Top Gear’s top 20 small SUVs in the US (2024)

Chevy’s Blazer makes it on the list despite itself. Pricey and prone to issues, particularly with the EV version, the Blazer skirts by on its Camaro-like looks and better than average handling. We’ll throw it some points for being heavily featured in the Barbie movie, appropriate as it is the Ken of crossovers.

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The Taos is targeted at a very specific audience, namely anyone popping into a stateside VW dealership looking for a replacement to the base Golf. Fortunately, for a car bought with a relenting shrug, it’s not half bad. Roomy and affordable, the Taos is certainly better than nothing. And the Blazer.

Minis haven’t been “mini” for a while but even so, the Countryman has been the beefier member of the family. With a good amount of BMW X1 DNA, the Countryman is a touch more charming. It’s been refreshed for 2025, too, with a sharp exterior and interior overhaul that still retains much of its character.

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While it can be dismissed as a Dodge Hornet with an Alfa badge, the Tonale is nonetheless quite bold and exciting as its Italian heritage suggests. Exclusively a plug-in hybrid in the States, the spicy and pricy Tonale puts it all to good use, offering up e-powered performance so long as the battery has a substantial amount of juice.

Oh goodness, is the Buick Encore… hot? It turns out aping the old Viper headlights goes a long way in the looks department as the Encore GX causes more than a few double-takes when you drive it around town. It’s hardly a rocket and the amenities are more luxury-inspired than anything, but the need to pretend you’ve borrowed your grandma’s car is no more.

Hyundai’s been a fixture in this segment for ages, and with good reason. Its offerings tick most of the boxes and for a half-decent price. The Tucson is no exception and has been a longstanding part of the brand’s lineup. The thing is, it’s not particularly jazzy. It’s the car that could serve you dutifully for twenty years and you’d never remember you owned one.

The Leaf walked so the Ariya could run. And while “run” is generous, the all-electric crossover is quite the cool customer. Swoopy exterior lines and a clean-cut interior makes the Ariya an EV worth looking into in a growing segment. Decent range, too, so long as you pick the right battery pack.

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Believe it or not, our hand-me-down Kuga is still kicking around while the Broncos and Mustangs get the spotlight. The Escape remains a small, handy and kind of cute utility vehicle that can tackle most day-to-day jobs without much fuss.

There’s a sort of style renaissance happening with the cars from our Korean friends, and we’re definitely here for it. The Kona is no exception as it has a very crisp profile and a cool, modern interior. You can have it any way you like including all-electric. Do you like cladding? Boy, can you get some cladding.

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The RDX’s commanding appearance is matched by how engaging it can be to drive, a fact about the compact SUV that is often overlooked. This is bolstered by the fact that it’s competitively priced against the reigning luxury-sports leaders while offering an experience that rivals what they bring to the table.

Cadillac’s hotly anticipated luxury EV SUV was quick to get into its groove when it finally hit the streets. Its sleek, elegant style struck a chord with Caddy fans old and new, all with decent range and fast-charging-ready as standard. Big hit with the ride share crowd, and for good reason. It screams executive.

This car is one of many forms taken by the platform underneath, all of which have been winning both hearts and awards in their own ways. For its part, the EV6 iteration of this car is the iteration with the most sporty character, in looks and in handling, particularly with the drift-ready EV6 GT.

It’s not a coincidence that this sits right above the Kia EV6, and it does so only because the Ioniq 5 has a bit of a broader appeal. The beefy-looking EV is quite cool but less threatening at first glance, for those less keen on the EV6 GT’s shenanigans. Let them be the “fun one” until the 5 N drops, at least.

A mainstay of the segment, the Rogue’s recent facelift pretties it up for another round of fighting off the SUVs hungry for its spot in the pecking order. It’s hard to beat its combo of comfort, safety and utility for such an average asking price. Still, there’s the feeling that it’s hanging on just long enough for the Ariya to inherit the crown.

One of America’s best sellers for a reason, the RAV4 simply gets the job done. There’s just about one for every need at this point, so it’s hard not to start and end the shopping right there. Be it for city use or even some off-road runs, this Toyota can be counted on.

The word “disruption” gets thrown around a bunch these days but it’s very much at the heart of what Genesis’ intentions are in the industry. The GV70 is an elegant compact SUV oozing with contemporary style. It’s not half bad to drive, either. Wildly different from the rest? Not really, but Genesis does things its own way, and we can get behind that.

Drive the Q4 e-tron and it’s easy to forget it’s an EV at all. Like its big brother, the Q8 e-tron, the smaller SUV is a smooth and capable luxury utility vehicle that just about fits every role, so long as you keep it on the pavement.

When it comes to pure performance, the Porsche Macan is the compact SUV to beat, if you can catch it, that is. As quick and nimble as befits its badge, you get what you pay for with the Macan, which is a lot. Oh, and there’s an electric one now, too. Taycan power in a Macan shell? Yes, please.

The emphasis of Swedish-born style in modern Volvos has been a breath of fresh air compared to the cool-if-a-bit intense offerings from the German manufacturers. The XC40 is that plus Volvo’s level of safety and technology, all in a very manageable package. A fantastic city car with a touch of luxury and a heap of charm.

Don’t underestimate the baby Bronco. While the full-fat Bronco is the family favorite, the Bronco Sport is arguably better suited for most tasks due to its ease of use and manageable size. The utility it offers would be more than enough for most people, and it’s plenty rugged, too.