Best Small SUVs

Crossovers have become the most popular new vehicle type in the country. One key reason is the burgeoning popularity of small SUVs. Today's small SUVs deliver driving dynamics and fuel economy very similar to small sedans.

When SUVs started gaining sales success several decades ago, most employed a conventional ladder-type frame and had more in common with pickups than passenger cars. Today, however, small SUVs make successful substitutes for traditional passenger cars because automakers typically base them on a unibody car platform. This type of construction gives them attributes similar to the cars with which they share their vehicle architecture.

Most small SUVs come with front-wheel drive (FWD). At the same time, many (but not all) give buyers the choice of all-wheel drive (AWD). In rain, snow, and sleet, AWD offers significant safety advantages. All-wheel drive also gives small SUVs off-road capabilities the typical economy sedan doesn't offer. The best small SUVs combine praiseworthy on-road handling with serious all-terrain abilities.

Small SUVs also provide more interior and cargo space than comparable sedans or coupes. The high-profile "two-box" exterior design that small crossovers share endows them with superior headroom and luggage space. And small SUVs leverage their cargo-space advantage by offering split-folding second-row seats. Automakers also equip them with cupholders, cubbies, and consoles that maximize convenience.

Today's small SUVs also feature advanced driver assistance systems like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic warning, and blind-spot warning. If you seek a safe, roomy, and versatile new vehicle, this list of the best small SUVs on the market could prove invaluable.