Compact SUVs are popular among consumers for practicality and versatility. There are a few models worth considering if you are looking for a reliable compact SUV from 2009 that won’t break the bank. These sport utility vehicles come from brands you trust, like Honda, Toyota, and Mazda, and have any safety awards or scores listed too.

You can’t have reliable, compact SUVs from 2009 without the Honda CR-V

When U.S. News rated some of the best compact SUVs from 2009, the Honda CR-V came in at the top of the list. It has excellent safety ratings and plenty of cargo space to bring everyone’s belongings. The 2009 Honda CR-V seats five and has all-wheel drive available. Fuel economy numbers are 20 mpg in the city and 26/27 mpg on the highway.

These days, the CR-V has a long history of reliability following it. That started back when this SUV was still new. Even though the engine only has 166 horsepower, it is enough for the daily drive. The base model gets a CD stereo with an auxiliary input jack and cloth seats. Higher trims had the option of a power sunroof, dual-zone climate control, and leather seats.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2009 Honda CR-V high ratings on its crashworthiness tests, enough to earn a Top Safety Pick award.

Maximum Cargo Space: 72.9 cubic feet

Mazda’s CX-7 is a good option for a compact SUV from 2009

Even though the 2009 Mazda CX-7 shows its age a bit, it still has enough to offer customers on a budget. These days, the 2009 CX-7 is under $10,000 and still has room for five. Fuel economy was between 16/17 mpg in the city and 22/23 mpg on the highway.

Reviews call this reliable compact SUV sporty and fun to drive. It doesn’t have the biggest cargo area, coming in at 58.6 cubic feet. Mazda equipped the CX-7 with a turbo engine producing 244 horsepower. Front-wheel drive is standard, but the all-wheel drive was an option. Taller passengers might feel a bit cramped in the SUV, so be aware of the headroom in the cabin.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2009 Mazda CX-7 a mix of “good” and “marginal” scores. While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration did not give the CX-7 an overall rating, it gave the SUV high scores on some of the performed tests.

Maximum Cargo Space: 58.6 cubic feet

Toyota’s 2009 RAV4 has a long history of reliability

The 2009 Toyota RAV4 is another reliable compact SUV with high ratings. Experts say the cabin is spacious and comfortable, with an optional third row for even more room. The RAV4 received an update in 2009, getting a new four-cylinder engine for better fuel economy. The new four-cylinder got 22/28 mpg city/highway with front-wheel drive, while the optional V6 got 19/27 mpg.

Toyota’s 2009 RAV4 has 73 cubic feet of cargo space, the highest on the list. Some people found the rear-opening side gate annoying, but it was a quirky feature. Base models came with cloth seats and a six-speaker stereo system. A CD changer was available along with leather seats.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the RAV4 a mix of “good” and “acceptable” scores. While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration did not provide the Toyota SUV with an overall rating, it did give the SUV high scores on some of its crashworthiness tests.

Maximum Cargo Space: 73.0 cubic feet

Other reliable compact SUVs from 2009 include the Saturn VUE and the Chevrolet Equinox, but these didn’t have quite as high safety scores. The good news is that these three options should give customers a good place to start.