The Best Compact SUVs of 2023 Are All Under $40,000
If you are looking for a budget-friendly SUV from brands you truck, look no further. The best compact SUVs of 2023 come from Nissan, Honda, and Subaru and have all the technology drivers are looking for. If that isn’t enough, each sport utility vehicle below has high safety scores from groups like the NHTSA and IIHS.
The best compact SUVs of 2023 include the Nissan Rogue
Looking at the 2023 Nissan Rogue on MotorTrend, this compact SUV had the most to offer drivers. The MSRP ranges from $27,360 to $38,640 this year, and the Rogue is more fuel-efficient than before. 2022’s 1.5L turbo inline-three engine gets 201 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque. While it comes with front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive is available. Fuel economy sits between 29/30 mpg in the city and 36/37 mpg on the highway for FWD. All-wheel drive gets 28 mpg in the city and 34/35 mpg with AWD.
The 2023 Nissan Rogue has room for five and gets 41.5 inches of legroom in the front and 38.5 inches of rear legroom. That beats some of its most popular compact SUV competition. Cargo space is 31.6-36.5 cubic feet with the seats up and 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2023 Rogue a five-star overall safety rating. In addition, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety made it a Top Safety Pick.
Honda’s CR-V is another one of the best compact SUVs of 2023
While the 2023 Honda CR-V isn’t new to the market, it remains one of the best compact SUVs of 2023. This version has more space than last year and has a refreshed exterior style. It receives the same 1.5L turbo engine with 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard but all-wheel drive is available. Fuel economy is expected to sit between 27/28 mpg in the city and 32/34 mpg on the highway.
The 2023 Honda CR-V gets 41.3 inches of front legroom and 41.0 inches of legroom in the rear. Cargo space is 36.3-39.3 cubic feet with the seats up and 76.5 cubic feet with the seats folded. Honda added an adjustable load floor for more versatile space.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety made the 2023 CR-V a Top Safety Pick Plus winner. While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not yet rated this year’s SUV, the CR-V’s safety systems all met performance criteria. A full rating will likely come later in the year.
For a sporty option, check out the 2023 Subaru Forester
People like the 2023 Subaru Forester for many reasons, and it remained one of the best compact SUVs of 2023. The Forester is spacious inside and has a smooth ride to offer. It was updated in mid-2022, so the 2023 version is more refined. All-wheel drive is standard on this SUV, adding value to all trim levels.
The 2023 Forester gets the same 2.5L engine that previously powered it, which offers 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is around 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. Subaru’s compact SUV still manages 43.3 inches of front legroom and 39.4 inches of rear legroom. Cargo space with the seats up is 28.9 cubic feet, and 74.2 cubic feet with the seats folded.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2023 Subaru Forester a five-star safety rating. It earned high marks on all of its crashworthiness tests. Additionally, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety made it a Top Safety Pick.
These are the best compact SUVs of 2023 so far, but the bar is pretty high. More models will roll out as the year goes on, but it is unclear if any will oust these options from the top of the list.
