Compact SUVs are the way to go these days. They are neither bulky like ladder-on-frame SUVs nor nimble like soon-to-be-extinct sedans. Compact SUVs are targeted to people from all walks of life; a performance SUV for the young-blood, a spacious SUV for families, and so on. Even the price bracket is huge. In this list, we have listed the best compact SUVs from 2016 that you can purchase on the used market.

2016 Honda CR-V

The CR-V is an all-rounded SUV that ticks all the requirements when a family goes car shopping. It is definitely not the fastest, but that is not the priority for families these days. The CR-V is powered by a 2.4-liter, four-pot that produces 185 horses and 181 pound-feet of torque. Handling isn't exactly top-notch, but the well-tuned suspension makes up for it. The cabin is very spacious, and the seats are well cushioned and bolstered. There are a lot of storage pockets for the little knick-knacks, and the CR-V comes with clever folding seats that make it a practical option for families that enjoy those weekend getaways. With all seats in place, the CR-V offers 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space, which increases to an impressive 70.9 cubic feet when you fold the rear seats. Coming to interior quality, the 2016 CR-V is a notch up from the previous generations, but not one of the fanciest ones out there. The CR-V comes with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. On the safety front, the CR-V is well-equipped and has scored five stars in NHTSA crash testing.

EPA Fuel Economy

29 mpg combined

Maximum Cargo Capacity

70.9 cu.ft.

Available Total Seating

5

Drivetrain Warranty

5 yr./ 60000 mi.

Available Drivetrains

FWD, AWD

Government Crash Rating

5 Stars


Read our full review on the 2016 Honda CR-V

2016 Mazda CX-5

The Mazda CX-5 is what the CR-V isn’t. The CX-5 is handsome, it handles well, and is also one of the safest SUVs in the segment. It is available with the two engine options; a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder that produces 155 horses or a 2.5-liter, four-banger that develops 184 ponies. The former is available only with the stick-shift, while the latter is only offered with an automatic transmission. It achieves 29 miles per gallon with the manual transmission, and earns an extra one mpg with the automatic. The interior boasts a good-looking dashboard and center-console, while higher trims have a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The cabin is wide and spacious, offering excellent headroom and legroom for occupants. However, inviting a fifth person will make it a tight squeeze. The cargo space is on par as per segment standards with a maximum of 65.4 cubic feet.

EPA Fuel Economy

26-29 mpg combined

Maximum Cargo Capacity

65.4 cu.ft

Available Total Seating

5

Drivetrain Warranty

5 yr./ 60000 mi.

Available Drivetrains

FWD, AWD

Government Crash Rating

5 Stars


- Handles exceptionally well - Fuel-efficient engines - Smart looks that will please all
- Not as equipped inside as the competition - Sluggish automatic transmission - Acceleration not the CX-5’s strong suit.

Read our full review on the 2016 Mazda CX-5

2016 Ford Escape

In a nutshell, the Escape is an SUV that compromises on comfort and utility for performance. The Escape packs a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine that produces 240 horses for the performance-lovers. There are two other lower-spec engines that do their job efficiently.On the inside, the Escape is loaded to the brim. The Escape has oodles of space within, comparable to the CR-V; but legroom is on the shorter side. The seats are firm and slim, which is good for the city commutes, but not so much for long journeys. Its maximum cargo capacity of 68.1 cubic feet is on par with the competition. On the safety front, this SUV escapes full marks. NHTSA gave it four stars.

EPA Fuel Economy

23-26 mpg combined

Maximum Cargo Capacity

68.1 cu.ft.

Available Total Seating

5

Drivetrain Warranty

5 yr./ 60000 mi.

Available Drivetrains

FWD, AWD

Government Crash Rating

4 Stars


- An optional 240-horsepower engine to satisfy the inner-Schumacher in you - Hatchback-like handling - Available with all bells and whistles you can ask for
- Inaccurate dashboard design interferes into the knee room - Seats not good for long journeys - Driver-centric SUV and not family-focused

Read our full review on the 2016 Ford Escape

2016 Subaru Forester

The Forester is the most VFM purchase you can make from this list, as it suffers from low resale value. The base 2.5-liter, four-banger produces 170 horses, while the 2.0-liter, four-pack turbocharged unit creates 250 horses. The Forester is durable, it rides well, and the CVT attached to the 2.0-liter is surprisingly smooth. The handling is on the sportier side, and it is also off-road friendly. The suspension is well-tuned, and even the steering weighs up nicely on higher speeds, making the Forester a delight to use on all terrain. Tech-savvy people may not be the happiest folks, but the SUV has all the basic essentials, including a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the top-spec. The seats are wide enough to fit five people comfortably. However, the front seats lack bolstering and cushioning, which makes the driver feel tired during long journeys. Even with that in mind, the driving position is commanding. Cargo space is the icing on the cake for the Forester; with a maximum of 74.7 cubic feet available for the taking. In terms of safety, the Forester has scored an overall full five stars from NHTSA rating, with a near-perfect score in almost all the tests undertaken.

