In 2025, the primary and two best-selling non-pickup truck automobiles have been the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, in that order. The mainstream compact crossover class is arguably crucial phase in the complete automotive trade in a what-actually-keeps-the-lights-on sense.
Name them boring if you need, however for the common individual, that is what matches the invoice of recent life and fashionable funds. Sufficiently small to by no means really feel cumbersome, sufficiently big to suit all of your stuff, typically nice on gasoline financial system, they usually all begin someplace within the low-$30,000s.
Right here’s a fast roundup of each predominant competitor within the fiercely aggressive compact crossover area, what they provide, what they don’t provide, and what they’re really prefer to drive and dwell with.
Toyota RAV4
Photograph by: Jeff Perez / Motor1
Base Value: $33,350 / $42,950
Gas Economic system: 44 MPG / 107 MPGE
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The phase default and gross sales king, the Toyota RAV4, is all-new this yr and now comes solely as a hybrid—plug-in or in any other case. As much as 44 miles per gallon mixed with the common mannequin and 52 miles of electrical vary with the PHEV makes it a formidable foe for the opposite automobiles on this checklist and a powerful, economical selection for patrons.
Supplied in common core, rugged Woodland, or athletic GR Sport trim, the brand new RAV4 continues to really feel just like the default compact crossover behind the wheel, too: agreeable, simple, and competent. If you need one among these, hopefully you’re a fan of rectangles as a result of the inside was seemingly designed with nothing however these.
Honda CR-V
2026 Honda CR-V Trailsport
Photograph by: Chris Rosales / Motor1
Base Value: $32,370 / $37,080
Gas Economic system: 30 MPG / 40 MPG
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Nipping on the RAV4’s heels is its archnemesis, the also-excellent Honda CR-V. Accessible working on pure gasoline or as a Hybrid in increased trims, Honda’s tremendous standard compact crossover is probably not fairly as standard as that Toyota, however it’s nonetheless arguably the nicer automobile.
A number of years into its lifecycle, this mannequin’s design and ubiquity received’t flip any heads even when you go for that new, rugged-ish TrailSport model. However the CR-V’s above-average passenger and cargo area, upscale, minimalist cabin, and downright glorious driving manners imply it is not simply top-of-the-line crossovers you should purchase, however top-of-the-line commuter machines in the marketplace, interval.
Mazda CX-5
Photograph by: Anthony Alaniz / Motor1
Base Value: $31,485
Gas Economic system: 26 MPG
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A perennial favourite amongst individuals who care about automobiles past transportation, the Mazda CX-5 is redesigned for 2026. This new technology fixes the previous CX-5’s largest flaw by providing far more rear seat room and cargo capability, whereas class-leading twisty-road dealing with is barely improved and stays very a lot a energy.
After the primary drive, nevertheless, I wrote, “it feels a bit like two steps ahead and one step again” as a result of Mazda has chosen to ditch many of the previous mannequin’s bodily knobs and buttons in favor of an enormous touchscreen. There’s additionally not a Turbo mannequin, only a common gasoline, 2.5-liter that feels downright sluggish, even by commuter crossover requirements. A Hybrid mannequin due for 2027 will hopefully repair that second gripe not less than. Even with the newfound asterisks, although, the CX-5 stays one of many stronger picks on this phase.
Hyundai Tucson
Photograph by: Chris Rosales / Motor1
Base Value: $31,050 / $34,050 / $41,925
Gas Economic system: 28 MPG / 38 MPG / 77 MPGE
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Amongst this hyper-competitive set, the Hyundai Tucson is likely one of the older entries, however, par for the Korean automotive course, you wouldn’t understand it from its tech. Now that includes two 12.3-inch screens housed in a single lengthy, curved, luxury-car-style bezel, the Tucson (and its Kia twin under) ought to be on the high of your checklist when you’re the type of purchaser for whom Apple CarPlay / Android Auto integration is unequivocally, unironically crucial factor in a brand new automotive.
Beneath the hood, the Tucson is offered as a daily gasoline, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid. As a drive, it’s not as fulfilling to pilot because the Honda or the Mazda, however its comfort-focused demeanor ought to be interesting when you’re not too involved with that type of factor.
Kia Sportage
Photograph by: Kia
Base Value: $30,285 / $31,985 / $41,985
Gas Economic system: 28 MPG / 42 MPG / 83 MPGE
Being the Hyundai Tucson’s company cousin, a lot of the above additionally applies to the Kia Sportage. It additionally options class-leading infotainment software program and will be had with gasoline, hybrid, or plug-in. We’d suggest the hybrid, although, as that one received our Star Award for Greatest SUV again in 2022, whereas the gasoline model lacked each oomph and effectivity.
