Every 2022 Compact SUV Ranked from Worst to Best
Car and Driver
Compact SUVs are everywhere, and lucky for all of us, automakers have responded by making these models more capable and fun to drive. Many vehicles in this segment offer more cargo space than sedans, and one even has a powertrain with 302 horsepower!
It can be overwhelming to shop through the maze of compact SUV options, so we’ve made it easier by ranking each option from worst to best. Interested in something bigger or smaller? We’ve ranked those too.
More New SUVs Ranked from Worst to Best:
Subcompact | Mid-Size | Full-Size | 3-Row
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Crossover SUVs aren’t typically known for their off-road chops, but the Jeep Compass Trailhawk is an exception. Make no mistake, the off-road-oriented Compass trim is still no Jeep Wrangler, but this small Jeep model, which sits between the subcompact Renegade and the compact Cherokee, is surprisingly capable off-the-beaten-path—when properly equipped. The standard 177-hp inline-four feels rather lethargic, and the laggy six-speed automatic on front-wheel-drive models certainly doesn’t help things out. Even the nine-speed automatic of the all-wheel-drive Compass feels somewhat sleepy when accelerating. An update for 2022 includes a revised interior that finally looks and feels up to par with its competitors.
Base price: $27,685EPA Fuel Economy combined/city/highway: 25/22/31 mpg (FWD)All-wheel drive: Available
MORE COMPASS SPECS
Updated for the 2022 model year, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has a new look, a bigger 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a single-window rear hatch that replaces the funky two-glass piece from before. It has the same powertrain, a 152-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four that mates to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). All-wheel-drive is available across the board. Every Eclipse Cross now comes standard with driver-assistance features including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning.
Base price: $24,890 EPA Fuel Economy combined/city/highway: 27/26/29 mpg (FWD)All-wheel drive: Available
MORE ECLIPSE CROSS SPECS
GMC’s Terrain benefits from a light refresh for 2022 that includes new front and rear bumpers, LED headlights and taillights, and updated interior bits. A 170-hp turbocharged four-cylinder and nine-speed automatic transmission continue to motivate this compact SUV. Front-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is optionally available. The Terrain’s ride is on the firm side and, like its Chevrolet-badged Equinox sibling, the build quality inside is less than stellar—especially given the GMC’s base price. A 7.0-inch touchscreen is standard, though a larger 8.0-inch display is available.
Base price: $29,095EPA Fuel Economy combined/city/highway: 27/25/30 mpg (FWD)All-wheel drive: Available
MORE TERRAIN SPECS
Much like the smaller Jeep Compass, the compact Jeep Cherokee can be outfitted for off-the-grid exploration, albeit for a hefty premium. All-wheel drive is standard on most trims, although the Latitude Lux comes standard with front-wheel drive. Every Cherokee features a 271-hp 3.2-liter V-6, although Latitude Lux and Limited models are optionally available with a 270-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4 that packs 295 pound-feet of torque—56 lb-ft of twist more than the V-6. Predictably, the fuel economy figures of the Cherokee’s high-horsepower engines fall short of class leaders.
Base price: $35,590EPA Fuel Economy combined/city/highway: 26/23/31 mpg (FWD, 2.0L)All-wheel drive: Available
MORE CHEROKEE SPECS
Like its GMC sibling, the Chevrolet Equinox receives a refresh for the 2022 model year. Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is available. There’s only one powertrain, a 170-hp turbocharged four-cylinder with a six-speed automatic transmission. Want a compact SUV from General Motors with more gears? Then pick up an all-wheel-drive GMC Terrain, which comes with a nine-speed automatic gearbox.
