Best Crossovers & Small SUVs: Although SUVs still dominate the market, 2022’s high gas and car costs made consumers opt for smaller, less expensive, and more fuel-efficient automobiles. Even if hybrid vehicles are more common than they used to be 25 years ago, the principles of physics still state that less weight and size results in less energy being used. In general, smaller machines cost less, and the least expensive SUVs available are subcompact ones.
As their sales have increased, so have the quality and diversity of models in this compact class. 2023, a brand-new Kia Niro will debut, replacing stale models like the Chevy Trax and Ford EcoSport. Toyota will also introduce a hybrid version of the 2022-model Corolla Cross in 2023. A few models have also grown in size. The 2023 version of Honda’s HR-V, once one of the finest tiny crossovers, is a small compact.
Despite being a broad term, we classify a “subcompact” SUV as no longer than 177 inches. Our list also includes models from 2022 and 2023 due to supply chain issues and late model switchovers, and certain 2022 model-year cars will continue to be sold for a little longer.
The issue of making what is little also excellent is highlighted by the fact that small and inexpensive cars sometimes sacrifice room, comfort, or functionality. What attributes does the tiniest subcompact require to appeal to buyers?
This list is based on the idea that things are intrinsically better when they are little. Customers in this market sector are searching for affordable, agile, and fuel-efficient vehicles, and “small” is a factor that cannot be eliminated from the equation. Subcompacts must wow prospective customers with a comfortable and feature-rich interior, pleasurable driving, essential standard safety equipment, and an appropriate luggage capacity to avoid the penalty-box dilemma, which is challenging for the smallest of cars.
We’ve come up with a not lengthy list, but several gems demonstrate that being small does not entail giving in to compromise and austerity.
2023 Volkswagen Taos
Price Starting From
$24,155
Volkswagen’s decision to remove the regular Golf from its U.S. portfolio in 2021 shocked fans of affordable, entertaining compact cars, but modern consumers choose crossovers far more often than hatchbacks. The Volkswagen Taos, a compact crossover targeted at the same customers, was created to step into the Golf’s enormous shoes. As it turns out, the chassis engineers and designers at V.W. put together a package that many people could find even more appealing and valuable than the Golf.
The Taos is heavier than the previous Golf and only has one engine, but it drives well enough to keep drivers entertained more than many of the little SUVs it competes with. The appearance is attractive, matching that of the bigger Tiguan and Atlas, and the inside seems premium and offers more space than most rivals. It boasts one of the most enormous rear seats in the group and is the class leader in cargo capacity, which is a tremendous plus for growing families.
Even with the available 4Motion all-wheel drive (AWD), the Taos does not attempt off-road capability and lacks a hybrid version. However, it consumes less gasoline and is more pleasant to drive than the Nissan Kicks or comparable non-hybrid mileage producers. Volkswagen has upgraded the Taos for its second year by including new features and essential safety equipment without substantially raising the price. We’d choose the AWD since it also has improved suspension for the car. The Taos outperforms most categories used to evaluate tiny crossovers, albeit not always at the top. Please read our review of the 2023 Volkswagen Taos
2023 Kia Seltos
Price Starting From
$22,840
The Seltos, a relatively recent entry in the subcompact sector, impressed crossover buyers when it made its debut in 2021 because of its excellent infotainment, precise handling, and optional turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, which it shares with the Hyundai Kona. With the back seats folding, this large-ish subcompact has the most overall cargo capacity on our list, and the passenger compartment is also relatively roomy.
Equipment is as well. All trims come equipped with all-wheel drive except for the (weirdly) second-lowest edge. A ton of safety equipment comes standard, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, driver attention warning, lane-follow assist, and front collision avoidance with pedestrian recognition and automatic braking. Additionally, the Seltos maintains its Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick ranking for 2023.
