Crossover vehicles now pose a serious threat to the saloons’ place as the family haulers of choice. Their popularity has grown because they offer near-SUV practicality with car-like handling.
Crossovers are classed according to luxury and performance levels. They are further grouped according to their sizes – compact, midsize, or full-size crossovers.
Below are four noteworthy crossovers in the UK market that drivers might consider, in no particular order.
2017 Porsche Cayenne – Midsize Luxury Crossover
The latest Cayenne is everything that one would expect from a Porsche crossover: it is stylish, powerful, and luxurious, while not compromising on safety standards.
It is sold in a mind-boggling number of trim levels, with the addition of the Cayenne Platinum and the Cayenne S E-Hybrid Platinum as new 2017 limited-edition models. The base Cayenne is priced at about £48,000, but the price shoots to almost £130,000 for a fully loaded Turbo S.
Performance Specs
Both sporty and indulgent, the 2017 Cayenne offers a broad range of trims, from a green-cred plug-in hybrid to a performance-oriented turbo V8-suited variant. All engines are linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission, AWD being standard.
The base 2017 Porsche Cayenne boasts a 3.6-liter V6 engine that returns 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The Cayenne S gets a 420-hp, 406-lb-ft, 3.6-liter turbocharged engine.
Next up is the Cayenne S E-Hybrid that is driven by a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, alongside an electric motor that cranks out 416 horses and 435 lb-ft of torque. The Cayenne GTS harnesses 440 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque from an upgraded version of the Cayenne S’ engine. The Cayenne Turbo receives a turbocharged 4.8-liter V8 engine (520 hp, 553 lb-ft), while the Cayenne Turbo S creates 570 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque with the same driving force.
Fuel Efficiency
The base Cayenne gets approximately 7.7 km/l in the city and 10.2 km/l on the highway.
Safety and Entertainment Features
The 2017 Porsche Cayenne is stout and well-constructed. It also comes with a solid set of safety features for enhanced vehicle security and occupant protection.
The infotainment system is centred on a 7-inch touch-screen interface integrated with smartphone-like gestures and Apple CarPlay. Bluetooth connectivity and a 10-speaker audio system come standard.
How It Stacks up against the Competition
The Cayenne offers more performance ratios than its sibling, the Macan. It also provides a more reasonable starting price tag and better reliability ratings than the Range Rover Sport.
Pros
- Impressive handling
- Plenty of options
- Lovely interior and craftsmanship
- Wide engine selection
Cons
- Relatively limited storage
- Comparably costly
2017 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque – Compact Luxury Crossover
The 2017 model year extends the Range Rover Evoque’s lineup by adding the all-new Evoque Convertible. It is produced in three body styles: a two-door model, a four-door model, and a two-door convertible model.
The MSRP ranges between just north of £34,000 to almost £52,000.
Performance Specs
Under the bonnet of the 2017 Range Rover Evoque is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine returning 240 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque. The engine powers the standard all-wheel using a nine-speed automatic transmission. Drivers can select suitable settings for specific trail and road conditions thanks to Land Rover’s Terrain Response system. The Evoque makes a zero to 60 mph dash in 7.2 seconds, which is the class average.
Fuel Efficiency
The latest Evoque hatchback and coupe are ranked at 10.2 km/l combined (8.9 city/12.3 highway), while the new convertible returns 9.7 km/l combined (8.5 city/11.9 highway).
Safety and Entertainment Features
The Evoque comes with antilock brakes, trailer sway control, stability and traction control, a rearview camera, rear and front parking sensors, and an all-around airbag system.
The coupe and hatchback receive an 8-inch touchscreen while the convertible gets a new 10.2-inch display. The infotainment system incorporates the InControl Apps suite and is linked to an 11-speaker audio system.
How It Stacks up against the Competition
It offers more creature comfort and personalization options than the Land Rover Discovery Sport and the Audi Q5, and comes at a lower price than the Porsche Macan.
Pros
- A plush interior
- A stylish exterior
- Fun driving dynamics
- Impressive fuel efficiency
Cons
- Tight rear legroom
- Poor rear visibility
2017 BMW X6 – Midsize Performance Luxury Crossover
The 2017 BMW X6 is a sleeker spin-off of the 2017 BMW X5. It is one of the most driver-centred crossovers on the UK market. It seats five and is available in three trim levels.
The MSRP starts at about £50,000 for the X6 sDrive35i, to a little over £81,000 for the X6 M.
Performance Specs
All trims get an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RWD sDrive35i and the AWD xDrive35i both employ a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine that delivers 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. They also get steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles.
A 445-hp turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine with 480 lb-ft of torque runs the xDrive50i. The V8-powered X6 hits 100 kph in 4.6 seconds.
Fuel Efficiency
BMW claims that the sDrive35i X6 will return 8.9 km/l combined (7.7 city/10.6 highway) while the xDrive35i is rated at 8.5 km/l combined (7.7 city/10.2 highway). The xDrive50i’s fuel economy is estimated at 7.2 km/l combined.
Safety and Entertainment Features
Stability and traction control, automatic brake drying, antilock brakes, and an all-around airbag system are among standard safety features.
The BMW’s iDrive 10.2-inch touchscreen interface with a touchpad controls the infotainment system. The X6 comes standard with a nine-speaker sound system, USB and auxiliary audio inputs, a CD player, and HD radio.
How It Stacks up against the Competition
Compared to its rivals, such as the 2017 Mercedes GLE-Class and the 2017 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, the new X6 is by far the most fun-to-drive. However, it is less utilitarian.
Pros
- Stylish body
- Luxurious interior
- Superior ride quality
- Agile dynamics
- Compelling V8 performance
Cons
- Limited cargo space
- Poor rear visibility
- Limited rear headroom
2017 Jaguar F-Pace – Midsize Luxury SUV
The new Jaguar F-Pace is a practical eye-pleaser that drives and handles surprisingly well. It is sold in five trims and comfortably seats five adults.
The MSRP ranges from £34,325 to a little below £58,000.
Performance Specs
Paddle shifters, AWD, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and hill-start assist are all standard.
The 35t AWD models benefit from a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine that pumps out 340 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque in all but the S and First Edition, where it cranks out 380 ponies.
The 20d AWD models feature a 2.0-liter turbodiesel inline-4 engine that pushes out 180 hp and 318 lb-ft of torque.
Fuel Efficiency
Jaguar estimates that the V6-powered F-Pace will return 8.5 km/l combined (7.3 city/9.7 highway). The inline-4 engine’s fuel ratings are not out yet, but it is anticipated that it will return more than 8.5 km/l combined.
Safety and Entertainment Features
2017 F-Pace models get a surround airbag system, parking sensors, a rearview camera, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking, among others.
The InControl Touch 8-inch touchscreen interface is linked to a CD player and an 11-speaker Meridian sound system. It comes with a media player, USB port, and an auxiliary audio jack. It also offers Bluetooth phone connectivity and media playback.
How It Stacks up against the Competition
The F-Pace adequately challenges the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class’ elegance, the Porsche Macan’s dynamic driving experience, and the BMW X3’s well-roundedness.
Pros
- Spacious backseat
- Off-road capability
- High ground clearance
- Sharper driving
- Sufficient cargo area
Cons
- Less efficient gasoline engine
- Boisterous V6 exhaust
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