As you can see on every highway and in every parking lot, compact SUVs are among the best-selling vehicles in the country. Here are the most popular used models, ranked according to recent Autotrader shopping activity.
Toyota RAV4
The best-selling SUV in the United States is practical, efficient, reliable, and comfortable. The Toyota RAV4 is available with gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid powertrains.
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Honda CR-V
The CR-V is a popular choice because it’s an easy-to-use, well-rounded, reliable small SUV with a hint of sportiness. It’s also available as a hybrid.
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Nissan Rogue
With laudable fuel economy and comfortable seats, the Nissan Rogue is competitive in its class.
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Chevrolet Equinox
The Chevrolet Equinox is spacious and has a comfortable, compliant ride. It benefits from a spacious rear seat and has plenty of room for passengers and their gear.
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Ford Escape
The easy-driving Ford Escape offers a range of powertrain choices, including hybrid variants. It has long been a practical and competent choice in its class.
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Subaru Forester
Built for family life and outdoor adventure, the all-wheel-drive (AWD) Subaru Forester is a practical, capable choice with excellent resale value.
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Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson has evolved over the years, going from rather small and basic to one of the leaders in its class. It brings good driving manners, ample tech, and a choice of powertrains.
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Kia Sportage
Like its corporate cousin, the Hyundai Tucson, the Kia Sportage compact SUV also transformed for the better over the years. It touts agreeable manners, good practicality, and forward-thinking design, along with a variety of powertrains.
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Mazda CX-5
Arguably the most fun-to-drive compact SUV, the upscale Mazda CX-5 is also quite practical. It boasts impressive safety features along with solid reliability and resale value.
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GMC Terrain
The GMC Terrain is a practical and comfortable compact SUV with a dose of rugged style.
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Volkswagen Tiguan
With European-inspired handling and steering, the Volkswagen Tiguan mixes fun driving manners with everyday practicality.
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Ford Bronco Sport
The Ford Bronco Sport has more off-road capability than most small SUVs, yet it is civilized and practical enough to also help you tackle the daily grind.
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Mitsubishi Outlander
The Mitsubishi Outlander is an outlier that deserves a look, especially if you’re interested in a compact SUV that offers three rows or a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
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Mazda CX-50
The Mazda CX-50 leans into the adventure lifestyle with a slightly raised ride height, all-wheel drive, and other off-road components, yet still brings the perks of Mazda’s driving fun and the brand’s posh interior styling.
See used Mazda CX-50 models for sale
Others include the Jeep Compass, Buick Envision, Dodge Hornet, and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.
Common Compact SUV Questions
What is the best compact SUV?
The Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 are two of the longest-running, best-selling, highest-rated compact SUVs.
What’s the roomiest compact SUV?
The Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, and Kia Sportage are among the roomiest compact SUVs, but most of the top sellers are comparable.
What is the difference between a small SUV and a compact SUV?
The term small SUV is most often used interchangeably with compact SUV.
Why are compact SUVs so popular?
Compact SUVs are incredibly practical and versatile, as well as relatively efficient and economical.
Which is better, a compact SUV or a sedan?
Neither is inherently better than the other, but compact SUVs are more popular than equivalent sedans. Compact SUVs offer far more cargo versatility than any sedan, plus greater ground clearance, more widely available all-wheel drive, and a higher seating position. A similarly priced sedan might be more efficient and more fun to drive.
