» The 13 Most Fun-to-Drive SUVs Under $50,000

SUVs are no longer the lumbering behemoths they used to be when they first appeared. Many now have excellent road manners and inspire the driver to carve up their favorite winding roads. Depending on their size, they’re still practical and viable as family vehicles, allowing you to satisfy the head and heart (and spouse) all at once. Here are some of the most fun-to-drive SUVs available from small urban runabouts to large three-row models.

Jaguar F-Pace – $46,225

When it first arrived, the Jaguar F-Pace seduced onlookers with its shapely exterior design and sporty driving dynamics. Fast forward a few years later and the sultry SUV still turns heads and provides drivers thrills on their favorite road. Jaguar recently added an updated 2.0-liter turbo-four in two flavors, giving you more ways to get your ideal F-Pace.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio – $43,840

Think of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio as the sports car of SUVs. There’s no reason for it to handle so beautifully and stay connected with the driver but it does both so well and we love it for that reason. Even with the base 280-hp 2.0-liter turbo-four, the Stelvio offers quick acceleration, which combined with its innate handling ability easily makes it one of the most fun SUVs to drive.

BMW X3 – $41,950

Even when equipped with the base 2.0-liter turbo-four the BMW X3 is among the most fun-to-drive SUVs on the market. The base suspension setup offers a nice ride and handling balance, making it a great daily driver for consumers looking for something agile yet comfortable.

Jaguar E-Pace – $40,945

Jaguar’s smallest SUV, the E-Pace, drives more like a hatchback than it does an SUV, a testament to the British brand’s penchant for sporty vehicles. With all-wheel drive standard, the Jaguar E-Pace has plenty of grip and its sporty suspension makes it a legitimately fun SUV to pilot around turns.

Acura RDX – $38,595

The latest Acura RDX brings back the brand’s mojo with a new platform and a powerful turbocharged engine paired to an in-house-developed 10-speed automatic transmission. With its combination of a wonderful ride and handling balance, spacious interior, and a full suite of safety features, the Acura RDX is one of the most well-rounded luxury compact SUVs available.

BMW X2 – $36,400

With its low-slung roofline and wide stance, the BMW X2 looks ready to carve up a winding road. Currently one of the smallest SUVs in the BMW lineup, the X2 is also one of the most fun to drive, offering tight handling and an available 302-hp 2.0-liter turbo-four in the X2 M35i. Just make sure you can deal with the stiff ride.

Audi Q3 – $35,695

The Audi Q3 is a premium subcompact SUV with sporting intentions, offering car-like agility in spite of its extra ground clearance. With all-wheel drive and a 228-hp 2.0-liter turbo-four standard, the Q3 has stability and power to go with its pleasant road manners.

Volvo XC40 – $34,695

The most youthful SUV in Volvo’s lineup is the subcompact XC40, which can be had in two-tone exterior color schemes to make it pop some more. In R-Design guise, the Volvo XC40 gets a sport-tuned suspension for better handling, especially on all-wheel-drive-equipped models, which also comes standard with a 248-hp 2.0-liter turbo-four.

Mazda CX-9 – $33,325

For a three-row SUV, the Mazda CX-9 is surprisingly athletic. It happily snakes through winding roads with ease and its communicative steering keeps the driver connected to the road. The available all-wheel drive system keeps the big SUV stable and its 250-hp 2.5-liter turbo-four, which also generates 310 lb-ft of torque, provides plenty of motivation.

Mini Countryman – $29,750

One of the entries in the subcompact SUV segment, the Mini Countryman proves you can have a small, practical utility vehicle that’s fun to drive. As part of its 2020 refresh, the Mini Countryman gains a more potent JCW performance model packing a 2.0-liter turbo-four with 301 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque, making it one of the most powerful Mini models currently on sale.

Mazda CX-5 – $25,395

Long considered the enthusiast’s choice in the compact SUV segment, the Mazda CX-5 offers sporty handling, excellent steering, and great body control. It recently gained an optional 250-hp 2.5-liter turbo-four, which comes standard with all-wheel drive, making it one of the most powerful SUVs in its segment.

Mazda CX-3 – $21,435

No, the Mazda CX-3 won’t set your hair on fire with its 148-hp 2.0-liter I-4 but, considering it weighs under 3,000 pounds and has a great chassis it will still put a smile on your face. With its agile handling and communicative steering, the Mazda CX-3 is one of the most fun-to-drive and engaging subcompact SUVs available regardless of the drivetrain layout you choose.

Hyundai Kona – $21,195

The Hyundai Kona is one of the newer entries in the growing subcompact SUV segment, arriving as a 2018 model. Since then it has proven its credentials with its engaging handling and available 175-hp 1.6-liter turbo-four. When equipped with the optional all-wheel drive system, the Kona turns into your personal rally car that’s ready to tackle any winding road you throw at it.