The Best 2019 & 2020 Small SUVs & Crossovers

Keep these smaller and mid-size sport utilities on your shopping list.

If you’re in the market for a small, mid-size SUV or crossover, you’ve got a lot of choices right now, from long-running models like the Ford Explorer to brand new entries, including the Cadillac XT4, and XT6, Nissan Kicks, Volvo XC40, or return of the Chevy Blazer. The years 2019 and 2020 also bring some new all-electric utilities. We’ve organized this guide as follows:

  1. Affordable, compact, luxury
  2. Electric crossovers
  3. Small to mid-size

2019 Cadillac XT4

2019 Cadillac XT4 in black rolling down road
2019 Cadillac XT4. Photo: Amee Reehal

Cadillac debuted their first-ever 3-row SUV in January at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show. This pretty much rounds out their entire SUV/crossover lineup, with the XT4 on the small end to the vast Escalade. Powering the XT6 is a 3.6L V6 engine mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission, along with four driving modes to handle various road conditions. Expect horsepower to be 310-hp / 229-hp @ 6600 and torque at 271 lb.ft / 373 lb.ft @ 5000.

Key specs:

  • 2.0L Turbo 4-cylinder engine (standard)
  • 9-speed automatic transmission (standard)
  • Drivetrain: All Wheel Drive
  • Horsepower @ RPM: 237 @ 5000
  • Torque (lb.- ft.) @ RPM: 258 @ 1500-4000
  • 18″ 10-spoke alloy wheels (standard)

2019 Lincoln Nautilus

2019 lincoln nautilus suv amee reehal (7 of 14)
2019 Lincoln Nautilus. Photo: Amee Reehal

The MKX is now changing over to the Nautilus for 2019. Lincoln is doing away with the 3-letter nomenclature often associated with luxury brands (think Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, BMW), replaced with good old-fashioned names in line with its larger Navigator sibling. A big change under the hood is Lincoln’s move to a new turbocharged engine lineup: the 250-hp, 2.0L turbo inline-4 powerplant paired with an 8-speed auto transmission comes standard. The brawnier 2.7L turbo making 335 hp and 380 lb.ft of torque is optional. Both get the Start/Stop push button and the same transmission. Read our 2019 Nautilus first drive review here.

Key features:

  • Turbocharged 2.0L I-4 engine standard
  • Twin-Turbocharged 2.7L V6 optional
  • 8-Speed SelectShift Automatic transmission with paddle activation
  • Front Wheel Drive standard
  • Lane Keeping System standard
  • 18″ Alloy Painted Aluminum Wheels standard
  • Heated, 10-way power front seats with power lumbar and driver-side memory standard

2019 Lexus UX

2019 lexus ux crossover
2019 Lexus UX. Photo: Lexus

The first-ever Lexus UX is the latest addition to the sport utility lineup, featuring the company’s first Direct Shift-CVT and an entirely new platform. Production began in the fall, and the UX 200 and UX 250h arrived at dealerships in December 2018. The UX will sit on an entirely new platform focusing on better handling via a more rigid design sporting a lower centre of gravity. Lexus calls it the GA-C platform (Global Architecture – Compact), and the UX is the first in the family to use it.

Key specs:

  • 2.0L In-Line 4 engine
  • 10-speed Direct-Shift Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
  • Front-wheel drive
  • 169 horsepower
  • 151 lb-ft @ 4,800 torque
  • 16-valve DOHC, (VVT-iE) intake, (VVT-i) exhaust
  • 118 mph top track speed

2019 Nissan Kicks

2019 nissan kicks orange front view
2019 Nissan Kicks. Photo: Amee Reehal

The latest entry from Nissan is the all-new 2018 Kicks – a compact crossover aimed at urbanites living in tight places looking for an agile, stylish vehicle that offers decent cargo space to haul their weekend toys. Kicks also has some interesting “issues” that may or may not be a deal-breaker for some buyers: you cannot get it with all-wheel drive at any price. The platform won’t support a rear driveshaft. It’s one of, it seems, only a few vehicles remaining with rear drum brakes, and it has a CVT or continuously variable transmission.