The only drawbacks of The Seltos are some annoying optioning limits. Only the Nightfall and Turbo levels may obtain the turbocharged engine that excites this SUV; the base three trims come with a sluggish 146-horsepower engine. As part of Kia’s advanced Highway Driving Assist technology, adaptive cruise control is only available on the top-of-the-line Turbo, costing nearly $30,000. For the Seltos S trim versions, Kia has, at the very least, increased safety technology. Please read our review 2023 Kia Seltos
2023 Kia Niro
Price Starting From
$26,490
The completely redesigned 2023 Kia Niro is a fantastic example of how to change anything effectively. The previous version, which lasted from 2017 to 2022, was kept mainly by the Korean carmaker but was given a much more fashionable exterior. It went from being a reasonably bland, maybe even dowdy, machine to one of the most stylish crossovers on the market in a single bound. Amazingly, it continued to improve its fuel economy while already being the highest-mpg SUV on the market.
It’s a stretch to refer to the new Niro as an “SUV” like the old one. It doesn’t pretend to be an off-road vehicle or to be able to pull, rather like a tall hatchback or wagon. However, the Niro excels where consumers genuinely care about interior space, cargo capacity, safety, and economy. However, few people choose the minorest crossovers for such features.
The Niro has enough back legroom and storage capacity thanks to its wagon-like dimensions (39.8 inches and 54.6 cubic feet in the standard hybrid). The rear seat is enormous, but the luggage room is slightly over average. It now has curb appeal because of the new “Aero blade” styling, and the inside is likewise rather contemporary. The new touchscreen controls may not be to everyone’s taste, but the Niro has a ton of in-car and active safety technology. The Niro is now a very tempting option, even though it would be an overachiever on MPG alone in the past. Read our review 2023, Kia Niro,
2023 Hyundai Kona
Price Starting From
$21,990
The Hyundai Kona is evidence that a subcompact crossover from a discount brand can succeed because of its agile handling and optional 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Additionally, it offers up to 32 combined mpg or 29 mpg with all-wheel drive. If that’s still not enough, the Kona N performance model has 276 horsepower but only manages 23 mpg on the highway.
The Kona is also available as an electric vehicle (E.V.), although, as of this writing, you can only purchase one in a few places if you don’t want to pay for petrol. This model’s beginning price for an all-electric SUV is a relatively low $35,245, which is less expensive than the electric Kia Niro’s $41,245 sticker price, as well as the prices of bigger E.V. crossovers like the Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.
The Kona is at the lower end of the subcompact scale and just 166 inches long, so there isn’t much room for cargo and the backseat passengers’ legs. However, the Kona makes up for its size with the breadth of its amenities thanks to a comprehensive basic feature set that includes a complete system of active-safety technology as well as optional extras uncommon in the sector like available rear seat-warmers, a wireless charging pad, and a digital gauge cluster. Read our review 2023, Hyundai Kona,
2022 Mazda CX-30
Price Starting From
$22,500
In 2020, the Mazda CX-30 swept the market and quickly replaced the CX-3, the company’s other compact crossover. The CX-30 used its internal space significantly better than its predecessors and was fresher and more fashionable. Although it still doesn’t have the roomiest interior or back seat, the CX-3’s 36.3 inches of rear legroom and 20.2 cubic feet of luggage capacity (compared to the CX-3’s 35 and 17.8) were significant upgrades. In addition to being more entertaining, the updated model was the first to offer Mazda’s 2.5-liter Turbo four as an option.
Although the CX-30’s 227 horsepower Turbo makes it one of the priciest cars on our list, because of its sporty performance, it can compete with high-end crossovers like the BMW X2 and Mercedes-Benz GLA, which are much more costly to begin with. However, every CX-30 is enjoyable to drive, and even the basic model has 186 horsepower, significantly increasing over some of the other base models in this class. All-wheel drive is standard, and the responsive chassis and enjoyable driving characteristics remain.