Base price: $26,995EPA Fuel Economy combined/city/highway: 28/26/31 mpg (FWD)All-wheel drive: Available
MORE EQUINOX SPECS
Ford offers its Escape with a wide variety of powertrains. Strictly gas-powered Escapes rely on a 181-hp turbocharged three-cylinder engine for motivation, however, a 250-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4 is also available. The former engine offers both front- and all-wheel-drive options and delivers adequate performance, while the latter is all-wheel-drive-only and makes the Escape quite zippy. The Escape is also available in gasoline-electric and plug-in gasoline-electric hybrid forms. Going the hybrid route nets buyers a 2.5-liter gas engine and two electric motors for a total of 200 horsepower and an EPA-rated 41 mpg combined in front-drive guise. Opt for all-wheel drive and that figure falls to 40 mpg. The all-wheel-drive Escape PHEV, meanwhile, matches the all-wheel-drive hybrid’s combined fuel economy figure, but nets an EPA-rated 37 miles of all-electric driving range. We like the refined ride quality of the Ford Escape as well as its spacious cabin and modern features. Its major drawbacks are its subpar interior materials and its starting price, which is a bit overzealous for what base the Escape offers.
Base price: $28,255EPA Fuel Economy combined/city/highway: 41/44/37 mpg (FWD, Hybrid) All-wheel drive: Available
MORE ESCAPE SPECS
The Kia Sportage sits above the subcompact Seltos but below the three-row Sorento in the Korean brand’s SUV model line. Standard equipment includes a 181-hp four-cylinder engine, a six-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel drive, an 8.0-inch touchscreen display, and more. All-wheel-drive is optional across the board. The Sportage SX Turbo starts at nearly $35,000 and comes with a 240-hp turbocharged four-cylinder (237 horses in all-wheel-drive guise).
Base price: $25,265EPA Fuel Economy combined/city/highway: 26/23/30 mpg (FWD, 2.4L)All-wheel drive: Available
MORE SPORTAGE SPECS
The Subaru Forester continues to rely on the same basic formula that’s helped it attract customers for decades. This includes standard all-wheel drive, excellent visibility, a roomy interior, and a spacious cargo bay. For 2022, Subaru slightly updates the Forester’s styling and adds a more off-road-focused Wilderness trim to the line. We’re a little disappointed the SUV is limited to one powertrain: a 182-hp naturally aspirated flat-four that mates to a CVT. The combination delivers smooth and reasonably peppy acceleration in day-to-day driving situations, even if it feels a little underpowered during passing situations at highway speeds. It’s certainly not the quickest in the class, but the Subaru Forester is still one of the best all-around compact crossovers and an affordable way to get all-wheel drive.
Base price: $26,570EPA Fuel Economy combined/city/highway: 29/26/33 mpgAll-wheel drive: Standard
MORE FORESTER SPECS
The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander is the product of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. And considering the last Outlander was ranked dead-last on this list, this merger is proving to seriously benefit the Three-Diamond Mark. This new generation Outlander shares its chassis with the Nissan Rogue. A 181-hp four-cylinder and CVT is the only way to slice it (a 221-hp plug-in hybrid powertrain, meanwhile, is available in the Outlander PHEV, which remains based on the previous-generation compact SUV), and front-wheel drive is standard. All-wheel drive is optional. On our 75-mph highway fuel economy test, the top-level Outlander SEL achieved an underwhelming 26 mpg, compared to the Rogue’s 32 mpg. The Outlander also includes three rows of seats, however, its rearmost row is about as useful as the rear seats in a Porsche 911.
Base price: $27,290EPA Fuel Economy combined/city/highway: 27/24/31 mpg (FWD) All-wheel drive: Available
MORE OUTLANDER SPECS
The Nissan Rogue welcomes a new powertrain for 2022: a turbocharged 1.5-liter I-3 with 201-hp and Nissan’s trick variable compression ratio technology. As before, a CVT is the only game in town and it shoots the engine’s power to either the SUV’s front wheels or—optionally—all four of its wheels courtesy of the Rogue’s available all-wheel-drive system. The Rogue may not set the compact SUV standard, but it’s certainly a solid option in this class, offering an ergonomic cabin with competitive materials and reasonable space for passengers and cargo.
