Best Small SUVs: Which Is Right For You?
John Goreham is a life-long car nut and recovering engineer. John’s focus areas are technology, safety, and green vehicles. In the 1990s, he was part of an academic team that built a solar-electric vehicle from scratch. His was the role of the battery thermal control designer. After earning his engineering degree, John also completed a marketing program at Northeastern University. For 20 years, he applied his engineering and sales talents in the worlds of semiconductor manufacturing, biopharmaceutical production, and automotive electronics supply chain. Always a writer, John has published numerous articles in technical journals such as Chemical Processing Magazine. In 2008 he retired from that career and dedicated himself to chasing his dream of being an auto writer. In addition to online publications such as Car Talk, John’s work has appeared in print in dozens of American newspapers, and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites.
”Small” is a relative term. In this story, we will use it loosely and present a list of small SUVs that may range in size from one vehicle to the next.
We’ve tested every choice on this list, and our expert opinion is they all deserve to be recognized.
Every vehicle on this list has AWD available or as standard, has towing capabilities, and has real-world utility features.
Check out all our picks for the best SUVs by size >>
- Best Crossover SUVs
- Best Small SUVs
- Best Midsize SUVs
- Best Full-Size SUVs
Table of Contents
What Is Considered a Small SUV?
When discussing small SUVs a quick disclaimer on terms must be presented. All of the sport utility vehicles we discuss here will be crossovers to some. True 4X4 systems are not what these small SUVs come with but rather advanced all-wheel drive systems.
We have created a handy chart so you can easily see how large one is compared to the next.
You will notice we culled the sports-sedan substitutes. While the Mazda CX-30 is one of our favorite sporty crossovers, we hesitate to call it an “SUV.”
Best Small SUV Comparison
| Best Family SUVs | Ford Bronco Sport AWD | Jeep Renegade | Subaru Crosstrek | Ford EcoSport | Kia Seltos |
| Base Price / Top Trim Price | |||||
| Passenger Volume | |||||
| Max Cargo Volume | |||||
| Min. Ground Clearance | |||||
| HP (Top Trim) | |||||
| EPA Combined MPG | |||||
| Tow Rating |
1. Ford Bronco Sport
Ford’s new Bronco Sport is a rugged, boxy SUV with “Go Over Any Terrain” capability. While it may share a few key bits with the Escape to keep costs manageable, there is little similarity to how they feel and perform. The Bronco Sport is a legitimate off-roader with gobs of utility features.
Ford’s Bronco Sport was recently tested for safety by IIHS and found to be the safest vehicle in its class. With a Top Safety Pick Plus rating, this new Bronco Sport sets the bar for the segment by making every trim with standard active safety systems and top-rated headlights.
Some of the things that make the Bronco Sport unique include a locking rear differential, an optional turbocharged engine with 250 hp, and a top trim with snow-rated all-terrain tires and recovery hooks. We took the Bronco Sport to the wilds of New Hampshire to test its off-road and snow capabilities and came away impressed. This is one SUV that comes ready for any adventure.
Ford Bronco Sport Pros
- Outstanding off-road capability
- Strongest engine in this group
- Highest safety rating in the class
Ford Bronco Sport Cons
- Fuel economy
- Price
Current Ford Bronco Sport Deals & Incentives
| Year | Make | Model | Cash Incentives (up to) | Best Avail. APR | Lease Offers | Expiration |
You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Ford deals here.
2. Jeep Renegade
If you view the only “real” Jeep as a Wrangler, that’s a shame. The Jeep line doesn’t include a single poser based on our testing. Every one of them is built to be the toughest vehicle in its class, and the diminutive Renegade is no exception.
The Renegade comes in multiple trims with varying capabilities. If you want the one that can follow a Wrangler around in the woods, opt for the Trailhawk.
One concern we have about the Renegade is the lack of a spare tire. You may want to check before you buy to see if it can be equipped with one. If not, you may need to look at a different model or plan to buy a spare for off-roading.
Jeep Renegade Pros
- Off-Road capable Trailhawk trim
Jeep Renegade Cons
- No spare tire
Current Jeep Renegade Deals & Incentives
| Year | Make | Model | Cash Incentives (up to) | Best Avail. APR | Lease Offers | Expiration |
You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Jeep deals here.
3. Subaru Crosstrek
Subaru’s Crosstrek wins the “Most well-rounded” contest in this group of small SUVs. Is it a small wagon? A lifted and upgraded Impreza hatchback? A small Forester? We don’t care. We love the Crosstrek, and we have taken it to some extremes off-road.
The Crosstrek is also available as a plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle. This powertrain features a 90 MPGe rating when combining electricity and gas, or 35 MPG when operating as a hybrid. All of the Crosstrek’s three engines deliver outstanding fuel economy.
All Crosstreks are all-wheel drive, and Subaru has a reputation for having the best AWD systems in the market. The X-Mode allows drivers to tackle deep snow or sand, and there are endless videos online of drivers doing exactly that if you need any proof.
Subaru’s commitment to safety is also impressive to us, and the Crosstrek earns the Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS.
Subaru Crosstrek Pros
- All-weather capability
- IIHS Top Safety Pick
- Plug-in Hybrid Option
Subaru Crosstrek Cons
- Base engine power
Current Subaru Crosstrek Deals & Incentives
| Year | Make | Model | Cash Incentives (up to) | Best Avail. APR | Lease Offers | Expiration |
You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Subaru deals here.
4. Ford EcoSport
Those looking for a small SUV on a budget who have limited expectations should consider the EcoSport. Ford’s EcoSport combines a low price point with surprising capability. We tested the EcoSport and were amazed at its abilities in snow and on ice. Ford designed the EcoSport to fit a budget. If you want more capability, the company has endless choices that slot in above this entry-level SUV.
There is no spare in the EcoSport, so that is a consideration. IIHS has not tested the EcoSport, so safety is not yet determined. The EcoSport earned a spot in this list by being the very definition of a “small SUV.”
Ford EcoSport Pros
- Low price point
Ford EcoSport Cons
- No spare tire
Current Ford EcoSport Deals & Incentives
| Year | Make | Model | Cash Incentives (up to) | Best Avail. APR | Lease Offers | Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Ford | EcoSport | ||||
| 2022 | Ford | EcoSport |
You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Ford deals here.
5. Kia Seltos
The Kia Seltos was quietly added to the Kia line a couple of years ago, and it made quite an impression on us in testing. We took the Seltos off-road up a powerline access trail and were almost stunned by its ability to tackle some gnarly obstacles.
On-road, the Seltos is also a winner. It has a different vibe than the car-like Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-5, feeling more like an SUV when driven. Its top trim gets a turbocharged engine and a dual-clutch automatic transmission. Together they add a bit of excitement to the drive and provide great low-end torque.
The Seltos earns the IIHS Top Safety Pick award and has the largest cargo volume in this comparison.
Kia Seltos Pros
- Surprising off-road capability
- Top Safety Pick
- Top-trim turbocharged engine with DCT
Kia Seltos Cons
- Lowest ground clearance in the group
Current Kia Seltos Deals & Incentives
| Year | Make | Model | Cash Incentives (up to) | Best Avail. APR | Lease Offers | Expiration |
You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Kia deals here.
Which Is the Best Small SUV?
Those looking for a small SUV that has the highest off-road capability will find it in the Ford Bronco Sport. The Subaru Crosstrek is a standout all-weather option.
However, each of the vehicles on this list offers real-world utility at a reasonable price point. They all impressed us when we took them off-pavement, and each can tow your small trailer. If you're looking for something bigger in the SUV category, check out our picks for the best full-size SUVs here.
