Once upon a time, bigger was better in the world of SUVs. But times have changed. With gas prices climbing fast, rising environmental concerns, and crowded city streets, compact SUVs are having their moment. They’re sleek, smart, and ready to take on the world. Here are 23 compact SUVs that prove once and for all that size really isn’t everything.
Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 is often described as the athlete of compact SUVs, thanks to its precise handling and agile driving dynamics. It offers a rare balance between being fun to drive and practical for everyday life. With a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, it can go from 0 to 60 mph in around 7.5 seconds. The infotainment system is intuitive and user-friendly. Bonus: Mazda’s i-Activsense safety suite means you’re not just zooming around but doing it safely.
Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is not just reliable; it’s practically indestructible. With its turbocharged 1.5-liter engine, the CR-V offers decent performance while maintaining impressive fuel economy at 28 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. The interior is spacious, with enough room for a small family’s worth of sports equipment and groceries. What really makes the CR-V shine, though, is its practicality—tons of storage space and tech that actually works.
Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 is dependable, versatile, and always ready for adventure. The RAV4 is a best-seller for a reason. Its hybrid version gets up to 41 mpg in the city. On the tech side, the RAV4 comes with Toyota Safety Sense. The RAV4 also stands out with its rugged design: “I could tackle off-road trails if I wanted to, but I also look good at Whole Foods.”
Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage has come a long way from its humble beginnings. It looks like the slick, modern SUV that confidently struts into any driveway. Kia’s bold design is accompanied by a turbocharged engine option, ensuring the Sportage is more than just a pretty face. Inside, the cabin feels upscale with an intuitive infotainment system, and there’s plenty of legroom for both front and rear passengers.
Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson is loaded with advanced tech features like a massive touchscreen and Hyundai’s SmartSense safety suite. It takes driving into the future. Its 2024 model particularly offers two powertrain choices: a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine (187 hp) and a hybrid variant with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine paired with an electric motor, generating a combined 226 hp. The hybrid version also achieves an impressive 38 mpg combined fuel economy, ideal for eco-conscious drivers.
Subaru Forester
With its symmetrical all-wheel-drive system, the Subaru Forester is built for adventurous souls who like to dabble in off-road excursions. The Forester is family-friendly, offering a spacious interior and some of the best visibility in the segment. Throw in Subaru’s Eyesight driver assistance technology, and you have a safe, capable, and downright pleasant companion for your journeys.
Ford Escape
The Ford Escape offers an intuitive infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Available features include Ford’s Co-Pilot360, which offers driver-assist technologies like lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control. Cargo space is also competitive, with 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 65.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. Additionally, with a 5-star NHTSA safety rating, the Escape is practical and reliable, making it a strong contender in the compact SUV market.
Nissan Rogue
The Nissan Rogue is an SUV that fits pretty much any scenario. Powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, it delivers solid fuel economy, while its ProPILOT Assist system takes a bit of the stress out of stop-and-go traffic. The floating roof design and chiseled side panels enhance its sleek profile, while its sculpted hood and integrated rear spoiler add a sporty touch.
Chevrolet Equinox
The Chevrolet Equinox is your go-to favorite meal. Its design isn’t just about looks—it’s functional, too. With a low, wide stance, the SUV offers improved stability and handling. Inside, the Equinox focuses on comfort and versatility, boasting a spacious cabin with high-quality materials, intuitive controls, and a split folding rear seat for enhanced cargo space. It also has an optional panoramic sunroof, offering an open-air driving experience.
Volkswagen Tiguan
The Volkswagen Tiguan’s exterior features clean lines, a wide grille, and distinctive LED headlights that give it a bold, upscale look. The robust and muscular stance, combined with subtle curves, projects both elegance and capability. The 2024 Tiguan has 17- to 20-inch alloy wheels, adding to its dynamic presence on the road. Plus, its driving dynamics are refined, and with VW’s digital cockpit and intuitive infotainment system, the Tiguan is also a tech-savvy choice.
Jeep Cherokee
With a reputation for off-road capability, especially in its Trailhawk trim, the Jeep Cherokee is perfect for drivers who crave adventure but don’t want to sacrifice daily drivability. Various engine options, including a robust V6, ensure that the Cherokee can handle a range of terrains, from suburban streets to rocky trails. The Cherokee has various trims, including the Trailhawk, which has a more aggressive off-road-focused design featuring all-terrain tires, tow hooks, and skid plates.
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is a budget-friendly compact SUV with decent features and performance. With a sleek front fascia featuring a signature “Dynamic Shield” grille, the Outlander Sport combines rugged aesthetics with refined lines. Its compact size makes it ideal for city driving, but its bold, angular lines and high ground clearance give it a more aggressive stance, hinting at off-road capability. Further, the Outlander Sport’s design also gives it a sporty edge, and while the interior isn’t the most luxurious, it’s practical and straightforward.
