The Nissan Rogue is an all-new compact SUV for 2008.

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 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 it 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. Toyota added standard curtain side airbags to its 2007 RAV4, for example. However, curtain side airbags are unavailable on the Subaru Forester and traction control and an antiskid system are unavailable on hybrid Mazda Tributes.

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 have drivers going too fast through turns. Many compact SUVs, like Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Toyota RAV4, and Honda Element, have standard ABS, traction/antiskid control, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags.

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. The choice is yours.