Are you looking for a car that combines the comfort and fuel efficiency of a sedan with the safety and practicality of an SUV? If so, what you are looking for is a crossover.

Though crossover vehicles are not a new innovation, they have been one of the biggest success stories of recent years, quickly gaining market share in a corner of the automobile market where the luxury sedan has long reigned supreme.

Crossovers differ from traditional SUVs in a number of ways, but primarily in the way they are constructed. SUVs are normally based on a large chassis, onto which various passenger compartments are added. This makes them sturdy and rugged, but also means that they are typically heavy and inefficient; off-road capabilities seem to be prioritized over such “trivialities” as passenger comfort.

By contrast, crossover vehicles are typically made in the same way as a sedan. Because they are designed primarily as passenger vehicles, they offer far more comfort and a better driving experience than your typical SUV. At the same time, crossovers are larger, sit higher above the road and often offer more luggage capacity than even the largest sedans.

Luxury Crossovers: Where Practicality Meets Comfort

Because they combine the best features of sedans and SUVs, crossovers are very practical. With more space than the average sedan, they offer more comfort for your passengers. The increased luggage space means that they are perfect for family holidays, and with increased off-road capability you can even take the kids skiing without worrying about getting stuck in the snow. The higher driving position makes for a safer and more enjoyable driving experience. Crossovers also include extra safety features to keep you and your family safe, should the worst happen.

You could, of course, get all these advantages by buying a traditional SUV, but there are a number of reasons why you might not want to do that. Having a huge, heavy, unwieldy SUV might make you feel safer, but you will spend most of your time looking for a large enough parking space. In addition, SUVs drink a lot of fuel. The slightly smaller body of a luxury crossover means that these vehicles are equally as practical when driving around town as they are out on the open road.

As with any vehicle category, there is plenty of choice available when choosing a crossover, from budget models right up to the most advanced and luxurious vehicles. Whether you are looking for optimal fuel efficiency, the most luxurious ride for your passengers, or simply the most enjoyable driving experience, there is a crossover for you.

So, without further ado, let’s look at the best luxury crossovers available in 2018.

2018 Audi Q5

The Audi Q5 has been around since 2009 and has since become one of the best-selling models in the German carmaker’s lineup. Audi is one of the companies that arguably invented the crossover category, with their A4 allroad still regarded as the ancestor of many of the cars on this list.

Nowadays, the Q5 outsells the A4, and for 2018 Audi has re-vamped the model for the first time since its release. The new model has reworked styling and also a new engine. The turbocharged, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder powerplant now develops slightly more power than the original Q5, at 252 horsepower. The drivetrain has also been modified, with a seven-speed dual clutch automatic replacing the eight-speed conventional automatic of last year.

In most other respects, the 2018 Q5 is almost identical to previous incarnations of the model. This year’s model uses more aluminium parts, presumably to keep the weight of the car down, but it is actually 10 pounds heavier. It will get to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and has a combined fuel economy of 25 mpg. These stats are slightly better than the previous Q5.

The Q5 is rightly regarded as one of the best luxury crossovers out there, and with good reason. It represents about the best compromise between sedan-like performance and SUV levels of safety and luxury.

In terms of luxury features, the Q5 is hard to beat. It comes with the latest iteration of Audi’s MMI infotainment interface, which is remarkably intuitive to use. It also makes use of Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, which replaces the traditional instrument cluster with a large customizable screen. For the 2018 model, Audi has slightly reduced cargo space in order to provide more rear legroom, and the passenger compartment is comfortable even for your tallest friends.

Whether you choose the Q5 over the other excellent luxury crossovers on this list will depend on how much you prioritize practicality over performance and excitement. The Q5 is arguably the most competent luxury crossover on the market, in that it strikes an excellent balance between sporty performance and passenger comfort. The problem is that it doesn’t excel in either category: there are far more exciting cars to drive, and equally there are more luxurious luxury crossovers available.

In short, the Q5 retains the true essence of a luxury crossover without excelling in any particular department. If you are looking for a well-rounded and practical — if somewhat boring — vehicle, this is the one to go for.

2018 Lincoln MKX

The Lincoln MKX is a great luxury crossover, a great option if want maximum power from your vehicle. The MKX has been a popular vehicle for a number of years now, and it has slowly developed over that time. In 2018, in truth, this model is looking a bit tired; it is due to be replaced in 2019 by the all-new Lincoln Nautilus.

That said, this is still a great car, and for 2018 Lincoln has made small tweaks to keep the vehicle fresh. The newest model adds the SYNC 3 infotainment system and is available with the option of adaptive steering. While this may not sound like much, it’s worth remembering that the MKX has evolved significantly over the past five years and now represents a fully mature vehicle design.

In terms of performance, the MKX is hard to beat. There are two engine options available, both of which are V6s. The standard engine is a 303 hp, front-wheel-drive model, but a twin-turbo 335 hp all-wheel drive option is also available. Both use a six-speed automatic transmission and offer more than enough power for responsive high-speed passing. The problem here is that neither engine is particularly efficient: at 20 mpg combined for both models, the MKX is definitely not the least expensive car to run.

