Uploaded March 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
2024 Toyota RAV4.
Buyers will want to consider the hybrid even if they're not in the market for one. The RAV4 Hybrid delivers sharper performance than its gas-only counterpart.
2024 Ford Escape.
The 2024 Ford Escape is easy to live with, delivering vast interior space for active families. Other compact crossovers are more engaging to drive, but the Escape is a great pick for those seeking car-like fuel efficiency in a roomy, comfortable SUV. The 2024 Ford Escape displays the winning traits that have garnered compact SUVs their popularity.
2024 Ford Bronco Sport.
When it comes to exploring the wilderness, the truck-based Ford Bronco may be a bit hardcore for some drivers.
2024 Volkswagen Tiguan.
As handy as the third row may be, it offers very limited space and is better suited for small children. That should still make the Tiguan a solid carpool vehicle, though. Cargo space is also small behind the rearmost seats, but that's common for most three-row SUVs. Holding back the Tiguan are its comparably thirsty engines and some occasional lurches caused by an overly sensitive gas pedal. As a result, the VW Tiguan is more of a mid-pack entrant in the class, with some very serious rivals that have undergone full redesigns more recently. These include the sporty Mazda CX-50, the fuel-efficient and family-friendly Honda CR-V, and the value-driven Kia Sportage if you don't need a third row of seats. If three rows are a requirement, the Kia Sorento and Mitsubishi Outlander also upstage the Tiguan in several areas. This year, Volkswagen gave the Tiguan more advanced safety features and expanded its standard features. That should make it more appealing to buyers, but we suggest you also evaluate the competition to see what is the best fit for you. The small SUV class is easily one of the most competitive among carmakers. Standing out from the very crowded field is no easy feat, but the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan manages to make its mark. It's the only entrant from a European manufacturer and one of the few that offers a third row of seats.
2024 GMC Terrain.
It's not all doom and gloom for the Terrain, though. It is slated to undergo a much-needed redesign next year. Until then, we suggest checking out its competitors. At the top of the list, we include the Mazda CX-50, an all-new model in 2023, and the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage, both of which were redesigned for the 2023 model year. While the Terrain gets a mention for its intuitive infotainment system, attractively designed cabin, and some light off-road abilities, it doesn't offer much else alongside its competitors. It has a bouncy ride, a relatively small cargo space, and a rather weak four-cylinder engine that doesn't even provide strong fuel economy. To top it off, the Terrain is expensive for its class. Small SUVs are some of the most popular vehicles available today, and buyers expect more from the class than ever before. To be competitive, a vehicle has to be affordable, efficient, comfortable, safe, and convenient. After six years without a major update, the 2024 GMC Terrain is losing ground to its rivals. Small SUVs are some of the most popular vehicles available today, and buyers expect more from the class than ever before. To be competitive, a vehicle has to be affordable, efficient, comfortable, safe, and convenient. After six years without a major update, the 2024 GMC Terrain is losing ground to its rivals.
2024 Mazda CX 5.
We fully expected the Mazda CX-5 to be discontinued for 2024. To our surprise, it's returning and it's doing so in mostly the same form as its latest redesign in 2017. It seemed likely that the Mazda CX-50, which debuted last year, would replace it. They are similar in size and purpose, though the CX-50 does cost a few thousand more and leans more toward performance. The CX-50 is also offered in an off-road trim that can tackle moderate terrain. But the CX-5 remains the company's bestseller, so perhaps there's a business case to be made for producing both models.After all this time, the CX-5 remains a solid choice among compact SUVs, even in the face of newer competition. Its sleek and stylish exterior still turns heads and its near luxury interior looks and feels more special than that of rivals. Add in sporty handling and a very potent turbocharged engine, and the CX-5 can be downright appealing for drivers seeking excitement and engagement.The CX-5 isn't as practical as other SUVs in the class, though. Cargo capacity is rather small by comparison and it's not as fuel-efficient, either. Competitors such as the Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, and Toyota RAV4 can hold more cargo and are available with more economical hybrid powertrains. Although we didn't expect the CX-5 to return in 2024, we're glad it's still around and just as desirable as it was seven years ago. After all this time, the CX-5 remains a solid choice among compact SUVs, even in the face of newer competition.
