The long-standing benchmark of small SUVs, the BMW X3 is the ultimate driving machine in crossover form. Built to enjoy the ride, the X3 is equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters to put you in more control. Heated seats and an 8-speaker sound system make sure the ride is as comfortable as possible, too. Though the $38,000 base price is steeper than the X3’s smaller competition, the unbeatable BMW quality is worth the price.

A vehicle that has done its best to defy classification, the Subaru Forester has grown into the crossover craze. Since the Forester has been around longer than most crossovers have been on the drawing board, it’s had time to figure out how to properly toe the line between car and SUV, something that it does remarkably well. Its upright feel and go-anywhere demeanor belie the vehicle’s comfortable ride, and available options like iPod connectivity and a stereo that adjusts the volume depending on the Forester’s speed make it a good crossover choice.

An upscale version of the Ford Edge, the MKX carries all of the creature comforts we’ve come to expect from Lincoln. That means heated and cooled front seats, keeping you at just the right temp, and a good-looking interior accented with nickel and wood. For a little extra change, you can go for any of many options, including the super swank Vista sunroof.

With standard all-wheel drive and a slew of options to choose from, the Murano is a perfect choice for those looking for a little more customization out of their crossover.  Nissan’s legendary VQ V-6 powers this slick-looking ride, and though it only seats five, there’s still plenty of room inside for whatever you need to take from A to B.

For 2008, Honda has improved on its already iconic CR-V. Drivetrain options like front- or all-wheel drive and great gas mileage for this type of vehicle, all in a well-priced package, have made this little crossover a best seller. With a new interior and exterior design and options like a DVD navigation system, the CR-V is perfect for someone looking for a little more space in their ride without the boat-like dimensions of some crossovers.

What happens when Mercedes throws its weight behind a crossover? You get the R320. Trumping all of its competition in price, this silver arrow is the epitome of cruising comfort. Leather is standard just about everywhere, and while the turbo V-6 produces a modest 215 horsepower, it cranks out an unheard of 398 lb-ft of torque in the low rpm range. The 7-speed transmission is largely responsible for the R320’s respectable fuel economy as well.

Mazda has set its sights on its crossover competition with the CX-9, and with plenty of power and a low price tag, the company has hit its mark. The CX-9 manages to seat seven while retaining the stylish curves of its little brother, the CX-7. Under the hood, a powerful V-6 makes sure you and your friends get where you’re going quickly, and the optional all-wheel drive system is capable enough to pull through inclement conditions.

Ford’s Edge boasts a powerful 265 horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 engine to keep pace with the competition. Though it lacks some of the comfort options of the more up-scale crossovers out there offer, the Edge is available with options like DVD navigation and Sync that make vehicle a fun alternative to those stuffy rides. Since it’s available with all-wheel drive as well, the Edge can keep hauling through slippery weather.

The FX35 represents all that is luxury in the crossover world. Massive 18-inch wheels are standard on this cruiser, as is a system that remembers your presets for mirror position, seat position and steering wheel location. Leather and DVD navigation are just a few more of the features that make the FX even more than an up-scale Nissan.

The RDX serves up Acura’s philosophy of triumph through design in heaping portions. The standard all-wheel drive is powered by the company’s first ever factory-turbocharged street engine. That means buckets of power when you need it. Front seats with two memory settings and lumbar support round out the crossover’s cleanly designed interior, and dual-zone climate control will keep everyone happy.