2015 Compact SUV Comparison - Kelley Blue Book

For the second year in a row our annual small SUV comparison test took us from Southern California to the greater Phoenix area for some Cactus League baseball. Six editors logged more than 100 miles in each of the six test vehicles, and our collective findings and insights are captured in this video.

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*Our comparison tests are different from most in that we keep the focus on comparison, not competition. We don't pick winners and losers because the right choice for one buyer is the wrong choice for another. Our goal here is not to tell you which car to buy, but to make it easier for you to decide which is best for you.

[TheGroovey]

Honestly out of all of those i liked the Mazda Cx-5 looks really good, and interior is nice.

[ThinkOutsideTheCube]

Outlander Sport but no Forester or Rogue. That makes perfect sense...

[Lumos-ni]

The Mazda CX-5 is absolutely amazing. It has a beautiful sporty look with smooth handling and excellent handling.

[citadelli]

I love our base model Mistu 4wd drive automatic, for the price point (18K) can't see how it can be beat. It's a winter beast and way sexier than the rest of the field.

[fredlwal]

We just got the CX-5 and we love that SUV.

[schxn]

CR-V is best overall. If you don't agree, then just look at it's sales numbers.

[abhijitsen]

Why the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport? That is subcompact. The correct comparison should have been with Mitsubishi Outlander SE or SEL or GT.

[alsilva]

...as I'm looking at keeping my car for 20yrs I went with the Rav4 but honestly the CX5 looks best.

[juliadennehy]

As a rental car agent, I've driven ALL these vehicles a ton of miles. My honest opinion: buy a Ford Escape. Hands down this vehicle has it ALL. Styling. Acceleration. Fit and Finish. Mileage. Handling. Durability - believe me, rental cars take a BEATING, and the Escape comes back for more. Seats are comfy and with power can adjust to fit even my 5'11" frame. Controls are well laid out, easy to reach, with steering wheel controls for many functions. Get the touch screen upgrade for NAV, Climate, Audio/Entertainment, and Phone functions. Visibility is an A+. I cannot say anything bad about this vehicle, and we have customers REQUEST the Escape specifically. Subaru, Nissan, and Mazda - flimsy, lots of parts break easily, look and feel cheaply made. Take all these vehicles for a test drive, and stomp on the accelerator... see which one puts a smile on your face. And listen for road and wind noise...

[chuckers]

Wait until the 2016 Hyundai Tucson comes out in a few weeks, That is gonna be the serious challenger to the Honda CR-V and the Mazda CX5

[VaunShiz]

People are always amazed with Kia/hyundai offering heated and cooled seats. Owned a 2004 expedition with heated and cooled seats.

[tdwillis]

It seems no matter which one you pick, they are all competent and capable. But for those who think that one is better then the other because of sales number, you're either a fool, ignorant or both. Everybody doesn't want to drive a me to vehicle. I could purchase either one of these, but because of my personal taste, it would never be a CR-V. Its slow, personally hideous to look at and the noise that the CVT makes while excellerating is unacceptable.

[chuckers]

I'm surprised the Jeep Cherokee is considered a "compact" The new Cherokee is borderline "Midsize" I could see the Jeep Compass/Patriot as the true compact.

[Penelope]

Where's the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, the Nissan Rogue and the Subaru Forester?

[alfredktn]

Why didn’t you include the Subaru Forester 2015 in this review? Excellent video though. 👍

[Luckys]

Does anyone actually find this RAV4 to be good looking? Especially compared to competitors like the Escape, CR-V, Rogue, CX-5 or Sportage.

[billdeco]

CR-V I agree with being number 1. However, some other SUV's that should've been on the list include the Ford Escape, Subaru Forester, Hyundai Tuscon, and the Chevy Equinox/GMC Terrain.

[austinphelan]

That Mazda CX-5 as shown in this review does not sticker for $32k. That is a touring trim so it shouldn't be any more than $28k with all options.

[yalmond]

Instead of having the ASX here they should have tested the Ford Escape and the Nissan Rouge, both are strong competitors for all of the suvs listed in the video and are in the same segment. They definitely worth a quick review or at least a mention.

[MrRhaegar]

The CX5 is the most desirable vehicle here, if it were possible for people to actually get excited about this class.