2024 Toyota RAV4.
Buyers will want to consider the hybrid even if they're not in the market for one. The RAV4 Hybrid delivers sharper performance than its gas-only counterpart.
2024 Ford Escape.
The 2024 Ford Escape is easy to live with, delivering vast interior space for active families. Other compact crossovers are more engaging to drive, but the Escape is a great pick for those seeking car-like fuel efficiency in a roomy, comfortable SUV. The 2024 Ford Escape displays the winning traits that have garnered compact SUVs their popularity.
2024 Ford Bronco Sport.
When it comes to exploring the wilderness, the truck-based Ford Bronco may be a bit hardcore for some drivers.
2024 Volkswagen Tiguan.
As handy as the third row may be, it offers very limited space and is better suited for small children. That should still make the Tiguan a solid carpool vehicle, though. Cargo space is also small behind the rearmost seats, but that's common for most three-row SUVs. Holding back the Tiguan are its comparably thirsty engines and some occasional lurches caused by an overly sensitive gas pedal. As a result, the VW Tiguan is more of a mid-pack entrant in the class, with some very serious rivals that have undergone full redesigns more recently. These include the sporty Mazda CX-50, the fuel-efficient and family-friendly Honda CR-V, and the value-driven Kia Sportage if you don't need a third row of seats. If three rows are a requirement, the Kia Sorento and Mitsubishi Outlander also upstage the Tiguan in several areas. This year, Volkswagen gave the Tiguan more advanced safety features and expanded its standard features. That should make it more appealing to buyers, but we suggest you also evaluate the competition to see what is the best fit for you. The small SUV class is easily one of the most competitive among carmakers. Standing out from the very crowded field is no easy feat, but the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan manages to make its mark. It's the only entrant from a European manufacturer and one of the few that offers a third row of seats.
2024 GMC Terrain.
It's not all doom and gloom for the Terrain, though. It is slated to undergo a much-needed redesign next year. Until then, we suggest checking out its competitors. At the top of the list, we include the Mazda CX-50, an all-new model in 2023, and the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage, both of which were redesigned for the 2023 model year. While the Terrain gets a mention for its intuitive infotainment system, attractively designed cabin, and some light off-road abilities, it doesn't offer much else alongside its competitors. It has a bouncy ride, a relatively small cargo space, and a rather weak four-cylinder engine that doesn't even provide strong fuel economy. To top it off, the Terrain is expensive for its class. Small SUVs are some of the most popular vehicles available today, and buyers expect more from the class than ever before. To be competitive, a vehicle has to be affordable, efficient, comfortable, safe, and convenient. After six years without a major update, the 2024 GMC Terrain is losing ground to its rivals. Small SUVs are some of the most popular vehicles available today, and buyers expect more from the class than ever before. To be competitive, a vehicle has to be affordable, efficient, comfortable, safe, and convenient. After six years without a major update, the 2024 GMC Terrain is losing ground to its rivals.
2024 Mazda CX 5.
We fully expected the Mazda CX-5 to be discontinued for 2024. To our surprise, it's returning and it's doing so in mostly the same form as its latest redesign in 2017. It seemed likely that the Mazda CX-50, which debuted last year, would replace it. They are similar in size and purpose, though the CX-50 does cost a few thousand more and leans more toward performance. The CX-50 is also offered in an off-road trim that can tackle moderate terrain. But the CX-5 remains the company's bestseller, so perhaps there's a business case to be made for producing both models.After all this time, the CX-5 remains a solid choice among compact SUVs, even in the face of newer competition. Its sleek and stylish exterior still turns heads and its near luxury interior looks and feels more special than that of rivals. Add in sporty handling and a very potent turbocharged engine, and the CX-5 can be downright appealing for drivers seeking excitement and engagement.The CX-5 isn't as practical as other SUVs in the class, though. Cargo capacity is rather small by comparison and it's not as fuel-efficient, either. Competitors such as the Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, and Toyota RAV4 can hold more cargo and are available with more economical hybrid powertrains. Although we didn't expect the CX-5 to return in 2024, we're glad it's still around and just as desirable as it was seven years ago. After all this time, the CX-5 remains a solid choice among compact SUVs, even in the face of newer competition.
