Owning an SUV involves far more than the initial purchase price. Once you’ve driven it home, you’ll need to factor in ongoing expenses like maintenance and unexpected repairs. Just as important is considering how well the vehicle will meet your needs over the years ahead.
That means making sure it offers enough interior and cargo space for your family, along with all their luggage, sports gear, and other belongings. Ideally, you’ll want to confirm this before signing any paperwork. To help with that decision, we’ve compiled a list of 10 compact SUVs that deliver the most interior room while keeping running costs to a minimum—so you won’t regret your purchase the moment you pull into the driveway.
10 Best Luxury Compact SUVs To Keep On Your Shortlist
What are the best luxury compact SUVs? These ten are the most reliable and offer plenty of luxury features and qualities for your driving pleasure.
10
2025 Honda CR-V
Average Annual Repair Cost: $407
| Headroom (front/rear) | Shoulder Room (front/rear) | Hip Room (front/rear) | Legroom (front/rear) | Cargo Space |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40/38.2 inches | 57.9/55.9 inches | 55.6/52.6 inches | 41.3/41 inches | 76.5 cu. ft. |
The Honda CR-V stands out in the compact SUV segment thanks to its versatility, competitive pricing, and strong reliability record. It comes well-equipped with the features most families prioritize, including a refined interior loaded with tech and a fuel-efficient gasoline engine. For those looking to stretch their fuel budget even further, a hybrid variant is also available.
Ownership Costs and Reliability
The Honda CR-V has a relatively low projected cost of ownership with an annual average repair cost of $407. Additionally, there are only two reported recalls, which is a testament to its reliability. As for interior space, the CR-V has a little more interior space than others in its class, making it a great option for small families.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $407 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,367 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 2
- Worst CR-V Year To Buy Used: 2011
9
2025 Toyota RAV4
Average Annual Repair Cost: $429
| Headroom (front/rear) | Shoulder Room (front/rear) | Hip Room (front/rear) | Legroom (front/rear) | Cargo Space |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37.7/39.5 inches | 57.8/56.4 inches | 54.3/47.7 inches | 41/37.8 inches | 69.8 cu. ft. |
The Toyota RAV4 has been a staple in the compact SUV market for decades, and we’re sure it won’t be going away any time soon. Buyers love the RAV4’s versatility and off-road capability, which is backed up by its renowned reliability. As an added plus, the RAV4 has plenty of room for five despite its small proportions.
Ownership Costs and Reliability
The Toyota RAV4 is cheap to own, costing an average of $429 per year to maintain. It also has zero recorded recalls, which shows that it is reliable as well. As for its interior dimensions, the RAV4 is a little smaller than rivals like the CR-V, but it’s still spacious enough for small families and daily commuters.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $429 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $5,819 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 0
- Worst RAV4 Year To Buy Used: 2019
8
2025 Kia Sportage
Average Annual Repair Cost: $462
| Headroom (front/rear) | Shoulder Room (front/rear) | Hip Room (front/rear) | Legroom (front/rear) | Cargo Space |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37.8/38 inches | 57.5/55.6 inches | 54.8/53.4 inches | 41.4/41.3 inches | 74.1 cu. ft. |
The 2025 Kia Sportage strikes a solid balance between versatility, interior space, and attractive styling. With only 187 horsepower, it’s not built for speed, but it excels as a practical family hauler with room for passengers and cargo alike. A 2,500-pound towing capacity adds extra utility, providing enough muscle to bring along a trailer full of outdoor gear.
Ownership Costs and Reliability
The Kia Sportage has low projected annual repair costs and should cost less than $10,000 to maintain over the course of 10 years. Also, its interior dimensions are similar to rivals like the Toyota RAV4, which means it’s compact, but spacious enough for most families.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $462 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,109 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 0
- Worst ES Year To Buy Used: 2012
10 Compact SUVs With The Best Fuel Economy
These small SUVs can easily take you far between fill ups and won’t make you cry at the pump.
7
2025 Nissan Rogue
Average Annual Repair Cost: $467
| Headroom (front/rear) | Shoulder Room (front/rear) | Hip Room (front/rear) | Legroom (front/rear) | Cargo Space |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41.1/39.2 inches | 57.1/55.9 inches | 54.1/53.4 inches | 41.5/38.5 inches | 74.1 cu. ft. |
The Nissan Rogue sets itself apart from others in the class with its upscale interior and premium amenities that make it feel like it’s from a class above. In addition to these features, the Rogue’s boxy proportions make it feel a little larger than its rivals, making it ideal for small families. There are also plenty of storage cubbies and small places to store smaller items.
Ownership Costs and Reliability
The Nissan Rogue has some pretty low ownership costs, only costing an average of $467 per year to maintain and around $7,712 for the first 10 years. Additionally, there is ample room for up to five passengers, or four full-size adults, since the middle rear seat is a little cramped.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $467 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,712 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 1
- Worst Rogue Year To Buy Used: 2013
6
2025 Mitsubishi Outlander
Annual Average Repair Cost: $519
| Headroom (front/rear) | Shoulder Room (front/rear) | Hip Room (front/rear) | Legroom (front/rear) | Cargo Space |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39.1/37.4 inches | 57.9/55.9 inches | 54/53.3 inches | 41.7/39.9 inches | 64.3 cu. ft. |
The Mitsubishi Outlander may not be the first compact SUV that comes to mind, but it deserves a closer look. It delivers a comfortable ride with well-cushioned seats, creating a pleasant experience for everyone on board. The interior is spacious and inviting, and notably, it’s one of the smallest SUVs to offer an available third row—a rare feature in this segment.
