ADVERTISEMENT
a 2019 blue nissan rogue in a parking lot

The Best Crossover SUVs of 2019

Crossover SUVs are growing more and more popular as drivers see them as a nice balance between practical and spacious, while also offering a wide array of exciting and beneficial features. There’s no shortage of choices. With models ranging from sporty to functional, there’s a crossover to meet everyone’s preferences. Here are some of the best options for the 2019 model year.

1. Nissan Rogue

If you looked up "crossover SUV" in the dictionary, the Nissan Rogue’s picture would be right next to it. The Rogue is the textbook example of a crossover, and it has been met with praise over the past few years. This praise was well earned, as the Nissan Rogue is an attractive car for everyone from adventurous singles to growing families. It offers a ton of important standard features such as active safety, intelligent mobility, drive-assist display, a rearview camera, and blind-spot monitoring. There are three different trim levels of the 2019 Nissan Rogue: the S, SV, SL (basic, family, and luxury models respectively). All are available in FWD or AWD. The base model has a starting MSRP of $33,935.

2. Jeep Renegade

The Jeep Renegade has long been a class leader in off-road capabilities and user-friendly infotainment systems. It does have some drawbacks in comparison to other cars on this list, however. The Renegade doesn’t offer nearly the cargo and passenger space as some others (like the Honda CR-V or the Ford Escape). It's the off-roading capabilities that truly win people over. If you fancy yourself an avid outdoor adventurer, then the Renegade is definitely a vehicle to consider. The 2019 Jeep Renegade offers FWD and AWD on its variants to help on your off-roading adventures, and it does fine when you return to the pavement. With seven different trims, you’re sure to find one that fits your needs. The base model starts at $23,520.

3. Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V is considered a staple in the crossover market, so it honestly isn’t surprising that it’s on this list. The CR-V has been the best-selling crossover utility vehicle for the past 21 years. It’s not hard to see why people love it! The 2019 Honda CR-V ranks as one of the most complete compact crossovers, offering a ton of room for both passengers and cargo. The CR-V comes loaded with safety features and a touchscreen interface (though the pricier models come with a few more electronic systems). There are four CR-V trims: the LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring. The CR-V LX is the basic offering with a starting MSRP of around $25,395. The CR-V Touring trim level is the top-of-the-line (though the price on that one is almost $10,000 more).

4. Mazda CX-5

Another top-seller in the compact crossovers class is the Mazda CX-5. It averages around 110,000 sold a year. It doesn’t have as much cargo space as some competitors, but it still more than the Jeep Renegade. Its excellent fuel economy, responsive steering, and upscale interior have all been highly applauded. The 2019 Mazda CX-5 has also been nominated as a finalist for U.S. News & World Report’s "2019 Best Compact SUV for the Money" award. With standard driver-assist features such as a backup cam, rear cross-traffic alerts, blind spot monitoring, and city brake support, it’s not hard to see why this car comes so highly recommended. The base model pricing starts at $21,435.

5. Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester also ranks highly in the compact SUV class. The 2019 Forester has standard AWD across all five trims, and it has more cargo space than a lot of its competition. It has a positive safety rating, a responsive and intuitive infotainment system, and a long list of standard safety features that make it ideal for anyone with growing families. U.S. News & World Report even named it their "2019 Best Compact SUV for Families" list because of its use of space, safety, and reliability ratings. The only real complaint about this car is that its engine is a little underpowered. It can sometimes strain to deliver quick acceleration. But if that slight drawback is something you can live with, then this car could definitely be a contender. The starting MSRP is $25,270.

6. Ford Escape

Lastly, the Ford Escape has one of the largest cargo capacities. Only Honda and Toyota SUVs offer more. Plus, this crossover has been praised for the way it easily blends performance and utility. If you want an SUV that drives more like a sedan, thanks to its turbocharged engine, then this one is for you. The 2019 Ford Escape comes in four trims: S, SE, SEL, and Titanium. Its main criticisms are that it sports a dated design and that it lacks some safety features that are found as standard on competitors. These include things like blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking. They are offered as add-ons, but they most likely won't be found on the $24,105-priced base model.

(Featured image via Facebook.)

Last Updated: May 15, 2019