Small SUVs: Ratings of Sources
Total of 28 Sources
For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.
2009 Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year: Subaru Forester
by Edward Loh
Our Assessment
The Subaru Forester is Motor Trend editors' unanimous pick for 2009 Sport/Utility of the Year from a field of 13 contenders. Editor-in-chief Angus MacKenzie says, "The Subaru Forester is the SUV for our times."
Top Picks 2009
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Our Assessment
Consumer Reports purchases and tests dozens of cars and trucks for safety, reliability and performance, picking a handful to recommend. Their annual top picks summary is available online, even to nonsubscribers, with more detailed information available to paying subscribers. Their 2009 Top Pick in the Small SUV category is a three-year winner.
Comparison: 2008 Mazda CX-7 vs. 2009 Subaru Forester XT vs. 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
by Ron Kiino
Our Assessment
Motor Trend compares the 2008 Mazda CX-7, the 2009 Subaru Forester and the 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan during a 500-mile trip. All three vehicles are highly-optioned, turbocharged models. The Subaru Forester comes out on top, offering performance and fuel economy at a lower price.
Crossover Comparison: 2008 Honda CR-V vs. 2008 Nissan Rogue vs. 2008 Saturn Vue vs. 2009 Subaru Forester vs. 2008 Toyota RAV4
by Kim Reynolds
Our Assessment
Truck Trend compares five compact, two-wheel-drive SUVs, each optioned for best fuel economy. Editors pick favorites based on a test drive that included curvy mountain roads and Los Angeles freeways. The 2009 Subaru Forester is the winner, followed by the 2008 Nissan Rogue and Honda CR-V.
2009 Volkswagen Tiguan vs. 2008 Honda CR-V vs. 2008 Toyota RAV4
by Jason Kavanagh
Our Assessment
Inside Line pits the 2009 VW Tiguan against the 2008 Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 in a comparison test conducted during the summer of 2008, when gas prices were very high, so part of the focus is on fuel… economy. The Toyota RAV4 wins "by simply doing many things well." Writer Jason Kavanagh also notes that the V-6 engine delivers fuel economy within one gallon of the Honda CR-V's city rating. Editor Erin Riches disagrees with Kavanagh in a Second Opinion piece. Riches says the CR-V wins in a blowout.
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2009 Subaru Forester
by Kelsey Mays
Our Assessment
Cars.com's Kelsey Mays conducts a comprehensive, single-vehicle review of the overhauled 2009 Subaru Forester, concluding that its "cargo-area execution and driving dynamics remain as good as ever, as do the Forester's go-anywhere capabilities."
2009 Ford Escape Hybrid
by Mike Hanley
Our Assessment
Cars.com finds that the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid's "archaic rear-seat folding" and "spotty interior quality" could detract from its good fuel-economy numbers enough to make well-regarded nonhybrid small SUVs look like more desirable alternatives.
2009 Honda CR-V
by Joe Wiesenfelder
Our Assessment
Cars.com's Joe Wiesenfelder finds that there's a lot to recommend about the Honda CR-V, including a great reputation for reliability and excellent safety scores. It lacks simple fold-flat seats like the other class leaders, however, and it rides rougher than other small SUVs.
The Subaru Forester: For Sunbelt Drivers Too
by Dan Neil
Our Assessment
The L.A. Times Pulitzer Prize-winning auto critic, Dan Neil, drives the 2009 Subaru Forester and finds it to be very impressive. But he wonders why, considering Subaru's outdoorsy image, more fuel-efficient powertrains aren't offered.
Fun Crossover Has Euro Style in a Budget Package
by Lori Hindman
Our Assessment
MotherProof.com's Lori Hindman is impressed with the Volkswagen Tiguan's "quiet elegance" and powerful engine. She says that the rear cargo area looks small but handled her load of groceries just fine. There are plenty of kid-accessible cupholders, too. Her biggest gripe is the small VW SUV's premium fuel requirement.
