Small SUVs: Reviews

Updated July 2010

Best compact SUV overall

2010 Honda CR-V

Base MSRP: $21,545 to $27,745 Learn More

Outstanding reliability, resale value and cargo space make the 2010 Honda CR-V a practical choice, while nimble handling and an attractive cabin make it a feel-good choice, too, reviews say. Testers say the CR-V feels… quick and confident, despite having only a fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine (expect 23 to 24 mpg overall) where most rivals offer an optional V6. There's plenty of stiff competition, but experts recommend the Honda CR-V more often than any other SUV. If you crave even more agility and upscale refinement, reviews point to the smaller but sportier 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan (Base MSRP: $23,200 to $33,500).

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Edmunds.com: A newly upgraded engine makes the Honda CR-V powerful enough to earn Edmunds.com's Top Recommended award. Editors already ...

SaferCar.gov: The Honda CR-V ties with several other small SUVs for first place in government crash tests. It earns a perfect 5 stars in ...

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: A Marginal rating for roof strength in a rollover crash keeps the Honda CR-V from earning a Top Safety Pick award in crash ...

FuelEconomy.gov: The Honda CR-V offers fuel-economy numbers similar to many of its biggest competitors, this federal website shows. This chart ...

ConsumerSearch.com: Small changes boost the Honda CR-V above its rivals for 2010, but much remains unchanged from the 2009 model. Our full ...

Sporty compact crossover SUV

2010 Volkswagen Tiguan

Base MSRP: $23,200 to $33,500 Learn More

In a sea of look-alike small SUVs, reviews say the 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan shines with personality. Testers call it more stylish, more agile and simply more fun than less expensive SUVs -- even the top-rated 2010 Honda… CR-V (Base MSRP: $21,545 to $27,745) -- although the Tiguan can't match the CR-V's fuel economy or cargo space. A classy cabin and satisfying performance make it a less expensive alternative to pricier luxury SUVs like the 2010 Audi Q5 (Base MSRP: $37,350). Very favorable crash ratings are an added bonus.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Edmunds.com: The Volkswagen Tiguan is "a different flavor in a vanilla class," Edmunds.com says. While it costs a bit more than small SUVs ...

SaferCar.gov: With 5-star front- and side-crash ratings and 4 stars for rollover avoidance, the 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan ranks as one of the ...

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: The 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan is among the handful of compact SUVs to earn a Top Safety Pick award from Insurance Institute for ...

FuelEconomy.gov: Premium gas drives up the Volkswagen Tiguan's annual fuel cost, this government website shows. A chart ranks most SUVs ...

ConsumerSearch.com: Although further tests have raised it in critics' eyes, the 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan itself hasn't changed much since 2009. Our ...

Small luxury crossover

2010 Audi Q5

Base MSRP: $37,350 Learn More

The 2010 Audi Q5 does it all, experts say. It handles like a sport sedan but pampers like a luxury cruiser. Standard all-wheel drive adds sure footedness in poor weather. The Q5 out-tows all rivals (4,400 pounds max) and… gets average fuel economy for its class (20 mpg combined). Crash ratings are among the best of any SUV. Drawbacks include cargo space -- just average for a small SUV -- and a big rear-floor hump that makes the Q5 comfortable for four adults but not five. If the Q5 exceeds your budget, critics say the sporty, upscale 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan (Base MSRP: $23,200 to $33,500) is the next best thing.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Car and Driver: The Audi Q5 wins this SUV shootout, with performance and beauty that Car and Driver testers find "irresistible." A link leads ...

Motor Trend: The 2009 Audi Q5 (largely unchanged for 2010) wins Motor Trend's small premium SUV contest, too. Editors say it is "unmatched" ...

Motor Trend: Motor Trend testers aren't as impressed with the Audi Q5 this time around. Testing it against other Sport/Utility of the Year ...

Edmunds.com: The Audi Q5 is one of the most agile SUVs you can buy, with a roomy, upscale cabin and excellent safety. Its rivals -- ...

ConsumerReports.org: ConsumerReports.org ranks the Audi Q5 against other SUVs based on the nonprofit's expert testing of performance, comfort and ...

ConsumerGuide.com: After testing most SUVs on the market, editors here say the Audi Q5's refinement and passenger and cargo versatility are ...

Kelley Blue Book: Editors here say they like most premium SUVs, "but we never had a clear favorite until we drove the Audi Q5." The cabin "oozes ...

SaferCar.gov: The Audi Q5 earns the highest 5-star front- and side-crash ratings in government tests, with 4 stars for rollover avoidance.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: The Audi Q5 matches the safety scores of most other SUVs in this class and performs well enough in rollover roof-strength ...

FuelEconomy.gov: The Audi Q5 delivers an estimated 18 mpg city/23 mpg highway, costing an average $2,310 per year in premium gas, this federal ...

ConsumerSearch.com: The 2010 Audi Q5 carries over largely unchanged from 2009, so our comprehensive report on that model is still valid. It links ...