Best Subcompact SUVs

The Kia Seltos enters its second year on the market with upgraded safety features that make it an even more appealing compact crossover. The five-passenger provides a comfortable and attractive interior with plenty of cargo room for a weekend getaway. Two available engines and a choice of either front-wheel or all-wheel drive make it easy to find a Seltos that suits your needs. With only a modest price increase this year, the Seltos remains a great option for singles looking for their first car or young couples just getting started.

The Seltos goes up against the Chevrolet Trailblazer, which provides more power than the Seltos when equipped with its base engine. But the Chevy comes at a higher price. The Hyundai Kona also presents fun styling but with less cargo space.

The Rogue Sport is a popular compact crossover with seating for five. It slots between the smaller Nissan Kicks and the larger Nissan Rogue in Nissan's extensive SUV lineup. It's the perfect size for city dwellers who need to navigate narrow city streets and small parking spots. Its affordable pricing makes it popular with young singles on a budget, and its many standard safety and technology features help make it a solid value. Tall passengers may find the Rogue Sport's back seat a bit tight compared to some of its rivals. Cargo space is ample and the Rogue Sport's rear hatch is light so it's easy to open and close.

The Rogue Sport is fun to drive with tight handling, but it isn't as sporty as its name suggests. Acceleration from its 141 horsepower engine and continuously variable automatic transmission is adequate. As is common in this class, front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is available for those who live in wintry climes. Rivals include the very popular Subaru Crosstrek, which is available as a hybrid, has more standard horsepower than the Rogue Sport and higher safety ratings. The Hyundai Tucson has a roomier rear seat and more power. It's also offered as a hybrid for better fuel economy. The Chevrolet Trailblazer is more affordably priced, but offers less cargo room and less standard horsepower.

With a durable interior that's meant to get dirty, there's nothing delicate or refined about the five-passenger Jeep Renegade. Nine trim levels are available, including special editions. The base four-cylinder offers a somewhat underpowered drive, but the available turbocharged four-cylinder delivers a more engaging experience. There's a choice of front-wheel or four-wheel drive and plenty of room to handle cargo for a weekend's adventure.

The Hyundai Kona offers lower pricing, but it doesn't have the same capability. There's also the Subaru Crosstrek, which is more capable than the Kona, but has a higher price and can't match the Renegade's off-road prowess.

The Honda HR-V is an economical choice with both an affordable price and good fuel economy. It provides seating for five people but is a small vehicle. Three passengers can sit in the back in a pinch, but it's best for two adults unless the trip is short. The hatchback design makes it easy to stow cargo. And its wide opening accommodates large, bulky items that won't fit in smaller trunk openings.

The HR-V is a well-rounded option, but its engine is a downside. There just isn't enough power to get the HR-V confidently up to speed. Planning is required for merging into heavy highway traffic, and extra power for passing is slow to arrive.

The Jeep Renegade has the same versatility for cargo and people with a more responsive engine and off-road capability. The Hyundai Kona has more modern styling and is a more engaging drive. The Subaru Crosstrek costs a bit more, but you get additional features along with better capability and a stronger engine for the price.