Ownership Costs and Interior Space
While the Outlander’s interior dimensions fall slightly short of some competitors, the available third row helps offset that limitation. It’s also relatively affordable to own, thanks to low annual maintenance and repair costs. Worth noting is a higher-than-average recall history, though these repairs are covered at no expense to the owner.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $519 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,519 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 33
- Worst Outlander Year To Buy Used: 2018
5
2025 Lexus NX
Average Annual Repair Cost: $551
| Headroom (front/rear) | Shoulder Room (front/rear) | Hip Room (front/rear) | Legroom (front/rear) | Cargo Space |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37.1/38.1 inches | 56.3/54 inches | 56.3/52.5 inches | 41/36.1 inches | 46.9 cu. ft. |
A comfortable ride, plush seats, and a cabin filled with technology is what the Lexus NX is known for. That said, there’s not much to complain about with the NX. However, while it is comfortable, the NX’s interior isn’t as spacious as some of its rivals, but it’s roomy enough to fit four adults comfortably. It may be able to fit five if one person doesn’t mind getting close to the other two in the rear seat.
Ownership Costs and Reliability
The Lexus NX is affordable to repair for a luxury SUV, only costing an average of $551 on an annual basis. As for its interior space, although it’s a little cramped compared with other luxury SUVs, the NX does have an impressive cargo area given its size.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $551 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,475 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 0
- Worst NX Year To Buy Used: 2021
Here Are The 10 Best Hybrid Compact SUVs In 2025
These are the most logical hybrids for you to consider if you’re looking for a compact crossover.
4
2025 GMC Terrain
Annual Average Repair Cost: $558
|
Headroom (front/rear) |
Shoulder Room (front/rear) |
Hip Room (front/rear) |
Legroom (front/rear) |
Cargo Space |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
40/39.2 inches |
57.7/55.7 inches |
55.2/50.8 inches |
40.6/39.2 inches |
63.5 cu. ft. |
The GMC Terrain gives buyers a rugged alternative with a bold exterior and a well-appointed, spacious cabin. Seating for five is comfortable, and a generous cargo area easily accommodates luggage and gear. Plenty of tech features round out the package, keeping the whole family connected and entertained on the road.
Ownership Costs and Reliability
Maintaining the GMC Terrain is affordable, given its near-luxury status. It can cost an average of $558 on an annual basis, which beats out other SUVs in the class. Additionally, the Terrain’s boxy architecture makes it feel more spacious inside.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $558 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,904 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 0
- Worst Terrain Year To Buy Used: 2011
3
2025 Buick Envista
Average Annual Repair Cost: $608
|
Headroom (front/rear) |
Shoulder Room (front/rear) |
Hip Room (front/rear) |
Legroom (front/rear) |
Cargo Space |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
39.4/37.3 inches |
56/54.5 inches |
52.3/45.8 inches |
41.9/38.7 inches |
42 cu. ft. |
The Buick Envista is a sleek and sporty-looking SUV with a plush and spacious interior. Inside, you’ll find a cabin that’s roomy enough for four and full of tech gadgetry and convenience features. The interior itself has a handsome and thoughtful layout that’s easy to get used to.
Ownership Costs and Reliability
The Buick Envista is a relatively new vehicle, so there aren’t many recalls for it. Also, its projected annual repair cost is low compared with other luxury SUVs in its class. As for its interior space, while the Envista has enough room for four adults, its cargo area is rather small.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $608 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,814 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 1
2
2025 Subaru Forester
Annual Average Repair Cost: $632
|
Headroom (front/rear) |
Shoulder Room (front/rear) |
Hip Room (front/rear) |
Legroom (front/rear) |
Cargo Space |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
41.2/39.6 inches |
57.7/56.7 inches |
54.7/53.7 Inches |
43.3/39.4 inches |
74.4 cu. ft. |
The Subaru Forester received a full redesign for 2025, bringing fresh styling inside and out. Despite the changes, it remains as spacious as ever, with generous front and rear seating areas that offer ample headroom for all occupants. Cargo capacity is equally impressive, delivering surprising storage capability for a vehicle of its compact footprint.
Ownership Costs and Reliability
The Forester is one of the most expensive SUVs on this list to maintain, but it’s still affordable compared with other vehicles in its class. Additionally, its interior space and overall versatility make every penny worth it.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $632 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,337 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 0
- Worst ES Year To Buy Used: 2014
The 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek Edition Helps Make The Wilderness Your Playground
More proof that you don’t need a big, cumbersome SUV to go some places where most normal cars can’t.
1
2025 Volkswagen Tiguan
Annual Average Repair Cost: $730
|
Headroom (front/rear) |
Shoulder Room (front/rear) |
Hip Room (front/rear) |
Legroom (front/rear) |
Cargo Space |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
39.6/38.9 inches |
40.2/38.7 inches |
54.5/53.7 inches |
40.2/38.7 inches |
73.4 cu. ft. |
The Volkswagen Tiguan delivers a more refined experience than many of its competitors. Its cabin showcases premium materials and precise craftsmanship throughout, creating an upscale atmosphere. Under the hood, a spirited turbocharged engine adds a welcome dose of driving enjoyment to the package.
Ownership Costs and Reliability
The Tiguan carries the highest annual repair costs on this list, likely due in part to pricier components and higher labor rates at Volkswagen dealerships—factors worth considering before buying. On the upside, its cargo capacity ranks among the best in the segment, and it’s one of the few compact SUVs to offer an optional third row.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $730 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7.934 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 0
- Worst Tiguan Year To Buy Used: 2018