The 10 Best Small SUVs (With Small-ish Price Tags) for Weekend Adventure
Connie Peters
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The GMC Terrain ?: Connie Peters
We’ve rounded up 10 of the best small SUVs for you.
Related: 2024 Chevrolet Trax: This Could Possibly Be Your Ideal First (or Last) Car
10 Adventure-Friendly Small Sport Utility Vehicles
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV ?: Erica Mueller
Mitsubishi Outlander
The Mitsubishi Outlander is not just a great small SUV, it’s also a a PHEV:plug-in electric hybrid. And, it has a third row to boot!
“It wasn’t just the hybrid powertrain that had me skeptical, I’ve driven some pretty nice hybrids, but it was the combination of this being a plugin hybrid and an SUV. See, I expect a lot from my SUVs. I treat them like pickups, driving them across fields, down riverbanks, and up washed-out dirt roads. I haul animal feed and bales of hay and wood chips and garden supplies in the cargo space. We really put these vehicles through their paces which means I’m looking for power, durability, and practicality as well as comfort for our family.”
Jeep Compass Trailhawk and its sharp trail-rated looks. ?: Connie Peters
Jeep Compass
I could not get over the Stone Blue Metallic color of this 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0T SE. Photo by Erica Mueller
VW Tiguan
A side view of the Mazda CX-5. ?Scotty Reiss
Mazda CX-5
A few years ago Mazda rebranded as a premium car company. Still value priced—especially for what you get— the brand has been making waves; it’s a great car for a smart girl who wants luxury but doesn’t need a flashy badge to tell the world.
Sort of like the stealth goodness of a demure but luxe Saint Laurent bag versus the bright interlocking double C’s that announce a Chanel bag. Inside, they are smartly designed and appointed with quality details, but on the outside they have a different message to the world. One says “I got this,” the other says “look out, here I come!” Mazda is just such a luxury car. It delivers the luxury features you need, but minus the flashy badge. And, as long as the luxury is real, we’re good with that.
2019 Subaru Forester. ?: Scotty Reiss
Subaru Forester
“Subaru’s reputation is rooted in all-wheel drive and 4WD capability; it was the first brand to offer this technology across all its models and why it became so popular with drivers in the Northern States where you really need the capability.
X Mode lets you choose the amount of all-wheel drive assist you to want the Subaru to kick in; but dual-mode X Mode adds to it with automated capability on challenging surfaces: The system controls acceleration and braking to maximize grip on rough terrain, mud, snow, gravel, sand, hills; you just take your foot off the brake or gas and the system self-regulates. All you do is steer, again, taking some of the distraction out of these situations; steering itself can be a challenge in many places!”
Clean lines and a clearly GMC look give the Terrain it’s good looks. ?: Connie Peters
GMC Terrain
The GMC Terrain is a classic in my opinion, with beautiful GMC DNA and functionality.
The Toyota RAV4 AWD is not just functional, but it’s a pretty vehicle, easy to spot in a crowded lot and totally edgy. ?: Dangerous Cupcake Lifestyle
Toyota RAV4
Doesn’t she look sassy in my driveway?! ? Christa Thompson
Kia Sportage
“There were some specific needs and some specific wants that I had in mind while I was shopping around for our new family car. Needs for size, safety, reliability and fuel, and wants for aesthetics and personal preference.
I needed a vehicle big enough to fit my family of three and two small dogs and still have enough room to load it all in for road trips so, an SUV made the most sense. It was also important for us to buy a vehicle that was competitive on gas mileage, had advanced safety features and a nice technology package.
I knew this would be the car my son would end up learning to drive in and most likely own himself in six years. So I wanted to make sure that he would be in a safe car with handsfree technology. The Kia Sportage fit the bill.
The All-New 2019 Chevy Blazer RS.?: Connie Peters
Chevy Blazer
“It’s eye-catching and bold, bolder than its predecessor – one of the original SUVs on the road – that went out of production in 2005. But the Chevy Blazer is back and takes inspiration in style and design from one of the most iconic Chevy models ever – the Camaro.
Taking a nod from Camaro, the sporty body design is appealing with thin LED headlamps under the headlights, and the Chevrolet bowtie emblem stands out against the all-black grille. The interior has large climate control dials that also hail from the Camaro interior. And like the Camaro, the motor doesn’t disappoint, either. It’s the same drive train as the Chevrolet Equinox and the Cadillac XT5.”
Sporty and adventure-ready in the all-new Honda Passport. Photo: Connie Peters
Honda Passport
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