Top 10 Compact SUVs in the USA for 2025

Compact SUVs are dominating U.S. roads in 2025 and the battle for the top spot is fierce. The Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Hyundai Tucson lead the charge with power, comfort, and innovation. But a new contender might just steal the crown. Here’s how the top 10 rank this year.

Honda CR-V

Okay, we gotta start with the CR-V. It’s just… it’s the sensible one. The one your dad would approve of. The hybrid is the way to go, honestly, the fuel economy is just ridiculous and it’s so smooth and quiet around town. The interior feels way more expensive than it is, and it’s so practical, like, the back seat is huge. It’s not gonna get your heart racing, but it’s just so competent at everything. Uhm, I think it starts around, like, $30,000? Maybe a bit more for the hybrid. It’s the safe bet, you know? You just can’t lose.

Toyota RAV4

And then there’s the RAV4, the CR-V’s arch-nemesis. It’s a little bit… tougher looking, I guess? More adventurous, especially the TRD Off-Road and Adventure trims. And the RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid is a rocket ship, honestly, it’s stupid quick for what it is. It’s a Toyota, so it’s gonna be reliable forever and hold its value like crazy. The interior isn’t as nice as the CR-V’s, I don’t think, but it’s still really good. Prices are right there with the Honda, uhm, starting in the low $30,000s. It’s a toss-up, really. A coin flip.

Mazda CX-5

Oh, the CX-5. This is my personal favorite, I think. It’s for people who think all the other ones are kinda… boring. It drives like a car, a really nice car. The interior is so much more premium, like, it feels like you’re in an Audi or something for half the price. It’s just so quiet and composed on the highway. The downside? The back seat is a bit tighter and the fuel economy is just… okay. But for the driving experience? It’s top of the class. You can get a really nice one for, uhm, mid-$30,000s. It’s the driver’s choice.

Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai is just on a roll, man. The Tucson looks wild, with all those weird geometric lights. You either love it or you hate it, I kinda love it? And you get so much stuff for your money. The feature list is insane for the price. The hybrid is smooth and efficient, and the interior is really spacious. It’s just a fantastic all-arounder that doesn’t put you to sleep. Uhm, I think it starts around $29,000? Maybe even a little less? Such a good value proposition.

Kia Sportage

This is the Tucson’s sibling, but it has its own vibe. The design is a bit more… conventional? But in a good, sharp way. And it’s the same story—tons of standard features, a really nice interior, and the hybrid is a great option. Kia’s warranty is amazing, too, that peace of mind is worth something. It’s just another super smart, can’t-go-wrong choice. Pricing is pretty much identical to the Tucson, uhm, hovering right around that $29,000 mark.

Ford Escape

The Escape is kinda the… forgotten one sometimes? Which is a shame because it’s actually really good. The plug-in hybrid version is awesome if you have a short commute, you could go weeks without using gas. It drives nicely, it’s comfortable, and the new Sync 4 infotainment system is a huge improvement. It just doesn’t have the same, I don’t know, buzz as the Japanese or Korean ones. But you can probably get a good deal on one. Starts around, uhm, $29,000 as well.

Subaru Forester

The Forester is for a specific person. You get it because you need all-wheel drive, standard. Or you have a dog. Or you go hiking every weekend. The boxy shape means amazing visibility and a massive, useful cargo area. It’s not fast, and the interior tech is a bit behind, but it’s incredibly practical and capable in bad weather. It’s the ultimate practical, outdoorsy choice. Uhm, prices start around $27,000, which is pretty competitive for what you get.

Nissan Rogue

The Rogue had a real glow-up the last couple years. The new one is so much better than the old one. The interior is nice and modern, it’s comfortable, and it has a really good, efficient three-cylinder engine that’s surprisingly peppy. It’s just a solid, comfortable, no-drama family hauler now. It’s back in the game, for sure. I think it starts around $29,000? Yeah. It’s a strong comeback story.

Volkswagen Tiguan

The Tiguan is the European entry. And its big thing is… space. It has a third-row seat, which is kinda hilarious and useless for adults, but great for kids in a pinch. It feels really solid on the road, like a vault, and the ride is super comfortable. The downside is the base engine is a bit underpowered. But it’s a great road trip car. Uhm, it starts around $28,000, and it often has really good lease deals.