Ranked: Mid-Size Luxury Crossovers And SUVs
Practicality and comfort are two of the most important things any car buyer looks for. But if you happen to have a lot of money, you can always replace the comfort part with luxury. From the humble Kia Telluride to the outrageous Lamborghini Urus, there is no shortage of luxury crossovers on the market right now.
This list will take a look at all the popular mid-size luxury crossovers and SUVs and as the title suggests, this is a 'worst to best list,' so the higher up a car is in the list, the lower it's ranked in its class.
40. Infiniti QX50
Starting at just over $40,000, the 2022 QX50 offers a lot of standard options, a redesigned exterior, and a 268 hp engine under the hood.
The area where this car falls behind much of the competition is the CVT - as most users prefer an 8 or 10-speed automatic transmission when buying a 'luxury' SUV.
39. Cadillac XT5
This luxury crossover starts at $45,000 and comes with engine options that offer 237, 310, or 340 hp.
Cadilac has carried over much of the features of the Escalade to a smaller form factor while making the XT5 but, it, by no means, has the presence of its bigger brother.
38. Alfa Romeo Stelvio
While you can say that most of the luxury crossovers and SUVs on the market right now are rather boring, that's not true about the Stelvio.
Starting at $47,000, this crossover offers all the small touches of luxury from a 14-speaker premium sound system to leather all over the surfaces in the cabin. The only area it lacks is reliability.
37. Lexus GX
The GX is a great car in itself. The body-on-frame construction is what makes it stand out and the 4.6L V8 is a desirable motor, to say the least.
However, the reason that this car is so high up on this list is that Lexus hasn't redesigned this vehicle since 2010. When you pay more than $50,000 for a car, you expect it to have all the latest tech, at least.
36. Acura RDX
Acura has given the 2022 MDX a complete redesign. The base model, costing just over $47,000 comes with a 290 hp V6 while a 335 hp turbocharged V6 is available for the higher trims.
The interior of the MDX uses a variety of premium and luxury materials to give it a pleasant look. However, the infotainment is deemed 'fussy' by many users and the fuel efficiency is also not too great.
35. Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
The mid-level SUV offering from Mercedes-Benz, the GLE-Class comes with an option of four engines ranging from 255 to 504 hp. The main highlight of this class is its luxurious and futuristic cabin.
While the generous use of high-end materials looks lavish, the contiguous infotainment and instrument cluster displays give it a look from the space age. And not all users are equally fond of it!
34. Lexus RX
The Lexus RX offers a comfortable ride, a fuel-efficient powertrain, and plenty of safety features. However, it does not have as handsome looks as many others on this list.
It's short on power as well. You can get the RX with a 3.5L V6 or a hybrid powertrain and the performance of both is below average for the class.
33. BMW X4
The X4 differentiates itself from the herd of mid-size crossovers with the sloping roofline that gives it a sporty look, something quite uncommon in SUVs.
The base model of the X4 comes with a 248 hp motor but you can spend $10,000 more to get a 382 hp engine and that's the one (the only one) that makes this car fun to drive.
32. Aston Martin DBX
The DBX is the first SUV from Aston Martin, created probably to get the brand out of the financial troubles it has been in for a long time.
Even though it has a Mercedes-sourced 543 hp twin-turbo V8 and accelerates to 60 mph in under 4 seconds, the asking price of just under $180,000 is still a bit too much. The interior, though luxurious, lacks modern technology and the touchscreen infotainment doesn't simply respond to touch.
31. Mercedes-Benz GLC Class
The GLC-Class crossovers from Mercedes are more fancy than sporty. It's got premium looks and the inside is full of luxury materials and high-tech features.
The powertrain, however, is another story. This $45,000 Merc comes with a 255 hp turbocharged engine mated to a nine-speed automatic powering all four wheels - which simply doesn't justify the tag.
30. BMW X6
The X6 adds a little bit of extra power and style on top of the X5. With a starting price of $66,000, this car is available with a 335 hp or a 523 hp gasoline engine.
The standard interior features include 16-way power-adjustable seats, touchscreen infotainment, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. Optional extras are plentiful and can make the X6 as luxurious as you want.
29. Cadilac XT4
With its practical cabin, upright driving position, and upscale looks, the XT4 is a nice vehicle to have, despite its small size. It comes with a rather humble 235 hp 2L 4-cylinder gas motor.
The interior of the XT4 is not as upscale as you'd expect from a 'luxury' SUV. However, it still offers a good value for money proposition at just $37,000 for the base model.
28. Porsche Macan
The Macan is on the smaller side of mid-size SUVs but it does not lack the power, performance, and handling that are associated with the Porsche name.
