Best Subcompact Luxury SUVs for 2021
Car and Driver's rankings are arrived at from the results of our extensive instrumented testing of several hundred vehicles each year and from our expert editors' subjective impressions gained in real-world driving. We've ranked the best subcompact luxury SUVs based on roughly 200 data points encompassing acceleration, handling, comfort, cargo space, fuel efficiency, value, and how enjoyable they are to drive. We take rankings seriously because we want you to know everything about the vehicles that you're interested in.
Read about how we test and evaluate vehicles here.Top Ranked Subcompact Luxury SUVs for 2021 at a glance
C/D Rating: 9.5/10
1
2021 Volvo XC40
9.5
/10
C/D RATING
Starting at
$34,795
EPA MPG
25–26 combined
C/D SAYS: Volvo's fun and funky XC40 blends everything we love about the brand's large SUVs with a more youthful appearance and a charming driving demeanor. Learn More
2
2021 BMW X1
9
/10
C/D RATING
Starting at
$36,395
EPA MPG
26–27 combined
C/D SAYS: The 2021 BMW X1 is petite, playful, and practical, which makes it one of our favorite luxury subcompact crossovers and perhaps the perfect choice for you. Learn More
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3
2021 BMW X2
8.5
/10
C/D RATING
Starting at
$37,595
EPA MPG
26–27 combined
C/D SAYS: Think of the 2021 X2 as a more stylish, slightly sportier alternative to the subcompact BMW X1 SUV, but one that comes with a few compromises to interior space. Learn More
4
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class
8.5
/10
C/D RATING
Starting at
$39,100
EPA MPG
26 combined
C/D SAYS: The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLB-class slots into the narrow gap in the company's SUV lineup between the GLA250 and the GLC300 with a boxy shape that offers plenty of practicality. Learn More
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5
2021 Mercedes-AMG GLB-Class
8.5
/10
C/D RATING
Starting at
$50,550
EPA MPG
23 combined
C/D SAYS: Mercedes-AMG has worked its high-performance magic on the GLB-class SUV, which wears more athletic styling and comes with a turbocharged four-cylinder with 302 horsepower. Learn More
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6
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class
8.5
/10
C/D RATING
Starting at
$37,280
EPA MPG
27–28 combined
C/D SAYS: For style, luxury, and brand cachet in a compact-SUV package, look no further than the Mercedes-Benz GLA-class, which is new and improved for 2021. Learn More
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7
2021 Mercedes-AMG GLA-Class
8.5
/10
C/D RATING
Starting at
$48,600
EPA MPG
23–25 combined
C/D SAYS: When the hot-rodding geniuses at Mercedes-AMG are turned loose on the brand's smallest SUV—the 2021 GLA35 and GLA45—a hot-hatch with a high seating position is born. Learn More
8
2021 Audi Q3
8.5
/10
C/D RATING
Starting at
$35,095
EPA MPG
23–25 combined
C/D SAYS: Audi's small SUV offers what we expect from a luxury crossover, but the 2021 Q3 mixes its own twist into formula with novel flourishes and cutting-edge tech. Learn More
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9
2021 Cadillac XT4
8
/10
C/D RATING
Starting at
$36,990
EPA MPG
24–26 combined
C/D SAYS: The 2021 Cadillac XT4 is a visually distinctive subcompact luxury crossover, but it's also less luxurious and refined than most rivals. Learn More
10
2021 Lexus UX
7.5
/10
C/D RATING
Starting at
$34,075
EPA MPG
32–39 combined
C/D SAYS: The hatchback-like Lexus UX delivers its own brand of driving verve and style as it competes with other upscale subcompact crossovers. Learn More
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