2017 Jaguar F-Pace
Price: $41,990 (Details Below)
The Jaguar F-Pace is the new kid on the SUV block and starts out its model run earning an impressive 9.1 out of 10 overall score from U.S. News & World Report. The standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel is mated to an eight-speed transmission. All-wheel drive is also standard. The base engine achieves good power and excellent fuel economy (26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway).
2017 Jaguar F-Pace
MPG: 26 City / 33 Highway (Details Below)
The Jaguar F-Face has a spacious cabin with comfortable seating for up to four adults. The SUV also has one of the largest cargo capacities in the luxury compact SUV class. The cabin’s simplistic yet modern design is made up of soft touch surfaces. Its infotainment system is easy to use. Hauling cargo is made easy with 40/20/40 split rear folding seats.
2017 Honda CR-V
Price: $24,045 (Details Below)
The redesigned Honda CR-V is the top-ranked compact SUV in U.S. News & World Report’s ratings, scoring 9.0 out of 10 overall. Honda’s CR-V comes with two engine options, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or the upgraded turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder. Both engines are competent but the turbocharged model is more fuel-efficient, getting 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway.
2017 Honda CR-V
MPG: 26 City / 32 Highway (Details Below)
The interior of the 2017 CR-V is more upscale than the Toyota RAV4. The Honda model has a low load floor that makes the SUV’s cargo area seem cavernous. The CR-V’s infotainment system is intuitive to use and frustration free thanks to a volume control knob that replaces the previous touch screen-only control in previous Honda models. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available, and are recommended to be used instead of Honda’s optional navigation system.
2016 BMW X3
Price: $39,250 (Details Below)
A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder powers BMW X3 sDrive28i and xDrive28i models. That power plant is capable around town but may seem underpowered on the highway. It achieves better than average fuel economy, although the upgraded turbodiesel offers 27 mpg in the city and 34 on the highway, numbers that trail only the Lexus NX Hybrid.
The X3’s high 9.1 out of 10 performance score, as determined by U.S. News & World Report, helped it achieve a No. 3 overall ranking in the luxury compact SUVs category.
2016 BMW X3
MPG: 27 City / 34 Highway (Details Below)
Despite the X3’s large cabin, there is minimal storage space throughout the vehicle. Premium materials like wood and leather fill the cabin giving the SUV a luxury look and feel. Its seats are comfortable and provide adequate support. Second row passengers will notice that there’s plenty of legroom. BMW’s iDrive infotainment system is responsive and allows easy access to see your memos, tasks, messages, and frequent contacts with the touch of a finger.
2017 Kia Sorento
Price: $25,600 (Details Below)
The 2017 Kia Sorento ranks second on the U.S. News & World Report list of best midsize SUVs. Its 2.4-liter four-cylinder is standard issue in the Sorento but it doesn’t offer the acceleration and passing capability most buyers are likely looking for. The upgraded turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine fares slightly better and the available V6 are worth the upgrade.
A great feature of the Sorento that can be overlooked is that you can one with a four-cylinder as well as all-wheel drive. This way you can still earn good fuel economy while knowing you won’t get stuck in inclement weather.
2017 Kia Sorento
MPG: 21 City / 28 Highway (Details Below)
Kia’s Sorento comes in either five- or seven-seat configurations, each of which provide adequate room for the driver and passengers. Cargo room is average but with the optional third row erect, there is only enough room for grocery bags behind it. Kia’s optional UVO infotainment system is user-friendly and features an 8-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities, navigation, and HD Radio.
2017 Volvo XC90
Price: $45,750 (Details Below)
The base T5 XC90 is powered by a less than stellar turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Upgrading to the T6 or T8 engines gives the driver access to plenty of power. All XC90 engine options provide great fuel efficiency (up to 24 mpg in combined city and highway driving). The SUV provides a stable ride and drive modes allow the driver to customize the vehicle’s stance and suspension.
New for this year is the Excellence trim, which features a hybrid powertrain, but only seats four people. You get nearly every feature, optional and standard, by choosing the Excellence trim.
2017 Volvo XC90
MPG: 22 City / 26 Highway (Details Below)
The Volvo XC90 has one of the highest interior scores in U.S. News & World Report ratings. Its cabin features an upscale design and is filled with high-end materials resulting in excellent fit and finish. The XC90’s optional third row is roomy.
