2021 Toyota RAV4

[MUSIC PLAYING] CARLOS LAGO: Hey, Carlos Lago here. ALISTAIR WEAVER: Alistair Weaver also here. CARLOS LAGO: Present. Compact SUVs provide the right mixture of fuel economy, cargo space, tech features, and ride comfort. It's why millions of families choose them to be their primary means of transportation. These vehicles often cost between 25,000 to $40,000 or thereabouts. But we find the best value is right at about 30 grand. ALISTAIR WEAVER: We've gathered together the newest, the most popular, and our favorite small SUVs in the market today. We're now going to talk through the pros and cons of each and reveal which one might just be the right choice for you. At Edmunds, we thoroughly tested all of the cars you can see here. In fact, we've tested every SUV on sale today. Some we've even owned as part of our long-term test program. CARLOS LAGO: We're going to present these five vehicles in reverse order, that's from the lowest rank to the highest rank just to make things interesting. There are a lot of vehicles in this segment though, so many we actually couldn't fit them in this video. So if you want to see the ranking on your favorite SUV be sure to visit edmunds.com/suv. ALISTAIR WEAVER: And if you are looking for a new car, be sure to check out edmunds.com/sellmycar for a cash offer on your old one. The Toyota RAV4 is an easy recommendation to those who just want simple, four-wheel transportation. It's totally competent at tackling all the needs of a small family and sells in huge numbers. It's just a bit well, average in every way. And we should know, when it was new we drove one through all 48 contiguous states nonstop in a single week, over 7,000 miles. Yes, really, I literally spent 24 hours nonstop in one of those, which was, fun. What do we like? The simple well-built and generally quiet interior. You know exactly how to use most of the controls just by looking at them and there are a lot of useful nooks and cubbies for storing stuff on long-distance drives. In a world of ever more complex touchscreen systems, we really value these simple pleasures. The interior space is generous as is the cargo volume, which is on the larger size for a compact SUV. On the downside, there's no way to lower the second-row seats from the trunk, so shorter folk will have at least one mild annoyance when loading large items. The best thing we can say about the driving experience is that there isn't anything dramatically wrong with it. Just expect slightly lower than average acceleration unless you get the seriously rapid plug-in hybrid. Otherwise, the ride balances comfort and control nicely. And the seats are generally plush and supportive. One big gripe though, the front passenger seat sits weirdly high and is non-adjustable up and down. You feel like you're sort of perched on top of the car. It's not good. While most of the RAV4 attributes are well, average, the lineup does have a couple of standouts. One is a TRD off-road variant with an upgraded all-wheel-drive system and all-terrain tires. You won't out-muscle a Jeep but it is better-equipped than most other alternatives when it comes to adventure. The other is the Prime plug-in hybrid that offers 42 miles of all-electric range, and around 5 and 1/2 seconds for 0 to 60, that makes it more efficient and quicker than the other options but at a steep entry price of roughly $40,000. As for fuel economy, most RAV4s are rated at 30 miles per gallon combined, which is better than average. The hybrid gets 40 mpg, which is the best of any hybrid version of the cars we've selected here. Overall, the RAV4 is a pleasant SUV that rides smoothly, has a roomy interior that's easy to live with, and offers plenty of utility. It stops and handles confidently, and it's generally fuel-efficient. The merely satisfactory engine and indifferent steering, however, prevent it from being a top choice for a small SUV. CARLOS LAGO: The 2022 Hyundai Tucson is the newest entrant in this segment and it's styled to make a point of it. While the design may be polarizing, the rest of the Tucson is generally agreeable. Overall, as far as price, features, and comfort go, this is an impressive SUV with one major downside. First, the good, we really like the size and shape of the interior. The Tucson is a little longer and wider than most other small SUVs, and that means its interior dimensions are slightly bigger than most in key areas. Combined with generously sized doors and windows, and you have a vehicle that's as easy to access and easy to see out of as you might hope. The same goes for the cargo area as well. From behind the wheel, we really like the seat comfort and digital displays on this top trim level version. So what's the downside? Well, a small one is that those screens have touch-sensitive controls instead of buttons, and the center console isn't as clever as some leaders with regard to storage options. You could get used to those things but our bigger frustration is the tepid, no glacial-like acceleration from the standard 2 and 1/2 liter engine. As equipped, this is one of the slowest vehicles in the class, and that means merging with traffic can just be dicey. The fuel economy makes this even more of a head-scratcher because you'd figure if an engine wasn't powerful, it better be fuel-efficient. This one though is less than mid-pack, with 26 mpg combined with all-wheel drive, and that's why we recommend getting the hybrid version. It not only makes more power, it's among the smoothest of the competition. Its fuel economy is a significant improvement over the standard engine as well. If we were only comparing hybrids here that Tucson would likely be our top recommendation. Also, you should know there will be a plug-in hybrid version with 32 miles of all-electric range in the future. For the time being, the Hyundai Tucson is an impressive crossover for the money. It's got a comfortable ride and helpful technology features that aid the ownership experience. We also like its upscale feeling materials, its class-leading warranty, and an abundance of cargo space compared with rivals. Unfortunately, it's dogged by a sluggish engine that has trouble keeping pace when the traffic speeds up. It's a nice SUV but it's slow. ALISTAIR WEAVER: Like the Tucson, the Nissan Rogue underwent a big update recently that really enhanced its appeal. It now has some pretty bold styling, especially at the front, and underneath is a highly competent SUV with lots of features, comfortable seats, a large and functional interior, and modern tech. The Rogue is just a comfortable SUV to sit in, the seats feel like one of those memory foam mattresses that really molds to your body. They're terrific. There's also an available three-zone climate control system, which is unique in this segment, and ensures that those in the rear don't feel like poor relations. The doors are large, which makes for big openings. Those in the