The compact SUV is the default new-family car in America, which means the used lot is drowning in them. Good news and bad news. Good, because you have options. Bad, because "everyone drives one" is not the same as "this one is worth your money." So I ignored the hype and ranked them on our actual reliability score, NHTSA safety and real MPG.
| # | Compact SUV | ForCar score | NHTSA safety | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mazda CX-5 | 4.5 / 5 | 5 stars | The one that's fun to drive |
| 2 | Hyundai Tucson | 4.5 / 5 | 5 stars | Value and a long warranty |
| 3 | Toyota RAV4 | 4.0 / 5 | 5 stars | Holds value like nothing else |
| 4 | Honda CR-V | 4.0 / 5 | 5 stars | Most space, ~40 mpg hybrid |
| 5 | Subaru Forester | 4.0 / 5 | 5 stars | Standard AWD, huge windows |
Here's the thing that surprised even me: the two most popular ones, the RAV4 and CR-V, don't top the list on score. The Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tucson quietly edge them. The CX-5 is the one I'd pick if I actually enjoy driving, and the Tucson gives you the most car for the fewest dollars.
The numbers that decide it
Score is one thing. What you live with day to day is space, mpg and whether it breaks. Here's how they stack on the stuff you'll notice:
| Compact SUV | Cargo (cu ft) | Top MPG | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CR-V | 39 | 4.0 | |
| Toyota RAV4 | 37 | 4.0 | |
| Mazda CX-5 | 30 | 4.5 | |
| Subaru Forester | 34 | 4.0 | |
| Hyundai Tucson | 38 | 4.5 |
Need to haul stuff? The CR-V swallows the most and its hybrid sips ~40 mpg. Want to sell it in five years for scary-good money? The RAV4 holds value better than anything here. There isn't a wrong pick on this list, only the one that fits your life.
My move before you buy any of them
A great model still hides bad individual cars. Before I put money down on any compact SUV, I run the VIN through our free VIN check, check its crash scores on our safest cars list and its economy on our best MPG rankings, and price it with the value estimator. Thirty seconds, and it tells you what the listing won't.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best compact SUV to buy used?
On our data the Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tucson top the list with 4.5 reliability scores and 5-star safety. The Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V are close behind and hold value best.
Which compact SUV is most reliable?
The Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tucson lead on our reliability score, both at 4.5 with 5-star NHTSA safety. The RAV4 and CR-V are proven workhorses right behind them.
Which compact SUV has the most cargo space?
The Honda CR-V leads its class with about 39 cubic feet behind the rear seats, edging the RAV4 and Forester.
Is the RAV4 or CR-V better?
The RAV4 holds value better and has fewer lifetime complaints; the CR-V has more cargo room and a slightly roomier cabin. Both are excellent, so it comes down to space versus resale.
Denis Kataev is a serial solopreneur and the founder of ForCar. With 15+ years in software engineering and 10 years in SEO, he builds data-driven products end to end — backed by a sharp eye for design. At ForCar he mines proprietary vehicle datasets, turning raw numbers into buying advice you can actually trust.