Skip to main content

The 5 Best Crossovers You Can Buy

2017 Volvo XC90, best crossovers
Image used with permission by copyright holder
More people are buying crossovers than any other type of vehicle, and that means automakers are rushing to churn out new models and snatch up a larger share of the market.

What makes crossovers so irresistible? Not every buyer is looking for the same thing, but among their more attractive characteristics, the best crossovers provide greater visibility, utility, and styling diversity than sedans – which used to wear the sales crown. Unlike SUVs, crossovers also ride on lightweight car-based platforms, meaning fuel economy is nearly as good as sedans.

Tremendous competition makes the task of sifting through these crossover options that much harder. Fortunately, we’re here to return your sanity. This year, we’ve tested subcompact, compact, midsize, and luxury crossover models from every major brand. Several of these vehicles impressed us, but only a handful of them blew us away. Here are our top picks.

Best Overall Crossover: 2017 Jaguar F-Pace

jaguar-f-pace
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Highlights: It drives even better than it looks

Starting Price: $40,990

Why We Chose The 2017 Jaguar F-Pace:

It’s not difficult to find a beautiful sports car, motorcycle, or premium sedan, but asking for a gorgeous crossover is a tall order. Despite the swollen number of options, crossovers tend not to look nearly as sleek as lower riding vehicles. However, Jaguar’s head of design, Ian Callum, was apparently up to the challenge when he molded the F-Pace.

The F-Pace certainly isn’t first to market – in fact, the luxury crossover segment was fairly stacked before the UK automaker introduced their crossover in 2016. However, most will forgive the wait upon seeing the car’s curvaceous bodywork. Inspired by the F-Type’s stunning physique, the F-Pace manages to look even more upscale than its German luxury rivals. Better yet, it performs like the agile cat after which it is named.

Powering the F-Pace is a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 that comes in two flavors of tune: 340 horsepower or 380hp. There’s also a 2.0-liter diesel on offer with 180hp and 318 pound-feet of torque. All models utilize a ZF eight-speed automatic and are available with all-wheel drive. Though it sits higher off the ground than the XE upon which it’s based, the F-Pace handles nearly as well in tighter corners.

Inside, the Jag features a wonderfully comfortable cabin. Rich leather, ergonomic seats, and an intuitive 10.2-inch infotainment system are just some of the highlights. In short, the F-Pace checks every box on the crossover list, and even creates a few new ones to keep the competition at bay.

Best Midsize Crossover: 2017 Mazda CX-9

2017-mazda-cx-9
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Highlights: It’s quick, efficient, and handsome

Starting Price: $32,420

Why We Chose The 2017 Mazda CX-9: 

Remember how I said it’s not easy to find a sexy crossover? Well, let’s say Jaguar’s F-Pace isn’t the only exception. Mazda’s CX-9 is a midsize crossover with attraction written all over it. The seven-seater is by far Mazda’s boldest crossover yet, and its fresh Kodo styling cues will blend into smaller models to come. While competing automakers fear that daring designs could discourage some buyers, Mazda is confident that more consumers will love it than hate it.

As the world’s most fuel-efficient automaker (an honor Mazda has earned since 2013), you can be sure the brand’s SkyActiv lightweight engineering has worked its way into every part of the CX-9. It starts with a stellar modular platform and all-wheel drive system. Add to that a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (yes, four-cylinder), and the CX-9 is ready for primetime. 250hp and 310 lb-ft of torque are channeled through a six-speed automatic transmission on 93 octane gas, but those who run regular 87 octane fuel will only have 227 horses at their disposal (torque figures remain the same).

More surprising than a good looking, fun-to-drive Mazda (that’s kind of what they do best) is one that’s luxurious. An appealing interior layout with quality materials is standard on the CX-9, but a new range-topping Signature Edition adds amenities like Japanese rosewood, Nappa leather, and LED accent lighting. If you don’t want to shell out $44K for the Signature, lesser trims are still very well equipped for the money.

Best Compact Crossover: 2017 Honda CR-V

2017-honda-cr-v
Honda

Highlights: Honda reliability, fresh styling, great standard features

Starting Price: $24,045

Why We Chose The 2017 Honda CR-V:

Honda’s fifth generation CR-V carries on the compact crossover’s legacy of reliability while adding an efficient turbo engine and swanky new bodywork. Like the new Civic, Honda could sell every CR-V it produced with barely any changes from last generation, but the Japanese automaker decided to go bold with the styling and features of each vehicle. Fortunately, Honda’s risky move appears to have paid off.

An all-new platform with a lower center of gravity underpins the 2017 CR-V, giving the crossover much more interior volume than its predecessor. The car’s increased size in some ways push the limits of its “compact” segment, but this may be welcome news to those caught between two vehicle classes. Honda also made tweaks to the vehicle’s braking and suspension systems to handle the larger footprint. Powering the base-spec CR-V is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder, but EX and above trims use the company’s new 1.5-liter turbocharged engine to dish out 190hp.

Updates to the CR-V’s infotainment, instrument cluster, connectivity, and folding seat operation help class up the interior. Ride quality is also significantly better than the outgoing model. It was difficult to find fault with Honda’s previous generation CR-V, apart from its odd exterior design, so with this list of improvements, count on the 2017 CR-V being a front-runner in the compact crossover segment for years to come.

