Best Compact Crossover SUVs 2023

The compact crossover SUV is designed to seamlessly blend a traditional saloon with an SUV. The melding creates a mixture of daily utility and mild off-road capabilities, yet leaves drivers with a more refined driving experience of a car.

They seamlessly blend the utility of a sedan with the capabilities of an SUV, offering better fuel economy than their truck-based predecessors. Here are our top 10 picks.

10, Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Outlander 2017 review

The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (aka Mitsubishi RVR or Mitsubishi ASX) is a five-door crossover SUV built by Mitsubishi.

Exterior

The Outlander Sport is a head-turner, its wind-cutting exterior styling is eye-catching. The front end features a courageous chrome grille and Mitsubishi logo flanked by LED headlights with DRLs and LED fog lights underneath. The rear is graced by a spoiler atop the tailgate and LED taillights. On the sides, there are slick lines that run from the front to the rear giving the car an athletic feel.

Interior

mitsubishi outlander gray front seat interior
Toyota Ractis 2021 back sheet

The space is a bit limited, and there’s not much headroom for rear passengers.
Storage is available in the form of door pockets, cup holders, jacket pockets, a glove box, and a deep center bin. The cargo area is just about enough and can be extended by folding flat the 60/40 split rear seats.

Engine Power

Powerplants varied by market, they include the 1.6-liter (4A92), the 1.8-liter (4B10), the 2.0-liter (4B11), and the 2.4-liter (4B12) petrol engines with 115, 140, 150, and 170 hp respectively. The only diesel option is the turbocharged 1.8-liter (4N13) direct injection with 150 hp. Power from these engines was sent to the front (FWD) or all wheels (AWD – standard from 2023) via a five- or six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic or INVECS-III CVT transmission.

Equipment and Safety Features

Tech- and Infotainment-wise, this car trails behind the pack with the most notable standard tech feature being Bluetooth connectivity.
Standard safety features include Lane Departure Warning,  Forward Collision Mitigation with Pedestrian Detection,  and Automatic High Beams.

Price

The MSRP of the CX-50 ranges between US$2200 and US$18,770. (These are Be Forward prices as of August 2023)
Popular model year → 2022

Writer’s opinion

This car is showing its age in various car features, it’s high time manufacturers replace it with a newer version and not a facelift.

Pros
A good balance of suitable driving dynamics, practicality, and value

Cons
It’s an oldie but goodie compared to its competition


9, Nissan Rogue

2010 NISSAN ROGUE silver frontside
2010 NISSAN ROGUE silver backside

The Nissan Rogue (aka Nissan X-Trail T32 from 2013) is a five-door compact crossover SUV built by
the Japanese company Nissan.

Exterior

The Rogue T33 is denoted by a boxier and squared-off front end with LED headlights, DRLs, and fog lights. It also features a two-tone exterior color mixture.
The later-released appearance package added a black trim, badging, and alloy wheels.

Interior

2010 NISSAN ROGUE silver interior driving sheet
2010 NISSAN ROGUE silver interior backsheet

Its interior layout is pleasant and neat, with soft and comfortable seats. Its tall and expansive windows create an airy feel but also offer excellent outward visibility.
It offers an 895-liter cargo area with rear seats up (higher trims offer 1033 liters, thanks to the Divide-N-Hide option) and 2098 liters with seats folded flat.

Engine Power

The 2023 Rogue is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter (KR15DDT) three-cylinder with 201 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque paired with an Xtronic CVT transmission. In standard FWD or available AWD average fuel consumption is 14.24 km/L and 13.4 km/L respectively.

Equipment and Safety Features

Standard features on the Rogue include an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, four-speaker audio, two USB ports, Bluetooth, and satellite radio.
Standard safety features include automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

Price

The MSRP of the 2023 Rogue ranges between US$27,300 – US$39,000, while the maximum Be Forward price for a similar 2023 X-Trail as of August 2023 is US$ 52,510.
Popular model year → 2010

Writer’s opinion

The Rogue is an almost perfect small SUV as it provides a good balance of the most important aspects of a car including a reliable and efficient engine, an enticing exterior, and a techy, spacious, and versatile interior.

