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You may not think of crossovers as fast or even quick. Still, turbocharging and electrification are making everyday commuter vehicles into pretty rapid machines. The best part? You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg to get a comfortable crossover with decent power and performance. 

Which affordable crossovers are fast enough for some fun?

The Chevy Bolt EUV, Mazda CX-30, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, and Volvo XC40 offer good power and speed for less than the average price of a new car. Each model is an excellent mix of practicality and power.

Here’s how each performed in a zero to 60 mph acceleration test with Car and Driver. 

  • Chevy Bolt EUV: 6.8 seconds
  • Mazda CX-30: 5.8 seconds
  • Toyota RAV4 Hybrid: 7.1 seconds
  • Volvo XC40: 6.1 seconds

1. Chevy Bolt EUV is an affordable electric crossover with peppy acceleration 

The Chevy Bolt EUV produces 200 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. It isn’t the quickest electric crossover out there, but it’s more than fast enough to impress the average driver – especially with the instant torque delivery of electric motors. Car and Driver says the Bolt EUV can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in around 6.8 seconds as a result. It’s the cheapest on this list, with a starting price of $28,795.

2. Mazda CX-30 brings the brand’s quick, sporty performance to the crossover segment 

A light blue Mazda CX-30 sits on a photo set with a dark backdrop and dramatic lighting.
2023 Mazda CX-30 | Mazda

The 2023 Mazda CX-30 is one of the quickest crossovers you can buy for under $40,000 when equipped with its available turbocharged engine. The turbo CX-30 makes a robust 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque that pushes the crossover from zero to 60 mph in just 5.8 seconds. It also plays into the preferences of driving enthusiasts by offering a traditional six-speed automatic transmission instead of a ho-hum CVT. The starting price is $33,800 for a turbocharged model.

3. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offers confident performance, good value 

The RAV4 Prime may be quicker, but the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid wins on value while still delivering competent power. Its hybrid powertrain makes a combined 219 horsepower and heaps of torque. Altogether, it’s good for a zero-to-60 time of 7.3 seconds – not bad. The 2023 RAV4 Hybrid starts at $30,725. 

4. Volvo XC40’s turbocharged power makes it a quick crossover 

The Volvo XC40‘s base powertrain is plenty powerful, offering 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The turbocharged four-cylinder helps the XC40 charge to 60 mph from a standstill in just 6.1 seconds. Volvo offers the base XC40 with a starting price of $36,350. 

Is a fast crossover worth it?

A fast crossover is well worth it for confidence in highway driving and just plain old fun. Especially when it starts under $40,000. These small SUVs aren’t as quick as true sports cars. However, they still pack an impressive punch when you hit the accelerator. It’s more proof of the wonders that turbocharging and electrification are bringing to the industry.

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Staff Writer, Producer - SUVs

Scott Prewitt

Scott Prewitt joined the MotorBiscuit team in 2023 as a Staff Writer for the SUV section. During college, he began his career in journalism as Editor in Chief of The Creightonian. After graduating from Creighton University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, News and Public Relations, Scott spent time in a local newsroom. He soon found his way to the world of automotive journalism and has been writing about cars since 2017.

A passion for all things automotive began at a young age. Playing Gran Turismo racing games in the early 2000s sparked an interest in cars and Scott began devouring Car and Driver stories when he was in the fourth grade. Since then, Scott’s enthusiasm for autos has grown to become the focal point of his career as a journalist.

By combining the skills that earned him the News Graduate of the Year 2016 and the Omaha Press Club Recognition & Academic Scholarship with a craving for knowledge of automotive industry, Scott covers a wide range of content from breaking news about the latest SUV models to designated off-road and overlanding rigs. His reporting is informed by personal experiences like road trips, intriguing automotive history, and time spent poring over various outlets and YouTube channels. Scott is drawn to car culture because, in his own words,  “these vehicles are a combination of purpose-built engineering and emotive, expressive design.”

The personal aspects of the autos world are of particular interest to Scott, and he is fascinated by the relationship between humans and cars. Years of writing for dealerships across the country and time in the corporate communications world lend to his expertise as a writer here at MotorBiscuit.