WTOP’s John Aaron and Car Guy Mike Parris compared three small SUVs with three hefty price tags: the Volvo XC40, the Acura RDX and the Infiniti QX50.
Scroll through the gallery for details, and find out which one is right for you?
Car Comparison: Which compact luxury SUV is right for you?
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The front view of the Volvo XC40 AWD Momentum.
(WTOP/John Aaron )
Pricing for the XC40 starts at $35,340, according to Volvo’s website. It costs $44,315 as driven.
This funky little crossover has a bit more boxiness than the others. The stubby hood is easy to see over, and its smallish size makes it easily maneuverable, WTOP’s John Aaron said.
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The interior driver’s side of the Volvo XC40 AWD Momentum.
(WTOP/John Aaron )
The XC40 AWD Momentum has a neat and well-appointed interior, WTOP’s John Aaron says.
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Bumper view of the Volvo XC40 AWD Momentum.
(WTOP/John Aaron )
This vehicle doesn’t have the most power or space. Volvo calls this a compact SUV; others call it subcompact.
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A front view of the Acura RDX SH-AWD A-Spec.
(WTOP/John Aaron)
Pricing for the RDX currently starts at $38,595, according to Acura’s website. It costs $46,995 as driven.
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Side view of the Acura RDX SH-AWD A-Spec.
(WTOP/John Aaron )
The edgy styling to the RDX may be a bit aggressive for some, WTOP’s John Aaron says.
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Interior view of the Acura RDX SH-AWD-A-Spec shows a roomy, comfortable inside.
The RDX is very roomy and a little bigger than the others. Acura calls this a mid-size crossover, others call it a compact.
The SUV moves with a 272 horsepower engine.
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Acura’s RDX has quite a flashy center console.
(WTOP/John Aaron)
The push-button transmission on Acura’s RDX is frustrating to use, according to WTOP’s John Aaron.
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The front view of the 2019 Infiniti QX50 Essential AWD.
(WTOP/John Aaron )
QX50 pricing currently starts at $37,645. It costs $59,085 as driven.
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WTOP’s John Aaron says the interior of the QX50 “standout,” mostly with all of the package options available.
(WTOP/John Aaron )
The various package options that would elevate the interior total nearly $10,000.
“While the quilted leather seats and ultrasuede touches would be at home in a much more expensive car, the options push this car to a relatively stratospheric price point,” WTOP’s John Aaron says.
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Rear view of the Infiniti QX50.
(WTOP/John Aaron )
This attractive SUV also has its downsides: The transmission can be whiny and clumsy at times, and the engine can feel either underpowered or overpowered in certain situations.