2009 Nissan Rogue S Review
by Jonny Lieberman
Our Assessment
Jonny Lieberman reviews the Nissan Rogue S for TheTruthAboutCars.com. He expected to be disappointed based on his prior experience with the Nissan Murano, which he disliked, but the smaller, nimbler Nissan Rogue S leaves him pleasantly surprised.
2009 Subaru Forester L.L. Bean Edition Review
by Michael Karesh
Our Assessment
TheTruthAboutCars.com 's Michael Karesh tests the 2009 Subaru Forester and is less smitten than other critics are with the fully-revised small SUV, saying that Subaru's efforts to mainstream the new Forester have erased its once unique identity. "The previous Forester was unlike anything else in the segment. The new one is just like everything else in the segment, for both good and bad," he says.
In the AutoblogGreen Garage: 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid Limited FWD
by Sam Abuelsamid
Our Assessment
Sam Abuelsamid of AutoblogGreen.com drives the updated 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid and finds that it delivers on the efficiency front. Other beneath-the-skin changes result in a quieter ride and smoother hybrid operation.
2009 Editors Choice -- Feature
by Editors of Car and Driver
Our Assessment
Car and Driver's staff annually publishes a list of their favorite picks in a variety of categories, based on road testing over the course of the year. In the small SUV class, the Toyota RAV4 is the top pick, followed by the Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester and VW Tiguan. Links lead to brief buyer's guide summaries, which in turn have additional links to more detailed road-test reports.
2009 Nissan Rogue: They Shrunk the Murano
by Alan Haskvitz and Family
Our Assessment
The Car Family offers a unique review perspective in that it offers four different takes on each vehicle it covers. A mom, dad, son and daughter drive the 2009 Nissan Rogue, concluding that it is "among the very best in crossover utes."
SUV Buying Guide
by Editors of Edmunds.com
Our Assessment
Each year, the editorial staff at Edmunds.com looks at vehicles in a wide variety of categories and price ranges, voting for the best vehicles of the year. Picks are based on the magazine's continuous testing and published reviews The 2009 Honda CR-V and the 2009 Toyota RAV4 both earn editors' recommendations in the SUVs Under $25,000 class.
Truck Trend's Best in Class 2009: Compact SUV
by Editors of Truck Trend
Our Assessment
Truck Trend editors select annual best-in-class vehicles from each market segment. For 2009, the Subaru Forester is the runner-up in the compact SUV class. Editors say it's well-suited for daily commuting, though it's not much of an off-roader. With that criterion in mind, Truck Trend names the Toyota FJ Cruiser (which ConsumerSearch considers to be a midsize SUV) as the class winner.
Best New Vehicles Under $25,000
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Our Assessment
Consumer Reports buys and road-tests cars and trucks throughout the year, culminating in an annual auto issue. In this summary of editors' top picks (which anyone can read for free), selected SUVs get a short writeup; links lead to longer reviews, but those are available only to website subscribers. Several small SUVs make the publication's list of best new vehicles under $25,000.
2009 Best Buy and Recommended Awards
by Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
Our Assessment
ConsumerGuide.com's editors rate vehicles on qualities such acceleration, fuel economy and value within class. The features and options information included with each review is especially helpful, and… editors do a nice job positioning each SUV with its peers. For 2009, the Honda CR-V, Suzuki Grand Vitara and Volkswagen Tiguan earn Best Buy designations in the compact SUV category, while the Saturn Vue and Toyota RAV4 earn Recommended tags. This summary page links to detailed reports on each awarded vehicle.
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What Cars Make Mom Happy? MotherProof.com Names 2009 Family Cars of the Year
by Editors of MotherProof.com
Our Assessment
This website is one of the most unique auto-review publications. MotherProof's "mom-testers" focus on aspects often underplayed in other reviews. SUVs are evaluated for ease of entry/exit, car-seat… compatibility, availability of storage and cupholders and other features that matter to parents, in addition to road testing. Every year, MotherProof.com editors select their picks for the best family vehicles in nine categories. The 2009 award winner in the SUV/Crossover (two rows) category is the Subaru Forester.
