Best Small SUVs | 2025 Compact Crossovers Rated | CarBuzz

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The impressive market share that crossover SUVs hold is testament to how the body style has grown in popularity. But it’s the modest small SUV that really impresses. This is in no small part due to the way they effortlessly blend the practicality of a high-riding SUV body with a smaller, car-like footprint that is ideal for the urban setting. Of course, their appealing price tags certainly don’t hurt either.

Many automakers are locked in a fierce battle to present buyers with the best product, trying to one-up each other with more spacious interiors, additional infotainment and comfort features, or extra safety tech. There really has never been more choice, and more indecision, when it comes to small crossovers and SUVs, so to help you figure out what the best options are, here is our ranking of the best small SUVs in 2025.

Vehicles are assigned a BuzzScore in relation to their direct segment competitors, and as such, vehicles in this list, while similarly scored, do not necessarily compete directly against one another. Find out more about how the BuzzScore ratings work here. These lists are continuously updated with the latest BuzzScores and vehicles as they become available.

Only subcompact and compact crossovers and SUVs have been considered for this list.

1

Volvo XC40

2025 Volvo XC40

Base MSRP: $40,650
Engine: 2.0 L Inline 4 Mild hybrid
Horsepower: 247 hp @ 5,400 rpm

The 2025 Volvo XC40 comes in as our highest-rated and best small SUV on sale right now, with a BuzzScore rating of 8.6 out of 10. It’s easy to see why we love it so much, as the stylish Swede impresses in so many ways. It sports the usual handsome esthetics of a Volvo – which are not too aggressive, unlike so many German rivals – and the interior is just as pleasant, with plenty of creature comforts and premium materials everywhere. The ride is refined and performance is plentiful, thanks to a 247-horsepower mild hybrid powertrain.

Volvo isn’t known for building canyon-carving sports cars, but the XC40 is surprisingly delightful from behind the wheel. We can tell Volvo tuned it for city driving, with feather-light steering that’s easy to operate at slower speeds. There’s a bit of on-center vagueness, but the steering provides nice weighting once it loads up through a bend, despite lacking genuine feedback.

– Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-at-Large, CarBuzz

2

Mazda CX-50

2025 Mazda CX-50

Base MSRP: $30,300
Base Trim Engine: 2.5L SKYACTIV-G I4 ICE
Base Trim Horsepower: 187 hp

The 2025 Mazda CX-50 looks sharp, with its rugged and bulky bumpers, pronounced arches, and exaggerated ride height. Features like this are just what’s needed to differentiate a model from this immensely crowded segment, and Mazda has done just that with one of its top-rated small SUVs. Furthermore, the CX-50 is pleasantly affordable, sporting an MSRP just ever-so-slightly north of $30,000 – yet it still offers a smooth ride, ample performance for town and highway driving, plus a smart and well-equipped cabin.

It’s so good that, when compared with Lexus models, it looks like a good deal as the feature set, interior materials, and build quality are up to the comparison.

– Ian Wright, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz

3

Nissan Kicks

This small SUV has recently been redesigned and re-invented; it’s the 2025 Nissan Kicks, and with an MSRP of just $21,830, it looks like great value when featured in any subcompact SUV comparison. The Kicks managed to win our title of best budget car of the year, and not simply because it’s cheap. Important safety features such as blind-spot monitoring are packed in as standard, and options such as 360-degree cameras, excellent infotainment systems, Bose audio and even a panoramic roof are all available – plus choosing them all won’t even see the price spike north of $30,000.

As a value proposition, the Kicks is strong, and was strong in its previous incarnation. But the 2025 model brings everything up to date and doesn’t feel like a car you buy because it’s the one you can afford. It’s a value proposition that also has personality, is genuinely comfortable, looks great, and is fun to drive.

– Ian Wright, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz

4

Toyota RAV4

2025 Toyota RAV4

Base MSRP: $28,850
Base Trim Engine: 2.5L Dynamic Force I4 ICE
Base Trim Horsepower: 203 HP @6600 RPM

For some time now, the 2025 Toyota RAV4 has been one of the bestselling small SUVs in the USA, and it’s easy to understand the model’s powerful appeal. Firstly – it’s easily attainable. Prices start at just $28,850, and for that, Toyota throws in its legendary reliability reputation free of charge, too. Secondly, the RAV4 is tremendously versatile; buyers can choose from the high-value gas-only options, wonderfully efficient conventional hybrid trims, or even range-topping plug-in hybrid grades. The latter are quite costly for a Toyota, but arguably look cheap when compared to the likes of compact Lexus SUVs.

5

Mercedes-AMG GLA 35

The best small SUVs offer more than just wheels to get from A to B, as is evidenced by the 2025 Mercedes-AMG GLA 35, which has a split personality for sure. On the one hand, it’s a well-equipped small SUV with a premium interior, plenty of gadgets inside, and enough space for a small family. On the other, it’s a pocket-rocket that’ll put a smile on the face of any gearhead, with 302 horsepower crammed into a compact and track-ready package. No doubt it’s got the pace to surprise not just the driver, but some genuine sports cars, too.

6

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class is a little more grown up, both figuratively and literally. It offers more head and legroom than the smaller but arguably sleeker GLA, and thanks to an increased ride height, it makes ingress and egress easier too – ideal for older occupants. It’s as well appointed as anyone could expect a Mercedes-Benz to be at this price point, and at $45,800, potentially a little cheaper than most would think. Furthermore, it’s one of the smallest SUVs to offer third-row seating. All-in, a sensible and appealing package from one of the most revered German luxury brands.

