The 2017 Jaguar F-Pace ranks 2 out of 14 Luxury Compact SUVs. Very few rivals can match the brand-new Jaguar F-Pace when it comes to space, dynamic driving performance, and the prestige that comes with a Jaguar badge. Although Jaguar doesn't like to call it an SUV – they call it a practical sports car and performance crossover – the F-Pace is the first SUV for the luxury brand. The British carmaker says the F-Pace was built to be functional enough as a daily driver, but fun to drive on the weekend. It is spectacularly successful in both arenas. The F-Pace also has one of the largest cargo holds in the class. Additionally, its Land Rover parentage (Jaguar and Land Rover are owned by the same company and share some components) helps its off-road cred, making the F-Pace surprisingly practical for a little trail-riding. Overall, the F-Pace is an excellent SUV.
Pros Sports-car-like performance Excellent traction on slippery or gravel roads Spacious interior and cargo room
Cons Subpar acceleration with diesel engine
The 2017 Jaguar F-Pace does an excellent job of putting just as much emphasis on sport as on utility. Jaguar Land Rover is in the business of building excellent SUVs, but until now, those SUVs were the exclusive province of Land Rover. Even with Range Rovers and Discoverys sitting across the showroom, there's plenty of room for more vehicles in the broad spectrum that grabs everything from the Buick Encore to the Benz G-Class. And if a sort of automotive purity test is invoked, well, Porsche's proven that no brand can really thrive in the U.S. without some kind of crossover SUV in its lineup. This is all a convoluted way of explaining how we got to the first Jaguar crossover SUV in history, and as luck would have it, one of the most satisfying luxury utility vehicles of all.
Pros The SUV Jaguar's always wanted Sleek aluminum body Wide-screen InControl Touch Pro Turbodiesel or supercharged six Nimble, skillful handling
Cons Firm ride degrades on 22s Rearview camera a $400 option on base model Cockpit can be a subdued, dark affair
If you're looking for a luxury SUV that stands out in a crowd, the striking new 2017 Jaguar F-Pace is hard to ignore. It's more than just a pretty face as it's also great to drive, surprisingly practical, competitively priced and can even venture off road. It's a new SUV you don't want to overlook.
pros Spacious backseat and cargo area for the segment Sharper and more engaging to drive than most Supercharged V6 power at a four-cylinder price Fuel-efficient diesel engine option Higher-than-usual ground clearance and surprising off-road capability.
cons Gasoline engine is considerably less efficient than similarly priced rivals You might find the ride too firm over broken pavement V6's boisterous exhaust may get tiresome in day-to-day driving.
In the highly competitive compact luxury SUV segment, the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is definitely worth your consideration. It combines a practical size, strong performance and a luxurious cabin with a long list of optional amenities.The existing Mercedes-Benz GLC300 comes off its debut year with a minor shuffling of features. The big news is the addition of the high-performance AMG GLC 43, with a potent V6 engine.
Pros Balance of comfort and performance makes it an appealing daily driver Solid fuel efficiency from the standard four-cylinder engine Plenty of room for adult-sized passengers in back Elegant design inside and out gives it a true luxury appearance.
Cons Technology interface isn't always easy to use Only one four-cylinder engine offered unless you step up to the ultra-high-performance AMG model.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class makes a terrific combination of the features and practical needs most buyers want in an attractive package. Complementing the automaker's C-Class sedan, the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class is a well thought-out compact crossover that offers its own swoopy styling and attractive range of engines.
Pros Spacious, attractive interior Wide range of engine and body choices "Coupe" bodystyle is unique Comprehensive available safety features
Cons Safety features come at a price "Coupe" loses some practicality Base GLC300 can feel numb Diesel model delayed (again)
The 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class ranks 3 out of 14 Luxury Compact SUVs. If you're looking for refinement – both inside and out – you'll want to look at the 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLC. This polished luxury compact SUV comes with more standard features than many of its competitors and has a handsome interior that emphasizes simple elegance.
Pros Comfortable, elegant interior Abundance of standard and optional safety features Quiet, refined ride
Cons Below-average cargo capacity behind rear seats