CarBuzz Says Size Doesn’t Matter When It Comes to Luxury

CarBuzz highlights the best luxury SUVs, whether small or large, currently available in the United States. And, even with three rows of seats, your Sports Utility Vehicle can still be an opulent, executive carrier.

Compact SUVs

It may seem counterintuitive to make a small SUV to begin with – and then to imbue it with all the comforts and pleasantries expected of the luxury segment – but there’s method to the madness. Premium compact SUVs merge the best of nimble, easy-to-maneuver, small cars with all the comforts, technology, and beauty of the luxury segment.

Popular in the rankings of the best luxury compact SUVs are the BMW X3 and fellow German, the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. These small crossovers both have a starting price in the mid-$40k mark and have handsomely styled looks. Assertive without looking gimmicky, the X3 and GLC-Class have seating for five, although the back seat may be a little tight for adults – especially if you want to fit three across. Still, the X3 and GLC are high-quality examples of what the segment contains, with top-end cabins, comfortable seats, spacious front-row appointments, and cabins that are packed to the brim with safety and convenience features.

Full-Size SUVs

If you need something more sizable with seating for up to seven people, our list of the top luxury SUVs with 3 rows is worth perusing. A variety of cars make it into these rankings, from homegrown brutes like the Lincoln Navigator to the new Jeep Grand Wagoneer. To lug both hefty hulks around requires some serious muscle, so a twin-turbo V6 engine does duty in the Navigator, while the Grand Wagoneer uses a naturally-aspirated V8 with 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. Both make use of automatic transmissions to get the power down and offer surprising performance, and while four-wheel drive is standard on the Grand Wagoneer, it’s an option on the lower-spec Navigators.

If three rows of seats aren’t needed, and you’d much rather focus on executive excellence, class, and opulence, you should consider the Bentley Bentayga or the Rolls Royce Cullinan. Even the base model in these lineups is superfluous luxury. Naturally, you’ll be shopping at the highest end of the best large luxury SUVs list, and you will be expecting eye-watering MSRP figures. You won’t be getting great gas mileage from these massive cars in comparison to smaller models, but with reclining, massaging, heated and ventilated captain’s chairs in the back, you won’t be overly bothered about anything other than getting to your destination in style. And with configurations in this size segment, there is always ample room for passengers and cargo alike.

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