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Top 10 Luxury Compact SUVs in 2027

By Kory White · Updated Oct 2026 · 4 min read
2026 BMW X3 xDrive30 (G45)
Direct answer

The BMW X3 is the best luxury compact SUV, an IIHS 2026 Top Safety Pick+ rated 29 MPG combined by the EPA (2026 X3 xDrive30) from $51,300. The Lexus NX (from $47,420) is #2 and the Genesis GV70 ($49,350) is #3.

At a glance

#PickEPA combinedBest for
12026 BMW X3 xDrive30 (G45)29 MPG (2026 X3 xDrive30)The most efficient award-winner here
22026 Lexus NX24 MPG (2026 NX 350 AWD)A Top Safety Pick+ for less than the X3
32027 Genesis GV70 2.5T AWD (JK1)22 MPG (2027 GV70 2.5T AWD)Award-winning safety with Genesis styling
42027 Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV26 MPG (2027 GLC 300 4MATIC)The Mercedes badge with solid mpg
52027 Volvo XC60 B5 AWD26 MPG (2027 XC60 B5 AWD)Cargo space and a destination-inclusive price
62027 Lincoln Corsair Hybrid24 MPG (2026 Corsair AWD, gas)A hybrid-powered Lincoln for under $47,000
72026 Acura RDX SH-AWD23 MPG (2026 RDX AWD)The lowest listed price on the list
82026 Range Rover Velar23 MPG (2026 Velar)Range Rover style in a smaller package
92026 Range Rover Evoque22 MPG (2026 Evoque)City-sized Range Rover design
102026 Porsche Macan21 MPG (2026 Macan)Porsche badge in a compact SUV

Pick by what you want

Best overall
2026 BMW X3 xDrive30 (G45)
Best for safety on a budget
2026 Lexus NX
Lowest listed price
2026 Acura RDX SH-AWD
Best hybrid
2027 Lincoln Corsair Hybrid
Most cargo space listed
2027 Volvo XC60 B5 AWD

The ranking

1

2026 BMW X3 xDrive30 (G45)

2026 BMW X3 xDrive30 (G45)
Answrs VerdictThe best all-round pick.
EPA combined: 29 MPG (2026 X3 xDrive30)Starting MSRP: $51,300 (2026 X3 30 xDrive)IIHS 2026: Top Safety Pick+Horsepower: 255 hp

The 2026 X3 xDrive30 has 255 hp, an EPA rating of 29 MPG combined and a starting MSRP of $51,300, and IIHS named it a 2026 Top Safety Pick+.

Go ifThe most efficient award-winner here
Skip ifYou want the lowest price
Why #1 over #2: Its 29 MPG tops the NX’s 24 MPG with the same Top Safety Pick+ award.
2

2026 Lexus NX

2026 Lexus NX
Answrs VerdictThe safe, lower-priced pick.
EPA combined: 24 MPG (2026 NX 350 AWD)Starting price: From $47,420 (2026 NX 350)IIHS 2026: Top Safety Pick+Horsepower: 275 hp

The 2026 NX 350 has 275 hp, an EPA rating of 24 MPG combined and starts from $47,420; IIHS named it a 2026 Top Safety Pick+.

Go ifA Top Safety Pick+ for less than the X3
Skip ifYou want the most mpg from the gas model
Why #2 over #3: Its $47,420 price and Top Safety Pick+ beat the GV70’s 22 MPG.
3

2027 Genesis GV70 2.5T AWD (JK1)

2027 Genesis GV70 2.5T AWD (JK1)
Answrs VerdictThe stylish safety pick.
EPA combined: 22 MPG (2027 GV70 2.5T AWD)Starting MSRP: $49,350 (2027 GV70 2.5T AWD)IIHS 2026: Top Safety Pick+

The 2027 GV70 2.5T AWD starts at $49,350 and is rated 22 MPG combined; the 2026 GV70 earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+.

Go ifAward-winning safety with Genesis styling
Skip ifFuel economy is your priority
Why #3 over #4: Its Top Safety Pick+ ranks it above the GLC’s Top Safety Pick despite fewer MPG.
4

2027 Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV

2027 Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV
Answrs VerdictThe Mercedes pick.
EPA combined: 26 MPG (2027 GLC 300 4MATIC)Starting MSRP: $54,400 (GLC 300 4MATIC SUV)IIHS 2026: Top Safety Pick

The 2027 GLC 300 4MATIC starts at $54,400 and is rated 26 MPG combined; IIHS gave the 2026 GLC a Top Safety Pick.

Go ifThe Mercedes badge with solid mpg
Skip ifYou want the top IIHS tier
Why #4 over #5: Its Top Safety Pick edges the XC60’s lack of a 2026 IIHS award at the same 26 MPG.
5

2027 Volvo XC60 B5 AWD

2027 Volvo XC60 B5 AWD
Answrs VerdictThe roomy Volvo.
EPA combined: 26 MPG (2027 XC60 B5 AWD)Starting MSRP: $51,095 including $1,395 destinationMax cargo: 63.3 cu ft with the seats foldedIIHS 2026: Not on the Top Safety Picks list

The 2027 XC60 B5 AWD is rated 26 MPG combined and starts at $51,095 including a $1,395 destination fee, with 63.3 cu ft of maximum cargo volume.

