The Best Subcompact Crossovers and SUVs to Buy in 2025

Miguel CortinaWriterAlexander StoklosaWriterMotorTrend StaffPhotographerManufacturerPhotographerMar 20, 2025

Subcompact SUVs are tough to get right. Consumers look for space, versatility, technology, and style in one big-SUV-cosplaying package—and they hope to not pay much for the privilege. So, while the margins are thinner than on bigger crossovers and SUVs, customer expectations are not. Some players, such as the Subaru Crosstrek and Kia Soul, have been in the game for a couple of generations, but they’ve been joined in the past six years or so by a gaggle of new competitors from manufacturers trying to gain a bigger share of this ultra-hot market.

Call them small crossovers or the most affordable SUVs, but these car-based hatchbacks are rapidly moving beyond their bargain station. Some offer powerful engines and sporty handling, others deliver off-road capability and all-wheel drive; increasingly, customers can find up-market safety and convenience features in the diverse subcompact SUV segment. With nearly two dozen models in the game, there’s almost a small crossover for everyone. We know it’s hard to decide with so many options on the table, so we rank each player to make it easier for you. These are the best subcompact SUVs you can buy in 2025, according to MotorTrend’s Ultimate Car rankings:

17. 2025 Hyundai Venue | MT Score: 6.8/10

Besides its cute design and available two-tone paint job, the 2025 Hyundai Venue is differentiated from the slightly larger Kia Kona thanks to its front-drive-only configuration and lower price. Based on the (now-dead) subcompact Accent sedan, the Venue has a small cabin and not much cargo space, but that might not matter much to you if you don’t plan to take many people on road trips. Inside, the materials are cheap and the cabin is noisy, but are offset by excellent value pricing and the efficient four-cylinder engine. If you’re on a budget and want to get a stylish SUV with a new-car warranty, this Hyundai might be a good choice, but we’d recommend looking at the similarly priced and much larger Chevy Trax first.

Read more about the 2025 Hyundai Venue

17. 2025 Hyundai Venue Pros, Cons, and Specs

SPECIFICATIONS

16. 2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross | MT Score: 7.2/10

The 2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross wears the same improved styling introduced for 2022, which is both aging and somewhat odd looking. “Distinctive” is a good descriptor. Inside, the cabin is quiet and serene, with backseat passengers getting a good amount of legroom for the segment. Power arrives from a 1.5-liter turbo l-4 engine developing 152 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. A continuously variable automatic transmission delivers that power to all four wheels via the standard S-AWC all-wheel-drive system. While certainly a fine SUV and a relative value, the Eclipse Cross competes in a crowded segment filled with better, more appealing options for similar money.

Read more about the 2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

16. 2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Pros, Cons, and Specs

SPECIFICATIONS

15. 2022 Jeep Compass | MT Score: 7.4/10

Serving as the entry point to Jeep’s all-SUV (and one truck) lineup, the Compass is a ‘tweener—it straddles the subcompact and compact size classes, serving up about the same overall interior volume as the one-size up Cherokee (which is on hiatus until next year). The cheapest Jeep is therefore roomy for the segment, while recent revisions have massively upped its interior game with a higher-quality look cribbed from larger Jeep models while a standard turbocharged engine delivers a stout 200 hp. Also, like the Ford Bronco Sport, it comes standard with all-wheel drive and offers true off-road capability via the Trailhawk trim level. Jeep also has recently cut prices on the Compass after years of slowly raising prices across its lineup, bringing some value back to the model, though its starting MSRP remains on the high side for the segment.

Read more about the 2025 Jeep Compass

15. 2025 Jeep Compass Pros, Cons, and Specs

SPECIFICATIONS

14. 2025 Buick Encore GX | MT Score: 7.6/10

The Buick Encore GX tries to bring in a splash of young buyers to the brand. (Or, at least, build on the efforts of the older, smaller previous-generation Encore.) The Buick’s polished exterior styling is one of its best features, and its interior space and well-appointed cabin are good points for the subcompact crossover. But its high price might push buyers away, especially young customers. Among our favorite standard features are wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as the Buick’s infotainment system overall. But with only turbo three-cylinder engines offered under its hood, the Encore GX lacks punchiness.

