Compact SUVs typically return good fuel economy, seat five adults, and can be equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD). We rank the best affordable compact SUVs.
1. 2025 Mazda CX-5
- Price: $28,570
- Pros: Great performance, elegant design, reliability
- Cons: So-so fuel economy and interior space
This Mazda’s lively performance will put a smile on any buyer’s face. The CX-5 is also notable for its upmarket interior, which has a near-luxury feel thanks to top-flight materials and chic styling. A long list of standard driver aids enhances this SUV’s value proposition. There are a couple of weaknesses to be aware of: This Mazda has less cargo room than many SUVs in its class, and there is less backseat legroom than some rivals.
2. 2025 Honda CR-V
- Price: $30,100
- Pros: Roomy cabin, ample cargo capacity, impressive gas mileage
- Cons: Underwhelming transmission, not much in-cabin storage for smaller items
Many buyers flock to SUVs for their roomy accommodations, and the Honda CR-V shines in that department. The front seats offer abundant headroom and legroom, and the rear seats have enough space for adults to stretch their legs. The rear seats also recline, allowing passengers to get comfortable on longer trips. The CR-V has more cargo space than most rivals, providing 76.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Drivers who want to save at the pump will love this SUV’s fuel economy. Hybrid models are rated up to 40 mpg in combined driving. The CR-V has a couple of weaknesses to consider. Its transmission can be noisy and sluggish, and there isn’t much in-cabin storage room for smaller items.
3. 2025 Kia Sportage
- Price: $27,190
- Pros: Lots of cargo room, spacious backseat, premium cabin
- Cons: Lackluster base engine, small standard touchscreen
Generous cargo room is a hallmark of the Kia Sportage. Conventional and hybrid versions offer 74 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Sportage’s cabin is also more upscale than one might expect, given its price. The design is chic, and the materials are of superior quality. This SUV misses the mark in a couple of areas. Its base gas-powered engine is underwhelming, with languid acceleration, and the standard 8-inch touchscreen is tiny. We recommend upgrading to the optional 12.3-inch version.
4. 2024 Toyota RAV4
- Price: $28,675
- Pros: Generous cargo room, smooth ride, spacious cabin, excellent fuel economy
- Cons: Noisy engine
Buyers will appreciate the exceptional fuel economy the Toyota RAV4 offers. The RAV4 Hybrid and RAV4 Prime offer big savings at the pump, and even the gas-only powertrain earned excellent mileage ratings. This SUV’s gentle ride makes it a pleasant fit for workday commutes and long road trips, and the roomy cabin has adult-friendly seats in both rows. Cargo room is also exceptional, with 37.6 cubic feet of space behind the backseat in all versions except the RAV4 Prime. The RAV4 does fall short in a couple of areas. Its gas engine can be raucous, especially when you’re going heavy on the throttle, and a fair amount of road and wind noise enters the cabin.
5. 2025 Hyundai Tucson
- Price: $28,605
- Pros: Long list of standard features, relaxed ride, excellent warranty, diverse powertrains
- Cons: Rival hybrids deliver better gas mileage, lackluster base-engine acceleration
The Hyundai Tucson is built for drivers seeking a small, capable SUV. Its relaxed ride makes it comfortable for the daily commute. This SUV also impresses with its long list of standard equipment and comes with one of the best warranties in the business. This SUV falls short in several areas. The base engine’s acceleration is languid; rivals have peppier base powertrains. Also, while the hybrid and plug-in hybrid deliver strong fuel efficiency compared with the gas-only version, their mileage is only so-so compared with other hybrids.
6. 2025 Mazda CX-50
- Price: $30,300
- Pros: Lively handling, standard AWD, upscale cabin, gorgeous paint job
- Cons: Less cargo room than competitors, firm ride, slow acceleration, pricey
The Mazda CX-50 is a strong contender for drivers who want an upscale, fun-to-drive SUV. Its standard all-wheel drive (AWD) provides extra traction on slick roads. This Mazda also impresses with its premium cabin, featuring one of the most upmarket interiors in its class. Its handsome design cues and high-quality materials enhance its appeal. The CX-50 is an excellent pick for drivers who value sporty handling. It’s agile and responsive, with sharp reflexes and quick acceleration. However, this Mazda lags the pack when it comes to cargo capacity, and its ride favors sportiness over comfort, so it’s not the smoothest-riding SUV in its class.
7. 2025 Subaru Forester
- Price: $29,695
- Pros: Spacious cabin, standard AWD, good for light to moderate off-roading, impressive fuel economy
- Cons: Rivals have larger standard touchscreens, below-average towing power
The Subaru Forester is a great choice for drivers seeking a well-rounded, fuel-efficient compact SUV. The Forester is built for light- to moderate off-roading, thanks to standard AWD and above-average ground clearance. This Subie also treats passengers to a spacious cabin comfortable enough for pleasant commutes and road trips. The Forester can also save you money on gas, with EPA ratings as high as 29 mpg in combined driving. There are a couple of shortcomings to be aware of. The Forester tows just 1,500 pounds, and its standard touchscreen measures just 7 inches. Competitors’ base models offer bigger screens.
