2024 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

The CR-V was fully redesigned for 2023 and remains a benchmark for compact SUVs. The latest sixth-generation model is a little longer than before and gains an extra 2.5 inches on the Tucson. The Tucson offers slightly more front and rear legroom but loses about 0.5 cubic feet of cargo space to the CR-V. The Honda's smart storage solutions and spacious cabin make it a top pick, but if you're looking at hybrids, the Tucson does better in real-world fuel efficiency.

The Mazda CX-50 is an outlier among small SUVs, largely because it's made for fun driving. That is, its engine, suspension, tires and brakes are all set up for joyous driving, on dirt roads or curvy ones, which is not generally the first priority of compact SUVs. But Mazda has always done things a little different and the CX-50 is no exception. It blends the agility of Mazda's CX-5 with mild off-road capability (namely, increased ground clearance and an advanced all-wheel-drive system). It can also tow up to 3,500 pounds compared to the Tucson's 2,000 pounds. The Tucson's interior is larger, however, and the CX-50 can't match Hyundai's lengthy warranty.

Despite having slightly less power and fuel efficiency, the Tucson beats the Nissan Rogue by the slimmest margin in Edmunds' rankings. The Tucson's upscale-feeling interior, roomy cargo space and long warranty give it an edge, but the Rogue is comfortable and practical and it packs plenty of features for the money. The Tucson is sluggish by comparison, while the Nissan's cabin allows too much road noise intrusion. Both have fairly equitable pros and cons, so you can't really go wrong with either.