Popular Small SUVs to Avoid and What to Buy Instead

We focus on popular models in their category (though they may not be the top sellers) and present two recommended alternatives.

• A better choice: Another vehicle that sells well but has a higher Overall Score.
• An “under-the-radar” alternative: a better-scoring model that doesn’t sell as well, in case you aren’t concerned with following the crowd.

All key active safety systems, including automatic emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, AEB that works at highway speeds, blind spot warning (BSW), and rear cross traffic warning (RCTW), are standard unless otherwise noted.

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