Pros
Practical and efficient, with a spacious, versatile, and feature-packed interior

Cons
Compared to its competition, the Rogue’s warranty of three years or 58,000 km is behind the pack


8, Mazda CX-5

Mazda CX-5 2016 | Car Review

Mazda CX-5 is a five-door compact crossover SUV manufactured by Mazda since 2012.

Exterior

The CX-5 is a stylish SUV. It comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels and automatic LED headlights. Available external features include body-color roof rails and mirrors, LED DRLs and fog lights, a front grille in a gloss black finish with a chrome emblem, dual chrome tailpipes, a shark fin antenna, and more.

Interior

2023 MAZDA CX-5
drinving sheet
2023 MAZDA CX-5 drinving sheet backsheet

It’s a spacious, well-brush, and sophisticated five-seat car, with most finishing done with high-end materials. Storage options include front door pockets, two cupholders,  a large cubbyhole on the center console, and a deep glovebox. There is a healthy amount of cargo space that can be extended by folding the 40/20/40 split rear seat.

Engine Power

The 2023 CX-5 is available with either a turbocharged 2.2-liter Skyactiv-D (SH-VPTS) diesel engine with an output of 150 hp and 280 lb-ft or 175 hp and 310 lb-ft or a naturally aspirated or turbocharged 2.5-liter Skyactiv-G (PY-VPS/PY-VPTS) four-cylinder petrol with 187 hp and 186 lb-ft or 256 hp and 320 lb-ft respectively. These engines send power to the front wheels (FWD) or all wheels (AWD) via a six-speed automatic transmission.

Equipment and Safety Features

Standard features include a 10.2-inch infotainment display, a four-speaker stereo, Satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, two USB ports, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Standard safety features include front and rear parking sensors, front and rear curtain airbags, ABS, EBFD, DSTC, and hill-hold assist.

Price

he MSRP of the CX-50 ranges between US$26,700 and US$40,600.
Popular model year → 2019

Writer’s opinion

Mazda has a habit of building affordable vehicles that are true to high-quality interiors and engaging performance. The CX-5 is a true statement of this. 

Pros
Premium and affordable.

Cons
Below average cargo capacity.


7, Hyundai Tucson

hyundai tucson

Click for Low Cost Sportage Models

The Hyundai Tucson is a South Korean compact crossover SUV brand built by Hyundai7, Hyundai Tucson.

Exterior

The front end of Tucson features a pronounced nose, a”jewel-like” grille, with geometric DRLs, and segmented LED headlights. Other notable exterior features include bulgy fenders, sharp creases, angled wheel arches, and short front/rear overhangs.

Interior

2023 Hyundai Tucson Interior driving sheet
2023 Hyundai Tucson Interior back sheet

Inside the Tucson features a fully digital binnacle, a four-spoke steering wheel, a dual 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and four buttons gear selector. The Tucson has plenty of cubby holes for handling small items. Its cargo-carrying capacity is 620- or 577 liters with seats up or 1795- or 1737 liters with the 40:20:40 split rear seats folded flat for a non-hybrid and hybrid respectively.

Engine Power

The Tucson NX4 comes fitted with a turbocharged 1.6-liter (G1.6 T-GDi) direct-injection four-cylinder petrol with 147 hp or 1.6-liter (D1.6 CRDi) four-cylinder petrol with 113 hp as standard. The petrol engine is also available in a couple of tunes with varying degrees of hybrid-assisted technologies. A standard six-speed automatic transmission sends power to the front wheels (FWD) as standard or all wheels (4WD) optional.

Equipment and Safety Features

Standard equipment includes a rear-view camera, dual-zone climate control, smartphone connectivity, Bluetooth, USB ports, cruise control, heated and folding door mirrors, DAB audio, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Standard safety features include a front, side, curtain, and central front airbag, automatic emergency braking, lane follow assist, lane keep assist, intelligent speed limiting, and driver fatigue warning.