The XC90 comes standard with a 9-inch touch-screen infotainment system, Bluetooth, an 8-inch digital instrument cluster display, a USB port, navigation, and satellite radio. Standard safety features include lane departure warning, rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, and automatic emergency braking.
2017 Toyota Highlander
Price: $30,630 (Details Below)
Toyota gave the Highlander a mid-generation refresh for the 2017 model year. Its exterior styling was updated and new engine options are available. Its four-cylinder is only in the base model. All other trims have a V6 with an eight-speed automatic powering the SUV.
Although the Highlander’s handling will never pass as sporty, its soft suspension allows passengers to be comfortable over long drives. While it does show some body lean while going through corners, that is typical of the midsize SUV class.
2017 Toyota Highlander
MPG: 20 City / 24 Highway (Details Below)
Like many Toyota cars and SUVs, the Highlander has a number of family-friendly features that are practical and convenient. Third-row seating is tight for tall passengers, but front and second row passengers can easily ride in comfort. Each Highlander comes with an impressive number of standard features including safety technology.
Standard features on the Highlander include a 6.1-inch touch screen, five USB ports, Siri Eyes Free, and Bluetooth. Standard safety features include forward collision warning and braking, lane keep assist, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning.
2016 Audi Q5
Price: $40,900 (Details Below)
The Audi Q5 is one of the top luxury compact SUVs on the market according to U.S. News & World Report. Its standard 220-horsepower four-cylinder engine is quick off the line. Shifts are smooth thanks to the eight-speed automatic transmission. The Q5 achieves average fuel economy (20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway).
The Q5 has impressively agile handling for a compact SUV, although it is still not as sporty as rivals like the Porsche Macan or BMW X3. The Q5 was also a finalist for U.S. News & World Report’s 2016 Best Luxury Compact SUV for the Money award, losing to another vehicle on this list.
2016 Audi Q5
MPG: 20 City / 28 Highway (Details Below)
The Q5’s cabin is roomy, offering plenty of space for the driver and passengers. Second row legroom is good thanks to adjustable seats that slide back and forth and can recline. The interior’s design in simplistic in keeping with Audi’s usual aesthetic and features high-end materials.
Standard features on the Q5 include a 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, a panoramic sunroof, an Audi’s MMI infotainment system with a 6.5-inch display. The Q5 has slightly above average cargo space for the class at 57.3 with the rear seats folded.
2016 Lexus NX
Price: $34,965 (Details Below)
Under the hood of the Lexus NX is a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that achieves a formidable 235 horsepower. Unfortunately, the luxury compact SUV suffers from a fair amount of turbo lag and is delayed coming off the line from a complete stop. Its fuel economy is average for its class.
Critics compliment the NX on its impressive handling, although its handling is not as aggressive as rivals such as the BMW X3 or Audi Q5. The NX also earned the 2016 Best Luxury Compact SUV for the Money award.
2016 Lexus NX
MPG: 22 City / 28 Highway (Details Below)
Lexus’s luxury compact crossover comes in higher than the Audi Q5 in U.S. News and World Report rankings based primarily on its interior. Seating is comfortable and well bolstered. Its sloped roofline gives the NX less cargo space than some of its competitors. Each Lexus NX comes with a long list of standard features. A number of package upgrades are available and boost the capabilities of the safety technology and infotainment system.
More Tools From U.S. News & World Report
If you like the vehicles on this list, be sure to check out our new car rankings for a full list of vehicles that match your interests. Head over to our lease and finance deals pages to see all the best deals manufacturers are currently offering.
If you’re looking to buy instead, use the U.S. News & World Report Best Price Program. Shoppers who used the program saved an average of $3,279 off their new car purchase.
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Which Four-Cylinder SUVs Are the Best?
Four-cylinder engines tend to be more fuel-efficient than V6 and V8 power plants. However, just because those engines have four cylinders, it doesn’t mean that they necessarily lack an appropriate amount of power for hauling around your family.
If you’re one of those drivers who craves fuel efficiency and doesn’t tow regularly, you may want to consider purchasing an SUV with a four-cylinder engine. While there is no doubt that some of those engines will feel a little underwhelming compared with larger motors, all provide adequate power for most drivers.