Top 11 Most Popular Crossover Models Loved by Vietnamese Drivers

The 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander garnered significant attention when it was first assembled locally in 2018, following the impact of Decree 116. With the benefits of CKD assembly, the 2019 Outlander offers an incredibly competitive price point in its segment. Its exterior design remains one of its strongest points, even from earlier generations. In this version, Mitsubishi stays conservative, not rushing to radically change the crossover’s look. The 'Dynamic Shield' design language still defines the 2019 Outlander, giving it a bold, youthful appearance while maintaining the signature sophisticated, rugged charm typical of Mitsubishi vehicles.

The interior follows the same minimalist yet refined style as its imported predecessor. Leather upholstery adorns most of the cabin, although the base 2.0 CVT variant uses fabric materials. Overall, the layout is efficient, maximizing space while providing comfort and convenience for passengers. The front seats offer ample legroom, with leather-covered seats designed for comfort and support. The second-row seats are spacious enough for three adults, with well-padded headrests.

The 2019 Outlander keeps the same two-engine configurations as the previous generation. The top-tier 2.4 CVT Premium variant features a 2.4L inline-4 engine, utilizing Mitsubishi’s proprietary MIVEC variable valve timing system to produce a peak output of 167 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, and 222Nm of torque at 4,100 rpm. In terms of safety, the Outlander shines with its 5-star EURO NCAP safety rating, thanks to the RISE body design and a comprehensive array of safety features such as seven airbags (two on the base model), disc brakes with ABS, EBD, BA, hill-start assist (HAS), electronic stability control (ASC), anti-theft system, and more.

At the end of 2018, to maintain and strengthen its competitive edge, Nissan Vietnam launched the mid-life facelifted X-Trail V-Series 2019, featuring exclusive features marketed as 'tailored for the Vietnamese market.' This move was expected to boost sales for the X-Trail, which had previously struggled in the market. Upon its debut, the X-Trail was critiqued for its neutral design, which didn’t stand out compared to its competitors. As a result, with the V-Series, Nissan made subtle changes to the front grille, extending the V-motion grille and widening it, while the redesigned front bumper with an 'X' motif gave the vehicle a more striking and dynamic appearance. Combined with the signature LED hook-shaped headlights and subtle tweaks to the fog light housings, the new front design of the X-Trail V-Series was widely praised for its sportier and bolder look compared to its predecessor.

Unlike the noticeable exterior updates, the interior of the 2019 Nissan X-Trail V-Series remains largely unchanged from the previous version. All variants offer seven leather-upholstered seats, competing with rivals like the Mitsubishi Outlander and Honda CR-V, especially as the demand for 5+2 seating options grows. This is a significant advantage over models like the Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tucson, which only offer two rows of seats. However, a point of controversy remains the steering wheel design, which Nissan kept unchanged. The leather-wrapped, teardrop-shaped steering wheel, while unique, has been considered somewhat 'clunky' and not quite matching the overall interior styling.

In terms of performance, the X-Trail V-Series uses the same X-tronic CVT transmission with 7 virtual gears, paired with two engine options: a dual overhead cam DOHC engine with continuously variable valve timing (CVTC) and a 4WD system. For safety, it comes with the essential features like ABS, electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), and emergency brake assist (BA), along with advanced systems like active slip prevention, traction control, dynamic stability control, and hill-start assist for added confidence on the road. The 2.0 FWD versions come with four airbags, while the 2.5 4WD models feature six airbags.

Leading the market for years, the new Ford Ecosport is a formidable contender, especially when compared to recent competitors that have undergone upgrades to enhance their appeal. With a rugged, robust character that defines the American SUV, the new Ford Ecosport also exudes a sporty, dynamic edge. This fresh look makes it stand out and appear sharper than other vehicles in its price range. The spare tire mounted on the rear of the vehicle has become a signature feature of Ford SUVs, symbolizing a strong off-road presence. Its rugged trim with embossed design adds to the bold aesthetic.