Volvo XC40
Safety, thy name is Volvo XC40. Powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, the XC40 delivers a balance of performance and efficiency, achieving up to 30 mpg on the highway. The XC40 has Volvo’s signature safety features, including the IntelliSafe suite, which offers advanced driver assistance technologies like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist.
BMW X1
The BMW X1 brings all the premium feel of the BMW brand into a compact form. Launched in 2009, the latest generation (2023) features a robust 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, delivering 241 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft of torque and accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.2 seconds. Further, the vehicle’s all-wheel-drive system (xDrive) and the X1 offer excellent traction and stability, making it suitable for various driving conditions. Additionally, it has a strong rating, with standard advanced driver-assistance features like automatic emergency braking, making it a well-rounded choice in this segment.
Audi Q3
The Audi Q3 boasts a sleek, modern cabin with high-quality materials and cutting-edge tech, including Audi’s Virtual Cockpit. And let’s not forget the cargo space—plenty of room for your weekend shopping sprees or an impromptu trip to the mountains (you know, just in case). Plus, with its all-wheel-drive capability and excellent safety ratings, the Q3 is the luxury SUV that is always ready for adventure.
Mercedes-Benz GLA
The Mercedes-Benz GLA is a compact luxury SUV that combines the elegance of the Mercedes lineup with practicality for everyday adventures. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine pumps 221 horsepower and zips from 0 to 60 mph in about 5.4 seconds. Safety features like Active Brake Assist and blind-spot monitoring keep you safe while you show off your sweet ride.
Buick Encore GX
The Buick Encore GX may not be the first name you think of in compact SUVs, but it’s quietly making a case for itself as a stylish and practical option. A turbocharged 1.3-liter engine delivers a zippy 155 horsepower, making it perfect for darting in and out of traffic like a pro. Its fuel economy is nothing to scoff at, averaging about 30 mpg on the highway. It’s got many safety features, including lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking.
Mini Countryman
With a zippy turbocharged engine, the Mini Countryman zips from 0 to 60 mph in just over 6 seconds. Inside, the Countryman’s quirky design is packed with tech, including a snazzy infotainment system. And, with an all-wheel drive available, it’s perfect for tackling the urban jungle or a quick jaunt to the mountains for a weekend of “serious” hiking (or brunching).
GMC Terrain
A peppy 1.5-liter turbocharged engine powers the GMC Terrain and delivers about 170 horsepower. Inside, the Terrain boasts a spacious cabin with a user-friendly infotainment system, so you can navigate the maze of apps while pretending to pay attention to the road. Plus, with 29 cubic feet of cargo space (and even more with the back seats down), you can haul everything from groceries to that giant inflatable unicorn for the backyard pool party.
Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y should be on your radar if you’re looking for an all-electric compact SUV. With a mind-blowing 0 to 60 mph time of just 3.5 seconds in the Performance model, it’s like having a rollercoaster that you can drive to work. The interior? Think minimalistic chic with a giant touchscreen that controls everything, including the heated seats and your Spotify playlist.
Peugeot 3008
The Peugeot 3008 might not be as well-known in North America, but it’s a European favorite, and for good reason. Launched in 2008, this beauty has won numerous accolades, including the 2017 European Car of the Year award. With a snazzy exterior design that could make even a baguette feel underdressed, the 3008 offers a choice of efficient petrol and diesel engines alongside a hybrid variant that sips fuel like a delicate café au lait.
Renault Kadjar
Another European standout, the Renault Kadjar, offers a blend of style, comfort, and practicality. Launched in 2015, this compact crossover has become popular for those who want a vehicle that can tackle school runs and weekend getaways without looking too serious. With a bold design, the Kadjar offers a roomy interior with up to 1,478 liters of cargo space when the rear seats are folded down. Plus, with its impressive safety ratings and tech features, the Kadjar is like having a trusty sidekick on your daily adventures.
Skoda Karoq
Rounding out the list is the Skoda Karoq, a compact SUV that’s won plenty of fans across Europe for its practicality and value. With a spacious interior that can comfortably seat five (and their weekend luggage), the Karoq boasts an impressive boot capacity of up to 1,810 liters with the rear seats down. Also, powered by various engines, including fuel-efficient options, it sips petrol like a refined tea drinker. Plus, it comes loaded with tech, including an infotainment system smarter than most of us. The Karoq also features clever storage solutions, proving that good things come in well-organized packages.
12 Cars That Are Known for Their Unbreakable Reliability — They Just Don’t Quit
Reliability is a core feature that defines a vehicle. Over the last few decades, some vehicles have emerged as a reliable and durable option, standing out as workhorses that never quit. These vehicles not only prove themselves in terms of performance but transcend their role and become reliable partners, always fulfilling their role. Here are 12 Cars known for their unbreakable reliability.
12 Cars That Are Known for Their Unbreakable Reliability — They Just Don’t Quit
