The Consumer Guide to 2009 Compact SUVs
by Jennifer Geiger
What to Look For in a Compact SUV
 Base Price Range: $20,435-$33,725 EPA MPG Range: 17-29 The 2009 Ford Escape receives more powerful engines following its freshening for the 2008 model year. Ford's compact crossover has its strengths, including an excellent 6-speed automatic transmission, comfortable passenger accommodations, and the availability of a gas/electric hybrid model. Escape suffers from crude-sounding engines, low-rent cabin appointments, and a basic design that's nearly a decade old. Don't outright dismiss it, but check out Escape's competitors first. | |
Base Price Range: $21,245-$28,945 EPA MPG Range: 20-27 The 2009 Honda CR-V is largely unchanged. It's not the most powerful compact SUV, but CR-V excels for its "just right" blend of comfort, refinement, and cargo versatility. Lots of standard safety and convenience features and Honda's reputation for reliability and resale value further bolster its appeal--and cement its Best Buy credentials. | |
Base Price Range: $20,275-$25,770 EPA MPG Range: 18-25 The 2009 Honda Element gets freshened styling and some new features. Element isn't so much an SUV as a motorized gear tote for "active lifestyle" types. It sacrifices some convenience to rear doors that don't open independently of the front doors. Neither posh comfort nor serious off-roading are on its agenda either. It is, however, a roomy and adaptable little wagon with Honda's expected solid workmanship. | |
Base Price Range: $18,070-$25,620 EPA MPG Range: 17-25 The 2009 Hyundai Tucson gets slightly freshened exterior styling. Tucson and its design cousin, the Kia Sportage, are pleasant light-duty people-movers with modest off-road capabilities. We prefer versions with the V6 engine to the underpowered 4-cylinder. It provides class-competitive power and is smoother than rivals' four-cylinder engines, if hardly more potent. Lots of standard equipment, decent road manners, impressive cargo versatility, and generous warranties qualify Tucson and Sportage as solid, if a bit dated, choices in this class. | |
Base Price Range: $18,465-$24,575 EPA MPG Range: 21-28 The 2009 Jeep Compass gets a redesigned interior. Compass is an SUV that flies in the face of Jeep tradition because it doesn't carry a pretense of off-road capability. Compared with others of its ilk, Compass lacks the overall refinement of the Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4. Fuel economy is decent for the class, but the 4-cylinder engine feels underpowered and coarse. Compass makes sense as a functional wagon for people who crave Jeep style but don't need go-anywhere Jeep capability. For most others, there are better alternatives. | |
Base Price Range: $23,015-$27,730 EPA MPG Range: 15-22 The 2009 Jeep Liberty is largely unchanged following its 2008 redesign. The second generation of this "Trail Rated" compact is roomier and more refined. Jeep calls Liberty one of its "traditional" trucks, as it retains the brand's trademark off-road prowess--unlike the more car-like Compass and Patriot. Shoppers who have no plans to venture beyond the pavement will be better served by more refined SUVs like Toyota's RAV4, but for those with real wanderlust, Jeep has a truck for you. | |
Base Price Range: $17,540-$23,980 EPA MPG Range: 20-28 The 2009 Jeep Patriot gets a redesigned interior. Compared to the mechanically similar Jeep Compass, Patriot feels more like an authentic Jeep. Compass and Patriot lack the on-road polish and cabin refinement of other vehicles in this class, but Patriot compensates somewhat with impressive available off-road capability. Most shoppers will be better served by more street-oriented trucks like the Honda CR-V or Suzuki Grand Vitara, the latter of which rivals Patriot's off-road prowess. But as a daily driver ready for the occasional off-road foray, a properly equipped Patriot makes some sense. | |
Base Price Range: $20,710-$32,090 EPA MPG Range: 15-21 The 2009 Jeep Wrangler is largely unchanged. This Jeep is a limited-purpose machine. Off road, it's a finely honed tool. On road, it's best considered a fun-in-the-sun runabout. | |
Base Price Range: $16,695-$23,400 EPA MPG Range: 18-25 The 2009 Kia Sportage gets slightly freshened styling. Sportage and its design cousin, the Hyundai Tucson, are pleasant light-duty people-movers with modest off-road capabilities. We prefer versions with the V6 engine to the underpowered 4-cylinder. It provides class-competitive power and is smoother than rivals' four-cylinder engines, if hardly more potent. Lots of standard equipment, decent road manners, good cargo versatility, and generous warranties make Sportage and Tucson worth a look. | |