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2009 Most and Least Fuel Efficient Trucks, Vans and SUVs
by Editors of FuelEconomy.gov
Our Assessment
The most and least fuel-efficient SUVs, according to their Environmental Protection Agency city mpg ratings, are listed on this page of the government's FuelEconomy.gov website. The Ford Escape Hybrid and… Mercury Mariner Hybrid twins are the most fuel-efficient SUVs in America. The Jeep Patriot and Jeep Compass twins (different bodywork, same mechanicals) also make the list. The Mazda Tribute Hybrid (a rebadged Escape/Mariner) is also listed, but it is extremely limited in availability (500 units total, California-only). This is the go-to source to look up fuel-economy figures for any new car, truck or SUV.
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2008 Toyota RAV4 vs. Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, Ford Escape and Five More Compact SUVs
by John Phillips
Our Assessment
In what's now a somewhat dated review, Car and Driver editors compare nine economical, compact SUVs on gravel and dirt roads. While every contestant featured four-wheel or all-wheel drive, only the compact… SUVs from Jeep and Suzuki demonstrated real off-road ability. The 2008 Toyota RAV4 wins the comparison, followed by the 2008 Honda CR-V and 2008 Nissan Rogue. The RAV4 has received some minor improvements for 2009, while the CR-V and Rogue are essentially unchanged.
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Overall Crashworthiness Evaluations - Small SUVs
by Editors of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Our Assessment
The insurance industry-backed IIHS performs its own independent crash tests, completely separate from those conducted by the federal government. Vehicles that score a Good rating in frontal, side, and rear impacts, as well as offering electronic stability control, are named Top Safety Picks by the organization. Several 2009 compact SUVs meet these criteria.
NWAPA Mudfest Results -- The Sport Utility of the Year Awards
by Editors of Northwest Automotive Press Association
Our Assessment
Each year, the Northwest Automotive Press Association hands out awards following a two-day on-road and off-road competition dubbed Mudfest. The 2009 Subaru Forester is named Best Value SUV, while the 2009… Ford Escape Hybrid takes the Best Green SUV honors. The NWAPA's spartan website contains a link to its official press release. Edmunds.com also provides a blog post giving one Mudfest participant's take on several of the vehicles involved.
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2008 Texas Truck Rodeo: Don't Mess With Texas -- or Ford
by Steve Cypher
Our Assessment
Each year in October, Texas Auto Writers Association members drive pickup trucks and SUVs on paved and off-road courses during a three-day test event. The LotPro.com blog summarizes the results. Compact… SUVs are represented in two categories here: The 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara is named the top off-road-capable conventional compact SUV, while the Subaru Forester places first among road-going compact crossover-type SUVs.
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Canadian Car of the Year 2009
by Editors of Automobile Journalists Association of Canada
Our Assessment
Members of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada gather annually to evaluate a wide variety of cars and trucks during a five-day test event, after which it chooses its Canadian Car of the Year selections. The 2009 Subaru Forester is named Best New SUV/CUV Under $35K. Clicking on the award category shows the scorecards for the top three finishers in their respective categories.
Drivers' Choice Awards
by Editors of MotorWeek
Our Assessment
PBS' MotorWeek awards annual Drivers' Choice awards for vehicles in a variety of categories. For 2009 the Subaru Forester won the title of Best Small Utility Vehicle. MotorWeek editors note that the new… Forester is bigger and better equipped than the previous model, while still achieving 27 miles per gallon on the highway. Editors call the Forester "in tune with the times" but this extremely brief summary doesn't delve into any road-test details.
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Best Cars for 2009
by Mark Solheim and Jessica L. Anderson
Our Assessment
Kiplinger's auto ratings factor in service costs, fuel efficiency, resale value and insurance costs, but no hands-on road testing. Among 2009 model compact SUVs, the Nissan Rogue wins as Best in Class, while the Honda CR-V earns Best Resale, and the Ford Escape Hybrid is recognized as Most Fuel-Efficient. The Subaru Forester is named the Best New Small Crossover.
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