Nimble & Practical: These Compact SUVs Can Handle the Task
Sales rep vehicles need to be both practical and economical, and we’ve rounded up ten small SUVs that fit that description. Our list includes gasoline-only, self-charging hybrids, plug-in hybrids (PHEV), and an electric vehicle (EV) option. Fuel figures are for L/100 km in city/highway/combined. Cargo capacity is lowest to highest among all trims, starting with the rear seats up and then with them folded down.
Chevrolet Trailblazer
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Chevrolet Trailblazer. Credit: General Motors[/caption]
The subcompact Trailblazer is actually marginally smaller than the similar Chevrolet Trax, but it’s available with AWD where the Trax isn’t. Available in four trims, two of them AWD-only, it includes a flat-folding front passenger seat for carrying extra-long items. It’s also a sibling to the Buick Encore GX.
The Specs
Engine:
- 1.2-litre turbo I3
- 1.3-litre turbo I3
Power:
- 137 horsepower/162 lb-ft torque (1.2)
- 155 horsepower/174 lb-ft torque (1.3)
Fuel Economy:
- 7.8/7.7/7.8 (1.2)
- 8.1/7.2/7.7 (1.3)
Cargo Capacity: 716 – 1,540 litres
Ford Escape
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Ford Escape. Credit: Ford Motor Company[/caption]The Escape offers numerous choices, including FWD or AWD, two gas-only engines, a hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) that’s rated for 60 km of electric-only driving when charged. All trims include dual-zone climate control, power driver’s seat, and blind-spot monitoring.
The Specs
Engine:
- 1.5-litre turbo I3
- 2.0-litre turbo I4
- 2.5-litre I4 with hybrid/PHEV
Power:
- 180 horsepower/199 lb-ft torque (1.5)
- 250 horsepower/280 lb-ft torque (2.0)
- 192 total horsepower/155 lb-ft torque (Hybrid)
- 210 total horsepower/155 lb-ft torque (PHEV)
Fuel Economy:
- 8.9/6.9/8.0 (1.5)
- 10.2/7.6/9.1 (2.0)
- 5.6/6.5/6.0 (Hybrid)
- 5.6/6.3/5,9 (PHEV)
Cargo Capacity: 1,062 – 1,852 litres (Escape); 974 – 1,712 litres (Hybrid/PHEV)
Honda CR-V
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Honda CR-V. Credit: American Honda[/caption]The CR-V is available in gas-only or as a hybrid, and both are built in Ontario. The entry gas trim is FWD, while all others come standard with AWD. All include a height-adjustable cargo floor, walk-away door locks, and a multi-angle rearview camera.
The Specs
Engine:
- 1.5-litre turbo I4 (CR-V)
- 2.0-litre I4 (Hybrid)
Power:
- 190 horsepower/179 lb-ft torque (1.5)
- 204 total horsepower/247 lb-ft total torque (2.0)
Fuel Economy:
- 8.4/7.1/7.8 (I4 FWD)
- 9.1/7.6/8.4 (I4 AWD)
- 6.0/6.9/6.4 (Hybrid)
Cargo Capacity: 1,13 – 2,166 litres (CR-V); 1,028 – 2,030 litres (Hybrid)
Hyundai Kona
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Hyundai Kona. Credit: Hyundai Motor America[/caption]The Kona bypasses the hybrid route, and instead comes with either gasoline or electricity. It was designed as an EV that can also fit a gas engine, rather than the other way around. In addition to a more fleet-friendly version in FWD or AWD, the gas model also comes as the higher-performance Kona N Line and in AWD only.
The Specs
Engine:
- 2.0-litre I4 (Kona)
- 1.6-litre turbo I4 (Kona N Line)
- Electric motor with 64.8-kWh battery
Power:
- 147 horsepower/132 lb-ft torque (2.0)
- 190 horsepower/195 lb-ft torque (1.6)
- 201 horsepower/188 lb-ft torque (EV)
Fuel Economy:
- 8.4/6.7/7.6 (2.0)
- 9.6/8.2/9.0 (1.6)
EV Range: 420 km (17-inch wheels); 370 km (19-inch wheels)
Kia Sportage
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Kia Sportage. Credit: Kia Motors America[/caption]Kia’s popular compact SUV comes with gasoline, hybrid, or PHEV powertrains. The entry gas trim comes in FWD; all others, including the hybrids, are AWD. The PHEV rates 55 km on electric-only when charged. Available features include cooled seats, navigation, wireless charger, and panoramic sunroof.