The compact Mazda has a premium-looking design and high-quality materials, which makes it feel better inside than other inexpensive small crossovers. Although the bizarre click-wheel infotainment system irks us, you get accustomed to it after a week or two, and, unlike some standard touchscreens, it isn’t challenging to use while driving. The CX-30 has a lot of positive qualities to promote it despite its average fuel economy. Please read our review of the Mazda CX-30
2022 Jeep Compass
Price Starting From
$26,785
The Jeep Compass resembles a smaller Grand Cherokee and can back up its macho exterior. As an example? We recently enjoyed riding a Compass Trailhawk across miles of icy forest trails in Washington State. The Trailhawk never missed a beat. The 22 Compass’s new interior and infotainment system make it a considerably more pleasant environment to spend time inside than earlier generations.
Because of supply chain concerns, the 2022 Compass is still being sold in 2023 and will likely stay on the lot until spring. A new 200-horsepower engine will be added to the 2023 model, addressing one of our primary concerns about the Compass: driving is pretty uninteresting when you aren’t on the trail. Additionally, the new model will discontinue the front-wheel drive options, although, for now, you may still purchase one of the less expensive front-drive Compasses. However, none of the standard versions will provide you with as much off-road equipment as the Trailhawk.
The Compass underwent significant improvements in 2022, including advancements in infotainment, standard safety technology, and interior styling. It still falls short in refinement and fuel efficiency, and the finest models are quite a bit more expensive than some of the other cars on our list. Ford’s Bronco Sport is more powerful and equally challenging. But given how soon the 2023 model will be available, it’s feasible that such model-year-end bargains may emerge. Please read our review of the Jeep Compass
2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price Starting From
$21,800
Midway through the 2000s, the Chevrolet Trailblazer was a midsize, V8-powered SUV. In 2021, the bowtie brand returned the name for this small vehicle. The fact that it offers almost as much rear room as Chevrolet’s current midsize Blazer and more than the previous midsize version may surprise you. It’s one of the roomiest compact crossovers on the market, with lots of front and back legroom and 39.4 inches of rear legroom. However, trunk capacity is average.
The Trailblazer has a comfy interior and an attractive exterior with available bright, gorgeous colors. It’s affordable to purchase as well. However, it would be best to be cautious with your selections since Chevy sometimes charges extra for additional equipment or only offers them on higher-level trims (adaptive cruise control, as on the Kia Seltos, is only available on top levels). Although it isn’t nearly the best in class and falls well short of hybrids like the Niro, the Trailblazer also achieves excellent fuel efficiency.
It lacks power since none of its two three-cylinder, 1.2 or 1.3-liter engines provide a lot of zip. The Trailblazer is still a good option if you require passenger accommodation and want a stylish, hassle-free people mover. Notably, despite having such unimpressive engines, the Trailblazer still outperforms several of its competitors, namely the Toyota Corolla Cross, in terms of performance and driving manners. Please read our review of the Chevrolet Trailblazer
2023 Kia Soul
Price Starting From
$19,790
The Soul is the only surviving member of the 2000s box-crossover trend (remember the Nissan Cube and Scion xB?) and has endured as a sensible, cost-effective solution for those needing transport equipment. With a starting price of only $20,545, it costs just $300 more than a standard Hyundai Venue, but it has a substantially roomier interior and 62.1 cubic feet of total cargo capacity. A vibrant, 201-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine was offered until this year, but Kia has discontinued it due to limited demand. Thankfully, the leftover 147 horsepower non-turbo four is perfect for commuting.
Although the Soul had a significant makeover in 2019, it has been around for a long, and the interior style is beginning to seem dated. The Soul still lacks basic active-safety technology at the lowest trim, despite Kia guessing it with unique finish textures and hues and contemporary extras like an optional wireless charging pad and heads-up display. Sadly, the Soul doesn’t come with an all-wheel drive option, but it also has a top price of around $25,000, making all models affordable. Please read our review of the Kia Soul
2023 Subaru Crosstrek
Price Starting From
$23,645
The Subaru Crosstrek, a raised and stricter version of the Japanese automaker’s Impreza hatchback, offers several benefits that its lower-riding sister does not. This is a competent off-road vehicle with 8.7 inches of ground clearance and Subaru’s cutting-edge all-wheel drive technology. It will take you to most places a Forester would go while using less petrol. It is still available with a manual gearbox, although it requires giving up some better amenities and active safety measures. However, Crosstrek’s luggage room is a little on the limited side because it resembles a car but is competitive.
