2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
The Volkswagen Tiguan is a new-for-2009 compact SUV.

What do you do if you need cargo space, people space, and utility, but don't crave the size or the fuel economy of traditional, large SUVs? Compact SUVs are a great answer. Their blend of SUV attributes, combined with the operating costs of a small car, can satisfy the needs of many, with few sacrifices.

Once symbolized by the rugged-but-crude Jeep Wrangler, the ideal compact SUV has been transformed into a refined, useful, and comfortable vehicle. Though they are the smallest SUVs, that doesn't mean they can't accommodate four-plus adults and a weekend's worth of stuff for travel both on and off the beaten path.

Perhaps the biggest change in this class has been the switch from a truck-like frame to a car-based chassis. Going to a unibody frame and independent rear suspension creates more interior room, improves ride, and enhances refinement--for a price. In return, towing and payload capacity are reduced and off-road ability is more limited.

Like any vehicle, compact SUVs are built to a price point. Interior materials are sourced from the same parts bin used to outfit an economy car. Engines and transmissions are swapped directly out of sedans, rather than designed from scratch for heavy-duty use. Most of the entries in this class have small, fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engines as their base power plants. Some have V6 engines standard, but most offer them as an upgrade. V8s are not available in this class.

Still, compact SUVs are an excellent choice for active owners who need flexible space for people and cargo in a manageable, condensed package. These vehicles are designed for singles or small families on the move and have versatile interiors, decent cargo room, and are very maneuverable on the road compared to midsize or large SUVs. The upright design makes for good outward visibility, and the tall ride height gives drivers a commanding view of the road. What's more, compact SUVs offer reasonable fuel economy and the security of available all-wheel drive.  

New for 2009
 
The compact SUV class gains a few new models for 2009. The biggest news in this segment is the all-new Volkswagen Tiguan, the automaker's first compact SUV. One other new-for-2009 entrant is a possible no-show. GM planned to start selling the new-for-2009 GMC Terrain, but its future is less than certain at this point. Terrain should share some of its basic design with the Saturn Vue. Vue makes its own news with the addition of a V6 hybrid model, called a "2-Mode Hybrid." It allows the vehicle to move at low speeds on electric power alone.

Other minor updates round out 2009 news in this class. The Subaru Forester is redesigned, growing in size and striking a more "trucky" look. The Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute, Mercury Mariner, and Suzuki Grand Vitara get more powerful engines. The Hyundai Tucson, and its corporate cousin, Kia Sportage get slightly different exterior styling for 2009. Honda's Element also got an exterior styling update along with a few new features for 2009.

What to Look For in a Compact SUV

All compact SUVs offer front-drive, or all-wheel drive. If you live where there is little snow, then a front-drive model is all you need. If you live in a hilly area where snow is a real possibility for half the year, you should consider all-wheel drive. Be warned, the all-wheel-drive systems in most compact SUVs are not designed for rugged off-road driving. They can cope with gravel and dirt roads, but shouldn't be expected to do much more.

There are some exceptions. A few compact SUVs like Jeep Liberty, Jeep Wrangler, and Suzuki Grand Vitara, offer 4WD with a low-range gear for off-road driving. If you intend to trek deep into the woods or live on a cattle farm, a true 4WD system makes sense. The disadvantages of AWD or 4WD vs. a 2WD model include a more expensive transaction price, heavier curb weight, slightly reduced fuel economy, and higher maintenance costs if the system needs to be repaired. However, the higher initial cost of AWD is somewhat offset by its higher resale value.

If you are considering a compact SUV, make sure the cargo area is flexible enough to meet your needs. Some have rear seats that fold into the floor, others have seats you can remove. A few, like the Mitsubishi Outlander and Toyota RAV4 have seating for seven with an available third row. All have rear hatches, but some, like the Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute, Mercury Mariner, and Mitsubishi Outlander, have separate-opening rear glass that makes loading and unloading small items easier. Toyota's RAV4 and Suzuki's Grand Vitara have a side-hinged cargo door instead of a traditional-opening hatch.

Finally, some compact SUVs won't ride like a car. Though many are based on car chassis, they have tough suspension systems, bouncy tires, and a higher center of gravity. This makes them ride more like a truck. There are a few that have a more car-like ride, like Saturn Vue, Mercury Mariner, Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson, and Kia Sportage, but on the whole, expect a firm and somewhat noisy ride.

Don't Skimp on Safety

Because compact SUVs are built to be affordable for younger buyers, important safety features are sometimes left off the standard equipment list. Regardless of which compact SUV you choose, be sure it has antilock brakes and curtain side airbags. They are two very important, life-saving safety features. More and more automakers are beginning to include these features as standard equipment. Curtain side airbags are standard equipment for 2009 on many vehicles like the Volkswagen Tiguan, Subaru Forester, and the Toyota RAV4. They are available on every vehicle in this class except the Jeep Wrangler. Front side airbags are not available on the Jeep Liberty.

Another important safety feature available on many compact SUVs is antiskid control. This system will help the driver maintain the intended path on slippery roads. This is especially important on SUVs where the grip of an AWD system might mislead drivers into going too fast through turns. Luckily, all the vehicles in this class feature a standard traction/antiskid control system.

Compact SUV Shopping Tips

Before you buy a compact SUV, consider what you need over what you want. Do you need that V6 engine and the lower fuel economy and higher transaction price and insurance rates that come with it? Do you need a leather interior that won't wear well on camping trips? Do you need a high-end audio unit that's likely to disappear when parking on unsecured city streets? Are you considering one as a family hauler? Consider that a compact SUV's regular-opening rear doors aren't as convenient as the sliding doors on a minivan, and in many, the cramped rear seats aren't designed for long-term use.

However, many compact SUV buyers find the vehicle's image and capabilities meet their needs. They choose a compact SUV because of its reasonable fuel economy, commanding driving position, and excellent utility.