Read more about the 2025 Buick Encore GX

14. 2025 Buick Encore GX Pros, Cons, and Specs

SPECIFICATIONS

13. 2025 Buick Envista | MT Score: 7.6/10

How badly do you want all-wheel drive on your small Buick SUV? If the answer is “what is all-wheel drive?,” the Envista is your ride. Unlike the Encore, which is taller and more SUV-ish, the Envista is almost car-like, with a dramatic fastback shape and arguably better styling. It is only offered with front-wheel drive—there is no AWD option, nor can the Envista be upgraded like the Encore to a larger, more powerful engine. But who cares when this is the most affordable Buick and one of the most affordable SUVs, period? The Envista further muddies the choices you’ll face while standing in Buick showrooms with its Encore-matching size—it even gets more rear legroom (over two inches more!) and offers the same cargo space. With a low starting price of $25,095, the Envista is a great value

Read more about the 2025 Buick Envista

13. 2025 Buick Envista Pros, Cons, and Specs

SPECIFICATIONS

12. 2025 Chevrolet Trax | MT Score: 7.8/10

Did the Buick Envista above tickle your fancy, but its price seems too fancy for your budget? Great news—there’s a Chevy version, the latest Trax. If you remember the original Trax, kudos; that forgettable rental-fleet darling was stumpy and tall, much like the original Buick Encore. The new Trax, introduced for 2024, is notably larger and sleeker, with a cool profile and a seriously huge back seat. Like the Envista it shares mechanicals with, the Trax is only available with front-wheel drive, trading the option for AWD and other frippery for an astonishingly low price. Sure, the Chevy is slow and underpowered, and the fuel economy its tiny engine musters isn’t very impressive, but the Trax is the rare cheap car that mostly doesn’t remind owners of that fact, with a pleasant big-car feel, comfortable and quiet ride, and good looks.

Read more about the 2025 Chevrolet Trax

12. 2025 Chevrolet Trax Pros, Cons, and Specs

SPECIFICATIONS

11. 2025 Kia Soul | MT Score: 8.1/10

The boxy, funky-looking Kia Soul captures what few in the segment can, offering value, space, and a fun-to-drive experience in the same affordable package. Perhaps the Kia’s biggest downfall is its lack of an all-wheel-drive system, but that’s exactly why the larger Seltos exists in America. To the surprise of many, the Soul’s compact body is cavernous inside, providing great legroom, headroom, and cargo room. As with all new Kias these days, the Soul also benefits from updated technology and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Kia has pared back the Soul’s powertrain lineup to only a 147-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, dropping the once-optional turbo; while we appreciated the turbo’s scoot, we can live without its jerky dual-clutch automatic transmission. The continuously variable automatic transmission included on every 2025 Soul is far smoother.

Read more about the 2025 Kia Soul

11. 2025 Kia Soul Pros, Cons, and Specs

SPECIFICATIONS

10. 2025 Kia Seltos | MT Score: 8.1/10

Kia’s other small SUV combines a strong design, a ton of value, and excellent technology—plus it has decent interior and cargo room. While it competes in the same segment as the Kia Soul, the Seltos offers all-wheel drive, a higher seating position, and more ruggedness for less money than it’d cost to sneak into the larger Kia Sportage. In other words, its far closer to an SUV than the hatchback-like Soul. The Seltos is also quite fun to drive, whether you go for the naturally aspirated engine or the available turbocharged four-cylinder. We like the turbo’s punchiness but we’d rather go with the base engine; the CVT transmission it comes with is more refined.

Read more about the 2025 Kia Seltos

10. 2025 Kia Seltos Pros, Cons, and Specs

SPECIFICATIONS

9. 2025 Volkswagen Taos | MT Score: 8.2/10

After arriving late to the small-SUV party with the Taos in 2022, Volkswagen needed an update for 2025 to make its offering truly competitive. And competitive the revised Taos is—with a more powerful engine, and, finally, a switch to the same eight-speed automatic transmission for the all-wheel-drive model that the front-drive version uses. (Previously, AWD Taos models used a different and un-smooth dual-clutch-type transmission.) The VW is also on the large side for the subcompact class, with similar dimensions to the Kia Seltos and Subaru Crosstrek.