7

Toyota Corolla Cross

For those that want the versatility and reliability of a Toyota RAV4, but don’t need as much space, or don’t want to spend as much money, there is this – the 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross. Much like its bigger brother, Toyota sells this as either a gas-only model, or as a punchy yet impressively efficient hybrid. Available from just a touch over $24,000, the Corolla Cross is one of the only and best compact SUVs on the market for below $25,000 right now.

8

Buick Envista

2025 Buick Envista

Base MSRP: $22,900
Base Trim Engine: 1.2L ECOTEC I3 ICE
Base Trim Horsepower: 137 HP @5000 RPM

This compact SUV sports ratings that aren’t usually associated with cheap and cheerful models, yet with an MSRP of $23,800 and a BuzzScore of 8.1 out of 10, the 2025 Buick Envista is something of an exception to the rule. What we like so much is that Buick has introduced the sleek coupe-esque design to this budget-friendly price point; a design which has traditionally been reserved for the upper echelon of luxury SUVs.

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9

Buick Encore GX

Small SUV models like the 2025 Buick Encore GX often go with their praises unsung, which is a crying shame, as they can offer so much, for so little. The Encore GX is tremendously affordable, and well-presented too, as most Buicks tend to be. The exterior is smart, thanks to angular front fascia, chrome details, and sleek lines, while the interior is just as sharp, thanks to a wide screen that spans from the driver’s display over to the central infotainment screen.

10

Honda HR-V

Like most models from the beloved Japanese giant, the 2025 Honda HR-V doesn’t try and wow the world by reinventing the wheel. No, instead, Honda looks to offer a safe and dependable option for the segment, which is packed full of everything you need, and nothing you don’t. This means it’s safe, reliable, and well-equipped with useful tech – and it delivers this package at an affordable price point; just $25,400 for the base model. Moreover, the recent refresh of the HR-V ensures it looks sharp and modern in the face of a constantly evolving competition. The more expensive HR-Vs start to creep into Acura ADX territory.

Best Of The Rest

2025 BMW X3

Base MSRP: $49,500
Engine: 2.0L Inline 4 Mild hybrid, 3.0 L Inline 6 Mild hybrid
Horsepower: 255-393 hp

2025 Mini Countryman S ALL4 3/4 front view

Characteristics Of Subcompact And Compact SUVs

There is definitely no shortage of brands and nameplates within the segment, but while variety may be the spice of life, there are still many similarities binding all the models together. These are the qualities that set subcompact and compact SUVs apart from other classifications:

Size: Smaller SUVs are as easy to drive as many sedans and hatchbacks, but typically offer more interior space.
Practicality: Due to their vertical construction, crossover SUVs have more space for passengers and cargo on the inside. They also offer easier ingress and egress and quicker loading thanks to their raised height. Folding seats and smart internal storage solutions are common, too.
Safety: Automotive safety standards have never been higher, and small SUVs are no exception. Even the cheapest models come standard with several driver-assistance features.
Price: Naturally, there are some pricier luxury brands in this segment, but the majority of small crossovers are remarkably affordable. Subcompacts are even cheaper, but many see compact SUVs as the entry point to family-oriented transportation, so they need to be accessible to a large portion of the market.

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What To Consider Before Buying A Small SUV

While small SUV models may be relatively affordable in the larger context of the automotive industry, any new car is still a big purchase decision. This is why it is crucial to weigh the pros and cons, as no vehicle is perfect.

Pros

The fundamental nature of their construction makes crossovers highly practical vehicles, even in their smaller configurations.
Their small dimensions also make compact SUVs highly maneuverable and easy to manage around busy city streets.
Smaller crossovers generally have pleasing on-road manners as they’re not designed for harsh off-roading conditions.
Smaller cars are naturally more affordable than their larger ilk, but compact crossovers are often specifically targeted towards first-time buyers or small families on a tight budget.

Cons

Even small SUVs don’t have the best gas mileage when compared to a sedan or hatchback, so expect slightly higher ownership costs.
Less trunk and rear-seat space than larger SUVs.
Smaller cars can’t really venture off-road like their larger, more capable siblings, and their towing capacity is usually quite low, too.

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What is the cheapest small SUV?

There are plenty of top-rated small SUVs that come in under the $30k mark, and many of them cost less than $20k when used. Some of the cheapest when bought new include the Chevrolet Trax, Honda HR-V, and Nissan Kicks. Each comes in at around $25,000, yet score highly in our compact SUV ratings.

What is the best compact SUV?

The Volvo XC40 and Mazda CX-50 currently rank as the best small SUVs we’ve tested.

Are crossovers better than SUVs?

The distinction between these two types of vehicles has become blurred these days, with many people using the two terms interchangeably. SUVs are traditionally body-on-frame vehicles, whereas crossovers are unibody. This means that the latter is more comfortable on the road. However, SUVs are more capable off-road and more rugged in general. Crossovers are also generally smaller and more city-friendly. To say one is better than the other would largely depend on your needs.

Sources: Volvo, Mazda, Honda, Toyota, Chevrolet, Buick, Mercedes-Benz

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1 Volvo XC40