Find the Best Car Deals Near You ⤵
Best & Worst Small SUVs
May 15, 2014
As the saying goes, sometimes the best things come in small packages. And with increased roominess, lower price and improved fuel economy, small SUVs certainly help make that adage true.
Consumer Reports recently came up with their list of the best and worst small SUVs available today. When it comes to best overall, the Subaru Forester, Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 all share top honors thanks to excellent handling, impressive fuel economies, and affordable prices.
On the other side of the coin are the ones Consumer Reports advises steering clear of. Those include three Jeep models -- Compass, Patriot, and Cherokee -- and the Mitsubishi Outlander.
If you're considering purchasing a small SUV, make sure to use TrueCar No Haggle and CarsDirect to get the lowest price possible.
Best Small SUVs
| Vehicle | Categories | Price As Tested | Overall MPG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CR-V | Best Overall; Most Kid-Friendly | $26,455 | 23 |
| Subaru Forester | Best Overall; Most Fuel Efficient | $26,814 | 26 |
| Mazda CX-5 | Best Overall; Most Fuel Efficient | $28,090 | 25 |
| Kia Sportage | Most Kid-Friendly | $21,600-$28,400 | N/A |
| Subaru XV Crosstrek | Most Fuel-Efficient | $21,995-$29,295 | 26 |
| Ford Escape | Most Kid-Friendly | $23,100-$30,850 | N/A |
Worst Small SUVs
| Vehicle |
|---|
| Jeep Compass |
| Jeep Patriot |
| Mitsubishi Outlander |
| Jeep Cherokee (2.4L Engine) |
Signup for The Weekly Newsletter
Each week, I'll keep you up-to-date on the latest car deals and news that might affect your purchase. This includes...
- Best Rebates, Incentives, and Lease Deals
- Latest Car Buying Scams and Tricks
- The Best & Worst Time to Buy a Car
- Which Cars You Should Avoid
About The Author
Gregg Fidan is the founder of RealCarTips. After being ripped off on his first car purchase, he devoted several years to figuring out the best ways to avoid scams and negotiate
the best car deals. He has written hundreds of articles on the subject of car buying and taught thousands of car shoppers how to get the best deals.
Latest Weekly Car Buying Tips
December 2025
- Best End of Year Car Deals for 2025 Dec 25, 2025
- Cars With the Largest Rebates Dec 25, 2025
- Real Prices of Large SUVs Dec 25, 2025
- Cheapest Luxury Lease Deals Dec 25, 2025
- All SUV Lease Deals Compared December 2025 Dec 18, 2025
- New Cars with the Most Available Inventory Dec 18, 2025
- Top 100 Cheapest New Cars Right Now Dec 18, 2025
- Price Comparison of Subcompact SUVs Dec 18, 2025
- Top 100 Cheapest Lease Deals Dec 11, 2025
- Biggest Discounts on New Cars December 2025 Dec 11, 2025
- Real Prices of Midsize SUVs Dec 11, 2025
- Largest Hidden Dealer Rebates Dec 11, 2025
- Best 0% Finance Deals December 2025 Dec 04, 2025
- Best Bang for Your Buck Lease Deals Dec 04, 2025
- Best Electric, Hybrid Lease Deals Dec 04, 2025
- Real Prices of Pickup Trucks Dec 04, 2025
November 2025
- Best Black Friday Car Deals 2025 Nov 27, 2025
- Real Prices of Compact Cars Nov 27, 2025
- Best Car Deals by Category Nov 20, 2025
- Worst Cars to Lease Right Now Nov 20, 2025
- Real Prices of Midsize Cars Nov 20, 2025
- Real Prices of New Compact SUVs Nov 13, 2025
I welcome your car buying questions. Email Me and I'll be glad to answer them!
