The 10 best compact crossover SUVs according to Consumer Reports

Compact crossover SUVs make great daily drivers and weekend adventure vehicles. These are the 10 best 2025 models according to Consumer Reports.

Jun 7, 2025 - 14:22

The 10 best compact crossover SUVs according to Consumer Reports

Compact crossover SUVs — like Toyota’s RAV4 and Honda’s CR-V — have grown into one of the most popular segments of the auto market. As the fuel economy and safety features in sport utility vehicles have improved in recent years, more and more car buyers have been opting for small SUVs over sedans and compact cars.

What is a compact crossover SUV, exactly?

A compact crossover SUV is a small sport utility vehicle that combines SUV features (like higher clearance and all-wheel or four-wheel drive) with sedan features (like a more compact size, smaller engine, easy handling, and fuel efficiency).

Most newer compact crossovers are small, safe, and fuel-efficient enough to serve as daily drivers in the city and suburbs, but they also boast decent clearance and AWD or 4WD, so they can double as capable weekenders for dirt-road camping, light snow driving, and general outdoor recreation.

Additionally, many compact crossover models now offer buyers a choice between a traditional and hybrid engine, and while the hybrid versions tend to be significantly more expensive, they can save drivers money on gas, especially during highway driving. And since most weekend getaways to remote areas begin with a long drive on a highway, this can be a big plus for those who plan to use their compact SUV for outdoor adventure.

The 10 most popular compact crossover SUVs in the U.S. (2025)

In early June 2025, U.S. News & World Report ranked the best-selling SUVs in the United States based on new cars sold by that point in 2025. The list below includes only the top 10 compact crossover SUVs from that list by units sold.

Toyota RAV4: 115,402
Honda CR-V: 103,325
Chevy Equinox: 81,331
Tesla Model Y: 71,000
Nissan Rogue: 62,102
Chevrolet Trax: 59,021
Hyundai Tucson: 54,973
Subaru Forester: 49,865
Subaru Crosstrek: 43,612
Kia Sportage: 41,301

Just because something is the most popular in its category, however, does not mean it’s the best (although the Toyota RAV4 is broadly considered to be an excellent compact SUV and has been extremely well regarded since it debuted in the 90s).

But where can car buyers look for unbiased information about performance and reliability? One great resource is Consumer Reports, a nonprofit agency that has been testing and reviewing products for almost a century.

What is Consumer Reports & how does it evaluate cars?

Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports is a nonprofit firm that advocates for shoppers buy buying and testing products — including cars. The agency buys cars anonymously and at full price to prevent any sort of tampering or preferential treatment from the brands it reviews, and its auto experts put them to the test at a private driving course and automotive evaluation facility in Connecticut.

Additionally, CR surveys its millions of members annually about their own cars. Members answer questions about any issues they’ve encountered, as well as any maintenance or repairs they’ve had to pay for as a result. And since CR has been collecting survey data for decades, it’s able to provide invaluable insights about how certain car models and model years tend to perform over time.

Reliability scores based on member survey data are combined with real-world testing results to provide a holistic picture of each vehicle’s reliability and performance.