The Best Compact SUVs in 2026

July 2026

Compact SUVs are supposed to do everything. These five come closest.

For the Person Who Wants to Buy One Car and Stop Thinking About Cars

Efficient, roomy, easy to resell, and hard to regret. The latest version finally gets the tech the old one needed.

The interior still isn’t special, and nobody buys one for the driving experience.

Our take: Sensible to the point of being annoying. Still very hard to beat.

For the Person Who Just Wants Everything to Work

Quiet, comfortable, huge inside, and refreshingly easy to use. The hybrid drivetrain mostly disappears into the background.

Even the weird windshield-washer setup has generated owner opinions far stronger than windshield washers probably deserve.

Our take: Not exciting. Possibly the one you’ll be happiest with five years from now.

For the Person Who Still Cares How an SUV Drives

Better steering, nicer interior, and Toyota hybrid hardware underneath. That’s a strong combination.

The cup holders are awkward, the wireless charger can be finicky, and Mazda still insists you learn its rotary controller.

Our take: The enthusiast’s choice.

For the Person Who Wants Every Feature

Cameras everywhere, ventilated seats, a head-up display, and even a Baby Mode that smooths acceleration for sleeping passengers.

The price of all that tech is a car that sometimes seems very interested in supervising you.

Our take: The features-for-the-money winner.

For the Person Whose Weekend Plans Involve Snow, Dirt, or a Dog

Huge windows, standard AWD, great visibility, and an interior designed around actually carrying stuff.

Then there’s Subaru’s infotainment system, which owners continue to tolerate more than love.

Our take: Our pick for snow, outdoor life, and dogs.

There isn’t a bad choice here.

Which is irritating, because that would make this much easier.