Three capable entry-level luxury crossovers with cash on the hood

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Every month, Graeme Fletcher combines manufacturers’ incentives from Unhaggle.com with resale value, dependability and overall ratings to find you the best deal for your money in new cars. This week, we look at entry-level luxury crossovers with all-wheel-drive. The hot deals are on the 2019 BMW X1 xDrive28i, Jaguar E-Pace P250 SE and Volvo XC40 T5 Momentum.

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2019 BMW X1

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Three capable entry-level luxury crossovers with cash on the hood Back to video

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $41,500
BMW Canada Incentive*: $1,000
Unhaggle Savings: $500
Total Savings: $1,500
Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $3,205
Total Before Tax: $43,205

The second-generation BMW X1, which was introduced in 2016, continues into 2019 with a few upgrades to the equipment list — active driver aids like forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, auto high-beams and lane departure warning are standard. Lane keep assist is a $1,000 option.

The cabin is fresh and ringed with classy materials. The leatherette wrapping the seats is, likewise, passable in terms of its look and feel. It is also fully functional with the latest edition of iDrive anchoring the centre console. Access is via the 8.8-inch touch screen or the central controller. It also arrives with BMW’s Apple CarPlay preparation kit. Sorry Android users, you are still out of luck.

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The rear seat is one of the roomiest in the segment with lots of leg- and headroom for a pair of adults. Likewise, the cargo capacity is generous — 505-litres with the seats up and 1,550L with them folded.

The X1 arrives with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque at 1,450 rpm. The early entry point of the torque limits turbo lag off the line. Through the mid-range the engine responds quickly. It works with an eight-speed automatic to drive all four wheels through BMW’s xDrive system. Under normal driving conditions it powers the front wheels, but to prevent unwanted wheelspin on a fast takeoff the system splits the power evenly before relaxing the split as speed rises.

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The combination gives the X1 a run from rest to 100 kilometres an hour of 6.5 seconds, an 80-to-120-km/h passing move of 4.8 seconds and a posted average fuel economy of 9.3 litres per 100 kilometres.

The X1 feels more like a sports sedan than a typical crossover. There is minimal body roll, the steering firms nicely as speed increases and the all-wheel-drive system improves traction in all weather conditions. The minor nit is the run-flat tires tend to makes the ride slightly harsh over rutted or rippled road surfaces.

The 2019 BMW X1 xDrive28i arrives with a combined Unhaggle discount of $1,500 and a pre-tax sticker of $43,205.

2019 Jaguar E-Pace

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $49,500
Jaguar Canada Incentive*: $1,000
Unhaggle Savings: $1,000
Total Savings: $2,000
Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $2,325
Total Before Tax: $49,825

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First introduced last year the Jaguar E-Pace carries over into 2019. As is to be expected this compact crossover gets the full Jag treatment. Leading the way are 14-way leather seats with memory and the Touch Pro infotainment system with a 10-inch screen that supports swipe and pinch-to-zoom gestures. It looks after the Navigation system along with the 380-watt Meridian sound system. On the featured P250 SE Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both part of the $300 Smartphone package. Similarly, a heated steering wheel will set you back $830.

The back seat has enough legroom for adults, although the available headroom is tight for a taller rider. There’s 577L of cargo space with the rear seat up and 1,234L with them folded flat.

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While low-speed auto emergency braking is standard, high-speed auto emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring are bundled up in the $1,100 Drive package. A 360-degree camera is another $360 option.

The E-Pace P250 SE is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 246 hp and 269 lb.-ft. of torque at just 1,200 rpm. The latter banishes turbo lag and gives the E-Pace a strong mid-range. It works with a nine-speed automatic to drive all four wheels. In this case, the full-time system distributes the power between the front and rear wheels according to need. It also works with a brake-based torque vectoring system to improve cornering stability.

The E-Pace runs to 100 km/h in seven seconds, it turns the 80-120 km/h passing move in 4.9 seconds and it has a posted average fuel economy of 9.8 L/100 km.

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The Jaguar E-Pace is balanced in its dynamic approach — the suspension is comfortable as it dials out unwanted body roll and the steering in nicely weighted across the operating range. Surface Progress Control and JaguarDrive Control are standard features — the combination allows the driver to get the best out of the available grip and tailor the tone of the drive. If it’s a driver’s crossover that’s wanted the adaptive suspension ($1,020) is money well invested.

