Top 10 of the Best Luxury SUVs — Compact and Intermediate

By Audi Lauzon
Published on 12/14/2022
header banner top 10 best luxury SUVs

If you’re shopping for a luxury SUV, you’ll quickly notice that you have a great number of choices, and not only in terms of car manufacturers, but also in terms of the models that each manufacturer offers. Audi is not an exception to this rule.

To help you make an informed choice, we made a list of the best 2023 luxury SUVs, along with their strong points. Moreover, you’ll see that the Audi models are luxury vehicles and have nothing to envy the competition!

Les meilleurs VUS compacts de luxe

At the moment, the compact luxury SUVs is a segment in full swing, where competition is fierce. Yet, some models stand out in relation to their competitors, because of their exceptional qualities.

Audi Q5

  • Most Interesting Characteristic: Impressive value for money
  • Price Latest Model: $50,100 (basic model)

The Audi Q5 is the top-selling SUV at Audi, and one of the most popular in its segment. It’s available in three different trims, with a base price ranging from $50,100 to 62,900. The Audi Q5 is equipped with a 2.0 L turbocharged engine with mild hybrid, which delivers between 201 and 261 horsepower, depending on the model.

What’s more, the Q5 boasts a cargo space that can go up to 1516 litres, and a towing capacity of 2750 to 4400 litres. This reliable and elegant SUV constitutes an excellent purchase, in terms of manufacturing quality, driving dynamics and in-car technologies.

In addition, it offers many advantages in comparison with the Q3, Audi’s entry-level model. Read our comparison of Audi’s Q5 vs Q3 to know more.

Advantages

Mild hybrid engine available, very affordable entry-level model, exceptional driving experience

Disadvantages

Less impressive power performance, in comparison with its competitors

front side view of a 2023 Audi Q5 in a public space

Acura RDX

  • Most Interesting Characteristic: Generous cargo space
  • Price Latest Model: $57,190 (base model)

For 2023, two versions of the RDX are being offered, at a price ranging from $57,190 to $62,590. It’s a spacious vehicle, providing cargo volume of 881 to 2260 litres, which puts it at the top of its category, and which compensates for its lower towing capacity of 1500 litres. The RDX is propelled with a 272-horsepower powertrain.

Advantages

Substantial amount of cargo space, powerful engine

Disadvantages

Towing capacity below its competitors

Porsche Macan

  • Most Interesting Characteristic: Great number of versions
  • Price Latest Model: $65,400

Offered at a base price of $65,400, the Porsche Macan is the most expensive luxury vehicle of this top 5 of upscale compact SUVs. Equipped with a 2.0 L turbocharged 4-cylinders engine that generates 262 horsepower, it offers cargo space of 488 to 1503 litres, including a maximum towing capacity of 4400 litres.

Advantages

Sporty and dynamic driving experience, superior quality manufacturing

Disadvantages

More expensive than its competitors, limited cargo space

front and back view of four 2023 Porsche Macan

Genesis GV70

  • Most Interesting Characteristic: Striking, modern design
  • Price Latest Model: $57,650 (base model)

The Genesis GV70, a newcomer in 2022, was designated Best Compact Luxury SUV newly marketed in its category, and for a good reason: It delivers between 300 and 375 horsepower, depending on whether it’s equipped with a 4-cylinder or a V-6.

Moreover, this luxury SUV can tow up to 3500 litres and store between 819 and 2260 litres, depending on whether you fold down or not the rear seats. It is offered at a base price of $57,650, in the medium to high range.

Advantages

Electric version available

Disadvantages

New model, reliability remains to be determined

BMW X3

  • Most Interesting Characteristic: Good towing capacity despite the less powerful engine
  • Price Latest Model: $54,300 (base model)

Elegant and dynamic, this compact luxury SUV is offered at a base price of $54,300. Its 4-cylinders allows it to generate 248 horsepower and to tow up to 4400 litres. The cabin is quite spacious and provides 813 litres of storage behind the rear seats, and if you fold them down, you’ll get 1775 litres of cargo space.

Advantages

Well-established reliability, dynamic driving, spacious cabin

Disadvantages

Lower power performance in comparison with its competitors

front side view of a 2023 BMW X3 near a river

The Best Intermediate Luxury SUVs

Are you looking for the best intermediate luxury SUV? The models that follow stand out through their design, list of standard equipment or for their capacities.

Which one meets your needs and your budget the best?

