If you find that the regular four-seater is no longer serving its purpose, it may be a sign that you need a car upgrade. But if you don't have the grand amount of money for a full-sized SUV, you could still downsize your choice to something more affordable but still has adequate space.
Compact SUVs are a great way to jump off the old sedan without spending way out of budget. Contrary to most beliefs that compact SUVs are "entry-level" and small, a lot of compact SUVs in the market are actually spacious and come with standard features that make the everyday driving experiences more comfortable. If you're still confused about which compact SUV to buy, here are the best ones from 2020.
10 2020 Chevrolet Equinox
The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox didn't have much of a glow up from the previous year. But the manufacturers did get rid of the diesel engine option while there's also the addition of new driver-assistance safety features.
The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox received a notably high customer rating from users in Cars.com with 4.5/5 stars. This compact SUV comes in an FWD drivetrain but you can choose to spend a little more to get all four wheels powered up. You can choose from either a 2.0 L four-cylinder engine capable of 252 hp or a 170 turbocharged 1.5 L four-cylinder with 170 hp.
9 2020 GMC Terrain
It seemed like Chevrolet and GMC discussed their homework because just like the Equinox, the 2020 GMC Terrain also seems to have ditched the diesel engine option. There are, however, additional safety features that sat in its place. The 2020 GMC Terrain garnered a whopping 4.6 out of 5 stars from Cars.com users alone.
The 2020 GMC Terrain offers two engine options namely a turbocharged 1.5 L four-cylinder capable of 170 hp and a turbocharged 2.0 L four-cylinder that's capable of 252 hp. The 2020 Terrain has a base price of $25,000.
8 2020 Honda CR-V
One of the most appealing compact SUVs in the past continues its reputation as one of the most popular choices for 2020 - the Honda CR-V. With a flat 8.5/10 consumer rating from US News & World Report, it is evident how much owners really loved this car.
It comes with either a front-wheel-drive or an AWD drivetrain and packs a turbocharged 1.5 L four-cylinder engine under the hood. This is capable of 195 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque and comes with a base price of $25,150.
7 2020 Hyundai Tucson
The 2020 Hyundai Tucson has hardly received any changes. But for those who still want an up-to-date model, expect to pay $200 more than what you originally paid for the 2019 base model.
Tucson gives buyers the choice between a 2.0 L four-cylinder engine and a 2.4 L four-cylinder one. Looking inside and there is ample room for five people. There is also touchscreen infotainment systems that are both Apple and Android compatible. A wireless charger also comes as a standard option. The base price for a Hyundai Tucson starts at $23,550.
6 2020 Kia Sportage
The 2020 Sportage is the fourth generation of one of the most underrated cars in the US. Though it's not the best SUV for off-road, you can still count on it to get you where you need to be on the right terrain.
This 2020 Sportage packs 181 hp thanks to the 2.4 L four-cylinder engine. It also has a five-seating capacity and two powertrain variations to choose from. Without folding the rear seats, you get an extra 30.7 cu.-ft. of cargo space and 60.1 cu.-ft. when folded.
5 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander
Even though the early Mitsubishi Outlanders turned out to be a hybrid that made no sense, the makers finally did some improvement that made the Outlander the first plug-in hybrid to win a Rebelle Rally.
Unlike its competitors, the 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander features standard third-row seating. It's also equipped with either a 2.4 L four-cylinder or a 3.0 L V6 engine and comes in six trims. The long warranty period also contributes to why this is one of the best Japanese SUVs that should be on your shopping list.
4 2020 Nissan Rogue
The 2020 Nissan Rogue is far from what it originally looked like in its first release in 2008. Though it retained some minor details, we're glad it lost the slotted front-fascia.
Today, the 2020 Nissan Rogue bears sheer, sporty styling. Though it is one of the slowest new 4x4s, a 9-second acceleration of 0 to 60 mph may not even matter to most people. There is ample room behind the rear seats measuring up to 39.3 cu.-ft while with the seats down, you get up to 70.0 cu.-ft of space.
3 2020 Subaru Forester
If you don't want to pay extra for the four-wheel action, the 2020 Subaru Forester includes AWD as an inclusion to the standard package. This feature contributes largely as to why the Forester is one of the safest cars of 2020. It also retained its sporty compact look from the 2019 model.
Some also say that the Forester is an expensive Subaru to maintain. However, its dependability, performance, surprisingly cool interior, and affordable new price still fishes in buyers every year.
2 2020 Toyota RAV4
Toyota has built numerous vehicles that people trust all over the world. The 2020 Toyota RAV4 alone managed to garner a 4.5 out of 5-star rating from Cars.com and 8.1 out of 10 stars from US News & World Report.
This five-seater compact SUV is Toyota's entry to the compact SUV department and goes for $25,950. It comes powered by a 2.5 L four-cylinder engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission to make a hefty 203 hp. The space behind the rear seats measures 37.6 cu.-ft. but could go up to 69.8 cu.-ft. with the seats folded.
1 2020 Mazda CX-5
If you want more from your compact SUV without having to ask, the 2020 Mazda CX-5 comes with standard driver-assistance features. Like most of its competitors, it comes with two-row seats and a five-person seating capacity.
The 2020 Mazda CX-5 comes with a $25,190 price tag and is available with FWD and AWD options. The diesel engine option available for the 2019 model has also been discontinued. As for your cargo, 30.9 cu.-ft. feet of space can be found behind the rear seats and expands to 59.6 cu.-ft. with the rear seats down.