The Best Compact SUVs for Families in 2017

Top Performers From U.S. News' Best Compact SUVs for Families Award

Once you read this article, you may start seeing compact SUVs everywhere. That’s because the compact SUV is one of the most popular vehicles on the road today. There are good reasons. Compact doesn’t have to mean small – many have spacious cargo areas and rear seats. They are also fuel-efficient, and much more.

The compact SUV class is one of 18 different automotive classes recognized in U.S. News & World Report’s 2017 Best Cars for Families Awards. The winners offer a combination of positive professional automotive reviews, good safety and reliability scores, ample passenger and cargo space, and family-friendly tech features. Read on to discover the top six Best Compact SUVs for Families.

To see our most recent Best Cars for Families winners, click here.

• Read the 2017 Honda CR-V Full Review
• See 2017 Honda CR-V Photos
• See Compact SUVs Rankings

6) 2017 Subaru Forester

Base Price: $22,595 (Details Below)

Unlike many of its class rivals that tack on all-wheel-drive as an option, Subaru includes it standard with the 2017 Forester, priced at $22,595. With the largest cargo area in its class, roomy seats, and a low starting price, you can’t deny the Forester is a great compact SUV for families.

The Forester 2.5i base model is equipped with a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. A 250-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is available. The 2.5i has a lot of standard features, including a 6.2-inch Starlink touch-screen infotainment system and a rearview camera. The EyeSight active safety suite has an impressive list of safety tech designed to prevent collisions, including lane departure warning and blind spot monitoring. Cargo is king in the Forester, with 74.7 cubic feet when the back seats are folded. The optional power liftgate includes a height setting to prevent it from hitting your garage ceiling. 

• Read the 2017 Subaru Forester Full Review
• See 2017 Subaru Forester Photos
• See Compact SUVs Rankings

5) 2017 Kia Sportage

Base Price: $22,990 (Details Below)

The 2017 Kia Sportage, priced at $22,990, is a well-rounded people-pleaser. The Sportage delivers the performance you want, but not at the expense of comfort. The array of available features, plus a top-notch warranty, make the Sportage a true contender. You can choose from the LX, EX, and SX Turbo trims.

The Sportage was redesigned for 2017, which means improved passenger space and more cargo room. Tech options include a 7-inch or 8-inch touch screen with the UVO infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a faster-charging USB port, navigation, HD radio, and a Harman Kardon audio system. The SUV also offers several driver assistance safety features, like blind spot monitoring and lane change assist, and a hands-free power liftgate.

• Read the 2017 Kia Sportage Full Review
• See 2017 Kia Sportage Photos
• See Compact SUVs Rankings

4) 2017 Nissan Rogue

Base Price: $23,820 (Details Below)

The 2017 Nissan Rogue runs in the middle of the compact SUV class but has its strong points, including a fine interior, excellent fuel economy, solid safety scores, and an innovative cargo system. The Rogue, priced to start at $23,820, offers three trims: S, SV, and SL.

You can seat up to seven with an optional third row, available in the S and SV only. The Rogue is equipped with a 2.5-liter engine and a continuously variable automatic transmission. Expect smooth, car-like performance from this daily driver. The EPA-estimated gas mileage is 26 mpg in the city and 33 on the highway. The Rogue has a unique 18-way adjustable Divide-N-Hide cargo system, which includes an adjustable cargo floor and movable cargo shelves.

• Read the 2017 Nissan Rogue Full Review
• See 2017 Nissan Rogue Photos
• See Compact SUVs Rankings

3) 2017 Ford Escape

Base Price: $23,750 (Details Below)

The 2017 Ford Escape offers the most value in its upper trims. The compact SUV is a family-pleaser, with an upscale interior, above-average cargo space, and strong safety scores. The base Escape S trim is priced to start at $23,750. Upgrade to the SE at $25,250, or Titanium, at $29,250, for the most features and options, and better fuel economy.

The Escape comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The upper trims have a more powerful 1.5-liter turbocharged engine. Sit in the cabin of the Escape and you will feel relaxed. Its wide, comfortable seats, tailored in high-quality materials, do not disappoint. The rear seats recline. The Escape’s 68 cubic feet of cargo space is among the best in class. A low cargo floor and optional foot-activated power liftgate (included in the Titanium trim) make loading gear a breeze.

• Read the 2017 Ford Escape Full Review
• See 2017 Ford Escape Photos
• See Compact SUVs Rankings

2) 2017 Hyundai Tucson

Base Price: 22,700 (Details Below)

Value is the calling card of the 2017 Hyundai Tucson. The Tucson has an impressive combination of top safety scores, solid reliability, and an excellent warranty. You get all this for a low $22,700, which will catch the attention of budget-crunching buyers. The Tucson is a finalist for the 2017 Best Compact SUV for Families award.

The five-seat cruiser has a quiet, spacious cabin that can accommodate tall adults. Despite some hard plastics, the interior is refined, with stain-resistant cloth upholstery in the base model. The Tucson is equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. For extra power, upgrade to the turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine; it is available in three upper trims.

Standard features include a rearview camera and brake assist. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are optional. Hyundai covers the Tucson with a five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

• Read the 2017 Hyundai Tucson Full Review
• See 2017 Hyundai Tucson Photos
• See Compact SUVs Rankings

1) 2017 Honda CR-V

Base Price: $24,045 (Details Below)

If you think you have seen many 2017 Honda CR-Vs on the road, it’s not your imagination. Word about the top-ranked compact SUV is getting around. The CR-V is the winner of the 2017 Best Compact SUV for Families award and the 2017 Best Compact SUV for the Money award. Priced at $24,045, the CR-V is safe, reliable, and fun to drive. The CR-V offers four trims: LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring.

The five-seater is spacious, even for tall adults. Visibility is excellent in almost every direction. A standard rearview camera helps with the rear corner blind spots. Enjoy excellent fuel economy, at 26 mpg in the city and 32 on the highway with the base four-cylinder engine, or 28 mpg in the city and 34 on the highway with the optional turbocharged engine.

The CR-V has class-leading cargo space (75.8 cubic feet with the back seat folded). The rear doors open wide for easy access. There are two full sets of LATCH connectors in the second row, if you need to install car seats.

The best value is the EX for $2,650 over the base price. The EX includes the new turbocharged engine, driver assistance safety features like forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, and an upgraded infotainment system.

• Read the 2017 Honda CR-V Full Review
• See 2017 Honda CR-V Photos
• See Compact SUVs Rankings

More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report

Explore our Best Cars for Families Awards in all categories to compare vehicles before you enter the showroom. Visit the U.S. News Best Price Program to find the dealers in your area with the best price. Shoppers who use our Best Price Program have saved an average of $3,279 off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price.