Audi Q8

  • Most Interesting Characteristic: A silhouette that doesn’t go unnoticed…
  • Price Latest Model: $88,400 (basic model)

Sold at a price between $88,400 and $96,100 the Audi Q8 is a marvel of engineering. Equipped with an impressive list of in-car technologies, an elegant and audacious design, while sporting 335 horsepower, this intermediate SUV gives you a stunning towing capacity of 7700 litres and a cargo volume between 605 and 1765 litres. It can accommodate five occupants.

Advantages

High-performance engine, long list of technologies and amenities, undeniable driving comfort

Disadvantages

It only has two rows of seats

Porsche Cayenne

  • Most Interesting Characteristic: Impressive number of versions
  • Price Latest Model: $87,500

In the market for the last twenty years, the Porsche Cayenne was one of the pioneers in its category. With its muscular silhouette characteristic of Porsche, its 335 horsepower, its towing capacity of 7700 litres, as well as its cargo volume from 772 to 1708 litres, the Cayenne can accommodate up to five occupants plus their luggage. Its base price stands at $87,500.

Advantages

Solid performance characteristic of Porsche, classy silhouette, great towing capacity, available as a plug-in hybrid

Disadvantages

Cargo volume is less substantial than its competitors

Audi Q7

  • Most Interesting Characteristic: 3 rows of seats
  • Price Latest Model: $72,500 (base model)

With enough space to sit 7 occupants because of its three rows of seats, the Q7 is offered in three trims with a price range between $72,500 and $89,900. Depending on the model, it’ll be equipped with a 248 or 335 horsepower engine and will tow up to 4400 litres. Cargo space goes from 402 to 1971 litres. Check out the outgoing model, the 2022 Q7 and its specs.

Advantages

Space for 7 occupants, choice between two powertrains for the Q7 model and an engine with more than 500 horsepower for the SQ7 version

Disadvantages

Average towing capacity

front side view of a 2023 Aud iQ7 in front of mountains

Acura MDX

  • Most Interesting Characteristic: Cargo space more substantial than its competitors
  • Price Latest Model: $61,790 (base model)

Affordable in its entry-level model ($61,790), this upscale vehicle goes up to $86,890 in its superior trims. This SUV with 7 seats has between 290 and 355 horsepower at its disposal, combined with a towing capacity between 3000 and 5000 litres, as well as a very generous cargo space from 461 to 2690 litres.

Advantages

Affordable, with a spacious cabin plus high-performance engines

Disadvantages

Towing capacity below the average on certain trims

Lexus RX

  • Most Interesting Characteristic: Its interesting price
  • Price Latest Model: $57,500 (base model)

Finally, the Lexus RX, with its price range between $57,500 and $77,550, is one of the most affordable models in its category. It sports between 295 and 308 horsepower and can sit up to 5 occupants. It offers a cargo space between 510 and 1583 litres, not to mention its towing capacity that goes up to 3500 litres.

Advantages

A more affordable superior trim than some entry-level models among its competitors

Disadvantages

Reduced cargo space, towing capacity below the average

To know more about our Top 10 of Compact and Intermediate SUVs, or to make an appointment for a road test on one of our Audi models, come and see us today at Audi Lauzon!

view from above of a 2022 Audi Q5 in a roundabout

Our latest publications

Top 10 Sedans with All-Wheel Drive

Top 10 Sedans with All-Wheel Drive

Sedans with all-wheel drive are very popular with consumers, who can enjoy all the advantages of all-wheel drive without having to get a sport utility vehicle. But what is the best all-wheel drive car to buy in 2022-2023? Several models can claim this title, according...

2023 Audi RS 6 Avant: Price and Technical Specifications

2023 Audi RS 6 Avant: Price and Technical Specifications

The all-new Audi RS 6 Avant offers an impressive quality-price ratio and gets you the best of the best in terms of luxury, design and performance, the whole with a flawless finish characteristic of Audi. Your Audi Lauzon dealership will tell you more about this Audi...

Photo de la concession Audi Lauzon à Laval

Contact us

(450) 688-1120

Showroom

2022-2023 new Audi vehicles

Discover >

Read more articles…

Top 10 Sedans with All-Wheel Drive

Top 10 Sedans with All-Wheel Drive

Sedans with all-wheel drive are very popular with consumers, who can enjoy all the advantages of all-wheel drive without having to get a sport utility vehicle. But what...