If you’re shopping for a small SUV, you should generally expect to find a maneuverable, compact vehicle with a moderately powered engine and a decent ride height. Subcompact SUVs like the Toyota Corolla Cross are great for city drivers, first-time buyers, and empty-nesters. Despite their size, these small SUVs are still roomy enough for passengers and groceries.
Toyota Corolla Cross
The Toyota Corolla Cross is one of the hottest new compact SUVs right now. It boasts an amazingly roomy cargo hold, an intuitive entertainment system, and great gas mileage. The Toyota Corolla Cross is also one of the more attractive models in the segment, with edgy design lines and a larger grille. The Corolla Cross comes with a 169-horsepower engine, optional AWD, and seating for five.
Hyundai Kona
The Hyundai Kona is a hot-selling compact SUV with a top-notch interior, user-friendly technology, and a balanced ride. Unlike many rivals, the Kona offers a choice of engines between a 147-horsepower base engine and a 276-horsepower turbo engine. It has seating for five and optional AWD as well. The Hyundai Kona gets fantastic gas mileage and offers a long list of standard features. The main con for the Kona is that it’s not as roomy as many of its rivals.
Jeep Renegade
The Jeep Renegade is one of the hottest small SUVs simply because it belongs to the always-recognizable Jeep brand. It’s also one of the most capable compact SUVs when it comes to going off the pavement. Along with a standout design and off-road prowess, this small Jeep offers plenty of standard features and intuitive tech. The Renegade falls short of rivals in the categories of fuel economy, cargo space, and cabin noise.
Nissan Kicks
The Nissan Kicks comes in at an affordable base price and offers superb fuel economy as well as a long list of standard features. Like many compact SUVs, the Kicks feels bigger on the
inside. The Nissan Kicks has an attractive design and handles well in tight spaces, but it doesn’t offer AWD, and its engine is a bit underpowered at only 122 horsepower.
Volkswagen Taos
The Volkswagen Taos is another compact SUV with impressive space on the inside. It’s also easy to drive, offers a comfortable ride, and gets excellent gas mileage. When it comes to handling and passenger space, the VW Taos is near the top of the segment. However, it scores lower than rivals for cabin quality. The Taos features a 158-horsepower engine, optional AWD, and a standard automatic transmission.
Which of these Small SUVs will You Drive Home?
When it comes to rankings, the Hyundai Kona and Toyota Corolla Cross feature at the top thanks to their compact, fun designs and supremely roomy interiors. If you’re looking for off-road prowess, the Jeep Renegade is another top choice to consider.
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