Key specs:

  • 122-hp, 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine DOHC engine
  • CVT transmission
  • Horsepower – 122 hp @ 5,800 rpm
  • Torque – 114 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
  • Drivetrain – Front engine/front-wheel drive
  • 16″ Steel wheels with full wheel cover standard
  • 7.0″ colour touch-screen monitor standard

2019 Volvo XC40

White 2019 volvo xc40 front view parked by the ocean
2019 Volvo XC40. Photo: Volvo

For a compact crossover, the new XC40 retains a reasonably big footprint. Powered by a 2.0L turbo-four, you’ll have a PHEV option soon. There’s the 187-hp T4 or the burlier 248-hp T5 for the gas options. Visually, the Scandinavian utility is unmistakably Volvo and looks clean and sleek.

Key specs:

  • In-line 4-cylinder Turbocharged Engine
  • Front Wheel Drive for lower trims
  • All-wheel Drive for top trims
  • 187 hp @ 4700 rpm
  • 221 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
  • 360° Surround View Camera standard
  • 9″ Center Display w/Touch Screen standard

2021 Mustang Mach-E

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E tractionlife
2021 Mustang Mach-E. Photo: Amee Reehal

Initially, the new compact Mustang Mach-E crossover hit the drawing board as a new model, compliant all-electric sport utility before taking on life as a new pony car-inspired hauler. Whether you’re a Mustang fan or not, the new Mach-E may mark off all the boxes for EV shoppers looking for something sporty, stylish, and sustainable. Available 5 trims and hitting dealerships in November 2020, Ford is betting big on the Mustang Mach-E – and from our first look at the LA world premiere, we’re pretty sure the Blue Oval will sell a bunch of them.

Key specs:

  • 0-60 in the mid-3 seconds (top trim)
  • 459 hp and 600 lb.ft of torque
  • 15.5-inch screen with the next-generation Ford Sync3 system
  • 120-volt quick charger provides a 3-mile range
  • 240-volt charger provides 22-mile range
  • Ford Connect charge station provides a 32-mile range
  • Mustang Mach-E GT gets a unique splitter with a black look, 20-inch wheels, a smooth top surface, and seats in Alcantara
  • Interior uses no animal materials like leather
  • $7500 US federal tax credit

2019 Hyundai Kona Electric

kona electric
2019 Hyundai Kona Electric. Photo: Hyundai

The new and distinctively-styled Kona crossover is already available, but now Hyundai adds a sustainable model to the mix with the Kona Electric. Output is listed at 201 hp and 291 lb-ft of torque. Charging time is 55 minutes to get 80% charge when using a Level 3 charging station and close to 10 hours on a Level 2 station. The looks are polarizing, but the fuel-savings may offset all that. Plus, notable standards like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking are all included.

Key features:

  • Interior permanent magnet synchronous electric motor
  • Electric motor power output 150 kW (201 hp)
  • Electric motor torque 290 lb-ft.
  • Battery type Lithium-ion polymer (LiPB)
  • Battery capacity 64.0 kWh
  • Battery power output 170 kW
  • Maximum EV operation speed 167 km/h
  • Front-wheel drive

2019 Audi e-Tron Quattro

2019 audi e tron quattro
2019 Audi e-Tron Quattro. Photo: Audi

With looks more in line with a wagon than a crossover, the 2019 e-Tron Quattro is the German brand’s first full-production, long-range EV, so it’s a significant vehicle. Powered by three electric motors paired to a 95-kW-hr battery pack, expect a towing capacity of close to 4,000 pounds and an electronically limited 124.3 MPH top speed. Oh, and sprint 0-62 MPH in 5.7 seconds. Here’s what Audi’s electric E-Tron crossover looked like in concept form back in 2015.

Key specs:

  • 0-60 mph in 5.5 sec.
  • 300 kW with boost engage technology
  • Towing Capacity – 4,000 lbs
  • Five modes, including off-road air suspension
  • Capable of fast charging – 150 kW DC
  • 95 kWh battery

2019 Jaguar I-Pace

2019 JAGUAR I-PACE
2019 Jaguar I-Pace. Photo: Jaguar

With enough power to hit 60 mph in under 5 seconds, the new I-Pace is the Brit’s first EV. Powered by two identical electric motors, one to control each axle (front and rear motors), 80 percent of the I-Pace’s battery can be charged in about 40 minutes with the DC fast charger. The dual engine will put down 394 hp and 512 lb ft, riding on huge, optional 22-inch wheels for a sportier look.