8. 2025 Ford Escape
- Price: $28,150
- Pros: Spacious seats, intuitive interior controls, user-friendly tech features
- Cons: Subpar interior materials, dull handling, lethargic base engine, competitors offer more cargo space
The Ford Escape is for drivers seeking a small but roomy gas-sipping SUV. The Escape’s powertrain options are diverse, making it easy for drivers to find a setup that suits their preferences. Whether you’re looking for a gas-engine SUV or one with hybrid or plug-in hybrid capability, the Escape has a model for you. Gas mileage in hybrid and plug-in hybrid models is excellent, and this SUV delivers a pleasant ride. The cabin is roomy, too, with enough space in both rows to seat adults comfortably. The Escape does fall short in a couple of areas. While the optional powertrains are capable, the base engine is underpowered on the highway. Also, cabin materials are inconsistent and unimpressive.
9. 2025 Chevrolet Equinox
- Price: $28,600
- Pros: Smooth ride, solid fuel economy, spacious cabin
- Cons: Underwhelming powertrain, rivals have sportier handling
The Chevrolet Equinox is a solid choice for drivers seeking a capable commuter. The Equinox offers a smooth ride and a spacious cabin. This Chevy offers respectable room for family travel, with comfortable accommodations for adults in the front row and a backseat that can comfortably accommodate teens and adults. The Equinox earns up to 27 mpg in combined driving. This SUV does need to catch up in a couple of places. Its engine is adequate for city driving but sluggish on the highway. Other vehicles in this class have more energetic powertrains. Rivals also have more engaging handling.
10. 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV
- Price: $41,900
- Pros: Competitive driving range, solid fuel economy, impressive standard features
- Cons: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto unavailable, rivals have more engaging handling
EV shoppers care about driving range, and the Equinox EV delivers. The FWD Equinox EV travels up to 319 miles on a full charge, while AWD versions can travel 285 miles between charges. The Equinox boasts superb fuel efficiency, earning an EPA-estimated 108 mpg-equivalent combined city/highway. Chevy equips the Equinox EV with several appealing standard features. However, there are also a couple of shortcomings to keep in mind. This EV doesn’t offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Also, rivals have more engaging handling.
11. 2025 Buick Envision
- Price: $36,500
- Pros: Serene cabin, comfortable ride, upmarket amenities, standard AWD
- Cons: Tight cargo area, rivals have more upscale cabins
The Buick Envision is a small, comfortable SUV with upmarket amenities. The Envision’s standard AWD makes it a good choice for drivers who regularly travel in rain and snow. The Envision also impresses with its smooth ride. Passengers will also appreciate this Buick’s serene interior, which features effective sound insulation to keep wind and road noise from disturbing the cabin. Buick equips the Envision with numerous upscale standard amenities. However, there are a couple of deficits to consider. The Envision has a mediocre 25.2 cubic feet of space with all seats in place. Other SUVs in its class have more room for your belongings. Also, rivals have more deluxe cabins than this Buick.
12. 2025 Ford Bronco Sport
- Price: $29,995
- Pros: Highly capable off-road, intuitive interior design, punchy turbo-4 engine, distinctive exterior design
- Cons: Tight backseat, less cargo space than competitors, sow-quality interior materials, rivals are more enjoyable to drive
The Bronco Sport features great off-roading capability, an available turbocharged engine, easy-to-use controls, and distinctive exterior styling. However, it trails its rivals in passenger space, cargo capacity, fuel economy, and handling capability. The back seat is tight, with just 36.9 inches of rear legroom. It also has below-average cargo space, totaling 65.2 cubic feet. The Bronco Sport is rated at up to 26 mpg combined, less efficient than some competitors.
13. 2025 Dodge Hornet
- Price: $31,585
- Pros: Robust powertrains, sporty handling, standard AWD, many standard amenities
- Cons: Rivals cost less, mediocre cargo room, irritating rumble when idling
The Dodge Hornet is a compact SUV with engaging handling. The Hornet’s responsive driving dynamics make it an enjoyable partner for daily driving, and both available powertrains help this SUV accelerate quickly. Every Hornet has AWD, which provides extra traction in rain and snow, as well as numerous other standard features. There are a couple of weaknesses to consider: Cargo capacity is mediocre, and the Hornet costs more than many of its competitors.
14. 2025 Nissan Rogue
- Price: $29,230
- Pros: Fantastic ride, quiet cabin, ample cargo space, impressive fuel economy
- Cons: Pricey, cramped cockpit, rival models have livelier base engines, wind and road noise at higher speeds
The Nissan Rogue is a good choice for drivers who need a small SUV with superb comfort and ample cargo room. This SUV gets better gas mileage than most picks in its class, rating up to 33 mpg in combined driving. The Rogue also has more cargo room than many competitors, with 74.1 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded. The cabin offers plenty of room for passengers, and the backseat provides enough space for adults. In addition, the Rogue’s seats are exceptionally comfortable and long-lasting, inspired by NASA’s Zero Gravity technology. There are a couple of shortcomings to keep in mind. While this Nissan’s power is adequate, rivals offer livelier engine choices. Also, there’s noticeable wind and road noise in the cabin while driving on the highway.