Read more about the 2025 Volkswagen Taos

9. 2025 Volkswagen Taos Pros, Cons, and Specs

SPECIFICATIONS

8. 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer | MT Score: 8.3/10

If the affordable Chevrolet Trax’s lack of all-wheel drive is a deal-breaker, consider the nearly identically sized but more expensive Trailblazer. The two small Chevy SUVs share the same basic engine—though the Trailblazer offers a larger, more powerful engine with its all-wheel drive option. Too bad that both engines struggle to move the Trailblazer with much verve, despite the SUV’s sportier look, though it is at least more overtly styled as an SUV than the Trax, with a blockier roofline and more upright layout.

Read more about the 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer

8. 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer Pros, Cons, and Specs

SPECIFICATIONS

7. 2025 Nissan Kicks | MT Score: 8.3/10

The original Nissan Kicks was a breakout star in the subcompact SUV space thanks to its affordable price, roomy package, and comfortable over-the-road comportment. If it had any drawbacks, they were relative boringness, sloth (most small SUVs are not fast, of course), and a lack of optional all-wheel drive (another common affliction among subcompact SUVs). The second-generation Nissan Kicks, new this year, sticks largely to the first-gen model’s successful script while adding in the only things it really needed: Power, optional all-wheel drive and, oh, for good measure, a ton of fresh style, as well. Value remains a strong suit for the Kicks, as do its fuel economy figures. And if you really liked the original Kicks, fret not—it’s still available (renamed the “Kicks Play”) as a lower-cost alternative.

Read more about the 2025 Nissan Kicks

7. 2025 Nissan Kicks Pros, Cons, and Specs

SPECIFICATIONS

6. 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross | MT Score: 8.3/10

Borrowing its name from the iconic Corolla compact sedan and hatchback and adding the SUV-ish-sounding “Cross” to it, the Toyota Corolla Cross aims to channel its namesake’s quiet, reliable servitude into an SUV-shaped body. It largely succeeds. The Corolla Cross is comfortable, if somewhat boring to drive, sit in, or look at. It’s almost too bad, given the latest Corolla is actually somewhat interesting, particularly in hatchback and sporty GR guises. No matter, the automotive-wallpaper thing works well for the Corolla Cross in this segment. The ride is soft, the cost of ownership is low, and there is an available hybrid model for those who want to eke even higher mpg from their commutes.

Read more about the 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross

6. 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross Pros, Cons, and Specs

SPECIFICATIONS

5. 2025 Mazda CX-30 | MT Score: 8.4/10

The 2025 Mazda CX-30 feels closer to a luxury SUV than a mainstream crossover. Its refined exterior lines and well-appointed, premium-feeling interior elevate it above the budget entries in this crowded segment. As the entry-level SUV in Mazda’s lineup, the CX-30 brings a peppy base engine (and a newly available 250-hp turbo engine!) and great driving dynamics, along with standard all-wheel drive. Space remains an issue (like in most Mazdas), but the CX-30 doesn’t feel as cramped as the even smaller CX-3. With all-wheel drive available and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now standard on all trims, the CX-30 brings upscale style, modern technology, and classy features in a well-rounded package.

Read more about the 2025 Mazda CX-30

5. 2025 Mazda CX-30 Pros, Cons, and Specs

SPECIFICATIONS

4. 2025 Ford Bronco Sport | MT Score: 8.4/10

Also known as the Baby Bronco, the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport is an off-road-oriented subcompact SUV. The Bronco Sport’s rad styling and adventurous attitude make it an attractive option should you be looking to go off the pavement. Those who want more capability should look at the Badlands trim, which comes with a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine that makes 245 hp and 270 lb-ft, and its eight-speed automatic is mated to a torque-vectoring AWD system. If you won’t drive off-road much, the Big Bend or Outer Banks models and their 1.5-liter turbo l-3 with 181 hp and 190 lb-ft should be sufficient. Even those lesser Bronco Sports come standard with AWD, but it uses a traditional system instead of the torque-vectoring setup.

