Best Rated Compact SUVs for 2023
Are you looking for a great reliable compact SUV with good features and highly ranked by experts? No worries; here’s the Consumer Reports’ list of the Top 7 Compact SUVs! Each vehicle on the list is comfortable, fuel-efficient, and packed with safety features, giving it a perfect score in reliability. Whether you’re in the market for a great new car to get around town or something ready for family adventures, these top-rated SUVs got you covered.
How Consumer Reports Can Help You Shop for a Car
Shopping for a car can be a daunting task. You want to make sure you get the best vehicle for your budget and needs, but with so many options, how do you know which one is right? Consumer Reports are an invaluable resource when it comes to researching potential cars. Their comprehensive ratings and reviews provide you with reliable information on which to base your decision. Let’s take a closer look at why Consumer Reports are so important when shopping for a car.
What Do Consumer Reports Include?
Consumer Reports provides buyers with detailed ratings and reviews of thousands of cars based on their performance, reliability, safety, and value. The reports also include expert advice from their experts such as buying tips, maintenance advice, and more. This allows buyers to compare different models side-by-side so they can make an informed decision when deciding on their purchase.
The Benefits of Using Consumer Reports
Using Consumer Reports provides numerous benefits when it comes to car shopping. Firstly, it gives buyers access to unbiased reviews that come from reputable sources rather than relying solely on advertising or salespeople’s claims. Additionally, the ratings provided by Consumer Reports allow buyers to compare different models side-by-side so they can make an informed decision based on the facts rather than just guesswork or speculation. Finally, the expert advice provided makes it easier for buyers to identify which model is best suited for their needs and budget.
7 Best Compact SUVs – As per Consumer Reports
Looking for a compact SUV that matches your budget and lifestyle while still standing out from the crowd? Consumer Reports has got you covered! They have compiled a list of 7 highly recommended options that have it all, featuring an array of features, performance capabilities, and price points. Whether you’re in the market for a family crossover or a commuter SUV with all-wheel drive capabilities, Consumer Report’s list is sure to make picking the right vehicle more effortless than ever.
2023 Subaru Forester
Starting Price: $26,395 – 36,495
Among the hottest compact SUVs available, the 2023 Subaru Forester is a must-consider. With a Consumer Reports rating of 87 and a road test score of 90/100, you’re guaranteed quality and performance. Its predicted reliability and owner satisfaction scores (4/5) make it a reliable choice for cars in this segment.
Its safety features stand out when it comes to the Subaru Forester. Standard on all models is forward collision avoidance with automatic emergency braking, ensuring that your car will keep you safe if an accident looks imminent.
The other performance, comfort & convenience accompanying this ride make it a great buy. Its acceleration (0-60 mph in 9.2 secs), transmission (4/5), and 5/5 score for its rear seating comfort ensure your drive is smooth and convenient always. If you’re looking at this segment of crossover, the Subaru Forester merits consideration.
2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Starting Price: $27,975 – $39,030
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid packs a punch with its incredible performance and efficiency. As per Consumer Reports, it has an overall rating of 74/100 and is one of the highest-rated compact SUVs.
It also has fantastic safety features such as standard forward collision warning and brake assist features. If you are looking for performance, then its 0-60 acceleration in just 7.8 seconds indicates that! In terms of comfort and convenience, this car comes well equipped with a 4/5 score on front seat comfort, while noise ratings were slightly lower at 3/5.
Onto fuel economy and emission—Toyota RAV4 Hybrid gives you better economy than most cars in the category, with an annual fuel cost of only $1,285—an excellent value for your money. This car scores 41 mpg on the highway and 32 mpg in the city, which is decent.
As for the owner’s satisfaction, it boasts you a decent driving experience, comfort, and relatively less value.
All these reasons are why the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is one top consumer reports recommended compact SUVs.
2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
Starting Price: $31,150 – $44,560
Regarding compact SUVs, the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid is worth a look. Rated 83 by Consumer Reports and boasting a 94/100 on its road test, this vehicle promises both power and performance.
Power is no issue here, as the SUV takes only 7.7 seconds to reach 0-60 mph and offers 4/5 scores in acceleration, transmission, braking and emergency handling. There’s even a suite of standard safety features, such as forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, you can count on.
Comfort-wise, the Hyundai Tucson puts up good numbers with its 4/5 ratings in the ride, noise and front-seat comfort, plus a 5/5 for rear-seat comfort. That impressive fuel economy rating of 5/5 with CR’s overall mileage at 35 mpg calculates to an annual fuel cost averaging just $1370; impressive. Besides, the mileage breakdown gives you 40 mpg on the highway and 29 mpg in the city.
When we talk about the owner’s satisfaction, this car outshines other counterparts specifically in terms of driving experience, comfort, and value provided.