15. 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan
- Price: $28,880
- Pros: Five or seven seats, deluxe cabin, ample cargo room
- Cons: Lackluster engine, distracting infotainment system
The Tiguan is an excellent choice for drivers who need a small SUV that can shuttle a lot of people. This VW impresses with its posh cabin, showcasing refined styling and top-notch materials. The Tiguan delivers composed handling and a smooth ride. However, its engine feels weak, and it doesn’t deliver good fuel economy. While rivals offer 200+ horsepower and hybrid options, the Tiguan has no available engine upgrades.
16. 2024 GMC Terrain
- Price: $28,700
- Pros: Spacious cabin, cushioned ride, assertive exterior design
- Cons: Rivals have nicer cabins, tepid acceleration
The GMC Terrain is a good choice for buyers seeking a small SUV with a roomy cabin and smooth ride. The Terrain proves that small SUVs can be big enough to seat passengers in comfort. Both rows have lots of space to stretch out, plus ample head and legroom. This SUV’s suspension is tuned for comfort, making daily commutes more pleasant. The Terrain is also a good choice for drivers wanting a bold exterior design. Its broad-shouldered stance and blocky sheet metal give it a more assertive appearance than many other SUVs. The Terrain isn’t perfect, though; it falls short in a couple of areas. First, its acceleration is underwhelming, and with only one available engine, there’s no opportunity to make it better. Also, this SUV’s cabin is underwhelming, with so-so materials. Other SUVs in its class have nicer interiors.
17. 2024 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
- Price: $26,345
- Pros: Affordable, strong fuel economy
- Cons: Outdated cabin, tight cargo room
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is one of the most affordable choices in the compact SUV class, making it an excellent pick for car shoppers on a tight budget. Fuel economy is also decent, at an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in combined driving. Mitsubishi equips the Eclipse Cross with many standard features, which is impressive given its low price. There are a couple of drawbacks to be aware of. The Eclipse Cross offers less cargo space than other SUVs in its class, and its cabin design is outdated. Rivals have more modern interiors.
18. 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander
- Price: $28,395
- Third Row: Optional
- Pros: Seven seats, many standard features, ample cargo room, Hybrid is a very quiet cabin when running on electricity
- Cons: Lackluster base engine, tight third row, hybrid is expensive compared to competitors
The Mitsubishi Outlander is a compact, three-row SUV for drivers seeking a small SUV with comfortable handling and lots of cabin space. Mitsubishi equips the Outlander with numerous standard features. However, this SUV falls short in a couple of areas: Acceleration is languid, and while it’s great to have the versatility of a third row, there’s not a lot of space for passengers.
19. 2025 Mini Cooper Countryman
- Price: $38,900
- Pros: Fun to drive
- Cons: Frustrating infotainment controls, expensive
The Cooper Countryman reflects Mini’s unique style signature. Its headlights are bug-eyed and cheerful, and the overall design is rich with 1960s nostalgia. The cabin continues the exterior’s look, matching upbeat styling cues with high-quality materials. This SUV’s biggest draw is its handling. It’s an agile and responsive partner for daily driving. Though easily one of the most fun-to-drive options in its class, there are a couple of shortcomings to consider. This SUV’s base engine is underwhelming. The Countryman is also one of the more expensive models in its class.
20. 2025 Jeep Compass
- Price: $25,900
- Pros: Spacious cabin, useful cargo capacity, off-road-friendly Trailhawk trim, attractive standard features
- Cons: Noisy engine, disappointing outward visibility
The Jeep Compass is for drivers seeking a small SUV with ample room for passengers and cargo. Considering its small footprint, the Compass has more passenger room than one might expect. This SUV also offers impressive cargo capacity: 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the backseat, expanding to 59.8 cubic feet with those seats lowered. Jeep equips the Compass with numerous standard features. However, this Jeep’s engine is noisy, and outward visibility is less than ideal.
21. 2024 BMW X2
- Price: $42,450
- Pros: Stylish new exterior and interior, nimble handling, sportier M35i trim, standard AWD
- Cons: High price, complex infotainment array, firm ride
The BMW X2 is for drivers seeking a small, stylish SUV with a roomy cabin. Drivers who frequently travel in wet or snowy weather will appreciate the X2’s standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The X2 offers a roomy cabin. The backseat is comfortable, although the X2’s sloping roofline eats away some headroom. This BMW has better gas mileage than many rivals, earning up to 28 mpg in combined driving. There are some shortcomings to consider. Other SUVs in this class have a gentler ride. And the X2 costs more than many of its competitors.
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