Read more about the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport

4. 2025 Ford Bronco Sport Pros, Cons, and Specs

SPECIFICATIONS

3. 2025 Honda HR-V | MT Score: 8.5/10

The second-generation Honda HR-V is now two years old, having replaced the smaller, dowdier-looking original in 2023. Now based on the larger Civic compact car (instead of the dead Fit subcompact hatchback), the HR-V reads more like a taller Civic hatchback that offers optional all-wheel drive. That’s great news for the HR-V’s layout, which delivers a spacious interior with up-market styling—including the cool full-width metal grille trim that hides the dashboard air vents—and generous standard driver assistance technologies. The HR-V also channels the Civic’s driving verve to great effect, with smart handling and a refined ride quality. Too bad Honda chose to carry over the Civic’s entry-level four-cylinder engine, which struggles against the HR-V’s extra weight (especially when saddled with all-wheel drive); maximum acceleration (what little there is) requires tolerating the loud engine’s pained noises. If you’re not in a hurry, the HR-V is excellent, though, and Honda offers it in three flavors: LX, Sport, and EX-L, with all-wheel drive optional on each trim.

Read more about the 2025 Honda HR-V

3. 2025 Honda HR-V Pros, Cons, and Specs

SPECIFICATIONS

2. 2025 Subaru Crosstrek | MT Score: 8.6/10

Subaru’s Crosstrek has long ambled outside of the small-SUV mainstream, though it is one of the most honest entries in the segment. Most subcompact SUVs, after all, are really just cars playing dress-up as small, rugged runabouts—the Crosstrek is quite literally a hatchback, related to the compact Impreza, albeit jacked high off the ground and festooned with plastic body armor. Far from cosplay, the transformation is effective. The Crosstrek’s ground clearance rivals that of a Jeep Wrangler, and combined with its standard all-wheel drive means you can venture far off the beaten path while still enjoying comfortable, car-like handling on pavement. This latest Crosstrek is available with a sluggish 152-hp 2.0-liter base engine, as well as an available—and must-buy—182-hp 2.5-liter unit that gets about the same fuel economy. The off-road-focused Wilderness trim level eats into that efficiency somewhat thanks to its all-terrain tires and other add-ons. Regardless, the Crosstrek blends capability, an adventurous image, and good road manners with a roomy interior and a big-car feel relative to its peers.

Read more about the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek

2. 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Pros, Cons, and Specs

SPECIFICATIONS

1. 2025 Hyundai Kona | MT Score: 8.7/10

Redesigned last year, the Hyundai Kona brings a lot to the small SUV class—choice most of all. You can have your Kona with a 147-hp four-cylinder engine, a 190-hp turbo engine, or even an electric powertrain. Overseas, you can even get a Kona hybrid, a version we wish were sold here. The gas models are available with front- or all-wheel drive, and in a dizzying array of trim levels ranging from the entry-level SE to the sporty N-Line and up to the richly contented Limited. Prices start on the high end of the segment and move up precipitously from there, but the latest Kona is also on the big side for the segment, so you get a lot for your money. The new-for-2024 Kona’s wheelbase is notably longer than before, and all of that goes into the more spacious back seat. That all of this value is packed into a futuristic wrapper with nifty wraparound front and rear LED lighting, stunning interior displays, and stylish trimmings is merely a bonus.

Read more about the 2025 Hyundai Kona

1. 2025 Hyundai Kona Pros, Cons, and Specs

SPECIFICATIONS

The Best Subcompact Crossovers and SUVs to Buy in 2025

17. 2025 Hyundai Venue

16. 2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

15. 2025 Jeep Compass

14. 2025 Buick Encore GX

13. 2025 Buick Envista

12. 2025 Chevrolet Trax

11. 2025 Kia Soul

10. 2025 Kia Seltos

9. 2025 Volkswagen Taos

8. 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer

7. 2025 Nissan Kicks

6. 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross

5. 2025 Mazda CX-30

4. 2025 Ford Bronco Sport

3. 2025 Honda HR-V

2. 2025 Subaru Crosstrek

1. 2025 Hyundai Kona

Miguel Cortina is Mexico Editor at MotorTrend, covering the auto industry in the U.S. and south of the border. He joined MotorTrend in January 2015 and is an avid automotive enthusiast who enjoys playing golf, surfing, and running in his free time.

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