BEST COMPACT CROSSOVERS FOR 2019 PLUS SLICK INFOTAINMENT

Further SUV readingCompact SUV Best Buy of 2019. Even if many never ventured further off-road than a block-paved driveway. Buyers loved its high driving position, cabin space and go-anywhere image. And guess what? Its inherent dynamic limitations scarcely seemed to matter. Suddenly, here was a mainstream alternative to a humdrum hatchback. Subcompact crossovers are usually based on the platform of a subcompact (also known as supermini or B-segment) passenger car, although some high-end subcompact crossover Yet the small SUV grew up, quit its job at the surf shack and settled down in suburbia.

However, none of them make CARвЂ™s top 10 list. Despite ever-greater environmental pressures, itвЂ™s a trend carmakers have readily encouraged: small SUVs mean big profits.In 2018, the Qashqai was BritainвЂ™s fourth best-seller and вЂ“ along with the Ford Kuga and Kia Sportage вЂ“ one of three SUVs in the top 10. Call it a crossover if you will, but it opened the taps to a torrent of family cars with outdoorsy attitude. The 2006 Nissan Qashqai was perhaps the tipping point.

The perceived extra safety of an SUV isnвЂ™t always reflected in reality. Equally, if your SUV will be family transport вЂ“ or even if not вЂ“ compare Euro NCAP crash-test ratings and safety equipment carefully. If thatвЂ™s you, check the towing capacity before you buy вЂ“ some hybrids arenвЂ™t authorised to tow at all. Its torque-rich delivery still makes sense for SUVs, and the upfront cost can pay off for higher-mileage drivers.Talking of torque, many SUV owners regularly tow a trailer or caravan. New alternatives include plug-in hybrid and fully-electric powertrains, although donвЂ™t rule out diesel entirely. Already, some cars here, such as the Porsche Macan, are no longer offered with a diesel engine.

Best Compact Crossovers For 2019 Plus Slick Infotainment

Vivid steering, strong brakes and a biddable chassis make for genuine B-road fun, the low driving position putting you in the thick of the action. Handsome outside and pleasingly premium within, it offers space for a family of four and their luggage, plus slick infotainment and lots of optional tech.That pedigree Porsche DNA never feels far from the surface either. While the 911 hogs column inches, it quietly gets on with the job of being StuttgartвЂ™s best-seller вЂ“ and the only car here to merit a five-star verdict.

ThereвЂ™s more space for rear passengers and 10% larger boot, while two 10-inch touchscreens ( Г la Velar) add welcome wow-factor. Its platform is designed to accommodate plug-in hybrid and electric drivetrains, but youвЂ™re limited to 2.0-litre petrols and diesels at present вЂ“ most with four-wheel drive and nine-speed auto. Turbo and GTS versions are coming soon, but the mid-range Macan is all you really need.ViewВ Porsche Macan lease deals Range Rover EvoqueDonвЂ™t be deceived by the same-again styling the second-gen Evoque is new and much improved.

Driving one daily could pose some challenges, but times are changing fast.ViewВ Jaguar i-Pace lease deals Peugeot 3008The old Peugeot 3008 had all the charm of a belching bullfrog. From behind the wheel, it really does feel supercar-special. ItвЂ™s an SUV coupe without the vulgarity, its four-seat cabin lush and luxurious. It also pulls stomach-churning G-forces when cornering: quick steering, a low centre of gravity and slingshot four-wheel-drive traction see to that.A range of 298 miles, plus charge times from 0-80% in 40 minutes, are sufficient to take on Tesla, yet the i-PaceвЂ™s appeal transcends such practicalities. Its 90kWH lithium-ion battery serves up 395bhp and 0-62mph in 4.8sec, plus a walloping 513lb ft from standstill.

It feels impressively robust, too.Manage your expectations вЂ“ this isnвЂ™t a 205 GTI, people вЂ“ and youвЂ™ll discover a decent drive. Sharing its oily bits with the Citroen C5 Aircross and Vauxhall Grandland X, it offers the classiest cabin of the trio: all soft-touch surfaces, ambient lighting and surprise-and-delight details. ThereвЂ™s even a two-tone вЂCoupe FrancheвЂ™ paint option if you must.

The Stelvio hit the ground running, with a typically dramatic visage and a name evoking the wonderful Stelvio Pass. But diehards be damned: money talks and SUVs shout loudest. ThereвЂ™s no four-wheel-drive option, although few buyers will miss it.ViewВ Peugeot 3008 lease deals Alfa Romeo StelvioIn the not-so-distant past, Alfa Romeo building an SUV seemed as likely as Silvio Berlusconi swearing a vow of celibacy. DonвЂ™t rule out the efficient BlueHDi diesel engines, which feel a better fit than the PureTech petrols. It also rides well, even on the 19-inch alloys of the top-spec GT.

Even so, the AlfaвЂ™s bountiful brio encourages you to overlook its faults. The downsides are a jittery ride, perceived quality that lags behind rivals and a media system thatвЂ™s more Atari than Apple. Combined with super-quick steering and rear-biased Q4 four-wheel drive вЂ“ plus the option of a mechanical limited-slip diff вЂ“ it makes for one of the sharpest drives in the segment. Two 2.0-litre petrols and 2.2 diesels make up the rest of the range.Alfa didnвЂ™t scrimp on the StelvioвЂ™s suspension, employing double wishbones at the front and a multi-link arrangement for the rear.

It inherits a beautifully built interior вЂ“ including oodles of safety kit вЂ“ feelsome steering and a snappy manual gearshift. In the CX-30вЂ™s defence, it is available with four-wheel drive, although in most respects this is a pumped-up Mazda 3.ThatвЂ™s no bad thing, however. Because everyone who buys an SUV loves a bit of kite surfing. The CX-30, which slots between the two, is for couples with perhaps one child вЂ“ or those who enjoy outdoor sports.

Its plush cabin is as relaxing as a Scandinavian sauna (Volvo seats are superb) and safety equipment is second-to-none. For starters, we love its mini-XC90 design, emboldened by a clamshell bonnet, sculpted sides and kicked-up window line. We werenвЂ™t quite so bowled over, judging its dynamic performance вЂgood but not greatвЂ™, yet it still merits a place in our top 10. Inevitably, the 3 hatchback offers sweeter handling and a lower price tag, but the CX-30 counters with a bigger boot, more passenger space and a smoother ride.The Volvo XC40 arrived in a flurry of five-star reviews and Car of the Year awards. We found it slightly underwhelming, but preferable to the gutless 120bhp 2.0 Skyactiv-G.

Light controls and a pliant ride mean the XC40 feels well suited to the city.