Key features:

  • One full charge provides a range of up to 234 miles
  • 60 mph in 4.5 seconds
  • 90 kWh battery
  • Motors generate 394 HP and 512 Lb-Ft of torque
  • Rear cargo space of over 25.3 cubic feet and 0.95 cubic feet in the front storage compartment
  • 0-80% charge in 85 minutes

2020 Cadillac XT6

2020 cadillac xt6 suv
2020 Cadillac XT6. Photo: Cadillac

Cadillac debuted their first-ever 3-row SUV in January at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show. This rounds out the luxury brand’s SUV/crossover lineup with the smaller XT4 on one end and the huge Escalade on the other. Powering the XT6 is a 3.6L V6 engine mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission, along with four driving modes to handle various road conditions. The new SUV isn’t in production mode yet, but expect horsepower to be 310-hp / 229-hp @ 6600 and torque at 271 lb.ft / 373 lb.ft @ 5000.

Key specs:

  • Engine type: 3.6L V6
  • Horsepower: 310 hp
  • Torque: 271 lb/ft
  • 3rd-row seating
  • 9-speed automatic transmission

2019 Chevrolet Blazer

2020 Chevy Blazer RS
2020 Chevy Blazer RS. Photo: Amee Reehal

The mid-size 2019 Chevy Blazer arrives in early 2019, between the small Chevy Equinox and the larger Chevy Traverse. It’s bold, sleek, and frankly looks like a Chevy Camaro in an SUV guise – and that’s not bad – sporting a robust front grill and athletic proportions. All new Blazers get power from a standard 2.5L engine with an optional 3.6L V6 powerplant capable of 2,041 kilograms (4,500 lbs.) estimated max trailering; both engines are paired to a 9-speed automatic transmission and available advanced twin-clutch AWD system. Here’s our new Chevy Blazer review.

Key specs:

  • 5-passenger seating
  • FWD, 3.6L V6 engine
  • Horsepower – 305 @ 6600
  • Torque – 269 @ 5000
  • Transmission – 9-speed automatic, electronically controlled with overdrive
  • 1,500 lbs maximum conventional trailering
  • 4.2″ diagonal color Driver Information Center standard
  • 4G LTE Wi-Fi® hotspot capable standard

2020 Ford Explorer

2020 Ford Explorer ST amee reehal
2020 Ford Explorer ST. Photo: Amee Reehal

It’s still going strong 30 years later. Entering its 6th generation for 2020, Ford’s mid-size SUV isn’t the gas-guzzling family hauler it once was. It’s progressed over each age today, boiling down to the most advanced variant yet sporting a leaner design, more cabin tech, and improved performance efficiencies. The 3.0L turbocharged EcoBoost V6 under the Explorer hood solidifies this as the most powerful, putting down a projected 365 hp and 380 lb.-ft. of torque using 93-octane gas. Here’s our 2020 Explorer ST first drive review.

Key specs:

  • 3.0L EcoBoost turbo engine
  • Projected 365-hp
  • Projected 380 lb.-ft. of torque
  • New 10-speed transmission
  • New Explorer Hybrid offered
  • The new sportier Explorer ST with 400 horsepower
  • Tow up to 5,000 pounds when equipped with a Class III Trailer Tow Package
  • 8-inch digital touch screen with SYNC3 standard
  • 12.3-inch customizable cluster, standard on Platinum and ST

2020 Lincoln Aviator

2020 LINCOLN AVIATOR
2020 Lincoln Aviator. Photo: Lincoln

The sleek Aviator offers twin-turbo V6 power and a plug-in hybrid option and will be on sale starting in summer 2019. Aviator is built on an all-new RWD architecture, although all Canadian models will come with AWD. There will be three grades, each with its grille pattern – Aviator, Aviator Reserve, and the Grand Touring hybrid. US buyers additionally have the option of a top-of-the-line Black Label model with either gas or hybrid power.

Key specs:

  • Twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6 Engine with Stop-Start Technology
  • Ten-Speed SelectShift Automatic Transmission
  • Hybrid powertrain optional
  • Adaptive Suspension (included with AWD) optional
  • 10″ LCD touch-screen in center-stack standard
  • Second-row Captain’s Chairs with mini-floor console and PowerFold Easy Entry standard
  • Second-Row Bench Seat – 35/30/35 Power Tip-and-Slide Release optional
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Bringing the latest news including release dates, pricing announcements, product updates. With some glossy concepts and special edition rides in the mix.