Price

The 2023 Tucson has an MSRP that ranges between US$27,000 and US$39,500. At Be Forward used 2020 – 2023 Tucson prices range between US$11,300 and US$41,050 as of August 2023.
Popular model year → 2019

Writer’s perspective

The Hyundai Tucson is a good investment, as it delivers good value for money, from its premium cabin, useful tech features, and pleasant ride.

Pros
High-end interior and capacious cargo area.

Cons
Inefficient hybrid system compared to its competition.

The Hyundai Tucson is a South Korean compact crossover SUV brand built by Hyundai.


6, Kia Sportage

2023 KIA SPORTAGE 5TH GENERATION white frontside

The Kia Sportage is a compact crossover SUV built by the South Korean company Kia.

Exterior

Exterior features of the Sportage are graced by the large ‘tiger nose’ grille up front, flanked by stylish LED headlights and boomerang-style LED DRLs. The rear is also graced by stylish LED taillights with bold creases and angles evident all over the car.

Interior

2023 KIA SPORTAGE 5TH GENERATION front driving sheet
2023 KIA SPORTAGE 5TH GENERATION backsheet

The well laid out interior cannot match the exterior quality but it’s still way better than most cars in its category. It’s airy, spacious, and neat. Controls knobs are within reach and well grouped together. The standard 4.2-inch instrument is simply amazing.
The cargo area of the standard Sportage is 591 liters, while on the HEV and PHEV, it drops to 587 liters and 540 liters respectively. When you fold the 40:20:40 rear split seats you unleash a maximum of 1780 liters of cargo space.

Engine Power

The Sportage has several available powerplants, but the turbocharged 1.6-liter (Smartstream G1.6 T-GDI) four-cylinder petrol with 150 hp is standard. It is paired with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic transmission.

Equipment and Safety Features

Standard features on the Sportage include an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six-speaker audio, a USB-C port, and Bluetooth. Standard safety features include lane-following steering, an intelligent speed limiter, collision avoidance assistance with pedestrian and cyclist detection, a tire pressure monitor, parking sensors, a rear-view camera, and trailer stability assistance.

Price

The MSRP for the 2023 Sportage ranges between US$26,000 and US$37,000. At Be Forward the prices range between US$11,400 and US$34,142 for a used 2020 to 2023 model as of August 2023.
Popular model year → 2022

Writer’s perspective

The South Koreans have almost perfected their trade-in car manufacturing, and the 2023 Sportage is a living testament to that. Its ride quality, cargo area, and, driver aids and tech are simply exceptional.

Pros
Has a techy and pleasant cabin

Cons
Limited standard features with most features reserved for the higher trims


5, Subaru Outback

Subaru Outback 2017 | Car Review

The Subaru Outback is a crossover wagon built by the Japanese company Subaru.

Exterior

Notable exterior features include roof rails with integrated cross bars, body-colored mirrors, and grey 18-inch alloy wheels.

Interior

The interior of the 2023 Outback is spacious with enough head, leg, and shoulder room for five six-foot-tall occupants. Its well-bolstered, supportive, and comfortable seats are covered in cloth upholstery as standard. It has a massive cargo hold at 522 liters with the rear seats in place and 1267 liters with the 60/40 split rear seats folded flat. Within the cargo area, there are four useful cargo hooks.

Engine Power

The 2023 Outback is powered by a turbocharged 1.8-liter (CB18) for the JDM and a 2.5-liter (FB25D) in other markets. These are four-cylinder petrol engines with 175 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque and 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque respectively. A turbocharged 2.4-liter (260 hp, 277 lb-ft) is also available. Power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

Equipment and Safety Features

Standard features include an 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a six-speaker sound system, DAB+ digital radio, Dual-zone climate control, paddle shifters, automatic windscreen wipers, and auto-dimming rear-view mirror. Standard safety equipment includes AEB with pedestrian/cyclist/junction assist, autonomous emergency steering, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitoring, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, and traffic sign recognition.

