With their up-for-anything personality, easy-to-park size and sensible appetite for fuel, compact crossovers are some of the most popular vehicles on the road. Versatility is their greatest asset, as you can easily fill them with car seats, groceries, sports equipment or the latest spoils from an antiquing trip and be on your merry way. Among these practical SUVs, the Toyota RAV4 has long been a favorite of savvy shoppers of all ages and tastes. .... All things considered, the 2015 Toyota RAV4 is not overwhelmingly strong in any one area, but it shines as a solid, well-rounded entry in a very competitive segment. As such, the RAV4 should easily meet the needs of most shoppers.
pros Roomy interior for people and cargo Strikes a good balance between ride comfort and sure-footed handling.
cons No engine upgrade option Usefulness of available Entune smartphone features is diminished by cumbersome setup process
The 2015 Toyota RAV4 is a practical crossover with confident handling. Just know that driving enjoyment is not its strong point ... The RAV4 has smoothed away all the former SUV cues; now it's pleasant enough if a little inexpensive inside. ... Mediocre four-cylinder power undercuts the RAV4's solid steering and ride ... Interior space is fine, but the RAV4's rear seat is flat, and there's an ample supply of rubbery trim in base versions ... The RAV4's crash scores are now merely par, in a class with some high standards. ... The RAV4 makes the most sense in value-laden XLE and LE trim levels ...
Pros Clean styling Responsive six-speed automatic Standard rear view camera and Bluetooth AWD that works well on the road
cons No higher-output engine option No third-row seat Back seat feels flat Mismatched trims in Limited
The 2017 RAV4 faces stiff competition in the compact SUV class. It trails several rivals in terms of style and performance, but it has impressive safety features in all trims and one of the most spacious cabins in its class It boasts a generous list of standard features, including more safety features than most in the class The RAV4 is a reliable family hauler that comes with a generous list of features, with a particular focus on safety to keep your mind at ease when carting your family around you may find rival SUVs at lower prices with nicer interiors, but they may not have the long list of standard features or near top-of-the-class cargo space that the RAV4 does.
Pros
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 ups the ante in the fiercely competitive compact SUV class by including advanced safety features for every trim level. Once you factor in the RAV4 reputation for reliability this car link crossover is definitely worth your consideration...Edmund
"Despite the sea of competitors swimming in the compact-SUV pool, the 2017 Toyota RAV4 remains the gold medal champ. The RAV4 succeeds on so many levels because it doesn't try to be too many things. so even well-equipped models remain within reach of the average buyer." -- Kelley Blue Book
Cons There's certainly nothing wrong with the RAV4 as a responsible family vehicle, but there's nothing so right about it that it's an object of desire." -- Consumer Guide (2015)
Another cushy compact crossover may or may not be what the world needs now, but it’s exactly what Infiniti needs. Enter the swoopy, stub-tailed QX30—which Infiniti is pitching as a “premium active crossover”—to give the brand an entrant in a segment poised for explosive growth. We tested an all-wheel-drive QX30 and found it does a reasonable job of being a cushy compact crossover, with its 8.0 inches of ground clearance, skid plates, and roof rails joining the creature comforts and chrome that come with being an Infiniti.
But those are crossovers. And as we’ve stated before, the QX30 Sport is not really a crossover, but rather a Euro hatch, one that Infiniti happily did not leave in Europe.
Pros Expressive design, composed chassis, upscale interior.
Cons Cramped in some dimensions, modest cargo area, transmission needs a Normal mode.
The 2017 Infiniti QX30 is a new addition to the automaker’s lineup and is its first entry to the growing luxury subcompact crossover segment.
Slotting below the aging QX50, the 2017 Infiniti QX30 is a small luxury crossover that’s available in front- or all-wheel-drive configurations. Compared to the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class (the car on which it’s based), the QX30 features a more curvaceous exterior design.
The Infiniti QX30 is shares its platform, engine and transmission with the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, GLA-Class, and the not-for-U.S.-consumption A-Class hatchback
Noise inside the cabin is kept to a minimum thanks to a good amount of sound insulation and interior trim materials are high in quality. The dash layout is unique because of its asymmetrical design, but the Infiniti InTouch multimedia interface could be more intuitive. Nissan and Infiniti’s “Zero Gravity” seats come standard and have plenty of support without sacrificing comfort. Although the QX30’s rear seats can accommodate adults but head- and legroom are limited. The low roof and small rear window, however, means rear visibility is compromised due to the car’s dramatic exterior styling.
Pros Sporty handling and smooth ride Torque-rich turbocharged engine Well-insulated cabin
Cons Cargo space is on the small side Limited rear passenger room Steering is a little heavy
You don't have to pay a fortune to get a luxury-branded vehicle these days. The new 2017 Infiniti QX30 is reasonably priced and yet offers you more style and performance than the typical small crossover SUV. Read more to learn if the QX30 has everything you're looking for.
Infiniti considers its all-new 2017 QX30 a combination of coupe, hatchback and crossover. The way it straddles these body types can be advantageous. From a driver enjoyment perspective, you will find the QX30 more athletic and better handling than a typical SUV. Compared to a traditional sedan, the QX30's hatchback design gives you greater versatility, both in terms of its taller ride height and increased cargo capacity. Then there's the QX30's coupe-like styling, which helps it look sportier than the typical sedan or crossover. The question you might wonder, though, is whether this extensive blending results in a vehicle that delivers the best of both worlds or is diluted to the point of not excelling at anything.
Pros Easy to maneuver around town High-quality interior looks sharp and comes pretty well equipped Multiple driver assistance features are available to help keep you safe.
Cons Sport models ride firm compared to other available versions Noticeable amount of wind and road noise at highway speeds Cargo capacity is smaller than rival crossovers Reflective interior trim pieces are distracting in bright-light situations.