Base price: $28,375EPA Fuel Economy combined/city/highway: 33/30/37 mpg (FWD)All-wheel drive: Available
MORE ROGUE SPECS
The Toyota RAV4 benefits from a light update for the 2022 model year. As before, strictly gas-powered RAV4s feature a 203-hp four-cylinder that pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission. RAV4 Hybrid models have standard all-wheel drive and rely on a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain that produces a peak of 219 horsepower. The RAV4 Prime is the most powerful variant. It’s a plug-in hybrid model with 302 horsepower. Our only major complaint with this well-rounded compact SUV centers on its relatively loud four-cylinder engine. We think too much noise enters the cabin.
Base price: $28,190EPA Fuel Economy combined/city/highway: 40/41/38 mpg (Hybrid)All-wheel drive: Available
MORE RAV4 SPECS
As the only vehicle on this list with a bottle opener built into the liftgate, it’s clear the Ford Bronco Sport is here to party. Its looks match its capability, and, though they don’t look similar, the Bronco Sport and Escape both share a platform. A 181-hp turbocharged three-cylinder is standard, and a larger 250-hp four-cylinder engine is available; both come with an eight-speed automatic. An 8.0-inch touchscreen with Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system is onboard, which includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. A Bronco Sport Badlands placed second in our most recent compact crossover comparison test, where it beat the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk, but came up short against the Mazda CX-5 due to a lack of comfort and paved-road performance.
Base price: $29,860EPA Fuel Economy combined/city/highway: 26/25/28 mpgAll-wheel drive: Standard
MORE BRONCO SPORT SPECS
Honda’s CR-V isn’t the sportiest or best-looking compact SUV, but it is a well-rounded one. Every solely gas-powered CR-V comes with a 190-hp turbocharged four-cylinder and one of the best CVTs available. The 212-hp gasoline-electric CR-V Hybrid, meanwhile, comes standard with all-wheel drive—an optional extra on its less powerful counterpart. While the base CR-V LX comes with a 5.0-inch infotainment display, all other trims get a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.
Base price: $27,625EPA Fuel Economy combined/city/highway: 38/40/35 mpg (Hybrid)All-wheel drive: Available
MORE CR-V SPECS
The Hyundai Tucson benefits from a complete overhaul for the 2022 model year. Along with its bold new looks, the model adds gasoline-electric hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain options to the mix. Lesser gas models rely on a coarse 187-hp 2.5-liter I-4 for motivation. It mates to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, which shoots power to the front wheels. All-wheel drive, however, is optional. The hybrid setup, meanwhile, makes 221 horses, while the plug-in nets 261 and offers up to 33 miles of electric-only driving, per the EPA. Both come standard with all-wheel drive.
Base price: $27,045EPA Fuel Economy combined/city/highway: 38/38/38 mpg (Hybrid)All-wheel drive: Available
MORE TUCSON SPECS
The Volkswagen Tiguan is one of the biggest offerings in this segment. In fact, it’s large enough to squeeze in a tiny third-row seat in certain models. A 184-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic come standard, as does front-wheel drive. The powertrain feels somewhat overmatched by the Tiguan’s mass, though, particularly when the SUV is equipped with its optional all-wheel-drive system. Like most Volkswagens, the Tiguan’s interior is ergonomic but lacks any real sense of style.
Base price: $27,865EPA Fuel Economy combined/city/highway: 26/23/30 mpg (FWD)All-wheel drive: Available
MORE TIGUAN SPECS
The Mazda CX-5 impresses with its luxurious feel and affordable pricing. This Mazda offers more than just a comfortable, well-appointed ride, though, as the CX-5 is actually enjoyable to drive. Buyers can opt for either a 187-hp 2.5-liter I-4 or a 256-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter I-4, both of which mate to a six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel-drive is standard across the line.
Base price: $27,125EPA Fuel Economy combined/city/highway: 26/24/30 mpg (2.5L)All-wheel drive: Standard
MORE CX-5 SPECS
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