The Best Compact Luxury SUVs in 2024
The compact luxury SUV segment is where you’ll find some of the best-selling vehicles in Canada. Which ones are the best buys you can make in 2024? The team at The Car Guide has analyzed all the various models available and come up with the top three below.
Since none of the contenders are completely redesigned or dramatically improved this year, our picks are unchanged from the previous year, except that we switched the models in second and third place.
1. Genesis GV70
Competition is quite fierce in the compact luxury SUV segment, but the GV70 manages to impress with exceptional customer service and warranty, plus a refined cabin and pleasant handling. As a matter of fact, it’s The Car Guide’s Best Buy award winner for three years running—quite a feat for this Korean newcomer facing established German and Japanese players.
Two turbocharged engines are available including a 2.5-litre four-cylinder unit delivering 300 horsepower and a 3.5-litre V6 that serves up 375 horsepower. Meanwhile, the Electrified GV70 is purely motivated by a pair of electric motors (429 horsepower combined) and can travel up to 380 km with a full battery charge. Pricing is too expensive to qualify for an EV rebates, however.
2. Lexus NX
Now entering its third year, the second generation of the Lexus NX gets a series of minor revisions for 2024. Standard content has been adjusted and proves attractive. This is a reliable, locally built product (except for the NX 450h+) offering a quiet and driver-friendly interior, but cargo space isn’t impressive.
The NX stands out with a selection of four powertrain options, each one paired with all-wheel drive. While the base 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine (203 horsepower) is nothing to get excited about, the turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder (275 horsepower) will please many drivers. There are two hybrid systems, one of which is a plug-in hybrid with 304 horsepower and 61 km of pure electric range. Once the battery runs empty, expect to achieve around 7 L/100 km, which is pretty good.
3. Audi Q5
The current-generation Q5 is starting to get old yet it continues to sell in large numbers. Audi offers a broad lineup including two body styles (SUV and Sportback) and three powertrain options. Base models house a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with mild hybrid technology (201 or 261 horsepower), while the sporty SQ5 (349 horsepower) and efficient plug-in hybrid variant (362 horsepower, 37 km of pure electric range) cater to different drivers.
The Q5 delivers a fantastic mix of comfort, agility and performance, complete with remarkable build quality and great residual value. Reliability could be better but is still good enough to get a passing grade.