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Posh and Pocket-sized

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Not every driver who craves comfort and utility wants a big vehicle, with all the accompanying parking and fuel-economy headaches. Oil prices are still at dizzying heights, and environmental regulations keep tightening. So it’s little wonder that small luxury crossover SUVs constitute a growing trend, with professional services firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers predicting a 12% sales increase in compact and small SUVs through 2015, compared with 5.6% for the overall auto market.

Here are some marvelous models taking this ultra-hot segment by storm.

Porsche Macan
The success of Porsche’s mid-size Cayenne crossover, which has consistently been the German company’s best-seller since its introduction in 2002, caught many industry observers napping. We won’t get fooled again: Anticipation and expectations for the German marque’s new Macan compact crossover, which debuted at the L.A. Auto Show in November, are running feverishly high. The all-wheel-drive Macan masterfully melds the drivability of Porsche’s legendary sports cars with celebrity-level comforts and everyday five-door, five-seat practicality. Posh, but still Porsche.

Land Rover LR2 and Range Rover Evoque
Land Rover offers a brace of comfy compact crossovers that are equally at home on city streets and rock-strewn trails. The LR2 is dubbed “entry-level,” but this handsome little ute nonetheless boasts a 240-horsepower turbocharged 2-liter engine, standard 7-inch color infotainment touch-screen and available surround sound — all for around $37,000. The muscular-looking Range Rover Evoque manages 30 miles per gallon on the highway while offering refined driving both on and off road, thanks in part to outstanding build quality.

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BMW X1
Though the junior in BMW’s well-established X family, the X1 “Sports Activity Vehicle” boasts a potent turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, fuel-saving start-stop technology (helping it achieve up to 24 mpg city/34 highway), standard leatherette seats and intuitive iDrive infotainment. What it lacks in cargo space the X1 more than compensates for with agile handling and ride comfort. The lowly base MSRP of $30,900 might induce reverse sticker-shock, but X1 options (which include a panoramic sunroof and rearview camera) can add up.

Cadillac SRX
Draped in luxury and technology, the surprisingly roomy SRX is at once a contemporary compact crossover and classically a Cadillac. Standard and available features on this striking yet functional ride include CUE infotainment system, ambient interior lighting, UltraView power sunroof and 20-inch chrome aluminum wheels. A reassuring array of radar, cameras and ultrasonic sensors enables Cadillac’s hard-to-beat Driver Awareness and Driver Assist technology packages, while one year of OnStar Directions and Connections service is standard on this sub-$38K stunner.

Audi Q5
Already available in 2.0 TFSI, 3.0 TFSI and hybrid versions, Audi’s trim Q5 crossover now also comes as a fuel-thrifty TDI clean diesel and high-performance SQ5 (the first-ever Q model S variant). Sporty yet sophisticated, it can hit 60 miles per hour from a standstill in a staggering 5.1 seconds (SQ5) while offering cabin comforts such as leather seating surfaces, all-natural walnut trim and even an optional thermo heated/cooled cup holder. The Q5 starts at just $37,300.

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Other small premium utes to consider include the Acura RDX, Infiniti EX, Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class, Volvo XC60 and, expected by 2016, a production version of Jaguar’s head-turning C-X17 concept.

Paul Rogers, Brand Publishing Writer

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