rear actually open 90-degrees for easier loading. The cargo area is clever too, we really like the divide-and-hide cargo partitioning system. As you start climbing in price, the Rogue gets really impressive tech and interior materials. From a large and clear center touchscreen and digital instrument cluster to diamond-quilted leather seats, not just quilted, diamond-quilted. You really feel like you're getting your money's worth. The Rogue's shortcoming is its driving experience, which like the RAV4, is simply average. It takes its time building up speed on freeway on-ramps and passing on two-lane roads takes some planning. The engine doesn't sound so good either, and the steering is a bit vague. If you don't care about the nuances of driving fun, this doesn't really apply. But it's still worth calling out. As for fuel economy, the Rogue is above average, with a 30 miles per gallon combined rating for front-wheel-drive models. Add all-wheel drive and the rating falls to 28 mpg. A forthcoming turbo-charged three-cylinder engine, yes three, has a slightly higher rating of around 32 or 33 mpg but we don't yet know when that will be available. The Nissan Rogue makes a lot of sense for many shoppers, and this latest version marks a huge step forward from its lackluster predecessor. Its interior is easy to use and sensibly sized, and we like a lot of the tech features that are available. While it's not as nice to drive as some of its highest-rated rivals, the Rogue is easily among the best small SUVs on the market. CARLOS LAGO: To be blunt, when you look at the Mazda CX-5, through the lens of practicality it's not a great compact SUV but when you get behind the wheel, you just don't care. This is the SUV to get if you just enjoy driving. It's far and away the most fun of the group and by such a significant margin that it could be in its own category. But as we learned during a year-long test with a long-term test car, the CX-5 makes some sacrifices to get that experience. The biggest is the cargo area, which is the smallest of the group and by a pretty good margin. Also, interior storage options aren't as plentiful or as smart as others here. The other negative is technology, the screen looks nice but the exterior cameras don't. You still get Android and Apple device integration but there's no wireless charging. The other thing you'd have to get used to is that that center screen is not a touch screen, you use a dial and button to control it, which takes some getting used to. But some on our staff actually prefer it after learning how to use it. And then there's the matter of pricing but this really isn't a negative, simply, the Mazda CX-5 is best at its most expensive. The base models are still fun to drive from a handling perspective but you really want to upgrade to the version with the bigger 250 horsepower turbo engine. Not only will the acceleration make you smile, the interior quality will make the CX-5 feel like a luxury SUV. The design and materials just look better than anything else here and you honestly feel better sitting inside of it because of it. With great acceleration comes not-so-great fuel economy. The upgraded engine is rated at 25 mpg combined, subtract 1 for all-wheel drive, and that's worst of the group. The base engine is just beneath average at 28 mpg combined for front drive. In summary, the CX-5 offers a high-quality interior, sharp handling, and good acceleration. It comes up short in terms of cargo capacity and fuel economy. So practicality certainly isn't the strength. Why do we rank it so high? Well, we believe that the driving experience warrants it. If you want more of an appliance, skip the CX-5 by all means. But if you actually want to enjoy your time from behind the wheel, the Mazda CX-5 remains one of the best small SUVs around. ALISTAIR WEAVER: In our opinion, the Honda CR-V has been the best choice for most shoppers looking for a small SUV since this generation debuted back in 2017. Today, it's still a favorite of ours but a bit like me, it is showing its age in a few areas. We own the gas-powered CR-V as part of our long-term test fleet. And we've recently acquired a hybrid version. We put close to 50,000 miles on the gas car, which emphasized its strengths but also highlighted some of its weaknesses. First, the interior is exceptionally roomy and has tons of storage space and clever solutions for cargo big and small. The large door openings and low step-in height make for easy access like when you're loading kids or an uncooperative dog. And the seats are comfortable and easy to adjust, though it's far from quick, acceleration is mid-pack in our testing. The CR-V makes for a nice commuter thanks to better-than-average steering and handling and a great ride quality. What are the downsides? Most of them have to do with technology, which makes sense because this generation of the CR-V is one of the oldest vehicles here. Like all the other SUVs we've gathered today, the CR-V's touchscreen supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as long as you plug your phone in. And we really do recommend using one of those systems because the regular setup isn't as modern as the competition. It was also super-glitchy in our long-term test car. Also, some of the interior materials now don't look and feel as high-quality as the others here, even in this fully-loaded model. The CR-V has a fuel economy rating of 29 to 30 miles per gallon combined, depending on whether you choose all or front-wheel drive. We averaged a bit less than that with our test car over 50,000 miles. To be honest, that's not unusual for us-- we do live in LA. The optional hybrid version has a 38 miles per gallon rating, which is a touch less than the rival RAV4 Hybrid. In summary, the Honda CR-V appeals with this high level of competency across the board. It has exceptional storage space and functionality, plenty of features, a comfortable ride, and enjoyable performance. And all of that comes at a competitive price for the class. Impressive. So the CR-V wins again but this time only by a head. CARLOS LAGO: Yeah, and if you look at the scores from our rankings, you see that there's only a tenth or a couple tenths separating all these vehicles and that indicates just how competitive this segment is. ALISTAIR WEAVER: And as we explained, you can pretty much make a case for any of the vehicles that you see here. And the competition's only going to get more intense, Kia has a new Sportage on the way, and there'll be an all-new version at the CR-V, so the best might get even better. CARLOS LAGO: Keep up-to-date with the latest news and rankings by visiting edmunds.com/suv. And hey, if you made it this far into the video let us know in the comments, we want to hear from you. Also, click like and subscribe and give your grandparents a call too, they probably want to hear from you. ALISTAIR WEAVER: And be nice to your mom. CARLOS LAGO: Yeah.