The Crosstrek is not a very good performer on pavement, but it makes a fantastic commuting car and even has an (expensive) plug-in hybrid option. The Crosstrek also comes with Subaru’s EyeSight safety package, which includes blind spot monitoring, lane departure alerts, adaptive cruise control with lane centering, and more if you choose an automatic transmission (as more than 90% of purchasers do). Fortunately, apart from the Crosstrek, it’s also not pricey, with all trims save for the PHEV topping out around $30,000 for the base model.
The Crosstrek’s interior is a bit old, and the infotainment system is only offered on base versions. Additionally, manuals are only available with the weakest engines, which is another drawback. This year’s summer sales may also occur since a new model is anticipated in 2024. Please read our review of the Subaru Crosstrek
2023 Ford Bronco Sport
Price Starting From
$29,215
The Ford Bronco Sport is a compact, cost-conscious alternative to its larger, full-size sibling, the Bronco, despite sometimes being mistaken for it. It has numerous similarities to the bigger vehicle, including this year’s Heritage unique versions based on Broncos from the 1960s. The Bronco Sport, however, is a compact crossover well-suited for off-road exploration and practical minor family driving.
The highest two trim levels, Badlands and Heritage Limited, employ a 250-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, while most Bronco Sports are equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-three with 181 horsepower. All of them are good off-roaders and come with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and all four wheels as standard. The Bronco Sport could be the most off-road competent SUV on our list, yet it doesn’t lose on-road comfort or composure. It’s light and responsive, like a mountain goat.
The Sport’s pricing is a drawback. Although it is almost the same size as the Chevy Trailblazer, the Ford Escape, which is bigger and roughly the same size as a Honda CR-V, costs more and has less inside space. The highest trims in this class are likewise quite pricey, with the top model Hyundai Venue costing almost twice as much as the basic trim. Although the Bronco Sprot costs much less than the vast Bronco, it nevertheless delivers a lot of skill and coolness. Please read our review of the Ford Bronco Sport
2023 Hyundai Venue
Price Starting From
$19,500
The Hyundai Venue is the smallest SUV available in the U.S., measuring 159 inches long. But don’t be fooled by its small size; inside, it has generous seating and an unexpectedly spacious cabin ambiance because of its towering, upright greenhouse. The Venue is the least expensive crossover on our list, with a starting price of only $20,795, including destination. It offers excellent value thanks to stylistic elements from the pricier Palisade and a comprehensive array of included driver assistance.
The Venue’s non-turbocharged 1.6L 4-cylinder, which also accounts for its excellent fuel economy—31 mpg combined—is its primary drawback. On the interstate, it may seem underpowered. The Venue is best used as an urban runabout because of its low weight and short wheelbase, which may make it feel a touch squirmy at highway speeds. It joins the Nissan Kicks as the only SUV without an all-wheel drive option, which is unfortunate since it eliminates it from consideration for specific SUV buyers. Please read our review of Hyundai Venue
2023 Mini Countryman
Price Starting From
$29,600
The Mini Countryman, which was developed more than ten years ago to provide Mini enthusiasts with expanding families with a bigger car to trade up to, is the brand’s second-best seller after the Cooper hardtop and the most upscale subcompact crossover on the market. The Countryman maintains the same highly customizable interior and exterior with an armada of customization possibilities (albeit many will cost you). Still, it delivers a taller and chunkier rendition of the hardtop’s classic aesthetics with much greater luggage and passenger room.
Although it isn’t nearly as thrilling to drive as the smaller Minis, it is one of the most sporty compact crossovers (apart from the Hyundai Kona N) and also provides all-wheel drive as an option, which is absent from the Mini Hardtop. A variety of engines are available, including the teeny 1.5-liter, 134-horsepower three-cylinder, the 2.0-liter, 189-horsepower four, the ferocious 2.0, and the only PHEV offered by Mini, which combines the 1.5 with an 87-horsepower electric motor.