EPA Fuel Economy

25-27 mpg combined

Maximum Cargo Capacity

68.5 / 74.7 cu.ft.

Available Total Seating

5

Drivetrain Warranty

5 yr./ 60000 mi.

Available Drivetrains

AWD

Government Crash Rating

5 Stars


- Comfortable ride for the passengers, enjoyable for the driver - CVT is not lacklustre like in other SUVs - One of the safest SUVs available in the market even today.
- Front seats are not comfortable - The exciting turbo engine does not get a manual transmission option - Even the fully-loaded Forester misses out on some features

Read our full review on the 2016 Subaru Forester

2016 Acura RDX

The Acura RDX is a stylish SUV that you just cannot ignore on the road. It is powered by a 3.5-liter, V-6 engine that produces 279 horses and 252 pound-feet of torque. The engine is refined and smooth, and has a good low-end torque to pull this heavy SUV effortlessly. Handling and ride quality is more than satisfactory. The dashboard is well laid-out and looks classy, but the over usage of chrome can cause glare at some angles. The RDX is loaded with features like heated front seats, multiview rear camera, etc. The Acura RDX does not fall short on headroom and shoulder room. The RDX achieves 22 miles per gallon combined, which is not as fuel-efficient as the rivals. Flip down the rear seats, and you will get 61.3 cubic feet of cargoroom, which again, is disappointing as per the segment standards. In terms of safety, the Acura MDX is neither bad nor good. It has the basic safety features but hasn’t scored the perfect rating.

EPA Fuel Economy

22-23 mpg combined

Maximum Cargo Capacity

61.3 cu.ft.

Available Total Seating

5

Drivetrain Warranty

6 yr./ 70000 mi.

Available Drivetrains

FWD, AWD

Government Crash Rating

5 Stars


- Smooth V-6 engine - Comfortable seats at the front and back - Interiors get nifty features
- Poor fuel economy - Insufficient cargo space - Audiophiles will need to upgrade the speakers

Read our full review on the 2016 Acura RDX

2016 BMW X3

The X3 is arguably the smartest-looking SUV of this lot. It a perfect blend of styling, practicality, and performance. The X3 is available with an array of engine choices; all turbocharged. You can choose from the base trim that makes 180 horses, to the top-spec trim that churns out 300 ponies. The interior needs no introduction; it is overflowing with features on any spec. The seats are supremely comfortable and can be availed in multiple themes. However, a third at the rear may make things a little uncomfortable. Also, there are a lot of packages to choose from to customize the interior as per your needs. If there’s one thing the X3 lacks in, it is cargo space. With all the seats in place, the X3 offers a mere 19 cubic feet, which extends to 56.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. Safety is top-notch, and it has earned a rating of five stars.

EPA Fuel Economy

22-30 mpg combined

Maximum Cargo Capacity

56.6 cu.ft.

Available Total Seating

5

Drivetrain Warranty

4 yr./ 50000 mi.

Available Drivetrain

RWD, AWD

Government Crash Rating

5 Stars


- The exterior is just fantastic - A well-equipped, comfortable cabin - Multiple powertrain options
- Expensive in the used market - Cargo space is just pathetic - Refined engine, but not silent. Diesel clatter is very much evident when idling

Read our full review on the 2016 BMW X3

2016 Porsche Macan

Pack the Cayenne’s feature in a smaller avatar, and you’ll get a Macan. The Macan S comes with a 3.0-liter, V-6 engine that churns out 340 horses while the Macan Turbo comes with a 3.6-liter, V-6 engine that develops 400 horses. The ride and handling are excellent, while the steering is responsive and no dead spots. On the inside, it’s a typical Porsche with a plethora of buttons and features. Perhaps, calling it a cockpit would be more appropriate. The space is on the lower side, as it can accommodate only four people comfortably - a fifth person just isn't welcome. Headroom, legroom, shoulder room – everything is in deficit, especially at the rear. Things like utility and storage space are thrown out of the window without giving it a second thought. The seats have thick cushioning, and their sides have healthy bolstering, which is boon when you have a risk of getting thrown around during fast cornering. Fuel Economy? What’s that? It delivers 19 mpg combined. The Macan has a maximum cargo space of 53 cubic feet.

EPA Fuel Economy

19 mpg combined

Maximum Cargo Capacity

53.0 cu.ft.

Available Total Seating

5

Drivetrain Warranty

4 yr./ 50000 mi.

Available Drivetrains

AWD

Government Crash Rating

Not Rated


- A true performance SUV - Basically Cayenne’s urban-friendly version - It’s a Porsche
- The Macan, in all its glory, crosses $80,000 - Not a five-seater - Cargo space and fuel economy should be spoken about in hush-hush voices

Read our full review on the 2016 Porsche Macan