Small crossovers are best known for offering a mix of value and utility in a manageable size. They’re less known for offering rousing acceleration. But even so, there are plenty of right-sized crossovers that won’t let you down when you lay into the right pedal. Here are the quickest compact crossovers under $40,000 that Motor Trend has tested.
Land Rover Discovery Sport
Starting price: $38,790
0-60 mph: 7.9 seconds
Quarter mile: 16.2 seconds at 85.9 mph
One of the more accessible Land Rover models, the Discovery Sport features a 2.0-liter turbo I-4 from the Ingenium family. Despite the added heft of its standard all-wheel-drive system, the engine offers good punch even in its base 237-hp guise. Like the larger Discovery, the Discovery Sport is available in a standard five-seat configuration or a 5+2 layout, giving you room for seven in a pinch.
Jeep Cherokee 2.0T Trailhawk
Starting price: $34,965
0-60 mph: 7.6 seconds
Quarter mile: 16.0 seconds at 85.9 mph
FCA’s new Hurricane 2.0-liter turbo I-4 gives the refreshed 2019 Jeep Cherokee a much needed torque boost that improves its straight-line performance on pavement. The added torque also helps off-road for crawling over large obstacles without needing to wring out the engine. With the optional Trailer Tow package, turbocharged Cherokees can haul up to 4,000 pounds of payload.
Honda CR-V Touring 1.5T AWD
Starting price: $35,145 (LX 2.4: $25,245)
0-60 mph: 7.5 seconds (LX 2.4: 7.7 seconds)
Quarter mile: 15.8 seconds at 89.0 mph (LX 2.4: 16.0 seconds at 88.4 mph)
Smooth power delivery defines the Honda CR-V’s powertrain, especially with the 190-hp 1.5-liter turbo-four. Minimal turbo lag and a smartly tuned CVT combine to deliver better acceleration than you’d expect from a car with less than 200 hp. Even the base model with a 2.4-liter I-4 driving just the front wheels gives up little to its turbocharged counterpart in straight-line performance, coming in only a few ticks behind.
Ford Escape 2.0 EcoBoost Titanium AWD
Starting price: $34,485
0-60 mph: 7.3 seconds
Quarter mile: 15.7 seconds at 85.0 mph
The most powerful Ford Escape comes with a 245-hp 2.0-liter turbo I-4, giving you punchy acceleration during your commute. That engine also makes 275 lb-ft of torque, which is one reason why the Escape is rated on the higher end of the compact crossover towing spectrum at up to 3,500 pounds.
Mini Countryman S ALL4
Starting price: $32,250
0-60 mph: 7.2 seconds
Quarter mile: 15.5 seconds at 88.1 mph
Small in stature but packed with character, the Mini Countryman S ALL4 gives you all-weather traction, a gutsy turbo engine, and sporty handling in a practical, city-friendly package. Despite its 189-hp rating, the Countryman S’ 2.0-liter turbo-four delivers good acceleration and its 207 lb-ft of torque is available early in the rev range so passing power is always there.
Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4Matic
Starting price: $35,950
0-60 mph: 6.9 seconds
Quarter mile: 15.3 seconds at 90.3 mph
Mercedes’ smallest crossover doesn’t skimp when it comes to straight-line performance. The GLA 250 4Matic offers plenty of torque down low from its 2.0-liter turbo I-4 and gets you to highway speeds with minimal fuss. Put the car in Sport mode for improved responsiveness and quicker shifts from the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Lexus NX 300
Starting price: $37,180
0-60 mph: 6.9 seconds
Quarter mile: 15.3 seconds at 91.0 mph
Lexus’ first compact crossover was the original recipient of its 2.0-liter turbo-four, which is rated at 235 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Although the 2018 NX 300 weighs nearly 4,000 pounds, the little turbo engine gives it respectable acceleration, and the abundant low-end torque might even convince you there’s a small V-6 underneath the hood.
BMW X1 xDrive28i
Starting price: $36,895
0-60 mph: 6.8 seconds
Quarter mile: 15.2 seconds at 90.5 mph
The first BMW model to move to a front-drive platform was the X1, making it a relative to the Mini Countryman. Unlike its quirky British cousin, the BMW X1 comes standard with more power from the same 2.0-liter turbo-four, which is rated at 228 hp and 258 lb-ft, giving it better straight-line performance.
Volvo XC40 T5 AWD
Starting price: $39,195
0-60 mph: 6.7 seconds
Quarter mile: 15.1 seconds at 90.9 mph
Volvo’s smallest crossover, the XC40, is stylish and sensible, but also surprisingly quick. With 248 hp and 258 lb-ft on tap from its 2.0-liter turbo I-4, the XC40 T5 AWD offers plenty of passing power, all while looking like no other crossover on the road.
Chevrolet Equinox 2.0T AWD
Starting price: $33,995
0-60 mph: 6.6 seconds
Quarter mile: 15.2 seconds at 92.1 mph
Smaller than its predecessor, the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox ditched the V-6 in favor of a 252-hp 2.0-liter turbo-four as its most powerful engine option. Despite the drop in output, the Equinox’s lighter curb weight offsets it, giving it strong acceleration that will make you forget about the previous model’s six-cylinder when you hit the throttle.
BMW X2 xDrive28i
Starting price: $39,395
0-60 mph: 6.3 seconds
Quarter mile: 14.9 seconds at 92.9 mph
The BMW X2 is the less practical and more expensive sibling of the X1, but it’s tuned for a sportier driving experience. As a result, it offers better handling when the road gets twisty and superior straight-line acceleration. Credit the X2’s lighter curb weight and stickier rubber for the improved performance.
Infiniti QX30
Starting price: $30,945
0-60 mph: 6.3 seconds
Quarter mile: 14.9 seconds at 93.7 mph
The Infiniti QX30 is closely related to the Mercedes-Benz GLA 250, sharing the same engine, transmission, and chassis. However, due to Infiniti having its own powertrain calibration, the QX30’s transmission shifts more smoothly and the car is quicker to accelerate. The QX30S, which is the most expensive trim, also features a lowered suspension with a unique calibration, giving it more car-like handling.
Mini Countryman S E ALL4
Starting price: $37,750
0-60 mph: 5.9 seconds
Quarter mile: 14.6 seconds at 88.3 mph
Yes, the quickest compact crossover under $40,000 is a plug-in hybrid, and it has one of the smallest gas engines available, too. The Mini Countryman S E ALL4 pairs a 1.5-liter turbo I-3 to an electric motor and a six-speed automatic for a combined output of 221 hp and 284 lb-ft. With instant electric torque, this fun-sized utility vehicle gets off the line swiftly, making it perfect for darting through city traffic.
The post The 13 Quickest Compact Crossovers Under $40,000 appeared first on Motor Trend.
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