The basic Countryman misses several amenities that come standard on the Kona and Seltos, but it does give a luxury experience if you add upgrades. Additionally, it only uses premium gas.
2022 Nissan Kicks
Price Starting From
$19,990
The Nissan Kicks, marketed as a stylish urban runabout, had a significant update last year that enhanced its infotainment system. The Kicks is a winner for people seeking point-to-point transportation without feeling imprisoned in a penalty box thanks to its clean cabin and simple controls, plus perks like an optional 360-degree overhead camera and headrest-mounted speakers. Furthermore, despite the Kicks’ tiny size, the interior seems spacious for passengers. However, along with the miniature Venue, its hold has the least cargo capacity on our list, with 32.3 cubic feet of the general area.
The Kicks’ other drawbacks include the lack of an all-wheel drive option and its anemic 4-cylinder paired with a laborious continuously variable automatic gearbox (CVT), which is not the most excellent way to maximize its meager 122 horsepower. The EPA predicts that this engine will achieve 33 mpg combined, the most you can get without switching to a hybrid. This is about the one redeeming grace of this powertrain.
2023 Buick Encore G.X.
Price Starting From
$24,400
The Buick Encore G.X. is an odd vehicle since it replaces the earlier Encore that wasn’t a G.X. and was still available until the autumn of 2022. The updated G.X., which has a considerably more contemporary look, was released in 2020 and hasn’t been altered much. Even while it maintains the same tall-and-tiny silhouette, it has a finer design than its predecessor, resulting in a surprisingly big interior for such a compact computer. The inside is also better than most cars in its class, although it doesn’t feel as luxurious as the Mazda CX-30 or the BMW X1.
The Encore G.X. has two economical three-cylinder engines: a 1.2-liter unit that produces 137 horsepower as standard and a 1.3-liter version that makes 155. Both machines are connected to a continuously variable automatic gearbox (CVT), which drives the front wheels. Unexpectedly, Buick offers all-wheel drive (AWD), and despite its $2,000 price tag, we strongly advise it. The AWD variants of the Encore G.X. get a considerably superior nine-speed automatic gearbox even though it is not an off-roader. Although not many come as standard, the G.X. has a lot of excellent amenities to offer without breaking the budget. Please read our review of Buick Encore G.X.
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross
Price Starting From
$22,445
The Toyota Corolla Cross, which will debut in 2022, borrows its well-known moniker from the standard Corolla, with which it shares both a base and its only engine, a 2.0-liter four with 169 horsepower. It has some presence and is one of the larger vehicles on our list, being longer overall than the Seltos or the Trailblazer. It wraps its SUV design in attractive, though not incredibly unique, aesthetics. It gets a better gas economy than usual despite its size.
It is also inexpensive to purchase, with prices beginning at about $24,000 and going no higher than $28,000, and it is put together with the usual Toyota standards of quality. Unfortunately, some of its other characteristics fall short of the grandeur of the Corolla. Even by the low means of the non-turbo Kia Soul, it’s sluggish, loud, unrefined, and not particularly enjoyable to drive. Additionally, it doesn’t use all the sheet metal effectively since the Hyundai Venue has the smallest rear seat of any of these SUVs.
Don’t seek fun here; the Corolla Cross looks respectable, and you know it will endure. Additionally, a more potent (and efficient) hybrid version, which should start showing up in the spring of 2023, is something to look forward to. Please read our review of the Toyota Corolla Cross
2023 Jeep Renegade
Price Starting From
$31,590
With its cute baby Jeep styling, the Renegade is endearing yet masculine at the same time. However, underneath its cartoonish exterior is some natural off-road prowess, especially in Trailhawk trim, with its class-leading ground clearance and selection of terrain settings for navigating different sorts of rough terrain. With 50.8 cubic feet of luggage capacity when the back seats are folded flat, the Renegade’s large, boxy interior provides reasonable interior comfort and plenty of space for goods.
