Both points of view make a point, so at the end of the day it depends on how everyone feels about this segment. For the tight budget, owning a slightly larger vehicle is the best chance you can get. For the wealthier among us, compact SUVs are simply the vehicles that they completely ignore in the showroom as they approach the larger SUVs.
Well, opting for a more compact car isn’t always a monetary policy decision. Those who live or drive in denser areas might feel that having a smaller vehicle improves their commute a lot, so they are looking at the most compact package that still meets all of their needs. In most cases this packaging takes the form of a compact one SUV.
The guys at Edmunds tested five foreign models that fit into this segment – the Mazda CX-5, Nissan Rogue, Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV4, and Honda CR-V – and sorted them from worse to best based on a few key criteria. Here is the ranking they made.
The bottom model is the tried and tested Toyota RAV4. The Japanese model has all the advantages one expects from a Toyota – robust, reliable, spacious – but it fails terribly in terms of driving performance. The only decent option is the hybrid, but that comes at a price. Otherwise the RAV4 is just too … average.
The penultimate is the Hyundai Tucson, with the South Korean SUV’s rating being hit by its terrible engine performance. Like the RAV4, there’s also a hybrid option, which Edmunds reviewers say is the best hybrid on the test, but somehow it’s not enough to lift the Tucson to a higher position. Oddly enough, there isn’t much else bad to say about the model, aside from perhaps the exterior design, which some find a little too intrusive.
The last place on the podium is occupied by the Nissan Rogue, which impresses with its very comfortable seats, modern technology and plenty of storage space. Its handling, however, leaves a lot to be desired with “fuzzy steering” and, a flaw that appears to affect most models in this test, a weak engine that makes acceleration painful. Despite their uninspiring looks, the team considered the Rogues to be a place above the RAV4 and Tucson.
The second best import compact SUV is the Mazda CX-5, according to Edmunds. The Japanese model has the least divisive exterior design, but not because it’s boring or boring. It is also best to drive by far, especially (but not exclusively) with the top turbo engine. However, it’s not just about acceleration; the steering also contributes to the much-needed engagement. The disadvantage is that the CX-5 is the least practical in the test, as it has limited storage options and space requirements. The technology also looks a bit old-fashioned, especially the central display, which is not even touch-sensitive.
After all, we have the winner of this comparison, the venerable Honda CR-V. You could say the Honda won by playing it safe and managing to be at least above average in every way. It has a large interior, comfortable seats, more than decent acceleration, good steering calibration, and most importantly, competitive prices. It has to work on the quality of its materials as well as the onboard technology, but the latter can be bypassed by plugging in a smartphone and using its apps instead.
Do you agree with these rankings?
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