The Sportage will get a reasonably vital facelift for 2026 with a literal new face, making it feel and appear newer than it’s. Per Motor1 Editor-In-Chief Jeff Perez, there “isn’t a ton to write down residence about” dynamically, however in-car debates over whether or not Sportage rhymes with “storage” or “porridge” ought to present many minutes of delicate leisure.
Nissan Rogue
Photograph by: Jeff Perez / Motor1
Base Value: $31,035
Gas Economic system: 32 MPG
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As one other compact crossover that’s serviceably first rate if not class-leading, there’s the Nissan Rogue. This one drives comfortably and provides numerous tech for the cash, particularly factoring within the extra lenient financing phrases related to this model.
One of many Rogue’s largest flaws is that there’s no hybrid mannequin per se except you rely the just-released Rogue Plug-In Hybrid that’s really a rebadged Mitsubishi Outlander—oh, and there’s an all-new one coming just around the corner. For those who can maintain off for a bit, Nissan has already unveiled the next-generation 2027 Rogue, which can initially come as an extended-range EV referred to as the E-Energy earlier than a daily gasoline model joins the lineup later.
Subaru Forester
Base Value: $31,445 / $38,015
Gas Economic system: 28 MPG / 35 MPG
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A crossover that’s obtainable proper now in each gasoline and hybrid kinds is the Subaru Forester. The default selection for many who dwell extra of their lives outdoor than in, its massive promoting level (as it’s with most Subarus) is commonplace symmetrical all-wheel drive and a low, horizontally-opposed boxer engine. Even with that new hybrid powertrain, the Forester certainly feels remarkably succesful and keen when flung down a dust street.
There’s a Wilderness trim, too, if the common model isn’t outdoorsy sufficient, and it’s doubtless probably the most succesful automotive on this complete checklist in relation to navigating snow or the grime street that results in the cottage…
Ford Bronco Sport
Ford Bronco Sport Sasquatch
Photograph by: Mack Hogan / Motor1
Base Value: $33,845
Gas Economic system: 27 MPG
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…except the Ford Bronco Sport has something to say about it. Now that the Escape has been discontinued, the Bronco Sport stands as Ford’s sole compact, unibody crossover. And whereas cynics could name it an Escape cosplaying because the off-roader from which it borrows its identify, there are some true mud-ready elements for it available within the surprisingly succesful Sasquatch trim, reminiscent of a locking rear differential and 29-inch all-terrain tires.
In non-Sasquatch kind, the Bronco Sport additionally stands out inside Ford’s portfolio because the closest factor the agency nonetheless makes to a compact, common “automotive.” No pickup mattress just like the Maverick—simply an reasonably priced, small-ish commuter machine. Name it a lifted Focus, and it most likely wouldn’t even be that offended, nor ought to it’s.
Chevrolet Equinox
Photograph by: Jeff Perez / Motor1
Base Value: $30,795
Gas Economic system: 27 MPG
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The Chevy Equinox is the opposite home entry. It does the RAV4 factor of providing three flavors within the base LT, rugged Activ, and sporty RS trims, however the variations listed below are fairly delicate. All-wheel drive is optionally available, however there’s no hybrid obtainable. Chevy’s compact crossover isn’t a foul automotive, and once we drove it, we described it as a automobile that merely “does sufficient.” Learn into that what you’ll.
The Equinox was redesigned for 2025, however we’d look forward to a 2027 mannequin when you’re going for the front-wheel drive model as a result of Chevy is changing that automotive’s repeatedly variable computerized transmissions (one among its largest flaws) with a conventional eight-speed computerized.
Volkswagen Tiguan
Volkswagen Tiguan SEL R-Line
Photograph by: Jeff Perez / Motor1
Base Value: $32,280 / $44,560
Gas Economic system: 29 MPG / 25 MPG
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For those who’d like a just lately redesigned product that’s fairly a bit extra interesting, there’s the brand new Volkswagen Tiguan. It appears to be like sharp, drives sharply, and delivers (partly not less than) on VW’s promise to carry again bodily buttons and knobs.
Tradeoffs embody local weather controls which are nonetheless touch-based and a decidedly firmer experience than the options. Tiguan lacks a hybrid, however for the pace demons within the crowd, the SEL R-Line Turbo mannequin makes 268 hp and sits alongside the 324-hp, plug-in hybrid RAV4 GR Sport as the one two fashions right here with a sizzling model.