Go ifCargo space and a destination-inclusive price
Skip ifYou want an IIHS award
Why #5 over #6: Its 26 MPG beats the Corsair’s 24 MPG.
6

2027 Lincoln Corsair Hybrid

2027 Lincoln Corsair Hybrid
Answrs VerdictThe hybrid Lincoln.
EPA combined: 24 MPG (2026 Corsair AWD, gas)Starting MSRP: $46,495 for the 2027 Corsair Hybrid, before destination and deliveryPower: 305 hp total combined (2027 Hybrid)IIHS 2026: Not on the Top Safety Picks list

The 2027 Corsair Hybrid starts at $46,495 before destination and delivery with 305 hp total combined; EPA rates the 2026 gas Corsair AWD at 24 MPG combined.

Go ifA hybrid-powered Lincoln for under $47,000
Skip ifYou want an IIHS award
Why #6 over #7: Its 24 MPG beats the RDX’s 23 MPG.
7

2026 Acura RDX SH-AWD

2026 Acura RDX SH-AWD
Answrs VerdictThe value pick.
EPA combined: 23 MPG (2026 RDX AWD)Starting MSRP: $45,700 (2026 RDX SH-AWD)Horsepower: 272 hpIIHS 2026: Not on the Top Safety Picks list

The 2026 RDX SH-AWD has 272 hp, starts at $45,700 and is rated 23 MPG combined.

Go ifThe lowest listed price on the list
Skip ifYou want an IIHS award
Why #7 over #8: Its $45,700 price undercuts the Velar’s $61,600 at the same 23 MPG.
8

2026 Range Rover Velar

2026 Range Rover Velar
Answrs VerdictThe style pick.
EPA combined: 23 MPG (2026 Velar)Starting MSRP: $61,600, before a $1,575 destination and handling chargeIIHS 2026: Not on the Top Safety Picks list

The 2026 Range Rover Velar starts at $61,600 before a $1,575 destination and handling charge and is rated 23 MPG combined.

Go ifRange Rover style in a smaller package
Skip ifYou want a lower price
Why #8 over #9: Its 23 MPG beats the Evoque’s 22 MPG.
9

2026 Range Rover Evoque

2026 Range Rover Evoque
Answrs VerdictThe city Range Rover.
EPA combined: 22 MPG (2026 Evoque)MSRP from: $49,900 (EPA listing for the 2026 Evoque)Maker class: The original luxury compact SUV (Land Rover)IIHS 2026: Not on the Top Safety Picks list

The 2026 Range Rover Evoque is rated 22 MPG combined, with an MSRP from $49,900 in EPA’s listing; Land Rover calls it the original luxury compact SUV.

Go ifCity-sized Range Rover design
Skip ifYou want an IIHS award
Why #9 over #10: Its 22 MPG edges the Macan’s 21 MPG and costs less to buy.
10

2026 Porsche Macan

2026 Porsche Macan
Answrs VerdictThe Porsche pick.
EPA combined: 21 MPG (2026 Macan)Starting MSRP: From $65,400, before delivery, processing and handlingMaker class: Compact SUV (Porsche)IIHS 2026: Not on the Top Safety Picks list

The 2026 Porsche Macan starts from $65,400 before delivery, processing and handling and is rated 21 MPG combined.

Go ifPorsche badge in a compact SUV
Skip ifYou want a lower price or higher mpg

How we ranked these

We ranked each SUV on its IIHS 2026 award tier first, then on the EPA combined MPG of the base gas trim, then on the lower listed starting price; EPA classes all ten as small sport utility vehicles. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.

Questions people ask

What is the best luxury compact SUV?

The BMW X3: an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with 29 MPG combined (2026 X3 xDrive30) from $51,300.

Which luxury compact SUV is cheapest?

The Acura RDX SH-AWD has the lowest listed price here at $45,700; the Lincoln Corsair Hybrid starts at $46,495 before destination and delivery.

Which luxury compact SUVs earned a 2026 IIHS Top Safety Pick+?

The BMW X3, Lexus NX and Genesis GV70; the Mercedes-Benz GLC earned a Top Safety Pick.

Which luxury compact SUV has the best gas mileage?

The BMW X3 xDrive30 at 29 MPG combined, ahead of the GLC 300 4MATIC and XC60 B5 AWD at 26 MPG.

EPA combined MPG (base gas trim) at a glance

2026 Porsche Macan21 MPG
2027 Genesis GV70 2.5T AWD (JK1)22 MPG
2026 Range Rover Evoque22 MPG
2026 Acura RDX SH-AWD23 MPG
2026 Range Rover Velar23 MPG
2026 Lexus NX24 MPG
2027 Lincoln Corsair Hybrid24 MPG
2027 Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV26 MPG
2027 Volvo XC60 B5 AWD26 MPG
2026 BMW X3 xDrive30 (G45)29 MPG
EPA combined MPG (base gas trim), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.

Official sites

Sources

Prices, specs and availability change; confirm on the official site before you buy.

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