Sport Utility Vehicles are often considered a blessing for car buyers since these vehicles do have an upper hand over sedans and other compact cars. While in the early days, the US market absolutely loved big SUVs with equally big powertrains under their hoods, the Toyota RAV4 emerged as the first-ever compact SUV and introduced the compact SUV trend as well. During the last decade, all the major automakers have shifted to using compact straight-four motors with turbocharging to deliver better fuel efficiency while maintaining decent driveability. The SUVs powered with such compact motors might not be the most thrilling vehicle to drive around but they are practical and economical, a suitable transport for both cities and highways.
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8. Hyundai Kona N
The Hyundai Kona N is essentially the regular mundane Kona on some heavy dose of steroids. It offers some enthusiastic features such as an active exhaust system, summer performance tires, and adjustable suspension dampers that make it an affordable track vehicle to some extent as well. At around $36,285, it is one of the best four-cylinder compact SUVs you can buy now. Not only a solid performance, but the Kona N is also great on the gas mileage numbers too, and returns an average combined mpg of 20 mpg.
|
Hyundai Kona N |
Specs |
|---|---|
|
Price |
$36,285 |
|
Powertrain |
2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 |
|
Horsepower |
276 hp |
|
Torque |
289 lb-ft |
|
Transmission |
8-speed auto-shift manual |
|
0-60 MPH |
4.8 seconds |
|
Top Speed |
155 mph |
Under the hood of the Kona N is a feisty 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 motor that generates 276 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque. The motor drives the front wheels of the SUV, propelling it to 60 mph from a standstill in under 4.8 seconds flat.
7. Kia Sorento
The Kia Sorento is another excellent offering from Hyundai that aims at delivering the experience of its bigger brother, the Telluride, at an affordable price tag. While the price starts lower than what the Telluride has, it doesn't skimp on anything though. Moreover, due to its compact I-4 motors, the fuel economy part is solid too. The Sorento is both comfy and spacious on the inside, and also offers plenty of standard features as well. Furthermore, the Sorento rides quite well on most surfaces but doesn’t entice the handling department though.
|
Kia Sorento |
Specs |
|---|---|
|
Price |
$31,415 |
|
Powertrain |
2.5-liter I-4 |
|
Horsepower |
191 hp |
|
Torque |
181 lb-ft |
|
Transmission |
8-speed automatic |
|
0-60 MPH |
7 seconds |
|
Top Speed |
131 mph |
The Kia Sorento gets a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated direct injection I-4 motor with an output rating of 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a standard 8-speed automatic transmission, the motor drives the front wheels of the Sorento. The optional 2.0-liter T-GDI I-4 improves performance significantly and allows the SUV to sprint to 60 mph in under 6.5 seconds as compared to 7 seconds taken by the non-turbocharged motor.
6. Hyundai Tucson Hybrid
The Hyundai Tucson is the best-selling compact SUV from the South Korean automaker and was launched back in 2002. Positioned between the bigger Santa Fe and the smaller Kona, the Tucson is an appealing package for families due to its impressive practicality and a generous number of standard onboard and safety techs as well. Blessed with Hyundai’s long warranty coverage, the hybrid version of the Tucson makes the deal even sweeter with its more mpg numbers and better overall performance as compared to the non-hybrid model.
|
Hyundai Tucson Hybrid |
Specs |
|---|---|
|
Price |
$31,150 |
|
Powertrain |
1.6-liter turbocharged I-4 hybrid |
|
Horsepower |
226 hp |
|
Torque |
258 lb-ft |
|
Transmission |
6-speed shiftable automatic |
|
0-60 MPH |
7.8 seconds |
|
Top Speed |
120 mph |
The Tucson Hybrid is powered by a small 1.6-liter turbocharged I-4 along with a hybrid system consisting of an electric motor and a battery pack. While the general performance is punchier than the regular Tucson, the hybrid still takes a leisurely 7.8 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standstill. The output numbers are 226 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.
5. Volvo XC40
The Volvo XC40 is the smallest among the SUV lineup from the Swedish brand. Even though it is the smallest, it hardly has any downsides, especially at the price it comes and the audience it targets. Apart from the base Core trim’s cloth upholstery, the XC40 is a solid package for shoppers looking to buy a fuel-efficient and practical SUV with top crash scores. Thankfully, the XC40 now comes with a mild hybrid powertrain right from the base trim onward but the XC40 Recharge is also there who looks to own a pure EV.
|
Volvo XC40 |
Specs |
|---|---|
|
Price |
$37,445 |
|
Powertrain |
2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 hybrid |
|
Horsepower |
194 hp |
|
Torque |
221 lb-ft |
|
Transmission |
8-speed automatic |
|
0-60 MPH |
9.2 seconds |
|
Top Speed |
130 mph |
Powering the Volvo XC40 is a compact 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 co-joined with a mild hybrid system. Together, the powertrain produces 194 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque, with the latter coming in handy in peak traffic times. Mated to a standard 8-speed automatic transmission, the SUV is available in both FWD and AWD layouts. The performance from the base model is rather unremarkable with a 0-60 mph sprint time of 9.2 seconds.
