Every New Compact SUV Ranked from Best to Worst
We all know that every year a new lineup of SUVs hits the markets, whether it’s a similar model to the previous years, a brand-new model, or something that’s been completely redesigned. This can make it pretty tough choosing which one to purchase. After all, we don’t know which ones have improved for the better and which ones have become …let’s just go with bad. Some redesigns make a great car something that no one should drive.
Because there’s so much uncertainty out there, we went ahead and looked at every new compact SUV that hit the market this year – yes, all of them. We looked at the specs, the ratings, and what changed to determine which one is actually the best-of-the-best. Because it’s ranked, there have to be some losers. We’re very sorry to say that some of these SUVs are scrap metal at best.
All stats and numbers are pulled from the manufacturers’ website.
Hyundai Nexo
The Hyundai Nexo is certainly something different, but is that a good thing? Depends on what you need and where you live. The Nexo is the only hydrogen fuel-cell SUV sold in the United States, which means you’ll have a tough time finding stations – they’re only in California. Considering you’re already shelling out $60K, that’s a pretty big consideration.
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As for other aspects of the SUV, it has an impressive cruising range that’s much better than electric vehicles. You can expect to get around 380 miles, depending on your driving habits. It also has a pretty spacious interior. Since the Nexo is made well but expensive, and fuel can be challenging, we’ll have to put it at the bottom.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is a newer compact SUV that hit the market in 2018. It hasn’t had many changes, naturally, despite competitors offering something better. While it’s one of the company’s most polished vehicles, it lacks a lot of features that come standard in other makes of the same size.
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First, there aren’t any safety features like blind-spot warnings, forward collision mitigation, or lane departure warnings. One bonus of the Eclipse Cross is that it’s surprisingly quiet in the interior, making it a great SUV to drive around town. However, if you hop on the highway, you’ll find that the design doesn’t seem as practical. Basically, the Eclipse Cross is fine – just fine. The MSRP for the basic trim is $25,795.
Jeep Compass
The Jeep Compass looks much better than other Jeep SUVs that are on the market. On top of that, it’s also a lot easier to maneuver compared to models like the Jeep Renegade and the Jeep Cherokee. Regardless, the Compass still has a four-cylinder engine, making it feel underpowered compared to even some sedans.
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The Compass has a few pluses, like the excellent infotainment system and useful cargo space. A lot of the effort was put into its off-road capabilities, which makes it somewhat unique. However, the best thing about this compact is its price –$25K starting price. It’s satisfying and recognizable but falls behind many of the top SUVs on the market.
Nissan Rogue
The Nissan Rogue is a well-known compact SUV at this point, and it’s one of the best-selling crossovers on the market. The Rogue has a solid mix of stylish design and comfortable features. The interior is pretty comfortable and quiet as you drive around. The Rogue is also more fuel-efficient compared to other compact SUVs on the market with 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.
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Still, it isn’t perfect. The Rogue feels dull for those that want a little jazz in their drive. That’s mostly thanks to the four-cylinder engine, which feels heavy-handed at best. The infotainment system is also in sore need of an update, especially considering how fast technology is improving. The Rogue is flashy in some ways, but it reflects that in the price, with a starting MSRP of $27,360.
GMC Terrain
Getting in the GMC Terrain will feel like a luxury version of the Chevy Equinox, but we assure you that it doesn’t come with the same price. The starting MSRP for this compact SUV is $29K but we do have to say that it’s a little much for a compact SUV. The GMC Terrain has quite a bit of space, which only grows larger with standard 60/40 split-folding rear seats and fold-flat front seat.
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The Terrain doesn’t perform in a few areas. First of all, the interior materials feel cheap. It also has a few complicated controls in the center console that can be difficult to find without directly looking down at them – something you don’t want to do in the middle of driving. The Terrain does have one rare option that may interest some: a diesel option.