Sporty utilities: SUVs with spunk

The CX-5 may be low on power, but it's still a blast to drive. That's because Mazda, as part of its Skyactiv design philosophy, concentrated on keeping weight as low as possible. The 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine makes only 155 horsepower, but this compact crossover rotates through corners like a much smaller vehicle. Reasonable pricing, excellent fuel economy, available all-wheel drive and a roomy interior make it a great choice for small families.

2014 Mazda CX-5

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Put simply, the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is a beast. Motivated by a 470-horsepower version of Chrysler's 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine, it can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds, but it also stops and turns well, too. That's because the brakes are the size of manhole covers and the Mercedes-Benz-derived structure is stiff. At $60,295, the Grand Cherokee SRT8 isn't cheap, but if you want a track-ready family hauler, this is it.

2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee

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While the Porsche Cayenne Turbo has more power, we chose the GTS for its aural intensity and downright agile handling. The 4.8-liter V8 engine churns out 420 willing ponies, provides immediate throttle response and emits a rumbling, snarling engine note. Underneath, the Cayenne GTS features a sport-tuned air suspension, rear torque vectoring and a lowered ride height, all of which conspire to make it feel more like a BMW 5-Series than a tall crossover.

2012 Porsche Cayenne

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With its recent products, Ford has tuned ride and handling for a European (read: sporty) feel. That has made the Focus, Fusion and Escape among the best-handling vehicles in their respective classes. This Escape is a far cry from the last generation's upright mini-Explorer. It is genuinely fun to drive, offering the type of control you'd expect in a compact car. Buyers can opt for willing power, too, by choosing the 2.0-liter 240-horsepower EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine.

2013 Ford Escape

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BMW doesn't use the terms SUV or crossover. Instead, it calls its family trucksters "sport-activity vehicles," and the most carlike of the bunch is the new X1. It's lighter and sits lower than BMW's other crossovers, making it feel a lot like the 3-Series, which is widely recognized as the best sport sedan on the market. And with the turbocharged 300-horsepower 6-cylinder engine, the X1 35i is a rocket, accelerating from zero to 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds.

2013 BMW X1

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Mercedes employs a lot of suspension technology to help the 5,000-pound ML63 AMG defy the laws of physics. It comes with sport-tuned air suspension, adaptive damping and active front and rear roll bars. Throw the ML63 AMG into a turn and it handles far better than any SUV should. A twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter 518-horsepower V8 engine launches this German dreadnaught from zero to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds. Despite all that performance, it is exceedingly comfortable for daily driving.

2013 Mercedes-Benz M-Class

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The X5 is a pleasant and somewhat sporty family crossover, but the X5 M is a snarling, track-ready monster. Even though the X5 M weighs 5,368 pounds, the twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine vaults it from zero to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 155 mph. Better yet, it hugs the road and rotates through corners not so much like a smaller vehicle, but like a naturally athletic offensive lineman.

2013 BMW X5

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The Juke is a tiny crossover with the soul of a hot hatchback. With its short wheelbase and light weight, it attacks corners with verve and gathers itself quickly to handle slaloms. The available all-wheel-drive system even aids handling by sending power to the outside rear wheel in a turn. The turbocharged 1.6-liter 188-horsepower 4-cylinder engine is spunky, too, willing the Juke from zero to 60 mph in just over seven seconds.

2013 Nissan JUKE

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The Infiniti EX37 is essentially a mildly raised and slightly larger hatchback version of the G37 sedan, and that makes it legitimately sporty. It traces its roots to Infiniti's FM (front midship) architecture, which sets the engine back as far as possible to improve balance. Direct steering, nimble handling and a 3.7-liter 325-horspower V6 engine make this 5-seater fun to drive on a daily basis. The rear hatch area is rather small, though, so buyers who need more space should look elsewhere.

2013 Infiniti EX

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With its larger size and slightly raised ride height, the Countryman doesn't quite offer the go-kart handling of the tiny MINI Cooper. However, it is only about the size of a Honda Fit and weighs around 3,000 pounds, so it will handle better in tight quarters than any vehicle on this list, except perhaps the Nissan Juke. Those looking for the sportiest option should wait for the John Cooper Works variant, which will feature firmer suspension tuning and 207 turbocharged horses.

2012 MINI Countryman

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When it was released for 2003, the FX was one of the first sporty crossovers, quickly earning the nickname "bionic cheetah" for its angular looks. This generation isn't quite so robotic, but it's still a head-turner with agile moves. Based on the same architecture as the G37 Sedan and Nissan 370Z, this 4,200-pound crossover drives like a raised sport sedan. It's offered in two flavors of fast — either a 325-horsepower V6 or a 390-horse V8 engine.

2013 Infiniti FX

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The Volvo XC60 is an exceedingly pleasant, well-controlled luxury crossover. The R Design adds power and sportiness to those laudable characteristics. The steering is 10 percent quicker, the suspension is 10 percent stiffer, and it has wide 20-inch tires, all of which make it turn sharper and handle better. Horsepower for the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine has been boosted to 325, which results in 5.7-second zero-to-60-mph blasts.

2013 Volvo XC60

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The Evoque is a departure for Land Rover. A true crossover, it sits lower than its siblings, offering a stable, planted ride and nimble moves. But it still offers some of the brand's characteristic off-road prowess, thanks to a Terrain Response system that works with several vehicle systems to provide control on all types of terrain. The turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine is peppy, too, propelling this stylish crossover from zero to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds.

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

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Based on the family-friendly MDX platform, the funky ZDX sacrifices interior space and comfort for an air of sportiness. Like the oddball BMW X6, it is designed as a crossover coupe. Body lean is well-controlled for a crossover, especially with the Advanced package's sport suspension, but the ZDX isn't quite as agile as Acura's own TL sedan. The 300-horsepower V6 engine is no slouch, either, but if you need utility with your sportiness, there are better choices.

2013 Acura ZDX

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The Audi Q5 wasn't designed to tackle autocrosses. Instead, it was meant to be a comfortable crossover with Audi refinement; sportiness just came along for the ride. The Q5 shares much of its structure with the nimble A4 sedan, which makes for controlled handling. The base turbocharged 2.0-liter 211-horsepower 4-cylinder engine provides plenty of pep, but a new supercharged 3.0-liter V6 makes the Q5 just plain quick, with a zero to 60 mph time of just six seconds.

2013 Audi Q5

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For more information on the vehicles in this slideshow, click the links below:

- Mazda CX-5
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Porsche Cayenne
- Ford Escape
- BMW X1
- Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG
- BMW X5
- Nissan Juke
- Infiniti EX37
- MINI Countryman
- Infiniti FX
- Volvo XC60
- Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
- Acura ZDX
- Audi Q5

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Kirk Bell has served as the associate publisher for Consumer Guide Automotive and editor of Scale Auto Enthusiast magazine. A Midwest native, Bell brings 18 years of automotive journalism experience to MSN, and currently contributes to JDPower.com and Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com.