The interior remains largely unchanged from the 2018 version. The cluttered physical buttons, which once caused a confusing feel in the first generation, have now been replaced by a large touchscreen for a more modern, streamlined experience. Both the front and rear seats offer ample space, even for passengers around 1.8 meters tall. The rear seats can fold 60/40 to expand the cargo capacity when necessary. Overall, the 2019 Ecosport’s interior still feels compact, neat, and solid compared to rivals like the Vitara, HR-V, or Kona in its class.

The 2019 Ford Ecosport continues to offer two engine variants. The famous EcoBoost 1.0L engine is available only on the top-spec 1.0L AT Titanium version. This turbocharged engine, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, delivers 125 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 170 Nm at 4,500 rpm. Safety features include standard systems like ABS, EBD, Hill Start Assist (HAS), and Electronic Stability Program (ESP). Overall, the 2019 Ford Ecosport maintains significant improvements from the 2018 version, with a stronger, sportier exterior, a more refined and modernized interior, and the replacement of the previously criticized PowerShift transmission with a smoother 6-speed automatic gearbox.

Range Rover Evoque 2019 is considered Land Rover's golden child, offering a lively presence on city streets while remaining agile on rugged terrain. Its high-end cabin, crafted with premium materials, and exceptional off-road capabilities make the Evoque a dream choice, though there are still areas that could be further refined. This luxurious crossover from the British brand Land Rover remains popular in the market. In terms of exterior design, the 2019 Evoque has only minor tweaks, including subtle adjustments to the front and smoother body lines to reduce wind resistance.

The Evoque doesn’t require you to sacrifice interior quality for off-road prowess. The cabin combines elegance with luxury, featuring a simple design and top-tier materials. Multiple customization options, along with fantastic craftsmanship, elevate the cabin’s sophistication. Premium details like Oxford leather and beautiful double-stitched seams enhance the overall finish. The Evoque offers a luggage space of 0.6m3 behind the rear seats, expanding to 1.5m3 when the seats are folded down. For the convertible version, luggage capacity is reduced to just 0.25m3.

The Evoque delivers a dynamic driving experience with excellent handling and performance. Developed by Land Rover's expert team, its Terrain Response system automatically adjusts the engine and gearbox settings to optimize traction across various terrains. The All-Terrain Progress Control (ATPC) functions similarly to cruise control, allowing you to focus on the driving experience. As with all Land Rover models, safety is a top priority in the Evoque’s design, featuring a sturdy body structure and numerous safety features. It has earned a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating, with standard features like a rearview camera, parking sensors, and emergency braking. Optional features include blind-spot monitoring, rear traffic alerts, and a parking assistance package with parallel and perpendicular parking functions.

More than a year after its global launch, the 2019 Hyundai Kona officially made its debut in Vietnam. Positioned in the subcompact crossover segment, it is set to compete head-to-head with the Ford EcoSport, Suzuki Vitara, and soon, the Honda HR-V. One of the key highlights of the 2019 Kona is its front grille, featuring the distinctive Cascading Grill—a design hallmark now seen on many current Hyundai models, including the Santa Fe and Elantra. Additionally, the Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and turn signals have been repositioned higher, while the main headlights have moved down. This trend of reconfigured lighting placement is also found in other popular models like the 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe and the Mitsubishi Xpander.

Mirroring its exterior, the interior of the 2019 Hyundai Kona offers a fresh, modern feel to Vietnamese customers. The minimalist and functional design immediately stands out as you step inside. The standard Kona 2.0 model features fabric upholstery and manual seat adjustments, while the higher-end trims come with leather seats and a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Both rows of seats offer generous space, even for passengers around 1.75 meters tall. The meticulous stitching and plush, thick seat padding provide superior comfort. For added flexibility, the rear seats can fold down in a 60/40 split to expand cargo capacity.

