Consumer Advice

The Best Affordable Compact SUVs to Buy in 2025

Compact SUVs are among the top-selling automotive segments in Canada, and for good reason. They’re well-sized for parking spots and tight traffic, they can be easier to get in and out compared to a lower-height car, most offer all-wheel drive (AWD), and they’re generally fuel-efficient and practical. It’s no wonder Canadians like them.

The compact SUV segment is a large one, with a number of worthy competitors. Our team of more than 20 automotive experts considered the entire segment and voted for the best ones. In alphabetical order, here are the compact crossovers they are confident recommending, representing best buys for anyone shopping in this segment.

Our list includes gas-only, hybrid, plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and all-electric models, giving shoppers plenty of options to suit their needs.

Honda CR-V/CR-V Hybrid

The CR-V is Honda’s best-selling vehicle, usually by a considerable margin, and for good reason. In addition to a gas-only version, it’s also available as a gas-electric hybrid, and both are built in Ontario. For 2025, blind-spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic alert is added to the entry LX trim, meaning it’s now standard equipment on all CR-V models.

The gas-only CR-V uses a turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder engine, making 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque, and with an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT). The entry-level LX starts out in front-wheel drive (FWD), where it’s officially rated at 7.8 L/100 km in combined city/highway driving, and the engine takes regular-grade gasoline. Canadians tend to like all-wheel drive (AWD) and it can be optioned on the LX, while it’s standard on the next-step-up Sport; and it’s rated at 8.4 L/100 km.

The Hybrid comes in two trims, and it uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with hybrid system that makes a combined 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque, also with a CVT and AWD. The battery self-charges through regenerative braking and the CR-V doesn’t get plugged in. It switches automatically between gasoline, electricity, or a combination, depending on driving conditions, and it’s rated at 6.4 L/100 km. Cargo volume is generous, at 1,113 litres in the gasoline version and 1,028 litres in the hybrid, both with the rear seat upright. Prices start at $38,475 for the LX in FWD and rise to $44,875 for the Sport, while the hybrid is $50,075 for the EX-L and $52,575 for the top Touring trim.

Hyundai Ioniq 5

For those looking for an all-electric crossover, our experts are impressed by the Hyundai Ioniq 5, which tucks in between the smaller Kona EV and larger Ioniq 6. Our experts have dubbed its unmistakable styling and exterior lighting “cool instead of quirky.” It starts out in Standard Range, with a 63-kWh battery good for a rated 373 kilometres on a charge. On the Long-Range trims, depending on whether it’s rear-wheel drive (RWD) or AWD, wheel size, or if it’s the new-for-2025 XRT trim, the 84-kWh battery returns between 417 and 504 kilometres. The Ioniq 5 features 800-volt charging architecture, usually found primarily on high-end premium EVs. If you can find a 350-kW public fast-charger, it can potentially add up to 336 km of range in about 18 minutes.

The single-motor models, depending on the battery, deliver between 168 to 225 horsepower, along with 258 lb-ft of torque. The dual motors on AWD trims increase that to 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque. The Ioniq 5’s long wheelbase and well-calibrated suspension tuning give it an excellent ride, and the steering feel and handling are crisp and responsive. Interior space is generous, including the cargo compartment.

The Ioniq 5 comes in a single Preferred trim level, with Standard Range at $54,999, Long Range at $57,499, and Long Range AWD at $59,499, and may be eligible for tax rebates depending on where you live. Hyundai also offers the Ioniq 5 N, and while it’s just over $80,000, it’s a crazy-fun version making 641 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque, with hot-hatch handling and artificial but surprisingly authentic-feeling transmission “shifts” and petroleum-engine or spaceship sounds.

Mazda CX-50

Mazda’s CX-50, a more rugged-looking and slightly longer version of the CX-5, offers buyers choices of two gas-only engines plus a new-for-2025 hybrid version. It’s also intended to be a bit more upscale than its CX-5 sibling, with more features on its entry-level trim.

The gas-only CX-50 models start with a 2.5L four-cylinder engine that’s naturally aspirated on the lower trims, making 187 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque. It gets a turbocharger in the upper trims, good for 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque if you use regular-grade gasoline, and 256 hp and 320 lb-ft if you pump in 93-octane. Both versions use a six-speed automatic transmission.

The new self-charging hybrid also uses a 2.5L engine with a hybrid system borrowed from the Toyota RAV4, and given that the RAV4 also makes our list here, it’s hard to go wrong with it. Like the RAV4, it switches automatically between gasoline, electricity, or a combination. The non-hybrid trims use a six-speed automatic transmission, the hybrid uses a CVT, and AWD is standard on all. While the plain 2.5L rates 8.9 L/100 km in combined city/highway driving, and the turbocharged model is 9.4, the hybrid has a rating of 6.2 L/100 km.

