SUVs

Best compact SUVs and crossovers for 2024: Everyday all-rounders

William Irvin Lewis

MotorTrend

With over a dozen similar-feeling options for small SUVs, finding the best compact crossover SUV for your needs requires some care and attention. That’s where our ratings come in, helping to separate the wheat from the chaff and get you into the top all-around small SUV for you. We’ve looked at the following SUVs in terms of safety, performance, fuel efficiency, interior comfort and more to give overall ratings and recommendations on what’s right for you depending on your priorities and budget. Don’t hesitate to take our Car Match system for a quick spin to bolster your findings, otherwise, here are the best overall small SUVs.

14. 2024 GMC Terrain | MT Score 7.5

Despite good looks and minor improvements, the 2024 GMC Terrain remains a middling choice overall. GMC as a brand promises an upscale, premium experience that the Terrain doesn't quite deliver on, instead offering what one of our editors termed " Walmart luxury." The actual quality of interior materials is fine, but design is muted to the point of being bland. Upsides of the Terrain include some solid standard features such as Apple CarPlay. Overall, however, you'd likely be better off in a cheaper Equinox.

14. 2024 GMC Terrain | Pros, cons and specs

Price: $30,095
Engine: 1.5L 175-hp/203 lb-ft turbo I-4
EPA Fuel Econ (city/hwy/comb): 23-24/28-29/25-26 mpg
Cargo Space (seats up/down): 29.6/63.3 cu ft

13. 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan | MT Score 7.5

After a recent refresh, the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan has more useful traits than ever. Yet it still doesn't necessarily have the value, features, or style to make it stand out in a packed field. That said, the Tiguan is VW's bestseller for good reasons. The Tiguan has adaptive cruise control and a lane keeping system on the trim just above the base model. Additionally, the crossover is larger than its direct competitors while smaller than the midsize crossovers in the next size class up, though that extra size is better utilized by cargo space than the available third row of seating, which is exceptionally tight. While the Tiguan doesn't necessarily stand out, it does have the space, safety tech and general competency to offer a good overall small SUV option.

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12. 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan | Pros, cons and specs

Price: $30,305
Engine: 2.0L 184-hp/221lb-ft turbo I-4
EPA Fuel Econ (city/hwy/comb): 22-24/29-31/24-27 mpg
Cargo Space (seats up/down): 12.0/65.3 cu ft

12. 2024 Chevrolet Equinox | MT Score 7.6

In many ways the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox is the poster child of the extreme popularity of compact crossovers, for better and worse. Engineering wise, the Equinox is… fine. The engine lacks power and response but delivers adequate efficiency. In terms of practicality, the Equinox offers less cargo space than the competition but does offer a more spacious rear seat. Overall, the low cost of the Equinox ensures its ubiquity on American roads, but that popularity doesn't translate into it being the best.

12. 2024 Chevrolet Equinox | Pros, cons and specs

Price: $27,995
Engine: 1.5L 175-hp/203 lb-ft turbo I-4
EPA Fuel Econ (city/hwy/comb): 24-26/30-31/26-28 mpg
Cargo Space (seats up/down): 29.9/63.9 cu ft

11. 2024 Dodge Hornet | MT Score 7.6

Cheap to buy and somewhat cheap-feeling, the 2024 Dodge Hornet isn’t exactly a game changer. A badge-engineered Alfa Romeo Tonale, the Hornet attempts to capture some of the Dodge muscle car swagger with mixed results. Behind the wheel it tends to outdo its peers, with both the 268-hp gas-only and 295-hp (with 383 lb-ft of torque!) plug-in hybrid powertrains providing plenty of oomph. Handling is also a step above the competition thanks to better suspension tuning, though the interior lacks both comfort and material sophistication. The Hornet succeeded in its design brief, though perhaps at the cost of not being that great of a place to spend time.

11. 2024 Dodge Hornet | Pros, cons and specs

Price: $32,995
Engines: 2.0L 268-hp/285 lb-ft turbo I-4; 1.3L 295-hp/383 lb-ft turbo I-4 PHEV
EPA Fuel Econ (city/hwy/comb): 21/29/24 mpg; 77 mpg-e/29 mpg comb (PHEV)
Cargo Space (seats up/down): 27.0/54.7 cu ft

10. 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander | MT Score 7.8

Standing out as one of the smallest and cheapest vehicles on the market to offer a third row of seating, the 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander might not be best for most, but it offers a compelling package for many. Driving dynamics and ride are both quite pleasant, while the third row is a class-exclusive feature. The reason no other vehicle in its size class has a third row is obvious once you see the one in the Outlander: We're hesitant to call such a tiny space an actual seat. If you need to haul small children back there, it might just be enough, though moving more than five people in an SUV would best be accomplished with something larger.