Every version of the Kona is equipped with a Drive Mode system that offers three modes: Comfort, Eco, and Sport. These modes cater to different driving needs, from smooth city cruising (Eco) to sportier highway acceleration (Sport). The bold design, spacious interior, and excellent value-for-money features make the 2018 Hyundai Kona a highly attractive option. Thanks to its youthful style, tech-forward features, and practicality, it is a perfect fit for younger, tech-savvy buyers seeking a versatile vehicle for both family and work needs.

Since its debut in Japan in 2014, the Honda HR-V has quickly become a household name, selling in over 100 countries and achieving cumulative sales of 1.8 million vehicles by August 2018. Known for its youthful design and impressive performance, the HR-V has gained significant recognition in Vietnam, a country where the brand name ‘Honda’ is synonymous with quality, especially in motorcycles. In the car market, Honda has proven that its vehicles provide great value for money and excellent service to owners. The 2019 HR-V, an urban SUV, competes with models like the Ford EcoSport and Hyundai Kona. Despite its higher starting price of 786 million VND compared to the more affordable EcoSport (545 million VND) and Kona (625 million VND), it continues to attract a large number of buyers. Compared to the larger CR-V, the HR-V offers impressive features and value.

Inspired by Honda’s “Exciting H Design” philosophy, the HR-V’s interior is designed to be open, spacious, and sporty. To offer a premium urban SUV experience, the interior of the HR-V uses soft-touch materials for a refined feel. The centrally located fuel tank optimizes cargo space, and the rear seats offer a minivan-like comfort, providing ample legroom. The rear-seat legroom is similar to that of the CR-V, ensuring passengers can sit comfortably for long journeys.

The HR-V’s driving experience is centered around providing comfort and enjoyment. It combines the comfort of a luxury car with Honda’s signature driving dynamics, giving the vehicle a sedan-like stability thanks to its low center of gravity. The HR-V is also equipped with advanced NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness) technology, reducing road noise and enhancing the ride quality. Safety is a top priority for Honda, and the HR-V comes with an extensive list of high-tech safety features, including ABS, EBD, VSA, HSA, TCS, ESS, and six airbags (front, side, and curtain), ensuring maximum protection for both the passengers and pedestrians.

The 2019 Suzuki Vitara comes with a range of upgrades, including enhanced safety features such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot detection, and rear collision warning. A notable change is the new front grille, which now features six vertical chrome bars, giving the car a refreshed look. The front bumper is more stylish, with updated fog lights and LED daytime running lights. The redesigned lower grille no longer includes a silver trim. These changes combine to give the Vitara a more modern, refined appearance.

Inside, the Vitara stands out for its spaciousness, offering more room than many of its rivals in the segment. The seats are supportive, with comfortable backrests and ample legroom. When the rear seats are folded down, the cargo area expands to 710L, making it ideal for family trips. The Vitara features a leather-wrapped, 3-spoke steering wheel that can be adjusted in four directions. The wheel is equipped with controls for audio, cruise control, hands-free phone operation, speed limit settings, and two sporty paddle shifters. Additionally, the Vitara boasts a range of amenities, including a 6-speaker sound system, a small LCD screen, CD player, AM/FM radio, USB/Bluetooth connectivity, and MP3/WMA playback support.

Under the hood, the Suzuki Vitara is powered by a 1.6L 4-cylinder engine that produces 118 horsepower and 151 Nm of torque. It features front-wheel drive (2WD) and a 6-speed automatic transmission. While the Vitara’s price may be slightly higher than some competitors, it offers solid value for money, with many advanced features for the price. The 2019 Vitara comes equipped with basic safety features like 6 airbags, parking sensors, hill-start assist, brake assist, ABS, emergency brake assist, and electronic stability control, ensuring both driver and passenger safety.