The most powerful engine on this car is a 434 hp turbocharged V6 and that kind of power is more than enough for a car this size. The inside is every bit as luxurious as a Porsche is supposed to be.
27. BMW X5
The X5 for the 2022 model year is largely unchanged from the last year and offers a blend of sportiness, comfort, and tech, making it a complete package.
There are four powertrains available in the X5, offering between 282 and 523 horsepower. The interior options like massaging seats, heated armrests, and a Bowers & Wilkins surround-sound system make the X5 a real luxury vehicle.
26. Lamborghini Urus
With a price tag of $220,000, the Urus is still the least expensive Lambo you can buy (if you can buy it, that is). Nobody needs a 641-hp super-truck on their driveway, but everyone sure wants one.
This insane SUV accelerates, turns, and stops exactly as you'd expect from any Lamborghini but the fact that it literally costs as much as two BMW X6 Ms still remains.
25. Porsche Cayenne Turbo
At a price of $130,000, the Cayenne Turbo is a rather expensive car. However, when you consider its 541 hp powertrain and its ultra-luxurious cabin, it doesn't appear to be overpriced at all.
The interior of the Cayenne Turbo is a welcoming place to be in, with lots of high-end materials and a futuristic look and feel.
24. Kia Telluride
Offering handsome looks and unexpected luxury features for its price, the Telluride offers more value for money than any other entry on this list, even though many don't even consider it a contender in the luxury segment.
The Telluride comes with a naturally aspirated V6 that pumps out 291 horses - which is not bad, considering the starting tag of $33,000.
23. BMW X5 M
If you want the absolute best of speed, luxury, and practicality in a German package with the iconic kidney grille at the front, expect to spend $106,000 on the X5 M.
With all the interior features of the regular X5 and more and a mind-boggling 617hp twin-turbocharged 4.4L V8, the X5 M offers all you can ask from a mid-size luxury SUV in terms of both performance and comfort.
22. Buick Enclave
The latest 2022 Enclave got some minor updates over the last year's model but it's largely the same. Starting at $40,000 for the base model, the Enclave is powered by a 310 hp V6 that powers the front or all four wheels via a 9-speed automatic gearbox.
The Buick offers a silky-smooth ride, plenty of luxury features, and lots of passenger and cargo space.
21. Maserati Levante
If you want an SUV that can beat sports cars on the track, looks executive, and handles like a Ferrari, this Italian tarmac shredding monster of a car is what you need.
The Levante doesn't come cheap though. The base model is priced at $75,000 but if you want the fully-loaded one that will cost you upwards of $150,000.
20. Audi SQ7
Putting it in Audi's words, the SQ7 has 'more cylinders than seats.' This 4.0L V8-powered rocket ship pumps out a formidable 507 horsepower and looks cool while it's at it.
With a top speed of 155 mph, a 0-60 time of 4 seconds and all the luxury features that you'd expect from Audi, the SQ7 is a great SUV to have.
19. Bentley Bentayga
The luxury SUVs from Mercedes, BMW, Lincoln, and Cadillac have a lot to offer but none of them can come close to the Bentayga. With a V8 or W12 under the hood, the Bentayga is made for luxurious high-speed cross-country tours.
The interior of the Bentayga, as you'd expect is dominated by rich-smelling leathers, real wood, and glamorous metallic surfaces.
18. Range Rover Sport
The base price for Range Rover Sport is $70,000 but if you want high performance, the 575hp SVR will cost just over $88,000. Land Rover also offers a 4-cylinder plug-in hybrid model of the car.
The interior has a sleek and modern design, and this car is one of the very few on the list to offer a fully configurable instrument cluster.
17. Genesis GV70
Derived from the G70 sports sedan of the company, the GV70 SUV offers the same driving dynamics, but with a higher seating position and added passenger and cargo space.
It comes at a price of $43,000 for the base model and offers a 375 hp engine that's more than enough for its size.
16. Audi RSQ8
If the regular Q8 is not enough for you, the RSQ8 has a lot of additional features to offer. These include 22” 10-V-spoke star design wheels, Electromechanical active roll stabilization, Adaptive cruise assist with Traffic Jam Assist, and RS-tuned adaptive air suspension.
As you'd expect from the flagship model of a German luxury carmaker, the interior of the RSQ8 has all the luxury features you can think of and more.
15. BMW X6 M
With the same exact chassis as the X6, the X6 M adds more power, style, and luxury to the mix. This grocery-hauling speed machine from Germany starts at $109,000.
The beastly motor motivating this land yacht is a 617 hp twin-turbocharged V8 that powers all four wheels. However, the ride of this car is a bit harsher as compared to the X6 due to the sporty suspension.