Best Luxury Crossover: 2017 Volvo XC90

2017 Volvo XC90
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Highlights: Volvo’s XC90 defines the word “elegance”

Starting Price: $45,750

Why We Chose The 2017 Volvo XC90:

Until the new XC90 went on sale, Volvo was floating along aimlessly. On paper, the company competed with premium brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Lexus, but in reality, its products were seriously outclassed. The redesigned XC90 crossover changed all that, and set the stage for future Volvos (the S90 and V90 most immediately) to adequately challenge their segment competitors.

From first glance, the XC90 demands attention. Its flowing body panels, sharp LED headlights, and squared shoulders instantly validate its luxury credentials. Base on the Swedish automaker’s new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA), the XC90 feels far lighter than its respectably slim 4,400-pound figure would suggest. As you jockey the electrically assisted steering, the crossover contains its body motions majestically, never disturbing the plush ride quality for up to seven passengers.

Speaking of life inside the XC90, Volvo’s interior design is now at the top of its class. Porous wood grain, brushed metals, and some of the softest leather we’ve ever felt is massaged in a gorgeous layout. It’s so easy to coast along in comfort that you might forget the XC90 is available with 316hp from a supercharged and turbocharged four-cylinder engine or 400hp (and 472 lb-ft of torque) from a plug-in hybrid powertrain. Add to all this Volvo’s infamous safety standards (due to industry-first technologies) and the XC90 is a knockout.

Best Subcompact Crossover: 2017 Jeep Renegade

2017-jeep-renegade
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Highlights: Adventure-ready looks and performance

Starting Price: $17,995

Why We Chose The 2017 Jeep Renegade:

If I were to tell you that a Fiat is great off-road, you’d probably laugh, but if I said the same about a Jeep, you might just say, “duh.” Therefore, what should we make of the Fiat 500L-based Jeep Renegade? With all-wheel drive instead of four-wheel drive, a cutesy design, and an economy car price tag, one could mistake this Jeep for a re-badged poser. Fortunately, however, the Renegade has what it takes to tackle the trails.

It’s possible to get a front-wheel drive-only Renegade, but the real fun starts with Jeep’s Selec-Terrain traction control and AWD system with a Power Transfer Unit. Unlike permanent AWD systems, the rear axle can be detached for better fuel economy. Even AWD models achieve up to 31 mpg on the highway. For serious off-roading, the Trailhawk edition adds reduction gears on the front and rear axles, skid plates, a 20:1 crawl ratio, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

Power is provided by either a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder, mated to a six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic, or a 2.4-liter turbo four-cylinder connected exclusively to the auto-box. While the Renegade can’t be called quick, its got enough grunt for moderate trails and acceptable passing power around town. Ride quality is quite good for a subcompact, and shifts via the manual gearbox are smooth.

Inside, the Renegade has ample passenger space (headroom, legroom, and shoulder width), and even the trunk has generous cargo capacity. Cabin material quality is excellent, and it’s easy to spot Jeep’s attention to detail. The Renegade is more than just the most rugged in its subcompact class; it’s the best product, period.

Editors' Recommendations

Miles Branman
Miles Branman developed a passion for cars early on thanks to a neighbor’s collection of rare and exotic vehicles. What…
Enjoy the classics: The best collector cars you can get in 2024
The most collectible cars of 2024
1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary front 3/4 view

E92 BMW M3 Flickr/Tyler Schloessmann

It's happened inside all of our heads. You see a car at an auction and watch as a rally breaks out. Bid after frenzied bid shoots the price to what you consider an outlandish number, and you can't help but wonder, "Why on earth would someone pay that much for a car like that?" Well, we have a little not-so-secret secret to share regarding collector cars: Almost all of them are just cars that would-be owners wanted as kids and couldn't afford. Nothing more, nothing less.

Read more
The 9 trucks with the best mpg in 2024
Light tan 2024 Ford Maverick hybrid pickup truck towing two jet skis on a small trailer on a curved road near a lake.

Let's face it: Americans love their trucks. Sure, it's nice to zip around the city in a Mini Cooper or blast off down an interstate on-ramp in a Corvette Z06, but when it comes to the gritty, gutty day-to-day grind of getting real life done, there is nothing quite like stepping up into a high-riding workhorse.

But, in the not-so-distant past, that feeling of invincibility has often been tamped down by those trucks' insatiable need for fuel. It's hard to get much accomplished when you spend half of your day at the gas station. Thankfully, technology is advancing, and even though some are ready to do away with the fossil-fueled era of the autoverse, the truth is that internal combustion engines (ICE) are not going away anytime soon.

Read more
These are the most affordable luxury cars you can get
Looking for luxury on a budget?
2024 A3 Sedan

After a few years of rampant inflation, it’s easy to believe that affordable cars are a thing of the past and luxury vehicles are well beyond the reach of the average person. But that simply isn’t the case. If you’re into nice cars with some luxury touches, you can still find a new higher-end model for under $40,000. Okay, you’re not going to get a brand-new Rolls Royce at that price, but there are plenty of vehicles from major luxury manufacturers available to you.

If you want cheap luxury, you can look towards the used car market. Luxury cars tend to depreciate quite heavily after a few years. However, a new car is also a possibility. There are some caveats. Cheap new luxury cars tend to either be smaller than more expensive models, or lack certain features that you’re likely to see on vehicles that cost a little more. However, you can still get the luxury car experience from something in a lower price bracket. That includes things like leather interiors, quality suspension, and cutting-edge driver’s aids. Here are four of the cheapest new luxury cars on the market in 2024.

Read more