Buying or leasing a subcompact premium crossover is a great way for you to own a top-tier luxury-branded vehicle without paying much money. But while these vehicles feature attractive starting prices, the price adds up quickly once you start tacking on expected luxury-oriented features such as leather seating or a sunroof. Luckily, somebody must have forgotten to tell Audi because the 2018 Q3 is feature-rich and much less expensive than its rivals.
Pros Lots of features at a price lower than rivals Interior is lined with high-quality materials Rides comfortably on rough roads Cabin is hushed at highway speeds
Cons Handling and acceleration lag behind class rivals Backseat is a tight fit for adults Ranks at the back of the pack for fuel economy Infotainment controller is awkwardly placed, and no USB interface
The 2018 Audi Q3 ranked #6 in Luxury Subcompact SUVs. Currently the Audi Q3 has a score of 7.7 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 25 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Comfortable ride quality Upscale cabin
Cons Underpowered on the highway Few standard features
The 2018 Audi Q3 offers a fun-to-drive alternative to the entry compact luxury car, but with more utility. Versus its rivals, it delivers more ride comfort and interior refinement, but less fuel efficiency.
Pros Smart packaging for tight spaces Frisky turbocharged engine Great control interface, maps Excellent ride quality Pert handling
Cons Tight rear seat More a hatchback than an SUV Lackluster gas mileage No manual here No forward crash prevention system
The 2018 Nissan Murano ranked #9 in Midsize SUVs. Currently the Nissan Murano has a score of 8.3 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 35 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros High-end cabin Extremely comfortable seats Easy-to-use tech features Fuel-efficient for a V6 SUV
Cons Poor rear visibility Slow steering response
The 2018 Nissan Murano adds better active safety to complement its sharp looks and easy-driving nature.
Pros Sharp exterior style Comfortable drive Better safety features this year Every trim has navigation and big touchscreen Relatively good fuel economy…
Cons …but still no hybrid powertrain CVT doesn’t like to be pressed on time Lacking upper-level interior touches like wood trim Style won’t be for everyone
For 2018, the Nissan Murano now includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and navigation on every model. Options have been distilled into two packages, with options from previous model years (i.e., adaptive cruise control, heated rear seats) now spread throughout the lineup as standard features.
PROS Delivers right balance of power and fuel-efficiency Interior highlighted by high-quality materials and unique design Front seats are exceptionally comfortable Spacious rear seats accommodate passengers and car seats with equal ease
CONS Stylish exterior design creates compromised outward visibility Can't tow heavy weekend toys like some competitors Modest cargo capacity limits practicality