10. 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander | Pros, cons and specs

Price: $29,890
Engine: 2.5L 181-hp/181 lb-ft I-4
EPA Fuel Econ (city/hwy/comb): 24/30-31/26-27 mpg
Cargo Space (seats up/down): 11.7/78.3 cu ft

9. 2024 Ford Escape | MT Score 8.0

Given Ford's all-in approach on SUVs, you'd expect the 2024 Ford Escape to be better than it is, given how it has effectively replaced all of the brand’s small cars (remember the Fiesta and Focus?). The Escape's appealing, carlike appearance and demeanor are offset by a less than stellar interior and unrefined entry-level powertrain. On the plus side, there are two hybrid powertrain options, one being a plug-in that offers some electric-only driving range, as well as a novel turbocharged three-cylinder engine. For the 2023 model year, the Ford Escape got a raft of upgrades to its styling, tech and trim structure to keep it competitive.

9. 2024 Ford Escape | Pros, cons and specs

Price: $29,490
Engines: 1.5L 180-hp/199 lb-ft turbo I-3; 2.0L 250-hp/280 lb-ft turbo I-4; 2.5L 192-hp/155 lb-ft I-4 hybrid; 2.5L 210-hp/155 lb-ft PHEV
EPA Fuel Econ (city/hwy/comb): 23-42/31-36/26-39 mpg
Cargo Space (seats up/down): 34.4-37.5/60.8-65.4 cu ft

8. 2024 Hyundai Tucson | MT Score 8.1

Standard features abound on the 2024 Hyundai Tucson, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist and driver attention monitors. Spaciousness and style are also factors in the Tucson's favor, though its driving dynamics are not. While offering neither an interesting drive or a comfortable ride, the Tucson is a solid overall value that has only gotten better, and it offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants.

8. 2024 Hyundai Tucson | Pros, cons and specs

Price: $26,450
Engines: 2.5L 187-hp/178 lb-ft I-4; 1.6L 206-hp comb turbo I-4 hybrid; 1.6L 261-hp/258 lb-ft comb turbo I-4 PHEV
EPA Fuel Econ (city/hwy/comb): 23-38/29-38/25-38 mpg; 80 mpg-e/35 mpg comb (PHEV)
Cargo Space (seats up/down): 38.7/74.8 cu ft

7. 2024 Toyota RAV4 | MT Score 8.4

A highly capable all-arounder, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 has many attributes that buyers want, from the now 8.0-inch standard touchscreen to the Toyota Safety Sense driver assistance suite. The issue with being an all-arounder is that the RAV4 isn't particularly great in any one area, with middling interior space and a decidedly unfun driving experience. But it's hard to beat Toyota quality and features for the price of a RAV4, as well as the efficient hybrid and plug-in hybrid (RAV4 Prime) options.

7. 2024 Toyota RAV4 | Pros, cons and specs

Price: $30,025
Engines: 2.5L 203-hp/184 lb-ft I-4; 2.5L 219-hp comb hybrid I-4; 2.5L 302-hp comb I-4 PHEV
EPA Fuel Econ (city/hwy/comb): 25-41/32-38/28-39 mpg; 94 mpg-e/38 mpg comb (PHEV)
Cargo Space (seats up/down): 37.6/69.8 cu ft

6. 2024 Mazda CX-5 | MT Score 8.4

Premium feel and genuinely good handling continue to set the 2024 Mazda CX-5 apart from a crowded field of mostly similar compact crossovers and SUVs. Adding to those uncommon endorsements are great safety ratings and standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The main downside to all this relative sportiness is less overall cargo space and fuel economy when compared to other compact crossovers. For a little more fun, that's a compromise worth making for a small sporty SUV like the CX-5.

6. 2024 Mazda CX-5 | Pros, cons and specs

Price: $30,720
Engines: 2.5L 187-hp/185 lb-ft I-4; 2.5L 256-hp/320 lb-ft turbo I-4
EPA Fuel Econ (city/hwy/comb): 22-26/27-31/24-28 mpg
Cargo Space (seats up/down): 30.8/59.3 cu ft

5. 2024 Subaru Forester | MT Score 8.5

Spacious and comfortable-riding, the 2024 Subaru Forester is easily among the most practical compact crossovers on the market. Great visibility, intuitive infotainmentand status as an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ add to the Forester's credentials as a practicality champion. Does the Forester match that practicality with the performance of a small sporty SUV? Well, no. But sport isn't the point, even though the Subaru Forester Wilderness does deliver a modicum of off-road capability. The Forester is redesigned for 2025, and that new model will be re-ranked soon.