Base Price Range: $19,730-$32,445 EPA MPG Range: 17-34 The 2009 Mazda Tribute receives more powerful engines following its freshening for the 2008 model year. Mazda's compact crossover has its strengths, including an excellent 6-speed automatic transmission and comfortable passenger accommodations. The availability of a gas/electric hybrid model is laudable, though it's only offered in California. All Tributes suffer from crude-sounding engines, low-rent cabin appointments, and a Ford-derived basic design that's nearly a decade old. Don't outright dismiss it, but check out Tribute's competitors first. | |
Base Price Range: $22,650-$31,840 EPA MPG Range: 17-34 The 2009 Mercury Mariner receives more powerful engines following its freshening for the 2008 model year. The addition of more power and a smooth 6-speed automatic transmission goes some way in prolonging the life of this aged SUV. Engine noise and interior refinement are sore spots, as are sticker prices if options are not carefully chosen. Mariner remains a pleasant and likable compact SUV, but be sure to check out the competition as well. | |
Base Price Range: $20,580-$25,980 EPA MPG Range: 17-25 The 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander lineup receives a few changes. Outlander is worth a look, but be sure to scout the competition as well. This crossover's virtues include a responsive transmission and flexible cargo accommodations. Among its vices are a raucous engine, subpar interior materials, and the Mitsubishi brand's record of weak resale values. | |
Base Price Range: $20,220-$23,010 EPA MPG Range: 21-27 The 2009 Nissan Rogue adds a few new features and options, but is largely unchanged after its 2008 introduction. Overall, Rogue's competitors are quieter and more refined, but this compact Nissan gets points for sleek styling and high levels of interior functionality. If you can live with Rogue's sometimes harsh ride, this little Nissan might make sense. | |
Base Price Range: $23,280-$30,935 EPA MPG Range: 16-32 The 2009 Saturn Vue lineup is largely unchanged. V6 Vue models offer ample power, while apparent attention to detail brings classy interior accommodations and a refined driving experience. Buyers looking for something a little larger and more powerful than a Honda CR-V, but who are not quite willing to commit to a midsize SUV, would do well to test drive this Recommended Saturn. The Hybrid costs about $5000 more than the conventional 4-cylinder model. It may be frugal, but that stiff price premium might take years of fuel savings to offset. | |
Base Price Range: $19,995-$28,195 EPA MPG Range: 19-26 The 2009 Subaru Forester is redesigned, receiving more SUV-like styling and an increase in size. Subaru fans will lament the loss of Forester's quirkiness. Truckier styling and larger dimensions will make it easier for Forester to compete with the likes of Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, but also erase its "truck alternative" micro-ute charms. The new-generation model also costs less than its predecessor. Those savings come largely at the expense of interior materials quality, which went from near-premium in the out-going model to just class average. 2.5 X and 2.5 X Premium models are the strongest values, with lots of features at reasonable prices. | |
Base Price Range: $18,499-$26,299 EPA MPG Range: 17-26 The 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara gets a standard 4-cylinder engine, a more powerful available V6, and slightly revised styling. Suzuki improves the already-likable Grand Vitara with significant powertrain additions and improvements for 2009. Add to that a comprehensive list of standard safety features, competent road manners, adequate passenger space, and laudable off-road ability when properly equipped, and Grand Vitara is one of the strongest values in the compact SUV class and an easy Best Buy. | |
Base Price Range: $21,500-$27,810 EPA MPG Range: 19-28 The 2009 Toyota RAV4 gets a new 4-cylinder engine and slightly freshened exterior styling. Available with the most powerful engine in the compact-SUV class, seating for seven, and impressive cargo room, refinement, and road manners, RAV4 is an easy Recommended choice. Toyota's reputation for resale value is another asset. Base prices are reasonable, but stickers skyrocket with options, so choose carefully. Several test models also have disappointed with uncharacteristic quality gaffes. Shop around, but don't leave the RAV4 off your list. | |
 Base Price Range: $23,200-$32,940 EPA MPG Range: 18-26 The 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan is this German automaker's first compact SUV. The Volkswagen Tiguan is assembled in Germany, and the strength of the euro versus the US dollar may be its biggest hurdle in the American market. Tiguan's prices are higher than most compact sport-utility competitors. Sporty-for-the-class road manners, a comfortable interior, and three years of no-cost scheduled maintenance offset the difference enough to earn it a Best Buy label. Don't overlook the basic front-drive S model, which has the fewest frills but the lowest price. |
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