Uploaded July 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
2024 Kia Sportage.
While Kia is not considered a luxury brand, the Sportage features a premium interior that feels like it belongs in a more expensive vehicle. Quality materials and a clean design give it a high-end feel, and the available large, curved dashboard display screen adds a high-tech vibe.
2024 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.
Compact SUVs are the most popular vehicle category today, and the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross seeks to differentiate itself with sleek style, a low price, and long warranty coverage.
2024 Hyundai Tucson.
The 2024 Hyundai Tucson stands out in a sea of compact SUVs by offering a wide range of trims and solid performance at competitive prices. It has two rows with seating for five people and a choice of nine trims with gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid drivetrain options.
2025 Subaru Forester.
These updates should keep the Forester relevant in the very competitive compact crossover segment, which includes top sellers such as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.
2024 Mitsubishi Outlander.
The Outlander SUV is available as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), which already makes it a relative rarity in the market. Add in a third row of seats, a large cargo area, and sporty handling and the Outlander becomes a good value. Drawbacks to consider include a very small third-row seat. The Outlander PHEV is quite a bit more expensive than the rather sluggish standard gasoline model, and once the plug-in's battery is depleted, its fuel economy isn't any better than that non-hybrid model. But it is estimated to travel up to 38 miles of driving range on electric-only power, so if you have a short commute and easy access to charging, it's possible to break even with the hybrid price premium after a few years. Mitsubishi has had a tough run over the past decade, with dwindling budgets, a very limited lineup, and a tiny dealer network. After the introduction of an Outlander compact SUV in 2022, things are looking much more optimistic. Based on the Nissan Rogue, Mitsubishi has a strong platform to build upon, and in some ways the current Outlander surpasses the Rogue. Mitsubishi has had a tough run over the past decade, with dwindling budgets, a very limited lineup, and a tiny dealer network. After the introduction of an Outlander compact SUV in 2022, things are looking much more optimistic. Based on the Nissan Rogue, Mitsubishi has a strong platform to build upon, and in some ways the current Outlander surpasses the Rogue.
2024 Jeep Compass.
Consider the 2024 Compass if you plan to attack trails at elevation or want to express your adventurous side through its tough-as-nails design. Otherwise, there are plenty of compact SUVs that strike a better balance of size and user-friendliness. In particular, the Volkswagen Taos provides an excellent all-around package at a great price, and the Mazda CX-30 is fun and sharp-looking, inside and out. By comparison, the Jeep Compass is rougher around the edges. But while the Compass has an undeniable attitude and a handful of updates on its most trail-rated trim, buyers of compact SUVs aren't typically looking to scale mountains every weekend. Most are looking for good fuel efficiency, functional space, comfortable performance around town, and a reasonable price point. And it's in these areas that the Compass largely struggles among its rivals. Jeep has tried to address many of these issues. The engine introduced in 2023 helped, with 200 horsepower from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. In tandem with a revised eight-speed automatic transmission, the engine didn't have to strain as much, improving fuel economy and serenity in the cabin over previous versions. Still, the main strength of the Compass is its off-road ability, and as an everyday commuter and errand-runner, it has drawbacks. The idea of owning a vehicle like the 2024 Jeep Compass may sound appealing on its face. And why not? Standard all-wheel drive, advanced traction systems, and a powerful standard engine are all desirable features in the compact crossover class. The Compass is, after all, a Jeep, and it brings more out-of-the-box ruggedness and capability than nearly every other vehicle it competes against.
2024 Kia Sportage.
While Kia is not considered a luxury brand, the Sportage features a premium interior that feels like it belongs in a more expensive vehicle. Quality materials and a clean design give it a high-end feel, and the available large, curved dashboard display screen adds a high-tech vibe.
2024 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.
Compact SUVs are the most popular vehicle category today, and the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross seeks to differentiate itself with sleek style, a low price, and long warranty coverage.
2024 Hyundai Tucson.
The 2024 Hyundai Tucson stands out in a sea of compact SUVs by offering a wide range of trims and solid performance at competitive prices. It has two rows with seating for five people and a choice of nine trims with gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid drivetrain options.
2025 Subaru Forester.
These updates should keep the Forester relevant in the very competitive compact crossover segment, which includes top sellers such as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.
2024 Mitsubishi Outlander.
The Outlander SUV is available as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), which already makes it a relative rarity in the market. Add in a third row of seats, a large cargo area, and sporty handling and the Outlander becomes a good value. Drawbacks to consider include a very small third-row seat. The Outlander PHEV is quite a bit more expensive than the rather sluggish standard gasoline model, and once the plug-in's battery is depleted, its fuel economy isn't any better than that non-hybrid model. But it is estimated to travel up to 38 miles of driving range on electric-only power, so if you have a short commute and easy access to charging, it's possible to break even with the hybrid price premium after a few years. Mitsubishi has had a tough run over the past decade, with dwindling budgets, a very limited lineup, and a tiny dealer network. After the introduction of an Outlander compact SUV in 2022, things are looking much more optimistic. Based on the Nissan Rogue, Mitsubishi has a strong platform to build upon, and in some ways the current Outlander surpasses the Rogue. Mitsubishi has had a tough run over the past decade, with dwindling budgets, a very limited lineup, and a tiny dealer network. After the introduction of an Outlander compact SUV in 2022, things are looking much more optimistic. Based on the Nissan Rogue, Mitsubishi has a strong platform to build upon, and in some ways the current Outlander surpasses the Rogue.
2024 Jeep Compass.
Consider the 2024 Compass if you plan to attack trails at elevation or want to express your adventurous side through its tough-as-nails design. Otherwise, there are plenty of compact SUVs that strike a better balance of size and user-friendliness. In particular, the Volkswagen Taos provides an excellent all-around package at a great price, and the Mazda CX-30 is fun and sharp-looking, inside and out. By comparison, the Jeep Compass is rougher around the edges. But while the Compass has an undeniable attitude and a handful of updates on its most trail-rated trim, buyers of compact SUVs aren't typically looking to scale mountains every weekend. Most are looking for good fuel efficiency, functional space, comfortable performance around town, and a reasonable price point. And it's in these areas that the Compass largely struggles among its rivals. Jeep has tried to address many of these issues. The engine introduced in 2023 helped, with 200 horsepower from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. In tandem with a revised eight-speed automatic transmission, the engine didn't have to strain as much, improving fuel economy and serenity in the cabin over previous versions. Still, the main strength of the Compass is its off-road ability, and as an everyday commuter and errand-runner, it has drawbacks. The idea of owning a vehicle like the 2024 Jeep Compass may sound appealing on its face. And why not? Standard all-wheel drive, advanced traction systems, and a powerful standard engine are all desirable features in the compact crossover class. The Compass is, after all, a Jeep, and it brings more out-of-the-box ruggedness and capability than nearly every other vehicle it competes against.
