SUV lineup, the QX30 offers a surprisingly approachable MSRP while delivering an exotic exterior design that sets it apart from more conventionally styled, pricier competitors. The 2019 Infiniti QX30 proves that luxury and style can be attainable.
The QX30’s nimble dimensions and responsive engine choices contribute to a more engaging driving experience compared to many rivals in its class. For those desiring elevated luxury touches, the QX30 can be upgraded with premium features such as heated Nappa leather seating and advanced LED headlights. It’s important to note that these luxurious appointments are contained within a vehicle that’s actually more compact than a 2019 Honda Civic hatchback, highlighting its nimble footprint.
2019 Jaguar I-Pace: Electric Luxury and Performance
The 2019 Jaguar I-PACE earns its place among the best small luxury SUVs, and its accolades extend beyond our list. Recognized by 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, appealing to environmentally conscious luxury buyers.
Beyond its eco-credentials, the I-PACE delivers exhilarating performance. Its electric powertrain produces a robust 394 horsepower and 512 lb-ft of torque, enabling a 0-60 mph sprint in just 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 124 mph. Of course, the I-PACE also fulfills traditional luxury expectations with premium leather seating, genuine wood cabin trim, and a suite of advanced technology features, seamlessly blending sustainability with Jaguar’s signature luxury and performance.
2019 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque: Design and Off-Road Prowess
Certain small luxury SUVs masterfully blend striking design with genuine off-road capability, creating vehicles ready for both urban landscapes and adventurous trails. The 2019 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque exemplifies this duality. Its exterior showcases a modern, cutting-edge aesthetic, enhanced by standard LED headlamps and distinctive side vents. Personalization is key, with three roof options available: a fixed panoramic glass roof, and black or silver contrast-color roofs for a customized two-tone exterior.
Inside, the Evoque cabin exudes elegance and sophistication with its predominantly digital control interfaces. True to Land Rover’s heritage, the Evoque retains impressive off-road credentials, offering over 8.3 inches of ground clearance and a wading depth of nearly two feet. This blend of style and substance makes the Evoque a uniquely versatile luxury SUV.
2019 Lexus NX: Hybrid Efficiency and Luxury
The 2019 Lexus NX introduces hybrid power to our list of top small luxury SUVs. Specifically, the NX 300h model features a hybrid system generating a combined 194 horsepower. However, the primary benefit lies in fuel efficiency. The NX hybrid achieves impressive EPA ratings of 33 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined, all while including electrically-enabled all-wheel drive as standard. The 2019 Lexus NX 300h is a smart choice for eco-conscious luxury buyers.
The NX also embodies Lexus’s commitment to luxury, featuring climate-controlled front seats upholstered in supple leather. A standout feature of the NX 300h is its comprehensive suite of standard safety technology. This package includes adaptive cruise control, automatic forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, lane-keeping assistance, and a rearview camera, providing peace of mind and advanced driver assistance.
2019 Lincoln MKC: Beyond the Vehicle, an Experience
The best small luxury SUVs can offer advantages that extend beyond the vehicle itself, and the 2019 Lincoln MKC exemplifies this. Of course, the MKC offers premium features like supple Bridge of Weir leather seating and genuine rosewood or ash wood accents. It also incorporates modern technology such as mobile Wi-Fi and automatic emergency braking. For performance, two turbocharged engine options are available, including a potent 2.3-liter unit producing 285 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque.
However, the true differentiator for the MKC is the Lincoln Black Label program. This exclusive membership offers a curated collection of services and experiences, ranging from access to gourmet dining establishments to a streamlined, “frictionless” airport security experience. The Lincoln MKC provides not just a luxury SUV, but a luxury lifestyle experience.
2019 Porsche Macan: Performance and Driving Thrills
Enthusiasts seeking driving excitement in a small luxury SUV will find a perfect match in the 2019 Porsche Macan. This compact SUV boasts performance figures that rival sports cars, reaching a top speed of 169 mph and accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 4.2 seconds in its Turbo configuration with the 440-hp twin-turbo V6 engine. The 2019 Porsche Macan redefines performance expectations in the luxury SUV segment.
Achieving peak performance requires the Porsche Performance and Sport Chrono packages, but these options also integrate comfort features. The Performance sport steering wheel, for example, is heated and trimmed with leather and Alcantara. Other available packages focus on enhancing luxury, offering the expected high-end materials and advanced technology features, allowing buyers to tailor the Macan to their specific preferences for performance or luxury.
2019 Volvo XC40: Scandinavian Design and Innovation
The 2019 Volvo XC40 generated significant buzz upon its launch, partly due to being the inaugural vehicle in Volvo’s innovative vehicle-subscription program. Now, with some time on the market, it’s clear that the XC40 is a standout among the best small luxury SUVs, regardless of purchase method. Whether buying, leasing, or subscribing, the XC40 captivates with its stunning exterior design, further enhanced by options like a contrast-color roof, signature “Thor’s Hammer” LED lighting, and striking aluminum-alloy wheels up to 20 inches in diameter.
Volvo elevates cabin luxury, particularly in the ultra-luxurious Inscription trim, which features a distinctive cut-crystal gear-shift knob crafted by Orrefors. True to Volvo’s reputation, the XC40 is also laden with safety technology. The 2019 Volvo XC40 embodies Scandinavian design principles, blending beauty with practicality and safety in a compelling small luxury SUV package.
Conclusion: Choosing Your Ideal Small Luxury SUV
The 2019 model year presented an impressive array of small luxury SUVs, each with its unique strengths and appeals. From the performance-focused Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Porsche Macan to the tech-forward Cadillac XT4 and Jaguar I-Pace, and the stylish Land Rover Range Rover Evoque and Volvo XC40, there’s a small luxury SUV to match diverse preferences and needs. Whether you prioritize fuel efficiency, driving dynamics, luxurious features, or cutting-edge technology, this list of Top 10 Small Luxury Suvs offers a starting point for finding your perfect premium compact ride. Explore these models further to discover the small luxury SUV that best fits your lifestyle and driving desires.