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4. Toyota RAV4 Prime
The Toyota RAV4 is already a remarkable vehicle and practically started off the compact SUV trend as well. Like other Toyota vehicles, the RAV4 also gets the hybrid treatment but the RAV4 Prime is the most powerful hybrid SUV from the brand yet. Loaded with features, the RAV4 prime isn’t too cheap either at $43,675. However, the combo of performance and fuel economy to deliver is nearly unparalleled at present. The impressive crash scores are the cherry on the cake.
|
Toyota RAV4 Prime |
Specs |
|---|---|
|
Price |
$43,675 |
|
Powertrain |
2.5-liter I-4 hybrid |
|
Horsepower |
302 hp |
|
Torque |
165 lb-ft |
|
Transmission |
CVT |
|
0-60 MPH |
5.7 seconds |
|
Top Speed |
85 mph |
The RAV4 Prime is powered by a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated I-4 that is supplemented by a plug-in hybrid system with an electric motor and a decent-sized battery pack. The combined output of the powertrain is rated at 302 hp and 165 lb-ft of torque. Flooring the gas pedal results in a punchy performance, and the SUV leaps forward completing the 0-60 mph sprint in under 5.7 seconds.
3. Hyundai Santa Fe
Officially the first SUV from Hyundai, the Santa Fe is still going strong after a bit more than two decades since its launch. Over the last few years, the Santa Fe has become a near-perfect modern SUV with appropriate styling while retaining the practicality it is known for. The SUV is available in plenty of trim levels and each of them is equipped with adequate equipment for the price. While the basic trims are just decent with a mediocre performance, the models with the turbocharged unit are the worthy ones. It combines a feature-packed interior with a strong performance while the fuel economy numbers stay at a decent level too.
|
Hyundai Santa Fe |
Specs |
|---|---|
|
Price |
$41,635 |
|
Powertrain |
2.5-liter turbocharged I-4 |
|
Horsepower |
277 hp |
|
Torque |
311 lb-ft |
|
Transmission |
8-speed automatic |
|
0-60 MPH |
6.6 seconds |
|
Top Speed |
155 mph |
The Hyundai Santa Fe in its turbocharged models gets a 2.5-liter turbocharged I-4 that delivers a strong 277 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. The performance stats are good enough for the class at 6.6-second 0-60 mph sprint time while the standard 8-speed automatic transmission drives the front wheels.
2. Mercedes-Benz GLA Class
The Mercedes-Benz GLA Class is the ticket to experience Merc’s SUV brilliance at a comparatively affordable price tag. While the GLA is no perfect SUV, it gets some key areas right such as offering a spacious cabin with comfy seats, a pleasant ride quality, and a striking exterior design. Along with them, a strong safety part comes standard as well. The disappointments in the SUV include its scarcity of advanced techs on the standard list and above-average road noise out on the highways for a luxury SUV. Other than these, the GLA Class has a good balance of performance and fuel economy, beating a couple of its prime rivals in the class.
|
Mercedes-Benz GLA Class |
Specs |
|---|---|
|
Price |
$40,650 |
|
Powertrain |
2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 |
|
Horsepower |
221 hp |
|
Torque |
258 lb-ft |
|
Transmission |
8-speed automatic |
|
0-60 MPH |
6.8 seconds |
|
Top Speed |
155 mph |
Power of the GLA Class comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged direct injection I-4 engine that develops a decent 221 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The motor gets an 8-speed automatic transmission as standard and can do a 0-60 mph sprint within 6.8 seconds.
1. Lexus RX Hybrid
The Lexus RX has been a solid contender in its class and offered excellent value for money as compared to its German counterparts. With the 2023 redesign, the RX arrives in a better-than-before form. Over the regular models, the hybrid powertrain-equipped models make slightly better sense now given the impressive mpg numbers and driveability it offers. Moreover, the RX Hybrid now gets all the features from the regular models and starts at a competitive price of $51,145.
|
Lexus RX Hybrid |
Specs |
|---|---|
|
Price |
$51,145 |
|
Powertrain |
2.5-liter hybrid I-4 |
|
Horsepower |
246 hp |
|
Torque |
233 lb-ft |
|
Transmission |
CVT |
|
0-60 MPH |
5.9 seconds |
|
Top Speed |
130 mph |
The 2023 Lexus RX hybrid gets a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated I-4 motor with a hybrid system that puts out a good 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque. The SUV gets a CVT unit but it is quick and allows the SUV to touch 60 mph in under 5.9 seconds. The top speed is capped at 130 mph.
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