The Jaguar E-Pace P250 SE has a sticker price of $49,825 after the combined Unhaggle discount of $2,000 is applied.

2020 Volvo XC40

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $40,300
Volvo Canada Incentive*: $2,000
Unhaggle Savings: $250
Total Savings: $2,250
Mandatory Fees (Freight, Govt. Fees): $2,145
Total Before Tax: $40,195

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While the XC40 is new, the 2020 model is already on dealer lots now. It bears a strong resemblance to its larger siblings featuring a sharp infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto through its nine-inch touchscreen. It also has one of the better voice-control systems. The Momentum featured here makes do with a cloth/vinyl blend of upholstery, but it has two of the most comfortable front seats in the segment — they deliver superior long-distance comfort. Move rearward and the environment is equally roomy with lots of head- and legroom. Ditto the cargo capacity — 586L seats up and 1,336L with them folded flat.

While the XC40 comes with front collision mitigation support, lane keeping assist and a rearview Camera it requires the Vision Package ($1,800) to add blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a 360-degree camera and front/rear park assist.

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The XC40 T5 is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged four than pushes 248 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,800 rpm. There is a very minor bout of lag off the line, but things perk up nicely through the mid-range. It drives all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Borg Warner system powers the front wheels to improve fuel economy, but it is quick to react to a loss of traction and split the power 50/50-front/rear whenever necessary. To prevent unwanted wheelspin on a hard takeoff the system automatically splits the power evenly.

The combination delivers a run to 100 km/h in 6.4 second, it does the 80-120-km/h passing move in 4.5 seconds and it has a posted average fuel economy of 9.0 L/100 km/h.

The XC40 is softly sprung so the highway comfort is better than most in the segment. Remarkably, the soft nature does a good job of limiting body roll when pushed into a corner. Likewise, the steering is sharp and quick to obey input. The driver can pick between a number of drive modes, each of which alter the XC40’s characteristics including how the AWD system functions.

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The Volvo XC40 T5 Momentum arrives with a combined Unhaggle discount of $2,250 and a sticker of $40,195.

The verdict

Transport Canada lists one recall (#2019042) for the X1. It states, “On certain vehicles, the brackets for the rear tail lights may crack. This could cause the tail lights to separate from the vehicle.” Dealers will replace the mounting nuts and, if necessary, replace the taillights.

There are three recalls for the Volvo XC40. The first (#2018618) says, “On certain vehicles, the Telematics and Driver Support Systems may not function as designed due to a software error.” Dealers will update vehicle software. The second (#2018441) states, “On certain vehicles, the brake pedal may not have been fastened correctly during manufacturing, and could result in the brake pedal moving out of position.” Dealers will inspect the brake pedal and replace it if necessary. Only 47 units are affected. The third (#2018430) says, “On certain vehicles, the rear seatback lock strikers may not have been installed during the manufacturing process.” Dealers will inspect and install rear seatback lock strikers as necessary. Again, only 10 units are affected.

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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the BMW X1 Good ratings in all crash tests, including the tough small passenger side offset test. It has an Advanced rating for forward collision prevention, but a Marginal for headlight performance. The Volvo XC40 has Good crash test ratings across the board, a Superior for forward collision prevention, but the Momentum featured here has a Poor score for headlight performance. Adding Volvo’s active LED headlights earns a Good score, which then makes the XC40 a Top Safety Pick+. Neither the IIHS nor National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) list any crash test ratings for the Jaguar E-Pace.

The projected resale value of these entry-level luxury crossovers in 2022, after being driven an average of 20,000 km/year, is $18,100 for the BMW X1 xDrive28i, $26,100 for the Jaguar E-Pace P250 SE and $18,900 for the Volvo XC40 T5 Momentum.

While the Jaguar E-Pace P250 SE enjoys the highest retained value the lack of crash test results is off-putting. Between the BMW X1 xDrive28i and Volvo XC40 T5 Momentum it boils down to a pick ’em — both are highly respected and come with solid on-road performance.