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 Porsche Macan is unchanged.We like the balance of price and performance you get in the Macan S. It has more capability than you'll likely ever need, yet it is still tame enough for daily driving. As for options, the Premium Package Plus is a good place to start since it adds a nice grouping of desirable equipment without getting too fancy with the customization possibilities.
PROS Quick acceleration regardless of engine choice Most athletic and engaging to drive SUV in its segment Surprisingly comfortable and composed ride Long list of options means you can customize every last detail
CONS Must pay for numerous stand-alone options to get full-featured cabin Less rear-seat and cargo space than segment competitors
The 2018 Porsche Macan ranked #4 in Luxury Compact SUVs. Currently the Porsche Macan has a score of 8.6 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 26 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Outstanding acceleration Nimble handling and quiet ride Posh interior User-friendly infotainment system
Cons Subpar fuel economy Undersized cargo hold More expensive than most rivals
The 2018 Porsche Macan is the performance pick among compact crossovers because of course it is. Purists may scoff, but we don’t much care.
Pros Breathtaking speed from a small crossover Plenty of optional goodies GTS model hits a performance sweet spot Fit and finish is perfectly Porsche
Cons Gets expensive in a hurry Oddly shaped cargo area Did we mention it can crest six figures? No manual transmission. Don’t even ask. Back seats aren’t really all that spacious
