Compact, crossover, luxury--the intersection of those terms is a relatively new set of vehicles with timeless brand names and a clear mission to displace some mass-market utes out of some driveways.
The Buick Encore's already on sale, and it's been a moderate hit for the GM brand; it's compact and nimble enough, but not at all quick and more premium than luxurious in feel.
The BMW X1 strikes us as more fun to drive than the Encore, but the back seat is so small and the pricetag so high--wouldn't you rather have a 2-Series? The Q3's head-to-head competition will likely be the Mercedes GLA, a CLA-Class spin-off ready to roll with an AMG edition and more headroom than in the decidedly cramped CLA rear seat.
In a slightly bigger size class, the Acura RDX has a big V-6 engine in place of its former turbo four, and has some of the zesty feel of these smaller utes.
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 2015 Audi Q3Browse Used Listings |  2015 Acura RDXBrowse Used Listings |  2015 BMW X1Browse Used Listings |  2015 Buick EncoreBrowse Used Listings |  2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA ClassBrowse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | ||||
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The 2015 Audi Q3 stakes out its claim in compact-crossover territory, with Google Earth to map the way. |
A sporty yet smooth driving feel, quiet interior, and top-tier safety all add up to a lot of appeal for the 2015 Acura RDX, although its lack of features and flair stop it short of greatness. |
The 2015 BMW X1 runs a little short on versatility, but it's big on style and enthusiasm. |
The 2015 Buick Encore could use a little power, but it's otherwise a mostly solid entry into a very small segment. |
The 2015 Mercedes GLA isn't the roomiest small crossover, but it's a stylish vehicle with a double shot of urban attitude--and a dash of ruggedness--that looks fully up to Mercedes-Benz luxury standards. |
| MSRP From | ||||
| $32,500 | $35,095 | $31,200 | $24,065 | $31,300 |
| Gas Mileage | ||||
| 20 MPG City / 29 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy | 18 MPG City / 34 MPG Hwy | 23 MPG City / 33 MPG Hwy | 23 MPG City / 35 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | ||||
| Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Premium Unleaded V-6 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Turbocharged I4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 |
| EPA Class | ||||
| N/A | Small SUV 2WD | Large Cars | 2WD Sport Utility Vehicle | Small SUV 2WD |
| Style Name | ||||
| FrontTrak 4-Door 2.0T Premium Plus | FWD 4-Door | RWD 4-Door sDrive28i | FWD 4-Door | FWD 4-Door GLA 250 |
| Drivetrain | ||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | ||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | ||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | ||||
| Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Sports Activity Vehicle | Sport Utility Vehicle | Sport Utility |
| Transmission | ||||
| Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic | Auto-Shift Manual w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | ||||
| 2015 Audi Q3 vs. 2015 Acura RDX | 2015 Audi Q3 vs. 2015 BMW X1 | 2015 Audi Q3 vs. 2015 Buick Encore | 2015 Audi Q3 vs. 2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA Class | |