The Specs
Engine:
- 2.5-litre I4 (Sportage)
- 1.6-litre I4 (Hybrid/PHEV)
Power:
- 187 horsepower/178 lb-ft torque (2.5)
- 227 total horsepower/258 lb-ft total torque (Hybrid)
- 261 total horsepower/258 lb-ft total torque (PHEV)
Fuel Economy:
- 9.3/7.1/8.3 (2.5 FWD)
- 10.1/8.7/9.5 (2.5 AWD)
- 6.1/6.3/6.2 (Hybrid)
- 6.6/6.7/6.7 (PHEV)
Cargo Capacity: 1,036 – 2,098 litres (Sportage); 977 – 2,087 litres (Hybrid); 977 – 1,854 litres (PHEV)
Mazda CX-50
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Mazda CX-50. Credit: Mazda North America[/caption]The CX-50 is similar to the CX-5 but is slightly larger and with more cargo capacity. It’s available with a naturally-aspirated or turbocharged engine, and AWD is standard. All trims include blind-spot monitoring, power driver’s seat, heated steering wheel, and power liftgate. Upper trims can add ventilated seats, navigation, and wireless charger.
The Specs:
Engine:
- 2.5-litre I4
- 2.5-litre turbo I4
Power:
- 187 horsepower/186 lb-ft torque (2.5)
- 227 horsepower/310 lb-ft torque (2.5T)
Fuel Economy:
- 9.7/8.0/8.9 (2.5)
- 10.4/8.2/9.4 (2.5T)
Cargo Capacity: 889 – 1,595 litres
Mitsubishi RVR
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Mitsubishi RVR. Credit: Mitsubishi RVR[/caption]The RVR, known as the Outlander Sport in the U.S. market, offers a choice of two engines, with FWD in its entry-level trim and AWD in all other models. Powertrain warranty is up to 10 years/160,000 km. All trims include heated front seats, keyless entry, automatic climate control and rain-sensing wipers. Upper trims can add blind-spot monitoring, heated steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, and remote starter.
The Specs
Engine:
- 2.0-litre I4
- 2.4-litre I4
Power:
- 148 horsepower/145 lb-ft torque (2.0)
- 168 horsepower/167 lb-ft torque (2.4)
Fuel Economy:
- 9.7/7.8/8.9 (2.0 FWD)
- 10.0/8.1/9.1 (2.0 AWD)
- 10.3/8.3/9.4 (2.4 AWD)
Cargo Capacity: 569 – 1,402 litres
Nissan Rogue
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Nissan Rogue. Credit: Nissan North America[/caption]The Rogue gets a refresh for 2024. It becomes the first Nissan vehicle with Google Built-In, which includes maps and assistant, included on the two upper trims for five years. All trims come with AWD, and features including emergency rear braking, blind-spot monitoring, heated seats and steering wheel, and cargo cover. Its engine includes variable compression to prioritize power or efficiency, depending on driving conditions.
The Specs
Engine: 1.5-litre I3
Power: 201 horsepower/225 lb-ft torque
Fuel Economy: 8.4/6.7/7.6
Cargo Capacity: 1,028 – 2,098 litres
Subaru Crosstrek
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Subaru Crosstrek. Credit: Subaru of America[/caption]The Crosstrek is all-new for 2024, with stiffer chassis, improved standard AWD, enhanced driver-assist features, and redesigned cabin. Two engines are available, and all trims include dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, and steering-responsive headlights. Upper trims can add wireless phone connectivity, heated steering wheel, power driver’s seat, power sunroof, and stolen vehicle immobilizer and recovery through a Subaru app.
The Specs
Engine:
- 2.0-litre I4
- 2.5-litre I4
Power:
- 152 horsepower/145 lb-ft torque (2.0)
- 182 horsepower/178 lb-ft torque (2.5)
Fuel Economy:
- 8.8/7.1/8.0 (2.0)
- 8.9/7.2/8.1 (2.5)
Cargo Capacity: 564 – 1,555 litres
Toyota RAV4
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Toyota RAV4. Credit: Toyota Motor North America[/caption]Toyota’s best-selling model comes in gas-only, as a hybrid, and as a PHEV known as the RAV4 Prime. All RAV4 models have standard AWD; on hybrid models, the rear wheels are driven by an electric motor when required for traction. The Prime is rated for 68 km of electric-only driving after charging. All trims include full-speed adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and heated seats.
The Specs
Engine:
- 2.5-litre I4
- 2.5-litre I4 with hybrid system
Power:
- 203 horsepower/184 torque (RAV4)
- 219 total horsepower/163 lb-ft torque (Hybrid)
- 302 total horsepower/165 lb-ft torque (Prime)
Fuel Economy:
- 9.5/7.2/8.5 (RAV4)
- 5.8/6.3/6.0 (Hybrid)
- 5.7/6.4/6.0 (Prime)
Cargo Capacity: 1,059 – 1,977 litres
