Historically, the low end of the entry-lux market has been defined by the venerable BMW 3 Series and its direct competitors. Over the years, they've grown in size, available amenities and price to the point that they've slid into territory previously occupied by the E-Class and 5-series. BMW took aim at the lower end of the market with the 1 Series a generation of cars ago; leaving the 1 as the segment graybeard. Mercedes-Benz countered this year with the CLA and Audi's A3 sedan arrives early next year.

But if there's a carlike vehicle Americans love more than the sedan, it's the crossover utility vehicle. Though they've been selling it in Europe for some time, BMW finally brought over the awkward-looking, brilliant-driving X1 this year. Mercedes unveiled its CLA-based GLA at Frankfurt last month and Audi's set to bring its Q3 stateside in late 2014.