I have a weakness for luxury. I also have a weakness for full-size SUVs. These facts are well-established.

So, is it fair when General Motors sends a 2012 Cadillac Escalade Premium over to my house for review? Can I be expected to remain objective, clear-eyed and fair minded while I drive my Escalade through a river of Prii and Smart Cars?

I somehow manage to keep my head on my shoulders, while objectively writing this 2012 Cadillac Escalade Premium Test Drive & Review. Take a look and see if you agree.

Photo © General Motors

Luxury is all the rage today. Not that it hasn't been for many years, but look at advertisements and marketing materials right now, and you'll notice the word "PREMIUM" has snuck into our language quite aggressively.

What does that mean when it comes to SUVs and crossover vehicles? It means that features that were recently considered premium have become almost standard, even on non-premium vehicles, and that luxury car makers have to continuously raise the bar. More features, more technology, a higher level of luxury than ever before has become content on luxury SUVs.

I've collected the best of the best, and created this Top 6 Luxury SUVs and Crossovers by Class for your reference.

Photo © Maserati

Compact and even sub-compact SUVs are the next wave. Mark my words. Practicality and fuel efficiency are the next frontiers for many buyers, who are starting to realize that a big Chevy Suburban or Toyota Sequoia doesn't make as much sense as it could in 90% of driving situations. Unwilling or unable to give up the branding and impact that they've built up for the SUV and crossover vehicle, manufacturers are going to bring out an increasing number of compact and even subcompact SUVs. These vehicles will attempt to recreate the feeling of command driving position and SUV attitude in a much smaller, more fuel-efficient package. The first wave is already arriving, with the new Ford Escape and Mazda CX-5.

Actually, I think the first wave landed a few years ago, but at a time when the manufacturers were reluctant to stamp a car with the crossover label, even if it met all of the criteria. I'm pointing at the Scion xB, Kia Soul and the subject of today's review, the 2012 Nissan Cube. With an upright seating position, squared-off cargo compartment with a tailgate and fold down seats, the Cube is a car-based SUV: that is, a crossover vehicle, pure and simple. So, I have claimed it for this site. And I will claim others.

What do you think of the 2012 Nissan Cube? Is it an SUV or a car? Does it matter?

Photo © Nissan

I'm always happy to feature a review from Aaron Gold, About.com's Guide to Cars. Aaron and I don't always agree about SUVs, but I always get a good sense of what the vehicle is from Aaron's reviews. I hope you agree.

The latest from Aaron is this 2013 Acura RDX Test Drive and Review. I'll save the suspense -- Aaron liked it. He really liked it.

Why is this a big deal? Because Aaron also recently drove the new 2013 Acura ILX. He hated it. He really hated it.

And when Aaron hates a vehicle, he doesn't pull any punches. "I'm actually a bit angry that Acura has taken their legacy for great small cars, crumpled it up into a ball, thrown it at the wastebasket, and missed," he stated in his ILX review.

Ouch.

I think I'll try to stay on Aaron's good side for a while. In the meantime, enjoy Aaron's 2013 Acura RDX Test Drive and Review.

Photo © Aaron Gold