14. Porsche Cayenne Turbo S
If for some reason, the 541 hp Cayenne Turbo is not powerful (or expensive) enough for you, Porsche offers a crazier model of the car, called the Cayenne Turbo S.
This one clocks in at 670 horsepower and will set you back north of $170,000. The Turbo S is crazy fast and crazy luxurious, as you'd expect after paying that much for a mid-size SUV.
13. Land Rover Discovery
The Discovery was refreshed in 2021 and is available with two engine options, a 296-hp turbo 4 or a 335 hp turbo 6-cylinder. Air suspension is now standard on the Discovery.
Inside, the car has a new infotainment system, a redesigned digital instrument cluster, and all the small touches that make it a luxury crossover as opposed to its reputation as a bare-bones off-roader.
12. Lincoln Nautilus
Carrying forward the DNA of the MKX, the Nautilus offers a comfortable ride, premium interior, and one of the best infotainment systems in any modern car.
One of the highlights of the luxury features of this car is the 22-way adjustable seats with lumbar massage. Starting at $42,000, the Nautilus can be optioned with a 250 hp or a 335 hp engine.
11. Lincoln MKX
Offering a comfortable ride, a well-equipped luxurious interior, and a powerful turbocharged V6 engine, the MKX is one of the best mid-size luxury crossovers on the market right now.
And starting at just $40,000, the Lincoln MKX is also the most affordable way to get into the luxury car club.
10. Audi Q5
The Q5 might not be the most thrilling mid-size luxury crossover to drive but it has an up-scale exterior design, lots of cutting-edge features, and an overall refined nature.
Starting at just under $45,000, the Q5 is available with a 201 hp 4-cylinder as the standard option but you can get up to 362 horses under the hood of this car.
9. Land Rover Defender
While most cars grow in size over time, Land Rover decided to make the latest Defender smaller than the classic models, and for all the good reasons.
You can choose from a 296 hp turbocharged 2L inline-four, 395 hp turbocharged and supercharged 3L inline-six, or a 518 hp supercharged 5L V8 - and get one of the best off-road machines on the planet.
8. Infiniti QX60
The QX60 for this year is largely unchanged from the last year's model. It offers just one engine, a 295 hp V6 that is coupled to the wheels via a CVT.
The price for the QX60 starts at $45,000 for the base model and if you want more luxury features, expect to pay above $50,000.
7. Audi Q7
The Q7 is probably the best car in the world for family road trips. With progressive looks and pragmatic performance, this SUV is equally good for city driving and the outback.
Bang & Olufsen 3D premium sound system, Top-view camera system with Virtual 360 view, Audi phone box (signal booster and wireless charger), and Adaptive cruise assist with Traffic Jam assist are just some of the highlights of the Q7.
6. Acura MDX
If there's one thing the folks at Acura knows best, it's how to make cars that handle like a dream. In case you know anything about the NSX, you'll agree.
The MDX, though not an NSX competitor, is a great car to drive, especially if you get the one with the 335 hp turbocharged V6 motor.
5. Cadilac XT6
Cadilac has made the XT6 more accessible by introducing a new base-level trim for just $47,000. It comes with a 237hp 2L 4-cylinder engine. However, if you want better driving fun from this car, a 310 hp V6 is also available.
Where this car actually excels is the practicality. In addition to ample cargo space, it offers a practically usable third row of seats, something not very common in the mid-size SUV section.
4. Volvo XC90
This Swedish luxury SUV has its own spot in the long list of luxury crossovers offered in the segment.
The powertrain of the XC90 ranges from 250 hp to 400 hp, with the most powerful being a hybrid one. The interior is quite well-balanced and is neither understated nor overly opulent. Plus, it's very reliable as well.
3. Audi Q8
The Q8 is an SUV with innovative design, smart technology, suitable size, and the most luxurious interior features. You can equip this car with engines between 335 and 590 hp.
This luxury SUV boasts numerous amazing features, including an adaptive air suspension, a head-up display, a stellar leather dashboard with contrast stitching, and power soft-closing doors.
2. Lincoln Aviator
Lincoln re-introduced the Aviator in 2020 after a 15-year break and it has given the brand a new direction. The base model has a 400 hp turbo V6 while a more powerful hybrid powertrain offers 494 hp.
The base model starts at $50,000 but you'll have to pay at least $6,000 more for added luxury features - like a larger sunroof, an updated sound system, and better external cameras.
1. Genesis GV80
Unlike other luxury crossovers on the list, the Genesis GV80 is a fairly new entrant in the market, having debuted in 2020.
With a 300 hp turbo inline-4 and 375 hp turbo V6 configurations, the GV80 performs well and is quite well-equipped on the inside too. With an elegant exterior, a lavish cabin, and a sporty performance, the GV80 turned out way better than what was expected!
