These 6 Subcompact SUVs Prove That Smaller is Better for Urban Driving

These 6 Subcompact SUVs Prove That Smaller is Better for Urban Driving originally appeared on Autoblog.

These little SUVs are built for quick errands and tight spaces

The modern small crossover started thirty years ago with the 1994 Toyota RAV4. The pioneering Toyota has grown up into midsize territory, but there are plenty of subcompact SUVs to choose from. Every major automaker now has at least one in its lineup. That’s smart because they sell like hotcakes and won’t drain your bank account, even when they’re loaded with options.

In urban environments where space is tight and parking is a daily battle, even midsize SUVs can feel like overkill. Who wants to try to jam a big SUV into a parking spot that's just barely big enough when traffic is whizzing by? With their smaller footprints, miserly fuel economy, and practical interiors, subcompact SUVs offer the perfect balance for urban drivers who want versatility without sacrificing maneuverability. These six subcompact SUVs prove that small can absolutely be mighty when it comes to conquering parallel parking, tight spaces, and threading the rush hour traffic gridlock needle.

2025 Hyundai Kona: A futuristic travel pod

2025 Hyundai KonaHyundai

The Kona's second-generation redesign has been transformed into handsome angularity on wheels. The 2025 Hyundai Kona returns with a bold redesign and high-tech interior, making it one of the most compelling city SUVs in its class. Powered by a 2.0-liter inline-four engine that delivers 147 horsepower paired with a smooth continuously variable transmission (CVT), the Kona is peppy enough for daily commutes and tight merges. It starts at a reasonable $24,550, with optional all-wheel drive available on all trims above the base SE—perfect for driving in cold climates or rough weather.

2025 Hyundai KonaHyundai

Inside, the Kona features a stunning 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, among the largest in its segment, and comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Hyundai’s robust SmartSense suite of safety features is included, bringing forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring to even the base trims. Despite its compact footprint, the Kona offers impressive cargo capacity with 25.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.7 cubic feet with them folded, making it ideal for both daily errands and weekend trips.

2025 Mazda CX-30: The driving enthusiast’s choice

2021 Mazda CX-30 2.5 TurboMazda

Mazda’s CX-30 is a subcompact SUV that feels anything but entry-level. With a standard all-wheel drive system and a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower, the CX-30 delivers engaging handling and a sporty driving experience rarely found in this category or any other crossover size, for that matter. It starts at $25,195, and while that’s higher than some rivals, it justifies the cost with premium materials and refined performance.

2023 Mazda CX-30 2.5 TurboMazda

The cabin is upscale, featuring an 8.8-inch infotainment screen operated via a rotary dial rather than touch, which some drivers find less distracting while on the move. Safety tech includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, and driver attention monitoring—all standard. Though the cargo area isn’t the largest—20.2 cubic feet behind the seats and 45.2 cubic feet with them folded—the CX-30 is ideal for those who want city-friendly size without giving up on driving enjoyment or refinement.

2025 Chevrolet Trax: So much goodness for so little money

2024 Chevrolet TraxChevrolet

Almost no vehicle on the planet has received a more impressive redesign than the second-generation Chevrolet Trax. Starting at just $20,500, the Trax comes with a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. While it’s front-wheel drive only—no AWD option—the Trax still manages excellent urban efficiency and the kind of steering and handling befitting a pricier SUV.

2025 Chevrolet TraxChevrolet

All trims come with a big 11.0-inch infotainment screen that's impressive at this price point. Styling inside is modern and clean with great switchgear and a traditional shift knob for easy operation. Standard safety features include forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, and pedestrian detection. For cargo, it offers 25.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 54.1 cubic feet when folded, making it versatile enough for shopping hauls or weekend escapes. The Trax excels at offering modern features on a tight budget, even if AWD isn't on the table.

2025 Buick Encore GX: Small, smooth, and stylish

2022 Buick Encore GXBuick

The Encore GX departs from the old Encore's strange styling with better proportions and improved styling cues. For those who want a premium feel in a compact footprint, the 2025 Buick Encore GX delivers. With a base price of $26,295, it is surprisingly nice inside, featuring luxury-oriented materials and a quiet, smooth ride. The base engine is a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder making 137 horsepower through a CVT, but optional AWD is available when you upgrade to the 1.3-liter engine and 9-speed automatic transmission.

2022 Buick Encore GX

Inside, the Encore GX features a standard expansive 11.0-inch touchscreen, with great graphics and wireless smartphone integration. Safety is also a highlight, with automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, forward collision alert, and automatic high beams included across the board. Though slightly less spacious than some competitors, it still offers 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 50.2 cubic feet when folded, which is more than enough for the urban lifestyle.

2025 Volkswagen Taos: A roomy looker

2025 Volkswagen TaosVolkswagen

One of the roomiest entries in this group, the 2025 Volkswagen Taos blends practicality with European polish. It's also more attractive than its $24,995 base price might suggest. The clean front end and conservatively creased body look great in any color (even green!). Under the hood is a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 158 horsepower, mated to either an 8-speed automatic for FWD models or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic for optional AWD versions. The Taos is priced competitively given its impressive levels of passenger space and tech-forward features.

2025 Volkswagen TaosVolkswagen

The tech set includes a sharp 8.0-inch touchscreen and standard driver aids such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims get a bigger 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, known as the VW Digital Cockpit Pro. Where the Taos really shines is in rear seat legroom (37.9 inches) and utility, boasting 27.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 65.9 cubic feet with them folded, making it the most spacious in this group. Add in its smooth ride and refined road manners, and the Taos becomes a smart, do-it-all city SUV.

2025 Kia Soul: A small box with big insides

2025 Kia SoulKia

The Kia Soul has evolved from quirky crossover to its current slick and modern styling, and it continues to march to the beat of its own drum. With its funky boxy styling, spacious interior, and affordable starting price of $20,190, it’s an urban classic. Power comes from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine good for 147 horsepower, paired with a CVT. Like the Trax, the Soul is front-wheel drive only, with no AWD option.

2025 Kia SoulKia

Inside, it might not be as minimalist and modern as the Kona, but it includes an intuitive 8.0-inch touchscreen and a full suite of standard safety features: forward collision avoidance assist, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, and driver attention warning. Despite its compact footprint, the Soul’s tall roof and clever packaging give it 24.2 cubic feet of cargo room behind the second row and a capacious 62.1 cubic feet when folded flat, just behind the Taos. It’s a favorite among budget-conscious city drivers who want maximum practicality and a unique personality for the price.

Final thoughts

For city drivers, subcompact SUVs hit the sweet spot: small enough to maneuver easily and park effortlessly, but spacious and capable enough to handle the daily commutes and weekend errands. AWD availability can be a key factor, especially in colder climates, and it's worth noting which models offer it and which don’t. Whichever of these six standout models you choose, they're all big winners with small sizes.

These 6 Subcompact SUVs Prove That Smaller is Better for Urban Driving first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 11, 2025

This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 11, 2025, where it first appeared.