Best Compact SUVs
The compact SUV class of car is one the biggest sellers in the automotive world. Combining the handling and efficiency of a hatchback but raising the ride height of a larger SUV gives you the perfect urban vehicle for the modern road.
1. Honda CR-V
Honda’s reputation for reliability and well-rounded vehicles is shown through its iconic CR-V compact SUV. This SUV caters to many different owners, as it's great for solo drivers or a family that wants to go on adventures.
The CR-V has a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four that makes 190 horsepower mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It is available as a front-wheel drive option or an all-wheel drive spec. There is also the CR-V Hybrid option.
The CR-V has great interior roominess, providing generous cargo capacity and comfortable seating for up to five adults. It also has an infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen as standard, with higher trims offering navigation and a premium audio system.
The CR-V comes with Honda’s suite of safety features, known as Honda Sensing, which is standard across all trims. It includes collision mitigation braking, adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist.
2. Mazda CX-50
The Mazda CX-50 is one of the best compact SUVs money can buy, with its sophisticated looks, premium material options and great performance. Its sporty road handling and driving dynamic make it a rare vehicle in the compact SUV class.
You can opt to get the Mazda CX-50 with two different motors and a Toyota hybrid system, which is on the way. Currently, the two engine options come with a 2.5-liter inline-four with the option of having a turbo added for extra power.
Both engines are paired to a six-speed automatic transmission with all-wheel drive. The vehicle also has advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking.
3. Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 was one of the first compact SUVs on the market and has stayed dominant ever since it appeared. The reputation it has earned for its reliability, great performance, fuel efficiency and practicality makes it a great choice for anyone who wants an SUV.
The RAV4 has a 2.5-liter inline-four engine that makes a respectable 203 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic transmission. All RAV4s come with front-wheel drive as standard, but the higher trim models can be specced to have all-wheel drive.
You can also get the RAV4 Hybrid model with the same fuel engine but adding the electrical motor and battery system. This means you get more power at 219 horsepower, better fuel efficiency and all-wheel drive as standard on this model.
4. Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester is the perfect compact SUV for the person who wants a vehicle that looks good, handles well and can tackle almost any obstacle you can find with ease. The boxer motor's classic “subie rumble" is also a bonus for this SUV.
The Forester's rugged capabilities come from its great powertrain. This comprises the 2.5-liter boxer four motor and the world-renowned all-wheel drive system. Plus, it has an impressive ground clearance height of 8.7 inches, making it great at offroading.
Besides its performance, the Forester has a spacious interior that offers great visibility due to its large windows and high seating position, which is great for offroading. Subaru’s EyeSight driver assistance technology, which has adaptive cruise control, is also standard.
5. Hyundai Tucson
The current generation of Hyundai, like the Tucson, has become a great vehicle choice. With the brand's feature-rich trim options, stylish and bold looks, great performance and decent price, a Hyundai is a great choice for a car.
The Tucson follows the new Hyundai philosophy with its bold design and cutting-edge technology, which makes it a great choice as a daily compact SUV for you and your family.
The Tucson has a 2.5-liter inline-four motor that makes 187 horsepower and a standard eight-speed automatic. You can equip your Tucson with front-wheel or all-wheel drive, or you can opt for the hybrid version, which makes 231 horsepower.
You also get a great safety system called Hyundai’s SmartSense, which includes systems like forward collision-avoidance assist and blind-spot monitoring.
Unbeatable Compact SUVs
Whether you want to get into a new Mazda CX-50 or look at a Honda CR-V, there are many great choices to look at for when you want to get your next small SUV, which can outperform so many other vehicles with its versatility.
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