Price

The MSRP of the 2023 Outback ranges between US$28,400 and US$42,300. At Be Forward the price range of a used Outback within the 2020 to 2023 model year is US$18,800 and US$35,500 as of August 2023.
Popular model year → 2022

Writer’s perspective

The Outback is an almost perfect mix of a station wagon and an SUV. It can handle SUV some tasks well, and it can even outperform some SUVs in that aspect, but it also offers comfort, practicality, easy-driving character, great outward visibility, good ground clearance, and the all-weather temperament of an SUV.

Pros
Smooth, comfortable, and spacious, with spectacular off-road ability.

Cons
Thirsty engines compared to its competitors.


4, Subaru Forester

2023 SUBARU FORESTER X-
black frontside

The Subaru Forester is a compact crossover SUV built by the Japanese company Subaru.

Exterior

The Forester is a stylish and capable crossover SUV with a good combination of rugged and functional elements. Some of its standard exterior features include a roof rail with tie-down points, LED Steering Responsive Headlights, body-colored door mirrors and front bumper, a spoiler atop the tailgate, and a ground clearance of 8.7 inches.

Interior

2023 SUBARU FORESTER
frontside drivnig sheet
2023 SUBARU FORESTER
backside

The cabin is spacious and airy, and the seats offer a good balance of softness and support. The chunky, leather-wrapped steering wheel features plenty of controls. Its analog instrument cluster features a 4.2-inch digital display with plenty of layouts, with another slim display atop the dashboard that offers several car information. The cargo area has a capacity of 818 liters with rear seats in place, and 2101 liters with seats folded flat.

Equipment and Safety Features

Standard features include a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a four-speaker audio system, HD Radio, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and USB ports Standard safety features include lane centering, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.

Price

The MSRP of the 2023 Forester ranges between US$26,400 and US$36,800. At Be Forward the price range of a used Forester within the 2020 to 2023 model year is US$14,000 and US$30,800.
Popular model year → 2023

Writer’s opinion

The Forester has been and still is a practical SUV with a generous cabin and a reliable all-wheel drive system that is so useful.

Pros
Premium and spacious cabin

Cons
Lackluster engine


3, Toyota RAV4

2023 TOYOTA RAV4
black frontside

The Toyota RAV4 is a compact crossover SUV built by Toyota.

Exterior

The exterior features a lowered beltline, lowered side mirrors positioned on the doors, an enlarged rear quarter glass for better side visibility, tucked-in windshield wipers, square wheel arches, LED headlights, and 17-inch wheels.

Interior

2023 TOYOTA RAV4
driving sheet Interior
2023 TOYOTA RAV4
Interior  backsheet

The interior finish is broadly based on functionality than luxury. Storage options include a shelf that spans the dash, a dip bin, door pockets, a center tray, cup holders, and a glove box. The standard model has a 580-liter cargo area with the rear seats in place and 1,690 liters with the seats folded flat. PHEV models capacity is reduced to 520 liters by 1,604 liters respectively.

Engine Power

The 2023 RAV is powered by a 2.0-liter (M20A) or a 2.5-liter (A25A-FKS) four-cylinder petrol engine with 169 hp and 153 lb-ft and 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque respectively. A 2.5-liter (A25A-FXS) HEV and PHEV system is also available. Power is transferred to the front or all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic or eCVT transmission.

Equipment and Safety Features

Standard features include an 8.0-inch touchscreen display, a six-speaker sound system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 7.0-inch instrument cluster display.
Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite is standard, it features forward collision warning with automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping system, automatic high beams, and a traffic sign reader.

Price

The MSRP of the 2023 RAV4 ranges between US$28,300 and US$38,000 while at Be Forward a used 2020 to 2023 RAV4 price ranges between US$17,000 and US$73,120 as of August 2023.
Popular model year → 2018, 2022

Writer’s opinion

Toyota’s are known for their practicality and low maintenance cost, and this RAV4 abides by that, although driving can be a bit boring it has also begun to show its age amongst its more modern rivals.

