The automotive industry is one of the most competitive in the world, which shows in the updates and advancements that each company releases with new model years. 2019 has been no exception as these advancements have particularly benefited the crossover SUV segment.
Crossover SUVs are vehicles with the SUV style but a platform more reminiscent of a passenger car. They emphasize flexibility and performance for the average consumer.
2019 Mazda CX-9
With a finely tuned suspension and a newly insulated cabin for 2019, Mazda comes out of the gates swinging. The CX-9 is one of the year’s most desirable crossovers, blending a combination of sporty performance with enough room to seat seven.
Trims
- Sport: $32,280
- Touring: $35,330
- Grand Touring: $40,840
- Signature: $45,365
All trims except the Signature come standard with front-wheel-drive, but available all-wheel-drive makes your CX-9 easily customized.
Performance & Fuel Economy
The CX-9 comes equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, getting between 227 and 250 horsepower depending on the gasoline it’s fed. Speaking of gasoline, the CX-9 performs impressively with 22 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway when equipped with front-wheel-drive. All-wheel-drive cuts a few miles off both calculations.
Features
Mazda has done a lot to make their vehicles safe for families, but you’ll find that most of the best safety features are relegated exclusively to the more expensive trims. The Smart City Brake Support line of features supplies multiple forms of collision warning and automatic braking for higher trims.
2019 BMW X1
BMW looks to dominate the competition in 2019 with the X1. It’s a well-tuned and spacious crossover that manages to exceed expectations for performance SUVs.
Trims
- sDrive28i: $34,950
- xDrive28i: $36,950
The main difference between these two trims is just that the xDrive28i comes with all-wheel-drive rather than front-wheel-drive. Plus, an available sport package tacks on an extra few thousand for some performance features.
Performance & Fuel Economy
The X1’s single powertrain option lends the vehicle a formidable 228-horsepower through a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It also boasts some of the highest efficiency numbers of the year, rated by the EPA with 23 mpg in the city and 32 on the highway.
Features
BMW boasts a wealth of standard safety features including pedestrian detection and adaptive cruise control. Furthermore, the X1 performed well in crash tests performed by advisory groups. The expanded suite of infotainment options includes an 8.8-inch touchscreen that dwarfs the standard 6.5-inch panel.
2019 Chevrolet Equinox
The Equinox is a relatively fresh vehicle in only its second year. Although Chevrolet hasn’t quite blown our minds yet, there are some good features to take note of here.
Trims
- L: $23,800
- LS: $25,900
- LT: $27,200
- Premier: $31,100
A variety of additional packages and configurations make the Equinox one of the year’s most varied crossover SUVs.
Performance & Fuel Economy
The standard Equinox engine is a turbocharged 172-horsepower four-stroke that performs satisfactorily for daily use, but an available 252-horsepower turbo-four gives the Equinox much-needed power for highway driving. A 137-horsepower turbodiesel leans towards efficiency as it doesn’t get the same power. Speaking of efficiency, the base engine’s 26 mpg in the city and 32 on the highway are dwarfed by the turbodiesel’s 28 city mpg and 39 on the highway.
Features
The Equinox comes standard with Teen Driver systems that let you set caps for driver speed when you’re not in the car. Also, a seven-inch touchscreen equipped with the MyLink system is an adequate infotainment system.
2019 Audi Q7
The Q7 hasn’t changed much since the current generation began in 2017, but if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. The Q7 is a formidable vehicle that goes a long way towards establishing new standards for crossover SUVs.
Trims
- Premium: $53,550
- Premium Plus: $56,900
- Prestige: $68,700
The Prestige comes standard with the Audi Q7’s performance powertrain, but it remains optional on both Premium trims.
Performance & Fuel Economy
The standard powertrain is equipped with a turbocharged four-stroke engine that gets 248-horsepower, which is more than enough to move this vehicle competently. If you’ve got a need for speed, upgrading to the performance engine sees an ascent to 329-horsepower.
Both engines are paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and see relatively high numbers in the efficiency department. The Q7 performs just over the average for the class with 19 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway.
Features
Although available safety features are a little limited, the Audi PreSense system helps warn the driver against frontal collisions. On the flip side, the Q7 has a wealth of standard infotainment offerings including rotary dial controls that give off a bit of a retro vibe.
2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
Alfa Romeo is one of the world’s best-known producers of luxury vehicles. For 2019, their SUV lineup — under the line title “Stelvio” — is looking to reach new heights with the release of the luxury Quadrifoglio crossover.
Trims
- Base: $40,295
- Ti: $44,495
- Quadrifoglio: $79,995
While the luxury Quadrifoglio trim will be the focus, lower tiers of the Stelvio lineup offer more affordable varieties on the same luxury platform.
Performance & Fuel Economy
The Quadrifoglio’s engine is a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 that reaches staggering heights of 505-horsepower, enough to blow even the most performance-based competitors out of the water. Although the EPA has yet to release fuel estimates for the 2019 year, they’re expected to mirror the relatively average ratings of 19 mpg combined sported by the Quadrifoglio in 2018.
Features
Blind spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking are just a few of the stellar safety features that the Quadrifoglio boasts. In addition to the stellar safety features, in-built navigational systems and a wealth of high-end infotainment features make this one of the year’s most luxurious crossovers.