One of Mazda’s strengths is its sporty nature: Our experts say while it may be a mainstream compact SUV, its responsive steering, composure around corners, and athletic personality outshine most of its competitors, and it’s a pleasure to drive. It’s also a good-looking vehicle inside and out, with supportive seats and numerous features. It starts at $41,405, while the hybrid – still working its way into the market, so not all of its three trims may be available yet – is $46,305 for the Kuro trim.

Subaru Forester

The Forester is all-new for 2025, with updated styling and a new platform that improves the driving performance of a vehicle that was already very good. Our experts say that “…the new Forester is very good … but then so was the old one … it remains perhaps the single most underrated crossover like it.”

The Forester uses a 2.5L horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine making 180 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, mated to a CVT and with full-time AWD. While many compact SUVs primarily drive their front wheels and power up the rear ones as needed, Subaru’s system always sends some power to the rear – about 40 per cent of the total available, under normal driving conditions, and with more as necessary for traction – which helps give the Forester a balanced and surefooted feel in all driving conditions. Fuel consumption is rated at 8.2 L/100 in combined city/highway driving.

The steering is smooth, the ride is comfortable, and its boxy shape provides generous headroom, excellent visibility, and plentiful cargo space. For those who get off the beaten path, the Wilderness trim offers all-terrain tires and a bit more ground clearance. The Forester’s six trim levels run from $35,790 to $47,290.

Subaru Outback

The second Subaru on our list isn’t radically different from the Forester, but they’re not twins. The Forester is an SUV, while the Outback has more of a “tall wagon” nature to it – it did, after all, start as a version of the no-longer-sold-here Legacy station wagon with higher ride height. Our experts call it a “Swiss Army knife” for its family-friendly practicality.

The four lower trims use a 2.5L horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine, making 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The upper Wilderness, Limited XT, and Premier XT use a turbocharged 2.4L engine making 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. Both are mated to an automatic CVT, and both have Subaru’s full-time AWD. The Wilderness has a slightly higher ride height and off-road-tuned suspension for those who prefer to spend their downtime off the pavement.

The Outback is roomy for passengers and gear with up to 923 litres of cargo space, and while its lower roofline doesn’t match the Forester’s for headroom, its hip room allows three people to sit in the back seat in reasonable comfort. Visibility is good, and the Outback is easy to park. Combined city/highway fuel economy is 8.2 L/100 km for the non-turbo trims, and 9.4 for the turbo. Prices range from $36,790 to $45,290 for the non-turbo models, and $47,590 to $50,190 for those with the turbocharged engine.

Toyota RAV4/RAV4 Hybrid/RAV4 PHEV

Toyota’s top-selling vehicle in Canada offers three versions. The RAV4 is gasoline-only, the RAV4 Hybrid is a self-charging gas-electric hybrid, and the RAV4 PHEV stands for plug-in hybrid, its new name for 2025 after previously being known as the RAV4 Prime. Our experts like this wide range of choices for shoppers who prefer this popular sport-ute.

All three versions start with a 2.5L gasoline engine. In the plain RAV4, it makes 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, and has an eight-speed automatic transmission. In the Hybrid, the combination of gas engine and electric motors makes up to 219 horsepower, and in the PHEV, that increases to 302 horsepower; both use an automatic CVT. All RAV4 models are AWD. After the PHEV is plugged in and charged, it can travel up to 68 kilometres on electricity alone, and once that depletes, it automatically reverts to self-charging hybrid operation, so it’ll keep driving for as long as there’s fuel in the tank. It can be charged overnight using a regular 110-volt household outlet, although it’s faster on a Level 2 home charger. If they charge it regularly, many commuters may be able to spend most of their time driving on battery power only, but still be able to take longer trips without “range anxiety.”

The RAV4 is roomy and has 1,059 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up. Our experts like the simplicity of its controls, its smooth ride, its practicality, and its fuel consumption, rated at 6.0 L/100 km in combined driving for the hybrid models. Pricing for the gas-only RAV4, which comes in four trims, starts at $35,485; the RAV4 Hybrid’s five trims start at $38,435; and the RAV4 PHEV, in two trims, starts at $53,645.

Shopping in other segments? Check out the winners of the 2025 AutoTrader Awards to kickstart your research and discover our expert-voted top picks in 28 different vehicle segments.