Buyer's guide to the best affordable compact SUVs and mini SUVs, including the Mazda CX-5 and Kia Sportage.
See New Car Clearance Prices
Congratulations! We've Located Clearance Prices
Choose Dealers to See Prices
Thank You
I would like to be notified of other BuyerLink.com money-saving offers
SEE CLEARANCE PRICES* By submitting your information, you agree to be contacted regarding automotive information, using email, telephone or text – including the use of autodialed and/or prerecorded calls or messages to the telephone number provided above, including your wireless number, if provided. I understand that consent is not a condition of purchase.
When you need cargo room, fuel economy, people space and a low price tag, you may benefit from a compact SUV. The best affordable compact SUVs handle like cars but give you options from more expensive full-size models. They offer comfort, reliability and performance for any family on the go.
A compact SUV is a small sport utility vehicle measuring 14 to 15 feet long. It adds rear storage capacity to the five-passenger seating of a compact car. Some models offer a third-row, foldable seat. Most of these vehicles cost less than $30,000, although luxury upgrades can increase the price.
The new car rankings do not present a clear winner in the compact SUV category. Most models excel in a certain area and fall behind in others. The following car-buying guide looks at the winners and losers in the most popular categories.
Cost: If you are looking solely at price, you can buy a manual-transmission Kia Sportage for around $19,687. Its most expensive competitor is the Chevrolet Equinox available at prices ranging from $24,690 to $33,068. Services like Reply! allow you to consolidate your preferences and budget when shopping for your next vehicle.
- Gas mileage: The best gas mileage award goes to the Mazda CX-5, which achieves 26 miles per gallon in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. The 2013 Hyundai Tucson offers the lowest fuel economy, with just 20 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway.
- Performance: To enjoy your commute or your next road trip, look at the Ford Escape. It handles like a nimble Ford Focus, sounds quiet on the highway and reacts well during passing. Its Ecoboost engine delivers better horsepower with its four-cylinder engine.
Safety: The Subaru XV Crosstrek is a buyer's guide standout for safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has honored this vehicle as a Top Safety Pick in front, side and rear crash tests. The Jeep Wrangler earns poor marks, with low side-impact and rear-impact test results.
- Reliability: Top automobile authorities predict the Honda CR-V will be the most reliable compact SUV for the 2013 season. The Dodge Journey lags behind with one of the lowest reliability rankings.
- Appearance: If you are looking for an eye-catching SUV, check out the Ford Escape. The newest model has been updated with modern exterior curves instead of the traditional boxy style.
- Comfort: For traveling long distances, taking the kids to school or spending hours in stop-and-go traffic, check out the Chevy Equinox. You get a roomy interior with plenty of headroom and legroom. You also get a sliding bench seat, so you can choose whether to accommodate passengers or haul more cargo. The Nissan Juke comes up short in this category. Reviews mention cheap plastics, cramped seating for families and a small cargo area.
Get price quotes on the best affordable compact SUVs now!
Now you know which models to try out during your next test drive. By choosing from the best affordable compact SUVs of the year, you can get a best-of-class experience on a small budget. Use Reply! to find local price quotes and set up test drives of the 2013 best affordable compact SUVs.