The 2019 Chevrolet Trax is a compact crossover designed to compete head-to-head with popular models like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5. Despite being priced significantly lower than these two models, the Trax offers a strong value proposition with its affordable price tag, making it a great alternative to the Ford EcoSport, Hyundai Kona, and Honda HR-V. The Trax comes equipped with a turbocharged engine, offering a potent performance, and a suite of high-end safety features. The Chevrolet Trax 1.4 Turbo is priced at 679 million VND in Vietnam, which is a 90 million VND drop compared to the previous month. This price reduction positions it as a formidable contender in the compact SUV market.

The Trax features a unique seating arrangement, with a combination of cloth and leather upholstery that adds a touch of luxury while being easy to maintain. The seats are black, offering a sleek and clean look. The driver’s seat is manually adjustable in six directions, and the front passenger seat adjusts in four directions. The rear seats can be folded 60/40 to increase the trunk capacity. All seats come with armrests and headrests for added comfort. As with many new American cars, the Chevrolet Trax 2019 ditches the CD/DVD player in favor of the Mylink II entertainment system, which features six speakers and USB connectivity. Power windows with one-touch functionality for the driver’s side, as well as heat-insulating front and rear windshields, add to the convenience. The Trax also includes a useful 230V power outlet for heavy-duty electronics like laptops and cameras.

One of the standout features of the Chevrolet Trax 2019 is its impressive safety equipment. The vehicle comes with a full range of active and passive safety features, including ABS, electronic brake-force distribution, emergency brake assist, electronic stability control, anti-roll, hill-start assist, downhill assist, tire pressure monitoring, and a rearview camera. It also includes innovative features like cornering brake control, vehicle stability on straight roads, engine braking control, and rear cross-traffic alert. For passive safety, the Trax is equipped with ISOFIX child seat mounts, 3-point seatbelts, front seatbelt tensioners, and six airbags, making it one of the safest vehicles in its class.

Compared to its competitors, the highest trim of the Mazda CX-5 is priced lower than both the Honda CR-V Turbo (1.1 billion VND) and the Nissan X-Trail 2.5 SV 4WD (1.113 billion VND). This pricing advantage gives the CX-5 a significant edge, as price is often a key factor in purchasing decisions. In terms of design, the new CX-5 continues to embrace the KODO design language, with a few updates to the exterior details, giving it a fresher, more youthful, and bolder appearance. Both the CX-5 and the CR-V exude a sporty and modern vibe, while the Outlander and X-Trail appear more mature and subdued, appealing to those who prefer a more understated look.

Inside, Mazda has completely refreshed the cabin, including the steering wheel, dashboard, gear shifter, and even smaller details like the air vents and armrests. All versions come with premium leather seats. The front seats are designed to provide excellent support for the back and thighs, ensuring comfort during long drives. On the two 2.5-liter variants, both the driver and passenger seats are power-adjustable, with the driver’s seat featuring two memory settings. The 2.0 version, which is the entry-level model, only has a power-adjustable driver’s seat. The dashboard is minimalist, with the focal point being the 7-inch touchscreen display that is positioned higher, as seen in other recent Mazda models. The air vents are finely crafted with chrome accents, lending a premium feel to the cabin. The controls have been relocated to a more accessible position, within easy reach of the front passengers.

On the road, the CX-5 offers an engaging driving experience, standing out as the only model in its segment to feature a 6-speed automatic transmission, unlike the Outlander, CR-V, and X-Trail, which all use CVT gearboxes for a smoother family-oriented ride. Other notable features include a 7-inch touchscreen with Mazda Connect infotainment system, smartphone connectivity via AUX/USB/Bluetooth, AM/FM radio, DVD player, and a 10-speaker Bose sound system on the 2.5L models, while the 2.0L version comes with a 6-speaker system. The CX-5 also offers dual-zone automatic climate control, power windows, a smart key with push-button start, an electric sunroof, automatic rain-sensing wipers, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and cruise control, all designed to enhance both comfort and convenience for the driver and passengers.