2017 Buick Encore
MSRP: $22,900 (Details Below)
The 2017 Buick Encore ranks among the best in the segment because it packs a luxury experience into a subcompact SUV. Its starting price is higher than the competition’s, but it includes a long list of standard features plus an upscale interior.
The Encore received an above average predicted reliability score from J. D. Power and Associates, and its safety score is nearly perfect.
2017 Buick Encore
MPG: 25 City / 33 Highway (Details Below)
The Buick Encore is targeted at drivers who want a smooth, refined, luxurious driving experience rather than a sporty little SUV. To that end, the base engine’s 138 horsepower is enough for everyday driving, but if the Encore is packed with people it struggles.
Upgrading to the 153-horsepower engine not only adds a little oomph, it also improves the Encore’s fuel economy to 27 mpg in the city and 33 on the highway. Stop-start technology shuts down the larger engine rather than allowing it to idle at stop lights or during school pickup.
2017 Buick Encore
Cargo Space: 18.8 cubic feet (Details Below)
The Buick Encore has plenty of space in the front and rear – even for taller passengers. The rear seat is narrow, so squeezing in a third person back there might be too cramped. The cargo space is on the small side for the class, and far smaller than the HR-V’s cargo space.
The interior is designed thoughtfully with wood and metal trim, adding a luxe feel. The Encore comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Siri Eyes Free, OnStar, an 8-inch touch screen, and a rearview camera. Opting for the Sport Touring trim adds rear cross-traffic alert and blind spot monitoring.
2017 Jeep Renegade
MSRP: $17,995 (Details Below)
The 2017 Jeep Renegade – like its larger Jeep siblings – is more capable off-road than any of its competitors, and even some larger SUVs. It’s got a lower starting price, too. But you’ll find fewer standard features at that price than in other subcompact SUVs.
Any Renegade equipped with four-wheel drive, whether it’s a base model or the Trailhawk or Deserthawk models, comes with Selec-Terrain. This allows the driver to change the driving dynamics depending on conditions using a knob in the center console.
2017 Jeep Renegade
MPG: 24 City / 31 Highway (Details Below)
The Renegade comes with a 1.4-liter engine that can be upgraded to a 2.4-liter engine. Testers found that either engine provides enough power for common driving tasks, like passing or getting up to highway speeds. The larger engine provides more power – 180 horsepower vs. 160 horsepower – but it’s also noticeably louder.
Fuel economy is just south of average in the Renegade: 24 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway for the base engine. The ride is smooth and comfortable around town, and the steering is precise enough to make parking on city streets a bit easier.
2017 Jeep Renegade
Cargo Space: 24.3 cubic feet (Details Below)
There’s room in the Jeep Renegade for five adults, if you’re not driving too far. Very tall passengers will probably find that rear leg room is lacking. But all the seats are firm and supportive with plenty of head room. The cargo space is average, though there is a hidden bin under the rear floor for extra storage.
The base model Renegade is very short on standard features; not even air conditioning is included. Moving up one level to the Latitude trim adds things you’ll find in other subcompact SUVs, like air conditioning, a rearview camera, and a five-inch touch screen.
2017 Mazda CX-3
MSRP: $19,960 (Details Below)
The 2017 Mazda CX-3 ranks very highly in the subcompact SUV category, thanks to its fun performance, nicely designed interior, and low starting price. But its rear seat and cargo space left room for improvement.
The CX-3 also receives high safety marks, and driver assistance technologies are available. Its projected reliability ratings are merely average, though.
2017 Mazda CX-3
MPG: 29 City / 34 Highway (Details Below)
Mazda has staked its reputation on sporty handling at an affordable price, and the CX-3 delivers on that promise. Its four-cylinder engine is slightly larger than the Honda HR-V’s, and it gets similar gas mileage: 29 mpg city and 34 mpg highway.
But the CX-3’s handling is tuned for fun rather than comfort, with a sports-car feel in the twisties. It feels stable in the curves with minimal body roll. Acceleration is snappy, so merging and passing might be less of a chore during the morning commute.
2017 Mazda CX-3
Cargo Space: 12.4 cubic feet (Details Below)
The front seats of the Mazda CX-3, in contrast to the Honda HR-V, are supportive and roomy. When you push the CX-3 into a corner, the seats will hold you comfortably in place. The back-seat occupants won’t feel so lucky, as the rear seat is a tight fit for adults.
The CX-3 has a few high-tech features as standard equipment, including a rearview camera, voice-activated commands, and 7-inch touch screen.
2017 Honda HR-V
MSRP: $19,465 (Details Below)
The 2017 Honda HR-V is not only the winner of 2017 Best Subcompact SUV for the Money, it’s also the 2017 Best Subcompact SUV for Families. The HR-V has a low starting price, but it includes plenty of space for adults, kids, and everybody’s stuff.
2017 Honda HR-V
MPG: 25 City / 33 Highway (Details Below)
The Honda HR-V only has one engine, a four-cylinder with 141 horsepower. It gets the job done, but it is not thrilling. It’s slightly more engaging with the standard six-speed manual transmission than with optional CVT. The advantage of the CVT is better fuel economy, at 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. Plus, Eco Assist shows you how efficiently you’re driving in the dashboard display.
Despite the HR-V’s performance shortcomings, its ride is very comfortable, even over bumpy roads. The steering is responsive, making it easy to maneuver even on city streets. And little engine or wind noise leaks into the very quiet cabin.
2017 Honda HR-V
Cargo Space: 24.3 cubic feet (Details Below)
The Honda HR-V has a more upscale cabin design and uses nicer materials than many of its competitors in this segment. The front seats are comfortable enough, though a bit on the firm and narrow side. The rear seats, however, are very comfortable – and they recline.
The standard infotainment system has a 5-inch screen and physical buttons and knobs that many testers preferred to the optional 7-inch touch screen. The base HR-V LX also has a standard rearview camera and Bluetooth. Upgrading to the EX adds an extra USB port, the touch-screen system, Honda LaneWatch, and a rear-facing camera in the passenger-side mirror.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
If you’re interested in one of these subcompact SUVs, head over to our best lease deals and financing deals pages. There, we’ve compiled a list of all the best incentives manufacturers are currently offering.
Once you’re ready to buy, be sure to use the U.S. News Best Price Program, where shoppers save an average of $3,279 off their new car purchase.
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These Are the Best Subcompact SUVs for the Money in 2017
We chose the 2017 Best Subcompact SUVs for the Money based on each vehicle’s combination of quality and value. The quality of a vehicle is measured using data from our car rankings, while value is determined by the average price people are paying for the vehicle, as determined by TrueCar, plus long-term ownership cost data determined by Vincentric.
Subcompact SUVs have gained popularity in recent years, thanks to their versatility and low price. These vehicles are small enough to maneuver comfortably in cities, with the more generous cargo space of an SUV. Each SUV on this list has its strengths and weaknesses, so check to see which attributes line up best with your needs.