Ultimate Commuter Value in Compact SUVs

If you’re a city-dweller or commuter, your ideal car just might be one of the city-smart compact SUVs on the market. These small crossovers offer a nice combination of roomy interiors, modern safety features, nimble handling, and affordable prices.

Let’s take a look at some of the top-selling compact SUVs in this competitive category.

Chevrolet Trax

One of the selling points of these city-friendly compact crossovers is the low price point. The new Chevrolet Trax starts at $23,200, and that gets you a 1.4-liter turbo four-cylinder paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The standard drivetrain is FWD, but AWD is optional. The fuel economy is competitive with 24 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway. This is a five-seater with plenty of interior space. The Chevrolet Trax comes in two trims, and the higher trim adds features like deluxe seat trim, remote start, cruise control, and more.

Ford Escape

The Ford Escape is another popular entry in this category, but it’s also a bit more expensive than some of the other models with a starting price of $26,010. This price will get you a 1.5-liter turbo three-cylinder engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The standard drivetrain is FWD, but AWD is an option. The Escape comes in quite a few trim variants, so the starting price will go up from there. The top trim starts at $36,355, and it adds features like a bigger fuel tank and standard AWD. An Escape hybrid variant is also available.

Honda HR-V

The Honda HR-V is essentially a smaller version of the CR-V with some aspects of the Honda Fit worked in. This compact crossover starts at $21,870, and this price will get you a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a CVT. As usual, FWD is standard with AWD being an option. The cheaper price of the HR-V might be attractive to some drivers, but other drivers might be put off by the CVT on all trims. The HR-V comes in three different trims with the highest-priced trim being the Sport at $23,820. Notable features of the HR-V include impressive cargo space, good fuel economy, and a comfortable ride.

Hyundai Kona

The Hyundai Kona Limited is one of the higher-priced entries in the city-smart category. It starts at $28,450. This price will get you a 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder engine paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The fuel economy is one of the highest in the segment at 29 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway. Base trims of the Hyundai Kona are a lot lower at $21,150 and $22,950 respectively. However, they only come with a CVT, which can lead many drivers to opt for the highest trim if they want the Kona.

When choosing a cheap city-smart compact SUV, it’s important to weigh the price with other features that you need.