Pros
The 2023 RAV4 almost checks all the boxes. It’s spacious, reliable, comfortable to drive, fuel-efficient, and packed with safety features.

Cons
The base model is too bare-boned compared to rivals.


2, Volkswagen Tiguan

2023 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN white frontside

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The Volkswagen Tiguan is a five-door crossover SUV built by Volkswagen.

Exterior

Standard LED lights and tail lights, redesigned grille and wheels, enlarged bumper intakes and a new rear diffuser and bonnet.

Interior

2023 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN driving sheet
2023 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN back sheet

Its practical cabin comes with a standard 8-inch digital gauge cluster, two USB-C sockets, and a 12-volt connector Cubby options include a glovebox, large door pockets, front seat armrests with storage space underneath, and fold-away cupholders. Its cargo capacity is 520-liter cargo with rear seats in place.

Engine Power

The Tiguan can be had with one of several four-cylinder engines, from the 1.5-liter (TSI) petrol with 130hp, the 2.0-liter (TSI) with 320hp (fitted on the Tiguan R performance). A PHEV with 245 hp. Diesel models are fitted with a 2.0-liter engine with 150hp. These engines transfer power to two or four wheels via an automatic transmission. powertrain options.

Equipment and Safety Features

A steering wheel with touch-sensitive buttons, as well as a standard 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster with wireless Appl CarPlay and Android Auto.. Standard safety features include rear traffic alert, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, travel assist, and autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian monitoring.

Price

The MSRP of the 2023 Tiguan ranges between US$27,000 and US$37,700. Used 2020 to 2023 models have a price that ranges between US$17,235 and US$52,000 at Be Forward as of August 2023.
Popular model year 2020, 2022

Writer’s opinion

The Tiguan has a classier image and pulls a desirable badge. The interior is splendid and the engines and transfer are a good combination that produces exhilarating experiences.

Pros
Quiet cabin, spacious rear seat, and large cargo area

Cons
High MSRP compared to its competitors


1, Honda CR-V

2023 HONDA CR-V
 black frontside

The Honda CR-V is a five-door five-seat compact crossover SUV built by Honda.

Exterior

Standard exterior features include LED headlights, LED DRLs, body-colored wing mirrors, rear spoiler, and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Interior

2023 HONDA CR-V
driving sheet black
2023 HONDA CR-V driving sheet black backside

The cabin is pleasantly wide and airy, with standard heated front seats that feel sumptuous and comfortable with a decent-sized bin that also serves as a center armrest. There is a sliding tray, a glove box, cup holders, door pockets, and jacket pockets for cubby storage. Behind the rear seats, there is a cargo area with 1113 liters, which can be maximized by folding flat the rear seats.

Engine Power

The base powerplant is a turbocharged 1.5-liter (L15BE) four-cylinder petrol engine with 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. A hybrid system that pairs the 2.0-liter (LFA1) with a motor is also available. These engines send power to the front wheels (FWD) or all-wheels (AWD) via a CVT or eCVT transmission.

Equipment and Safety Features

Standard features include a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, a four-speaker sound system, a digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Standard safety features include front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic braking, and lane-keep assist.

Price

The MSRP of the 2023 CR-V ranges between US$28,400 and US$39,100. The price of a used 2020 to 2023 model of the CR-V at Be Forward ranges between US$22,150 and US$36,500 as of August 2023. Popular model year → 2023

Writer’s opinion

The CR-V is Honda’s flagship crossover SUV that has been a faithful torchbearer. The 2023 model continues where previous models left off, it’s spacious, pleasant to drive, great ease of use, and efficient enough to reduce your visits to the pump.

Pros
Spacious interior, awesome cargo capacity, and a reliable hybrid system.

Cons
Limited cubby storage.