All these qualities make the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid one of the top-tested Compact SUVs from Consumer Reports.
2023 KIA Sportage Hybrid
Starting Price: $27,490 – 43,190
Consumer Reports has recently suggested the KIA Sportage Hybrid as one of their top compact SUVs. Performing well in most categories during their road test, the Sportage Hybrid scored an impressive 80 out of a hundred rating.
The engine proved quite robust and reliable, with a 0 to 60 mph acceleration time of 7.7 seconds, but the braking capabilities were found lacking, scoring only 3/5. Comfort and convenience ratings generally proved positive, with 4/5s awarded for ride comfort, interior fit, and finish.
On the flip side, the trunk/cargo area was less satisfactory at 3/5. Environmental consciousness was also considered upon testing, as evidenced by its highly efficient fuel economy. It earned a 5/5 score and a CR overall mileage of 36 mpg, 31 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway, resulting in an annual fuel cost of $1,340.
Overall, KIA’s Sportage Hybrid is an attractive car with an attractive price tag that is sure to please consumers eager for thrilling performance and environmental friendliness.
2023 Nissan Rogue
Starting Price: $27,360 – $38,640
Consumer Reports recently released a list of the top compact SUVs, including the 2023 Nissan Rogue. Highly rated, it scored an 81 in their Road Test, awarded 4/5 stars in Predicted Reliability and 2/5 stars in Predicted Owner Satisfaction.
Its safety features, such as Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking, are standard. Regarding performance, experts awarded acceleration 3/5 stars with 0 to 60 mph timing set at 9.1 seconds and transmission, braking, and emergency handling, receiving a 5/5 rating each.
For comfortability and convenience, the Nissan Rogue stood tall yet again, achieving positive remarks for things like ride quality (3/5), interior fit & finish (4/5) and trunk space (3/5).
Another crucial thing to talk about is the owner satisfaction it offers to the drivers with moderate driving experience, comfort, and the value provided.
Fuel economy also played a role in this vehicle’s popularity as CR’s overall mileage is an impressive 25 mpg, highway mpg 34, and city mpg 17 with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,925. A perfect blend of economic value with practicality; that’s the Nissan Rogue for you!
2023 Mazda CX-50
Starting Price: $27,550 – $42,300
The Mazda CX-50 is one of the top compact SUVs recommended by Consumer Reports, with a 78 overall rating. It got a 4/5 in predicted reliability and 3/5 in predicted owner satisfaction, making it an excellent car for those looking to invest in something reliable and ensure they’ll be getting their money’s worth.
Some of its key features include Forward Collision and Automatic Emergency Braking as standard features. Its road test results also provide favorable feedback – with its acceleration reaching 0-60 mph in 9.3 seconds, reliable 4/5 transmission, 4/5 braking and effective handling all around, this car is sure to provide you with smooth drives no matter where you’re headed.
Not to mention a comfortable ride at an annual fuel cost of just $2,020. It has a highway mpg of 33, city mpg of 16 and overall mpg of 24.
According to Consumer Reports, all signs indicate a great purchase when shopping for top compact SUVs. So, if you’re on the hunt for a reliable, efficient and comfortable option, the Mazda CX-50 may just be it!
2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime
Starting Price: $42,340 – $46,210
Consumer Reports’ top-rated compact SUVs list would only be complete with the Toyota RAV4 Prime. Boasting an overall rating of 81 and a Road Test score of 85/100, this car is reliable and gets consistently good feedback from owners with a 5/5 predicted satisfaction rating.
It comes standard with advanced safety features like Forward Collision and Automatic Emergency Braking, which prevent collisions that otherwise may be unavoidable. The Road Test results for the performance show the acceleration of 0 to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds worth a 5/5; transmission and emergency handling get ratings of 5/5, but braking only ekes out 3/5.
Comfort-wise, the ride and noise reach lines of 4/5 while interior fit and finish also come in at 4/5 – rear seat comfort is just a little behind with another 4/5. The trunk or cargo area falls slightly low at 2/5 star ratings.
Fuel Economy claims are impressively high at both CR’s overall mileage (72 mpg), highway mpg (71) and CR’s city mileage ( 74 mpg), getting a rating of 5/5 stars each.
Last but not least, the driving experience, comfort, and value this powerhouse offers are exceptional.
With the associated annual fuel cost of around $1,395, this car is incredibly environmentally conscious, resulting in a Greenhouse gas rating of 10 out of 10 stars!
Conclusion
When looking for a new car, there’s no better source than Consumer Reports – their extensive research into each vehicle they review will give you peace of mind knowing that whatever choice you make is based on facts rather than guesswork or hearsay from friends or family members who may not have as much knowledge about cars as they think they do! With their unbiased reviews combined with their easy-to-use comparison charts, finding the perfect car has never been easier thanks to Consumer Reports.
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