Best Compact Crossovers and SUVs for 2024, Ranked from Best to Worst (2024)

Price: $32,450

The Honda CR-V showcases everything right with Honda right now. Handsome looks and a lovely cabin sit atop a chassis well-tuned for daily-driver duties and rough city commutes.

If we could choose, we'd go for the CR-V Hybrid model. It makes 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque thanks to a 2.0-liter engine and two electric motors. But the base turbo 1.5-liter four-cylinder is s solid choice too, delivering 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque.

Check out our full review of the CR-V here

Price: $31,720

The 2024 Mazda CX-50 is easily the most fun-to-drive vehicle on this list, delivering relatively satisfying chassis control, tight steering, and an overall sense of sportiness tough to find anywhere near this segment.

On top of the CX-50's dynamics, there's its handsome looks and an interior that looks like it came out of a car twice the price. We suggest going for the turbocharged engine. It gets 256 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque, enough for a 0-60 time of 6.6 seconds.

Check out our full review here

Price: $30,305

The 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan is a smart choice for those seeking ample space without giving up a taste of fun driving dynamics. There's a German flair here not present in any of the Tiguan's competitors, though some might not like the ultra-minimalist interior. It does offer a third-row of seats on some models, a rarity in this segment.

Under the hood of the Tiguan is a 2.0-liter turbo-four making 184 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. It's paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission sending power to the front wheels as standard (all-wheel drive is an option).

We're big fans of this Tiguan off-roader concept

Price: $30,025

There's a reason Toyota sells hundreds of thousands of RAV4s every single year. While it's not exactly the most enjoyable car to drive, it blends affordability, practicality, and reliability into a perfect crossover package, satisfying every need for most buyers.

There are many trim levels available, including the TRD Off-Road pictured here, but we think the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid is the trim to have. It uses hybrid power to make a combined 302 hp, enough to rocket the unsuspecting SUV to 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds, making it the quickest vehicle on this list. The Prime is also the most expensive RAV4, though, starting at $45,040.

Why the RAV4 Outsells Every Other Car

Price: $30,720

While the CX-50 is the latest and greatest Mazda compact SUV, the similarly sized CX-5 remains a great choice in this segment. It's been around since 2017 in its current form, but the design still looks good and updates have kept its tech offerings and interior fresh.

The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder provides adequate power, but the optional turbo engine available in higher trim levels provides lots more punch. All versions come standard with all-wheel drive.

Read Our Review of the CX-5 Signature

Price: $28,565

The new Sportage is a bit bland to drive but presents well with a stylish exterior and a commendable cabin with well-laid-out controls (save for a missing volume knob).

All of the touch points feel high quality and give a sense of luxuriousness you won't find in a lot of competitors. People with a need for speed will be disappointed by the 187-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder under the hood, though. It's only good enough for a 7.4-second 0-60 time. The hybrid and plug-in-hybrid models provide more power and better and efficient; these would be our choice.

Check out our full review of the Sportage

Price: $28,875

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson is one of the best-looking vehicles on this list, offering a refined, comfortable ride and a cabin with lots of useful tech features. We recommend testing out the capacitive touch buttons on the dash before buying, though, as some people might not like the lack of a volume knob or real buttons.

The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder should be enough for most buyers, but if speed is your thing, go for either of the available hybrid models. The more powerful plug-in model makes a total of 261 hp, while the standard hybrid makes 226 hp, good enough for a 7.1-second 0-60 time.

The hybrid made our list of best hybrid SUVs

Price: $31,390

While the Ford Bronco Sport may share a name and some general styling elements with its bigger Bronco sibling, it's not nearly as capable as its sibling off-road. You can take the Escape-based Bronco Sport on some light trails, sure, but don't expect to be rock-crawling alongside Wranglers.

Of the two powertrains available, we suggest springing for the more powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four. It's paired to an eight-speed auto, and delivers 245 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque—not bad for something weighing under 3800 pounds.

Read our off-road review of the Bronco Sport here

Price: $31,090

Redesigned for 2025, the Subaru Forester retains much of what made the previous model successful while evolving its looks inside and out. A boxer-four engine and all-wheel drive remain standard, meaning it's not any more fun to drive than before, but the interior is an improvement. We also found it to be quieter and calmer to drive thanks to additional sound deadening material.

Unfortunately there's no turbo engine available like in Foresters of yore, and the off-road-oriented Wilderness model still wears the old body style for now.

Our Review of the New 2025 Model

Price: $32,995

The Dodge Hornet uses the same bones as Alfa Romeo's Tonale crossover, but it wears a different face and comes with a nonhybrid base engine. We love how it looks, and thanks to ultra-quick steering and a relatively strong 268-hp gas-only powertrain option in the GT model, it is pretty fun to drive.

Go for the top-range R/T plug-in-hybrid model, and you get a turbo 1.3-liter inline-four paired to an electric motor, for a total of 288 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, enough to rocket the Hornet to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds.

Check out our full review right here

Price: $30,240

The Rogue is Nissan's most popular model, offering sleek looks, a comfortable ride, and a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine making 201 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque.

The Rogue's handling isn't anything to write home about, but its pleasant interior and solid fuel economy numbers mean it can satisfy most buyers in this segment—so long as they don't care about fun dynamics.

Here's our full dog owner's test of the Rogue

Price: $30,075

Mitsubishi's presence in the U.S. is far from what it once was, but rest assured, the Japanese company can still make a solid compact SUV. The Outlander delivers solid looks inside and out, plenty of useful tech features, and a third row, meaning seating for seven.

Buyers with a need for speed will be let down by the Outlander's standard naturally aspirated four-cylinder. We'd opt for the plug-in-hybrid version instead. It adds electric assistance via a 20-kWh battery pack, for 38 miles of all-electric range. It also knocks the 0-60 time down to 6.6 seconds.

Price: $30,990

If simple transportation is all you care about, consider the Ford Escape. It's far less off-road-inclined than its predecessors, simply because the Bronco Sport has stepped in to occupy that spot in Ford's lineup.

The Escape delivers acceptable dynamics and a livable interior that will satisfy most buyers. There are even two hybrid powertrains available, including a plug-in hybrid. We prefer the available turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder, though. It makes 250 hp, enough to launch the Escape to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds.

Price: $29,995

The previous-gen Equinox was already one of Chevy's best-selling models, and a redesign coming for 2025 should enhance its appeal. It now offers Activ (pictured) and RS trim levels, and while we haven't yet driven the new model, its upgraded interior looks significantly better than before.

We're not expecting much from its powertrain, however, as it's the same 175-hp turbo four-cylinder as before. The Equinox also doesn't offer a hybrid option like many of its competitors—at least not yet. There is an Equinox EV, however, and it surprisingly isn't that much more expensive than the gas model.

Here's what you need to know about the new EV model

Price: $27,495

The 2024 Jeep Compass is a solid choice for those looking to buy American. For just under $28,000 for the base model you get standard all-wheel-drive, perfect for people who live in snow belt states. You'll want to upgrade to the better-equipped trim levels to get niceties such as leather seats, and there's a Trailhawk model that promises more off-road capability.

Under the hood sits a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four making 200 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. It's paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 0-60 sprint happens in a respectable 7.5 seconds.