come in all shapes and sizes. While we tend to think of luxury cars as great, not all of them are. As more and more drivers are interested in fuel-efficient hybrids, electrics, and other SUVs, it’s a hot segment filled with winning nameplates. Surprisingly, the top 3 luxury compact SUVs on Us News – the Genesis GV70, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC – all start at under $45,000. Which would you choose?
The best compact luxury SUVs on US News all cost under $45,000
The 2023 Genesis GV70, 2023 BMW X3, and 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC ranked in order of 1st to 3rd on . All three SUVs are similar in size and shape, and even have comparable performance specs.
it starts at $42,900 for the 2.5T AWD and goes up to $55,000 for the 3.5T Sport AWD. As you may have guessed, the main difference between the two trim levels is the engine. The base model comes with a 300hp turbocharged 2.5-liter in-line four-cylinder, while the top-end trim comes with a 375hp turbocharged 3.5-liter V6.
US News ranked the GV70 #1 due to its “all-around” nature. It has two hot engine choices, exclusive interiors, smooth handling and a supple ride. All of which, starting at just $42,900, are hard to beat.
2023 BMXX3
It’s a proven winner for BMW thanks to the blending of the brand’s sporty nature with the comforts and practicality of a small SUV.
The X3 is available in four variants, most of which come standard with AWD. First up is the sDrive30i which draws power from a 248bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre inline-four. The main disadvantage of this trim is that it is offered only with rear-wheel drive. For that reason, the base X3 starts at a friendly $45,400. The later version remains essentially the same but has the Xdrive AWD system. The M40i comes next, stomping with 382 hp from its turbocharged straight-six.
US News notes that, unlike the Genesis GV70, the BMW X3 is unlikely to wow you with opulence. Still, its sporty profile mixed with above-average interior appointments make the X3 quite enticing.
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC
The GLC-class SUV is in third place but is technically on par with the X3. While the scores might be the same, the Merc and BMW are quite different. The X3 is all about performance with enough luxury to make the cut. The Merc is basically the opposite.
Mercedes-Benz knows a thing or two about building luxurious interiors. The GLC leans more towards this side of the segment than the performance side. However, that doesn’t mean that GLC-class SUVs are slow. Starting at $43,850, the GLC features a turbocharged 255-hp 2.0-liter inline-four. Frankly, there’s a bunch of various configurations for the GLC, but the hottest trim comes with the AMG name attached, which means it’ll boogie. The AMG GLC 4matic draws power from a 385 PS biturbo V6. While this is very hot, it really doesn’t compare to BMW’s sportier setup.
US News praised the GLC, not for its fire-breathing capabilities, but instead for its plush interior. The review states that “overall, the GLC has no obvious drawbacks.” While it may seem a bit generic, it’s a good review.