5. 2024 Subaru Forester | Pros, cons and specs

Price: $31,090
Engine: 2.5L 182-hp/176 lb-ft flat-4
EPA Fuel Econ (city/hwy/comb): 25-26/28-33/26-29 mpg
Cargo Space (seats up/down): 28.9/74.2 cu ft

4. 2024 Honda CR-V | MT Score 8.6

Competent almost to the point of being boring, the 2024 Honda CR-V continues to be the benchmark of the compact SUV segment. The CR-V is spacious, safe and reasonably efficient, demolishing competing crossovers by the dozen through sheer adeptness at blending into the background of daily life . As a bonus, the CR-V's Civic underpinnings (just like the original decades ago) ensure a quality driving experience to boot. For more efficiency you can opt for the Honda CR-V hybrid, but every CR-V has experienced a price jump that requires you to pay appropriately for all that extra competency.

4. 2024 Honda CR-V | Pros, cons and specs

Price: $31,450
Engines: 1.5L 190-hp/179 lb-ft turbo I-4; 2.0L 204-hp comb hybrid I-4
EPA Fuel Econ (city/hwy/comb): 27-43/32-36/29-40 mpg
Cargo Space (seats up/down): 39.3/76.5 cu ft

3. 2023 Mazda CX-50 | MT Score 8.6

The CX-5 can be thought of as Mazda's asphalt-focused compact crossover, while the 2023 Mazda CX-50 is meant for adventures further afield. The CX-50 absolutely looks the part and backs up those looks with genuine capability both on-road and off. It can even be made to slide around somewhat on the dirt, which is a forbidden activity for other crossovers under the watchful computerized eye of undefeatable stability control nannies. Chances are you won't find a more fun compact crossover SUV, though you pay for that fun through overly heavy steering and less than plush ride quality.

3. 2023 Mazda CX-50 | Pros, cons and specs

Price: $31,720
Engines: 2.5L 187-hp/185 lb-ft I-4; 2.5L 256-hp/320 lb-ft turbo I-4
EPA Fuel Econ (city/hwy/comb): 23-24/29-30/25-27 mpg
Cargo Space (seats up/down): 31.4/56.3 cu-ft

2. 2024 Kia Sportage | MT Score 8.7

Futuristic looks and a spacious interior make the 2024 Kia Sportage worth a look. In many volume and space metrics the Sportage sits at the top of the compact SUV pack, despite over a dozen competitors gnashing at the same goal. Features like 4G Wi-Fi connectivity and an array of driver assistance and safety systems ensure the Sportage has more technology than many of those same competitors, though more foundational features like engine power and efficiency aren't up to snuff on the base model. Good thing there’s a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid to choose from, as well, with more power and greater efficiency. For our money, the Sportage Hybrid is the best buy of the extensive lineup.

2. 2024 Kia Sportage | Pros, cons and specs

Price: $28,565
Engines: 2.5L 187-hp/178 lb-ft I-4; 1.6L 227-hp/258 lb-ft comb turbo hybrid I-4; 1.6L 261-hp/258 lb-ft comb turbo I-4 PHEV
EPA Fuel Econ (city/hwy/comb): 23-42/26-44/25-43 mpg; 84 mpg-e/35 mpg comb (PHEV)
Cargo Space (seats up/down): 39.6/74.1 cu ft

1. 2024 Nissan Rogue | MT Score 8.8

In our estimation, the 2024 Nissan Rogue covers all the bases. Its new variable-compression engine offers both enough power and great efficiency, and the cabin is adorned with both spaciousness and high safety scores, all for not more money than the riff-raff of a class overflowing with similar options. When pitted against the very best compact crossovers, the Rogue came out on top through a combination of capability, competency and value. Sure, it's not the best drag racer among crossovers, but the Rogue doesn't really miss a beat in being comfortable and practical daily transportation for a good price.

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1. 2024 Nissan Rogue | Pros, cons and specs

Base Price: $29,400
Engine: 1.5L 201-hp/225 lb-ft turbo I-3 3-Cyl Turbo 1.5 Liter
EPA Fuel Econ (city/hwy/comb): 28-30/34-37/31-33 mpg
Cargo Space (seats up/down): 31.6/74.1 cu ft

Best Compact Crossover SUVs for 2024