Although the Renegade may be the best subcompact for camping, its outdated 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine limits it. It offers mediocre fuel economy and gutless performance, achieving just 27 mpg combined in a segment where many competitors have reached 30 mpg and only 24 mpg combined in Trailhawk form.
It costs a lot even in normal circumstances; the starting price of $25,790 from last year is towards the top of our list, even without the all-wheel drive option. Jeep intends to reduce the number of models in its portfolio and make four-wheel drive standards by 2023, although the costs haven’t been disclosed yet. According to our research, the Renegade balances out since it is one of the few available markup-free SUVs.
Our subcompact SUVs and crossovers were arranged according to their features, cost, and overall value. Each SUV must be no more than 177 inches long to be eligible for the list since vehicles longer than that are subcompact SUVs rather than compact SUVs. Base pricing couldn’t go beyond $35,000, please. In 2022 and 2023, the grading system increased from five to seven classes. As a result, the exact vehicle may receive somewhat different ratings between these two years.
Performance
A vehicle’s handling, braking, acceleration, ride quality, and other qualitative performance metrics, including horsepower, torque, zero-to-60 time, and peak speed, are all evaluated subjectively to get the Performance score. The capacity of trucks and SUVs to tow is also taken into account. The cars’ performance is contrasted with the specified competitive set. When reviewing a vehicle while driving, experts look for characteristics that align with customer and manufacturer expectations.
Fuel efficiency
The Fuel Economy score is determined by comparing the estimated combined mpg for every car in the lineup to the selected competitive set. If no EPA figures are available, the manufacturer’s mpg estimations are used instead. If the competitor set does not additionally offer hybrid or PHEV models, hybrid and plug-in electric variations within a lineup that considerably lower their total average will not be included in the comparison. Pure electric cars will be scored based on the comparative mile per gallon equivalent, or MPGe, and the kilowatts spent per 100 miles.
Safety
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash test data form the basis of the Safety score. Neither agency has yet to rate a vehicle. Thus, it receives no points. The safety ranking also includes points given for cutting-edge driver-assistance safety technologies that come as standard on the lowest trim. Nine safety features must be offered as standard equipment: automatic high beams, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward emergency automatic braking, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, or one of its higher-level variants, lane keeping assistance, or lane centering. For vehicles to gain points, they must include at least four in their regular offering. An extra issue is available for cars with Level 2 self-driving technology, combining adaptive cruise control and lane centering.
Infotainment
The infotainment score is calculated based on points for certain elements included as standard equipment on the basic trim. Outlines characteristics that are becoming increasingly popular and have been adopted by high-end and mass-market manufacturers. Some features include a minimum 7-inch touchscreen, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a customizable digital driver information display or instrument panel, and at least 2 USB ports. Premium vehicles may also use a rotary knob, touchpad, or other control method to operate a non-touchscreen display. Popular technologies like wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless charging capabilities that haven’t been extensively implemented in mainstream automobiles are given extra points.
Comfort and Space
The comfort, ergonomics, general interior feel of the vehicle, and efficient use of space are all considered when determining the Comfort & Room score. Rear seat legroom measurement and comparison to the specified competitive set are also given points. A bonus point is awarded to vehicles with the most legroom in their category, whether in the optional third row or the rear seats.
Storage and Cargo Space
The score for cargo space and storage is determined by the reviewer’s evaluation of the vehicle’s big and small cargo areas (as well as small-item storage) and how effectively they fulfill their intended functions and efficiently use available space. Reviewers also take into account versatile loading options and creative storage solutions. Also, points are given based on how the rear cargo hold or trunk’s measures relate to the selected competitive set. A bonus point is awarded to vehicles with the most significant cargo or trunk capacity in their category.
Styling
The Performance score is a judgment of a car’s overall interior and exterior appearance and design. Reviewers also consider how the interior is organized and how effectively the design supports the purpose. A factor is the build quality.