In other respects, the MKX performs very well. There are four trim levels available – Premiere, Select, Reserve and Black Label – the last of which comes with perks such as free car washes and annual detailing. All of these are pretty spectacular when it comes to luxury feel, with high-quality materials used throughout the car. The highest trim levels also come with a 19-speaker Revel audio system, which is simply a joy to listen to.

One downside of the MKX, however, is that Lincoln has restricted top-end safety features to the highest trim levels. Automatic emergency braking and other collision-avoidance tech is only available on the Reserve and Black Label models, which feels a bit cheap, considering that most other luxury crossovers come with these features as standard.

Overall, the MKX is still a great option if you are looking for a powerful luxury crossover, but it is showing some signs of age. In 2018 there are vehicles available that use less fuel, have comparable levels of luxury and safety, and are also slightly cheaper.

2018 Volvo XC60

The Volvo XC60 is an evolved version of Volvo’s best-selling vehicle: the much-awarded XC90. The XC60 is a slightly smaller version of its famous counterpart and includes several features that set it apart from the competition.

It’s worth noting that Volvo, which is famous for its luxury sedans, resisted the trend toward crossover vehicles for quite some time. In some respects, it’s easy to see why: the Swedish carmaker has long specialized in making robust, safe wagons that can deal with Scandinavian winters.

For 2018, the XC60’s styling and performance have been upgraded. The standard T5 model now features a 250 hp, 2.0-liter, turbo-charged four-cylinder engine that will make 60 mph in 6.4 seconds. This power is delivered through an all-wheel drive eight-speed automatic gearbox. Various other models are available, including a slightly less powerful T5, and later this year will see the introduction of a hybrid T8 model.

The Scandinavian roots of this car are very evident in the driving experience. The traction control system keeps the car perfectly smooth under even the heaviest acceleration, and safety features such as collision avoidance and automatic emergency braking come as standard.

Interior styling is where the XC60 really shines, though. Even the base model comes with an impressive level of trim: leather, LED headlights, a power tailgate, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 9-inch portrait-style touchscreen, Bluetooth and in-car data hardware. Sporty R-Design cars have 19-inch wheels, a digital gauge display and paddle shift controls.

In addition, the XK60 has undoubtedly the most stylish interior of any car on this list. The driftwood trim is beautifully minimalist, so that driving the car becomes an incredibly serene experience. It makes even the Audi Q5’s styling look busy in comparison.

The only downside of the XC60 is the performance. It should be fast enough for the vast majority of people, but the advanced traction control system means that the car can feel quite spongy to drive. Whether this will be a problem for you depends on your priorities, of course: the Lincoln MKX is certainly a more exciting drive, but when driving in the snow the Volvo’s unshakeable traction feels much safer.

2018 Subaru Outback

Subaru comes to the luxury crossover market from a different angle than Volvo, long famed for the off-road performance of their WRX and Legacy vehicles. The 2018 Outback takes its styling cues more from a full SUV than a sedan.

The changes from the 2017 model are largely aesthetic. The 2018 Outback has more aggressive styling, with a larger rear bumper and front grille. The headlights have also been tweaked, and the Limited trim gives you a remodeled steering wheel.

Though this year doesn’t see any performance improvements, in reality the performance of the Outback is already among the best available. The Outback comes with either a 2.5-liter flat-four, delivering 175 hp, or a 3.6-liter flat-six with 256 hp.

Subaru’s vehicles are unique among luxury crossovers for a number of reasons. They make use of horizontally opposed engines, which keep the center of gravity of the vehicle low, and they also utilize a continuously variable automatic transmission for increased response and fuel efficiency. These two features make the Outback the most competent off-road vehicle on this list.

That doesn’t mean, however, that the Outback has skimped on luxury features. This year’s model includes a redesigned dash, with stitched accents and an improved infotainment system. The Outback now features a 6.5-inch screen, slightly larger than last year’s model, and the upgraded system now comes with two USB ports, TomTom navigation and the ability to receive over-the-air updates using Wi-Fi.

As you would expect, the Outback also comes with some advanced safety features. The optional swiveling headlights are particularly useful, as are the adaptive guidelines in the rear-view camera. In addition, the lane-keeping assistance software has been upgraded so that it now activates at a lower speed.

The Outback comes to the luxury crossover market from the opposite direction than the Audi Q5 and the Volvo XC60. Instead of a beefed-up sedan, the Outback is best understood as a refined SUV. For this reason, it is definitely not the most luxurious vehicle on this list, lacking the refined feel of the Volvo in particular. However, if you are looking for a luxury crossover that will handle the worst road conditions, this is the one.

Some Final Thoughts

As the luxury crossover market continues to develop, the range of vehicles available gets more and more bewildering. Yet choosing between these cars can be fairly straightforward, once you decide on your own priorities.

If you are looking for a true compromise between a sedan and an SUV, combining competent performance with great build quality, go for the Audi Q5. If you want excitement, the Lincoln MKX is your best choice. The Volvo XC60 is definitely the most luxurious car on this list, with interior styling that sets a new standard for luxury crossovers. On the other hand, if your priority is off-road performance, the Outback is the car for you.