Infiniti's EX35 is the newest member of the premium compact SUV class.

For 2008, Consumer Guide added a new vehicle class, one that is small in numbers now, but is poised to explode during the next few years. The premium compact SUV class blends luxury and utility in a condensed package. Some entries, like Acura's turbocharged RDX, aim for a sporty take on luxury, while others, like Land Rover's LR2, blend luxury with rugged, off-road flair. Regardless, all seat five passengers, have available AWD, feature posh, high-quality wood and leather-trimmed interiors, and offer loads of convenience and technology features.

Making up this class are the Acura RDX, BMW X3, Infiniti EX35, and Land Rover LR2.

X3 was the first entrant in this class in 2004. The all-wheel drive X3 slots below BMW's larger, costlier X5 SUV, but it has virtually the same passenger space and more cargo volume. X3 3.0si has a 260-horsepower 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine and a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode. Expect X3 to get its first real makeover for model-year 2010.

RDX, Acura's second SUV, entered the marketplace for the 2007 model year. The all-wheel drive premium compact SUV is four inches shorter in wheelbase and 10 inches shorter overall than Acura's seven-passenger premium midsize SUV, MDX. Its only engine is a 240-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder linked to a 5-speed automatic transmission. What's next for RDX? It may get a "clean diesel" engine that Honda plans for U.S. sale by 2009.

New for model-year 2008 are the Infiniti EX35 and Land Rover LR2. EX35 blends FX styling with G performance, and shares platform and powertrain with Infiniti's premium midsize sedan. The rear or all-wheel-drive EX35 is powered by a 297-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and 5-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode. LR2 also made a model-year 2008 debut. It has standard all-wheel drive without a low-range gear for off-roading and teams a 230-horsepower inline 6-cylinder engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Technological Showcases

While this class may be small in numbers, it's large on luxury and technology features.

Infiniti used its 2008 EX35 to showcase several new safety features. EX35 features the first application of Infiniti's Around View Monitoring System. Around View Monitoring uses four cameras to show the driver the entire circumference of the exterior on the navigation screen. All the angles can be viewed separately on the navigation screen or together as one cohesive image of the whole vehicle. If the driver gets too close to a stationary object in any direction, a warning is sounded.

Another new feature is the next generation of Infiniti's Lane Departure Warning System. Lane Departure Prevention gauges where the vehicle is in relationship to the road's markings. If the vehicle senses it's going out of those lines at speeds above 45 miles an hour, a warning signal is sounded and the stability control system is activated to bring it back to the correct side of the line.

X3 is equipped with BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system that lacks low-range gearing. It does, however, feature hill descent control. When engaged by the driver, it controls the vehicle's speed by automatically braking each wheel individually as needed. This helps make the descent smoother and more controlled.

Also offering off-road assistance is LR2's Terrain Response system, which uses a console switch to alter suspension and powertrain calibrations to suit a variety of on- and off-road conditions.

On the Horizon

Due to steep gas prices, compact SUVs are still riding a wave of sales success. In fact, demand for compact crossovers has become so strong that just about every premium brand is rushing into the segment. During the next two years, this class will more than double to include competition from Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo--to name just a few.

Cadillac is planning a five-passenger crossover wagon to slot below its midsize SRX. The BRX should debut in 2009 or 2010 and feature styling suggestive of a Saturn Vue-Chevrolet Equinox combination with distinct Cadillac cues. Insiders suggest BRX will be powered by SRX's 255-horsepower 3.6-liter V6.

Mercedes-Benz is also planning to debut a premium compact SUV for model-year 2010. GLK should feature square-cut lines and a boxy frame much like its big brother, the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. Depending on the timing of its introduction, it could also be the first premium compact SUV available with diesel power.

Planned for model-year 2009 or 2010 is Volvo's XC60 premium compact SUV. It is rumored to look much like the Project XC60 concept presented at the 2007 Detroit auto show and will share a basic platform with the S80 sedan and Land Rover's LR2 premium compact SUV. Volvo expects it to fill in the niche between its XC70 wagon and the XC90 SUV.