Top 5 Compact Crossovers & SUVs for 2025
Searching for a certain type of vehicle that can do it all? Compact crossovers and SUVs offer a compelling combination of versatile utility, capable power and efficiency, outstanding value, and bold styling. It’s certainly easy to understand how this segment has rapidly expanded in popularity in recent years. With more and more manufacturers entering this segment, making the right decision can seem quite daunting at first. Fortunately, our team at Basil Family Dealerships wants to help simplify your decision. We’ve created this informative guide which lists our top choices for compact crossovers and SUVs. We’re confident that you’ll have enough information to find the vehicle that both your head and heart can agree on.
Chevrolet Trailblazer
5-Star Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA) — 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Built to be a smaller version of the Blazer, the Chevrolet Trailblazer delivers all of the best features of its big brother at a lower price and in a package that’s easier to parallel park. You also get up to 33 MPG on the highway thanks to a 137-horsepower 1.2-liter Ecotec three-cylinder turbocharged engine. Also available is all-wheel drive capability and a 1.3-liter engine that produces 155 horsepower. Included as standard is the Chevrolet Connected Access system with a massive 11-inch touchscreen display. Drivers looking to enjoy their favorite tunes can opt for an available Bose® premium 7-speaker audio system. With 54.4 cubic feet of cargo space, the Trailblazer is a standout in this segment when it comes to practicality. It is also exceptionally safe with its 10 airbags and a whole host of standard safety features like lane departure warning and a following distance indicator. It’s no wonder that it received a 5-Star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.
Key Features
- Starting at $23,100 MSRP
- 1.2L Turbo ECOTEC 3-cylinder engine with 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque
- Chevrolet Connected Access with 11-inch touchscreen infotainment display
- Optional Bose® premium 7-speaker audio system
- Available Heated driver and front passenger seats
- Standard Rear Vision Camera
Ford Escape
5-Star Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA) — 2025 Ford Escape
Versatility is the name of the game with Ford’s longtime favorite, the Escape. Four different powertrains are offered including two standard gasoline, one hybrid, and one plug-in hybrid. The standard 1.5-liter EcoBoost offers up 181 horsepower and you can go all the way up to 250 horsepower with the 2.0-liter EcoBoost with all-wheel drive available on all but the plug-in hybrid model. 65.4 cubic feet of available cargo space means hauling whatever you want is a breeze and Ford offers some excellent equipment to outfit the interior just the way you want it. The SYNC® 4 system is standard and there is an available huge 13.2-inch touchscreen to go with it. There is even an available B&O® Sound System by Bang & Olufsen® featuring 10 speakers including a subwoofer to turn the interior into a concert hall. To top it all off, the Ford Escape has a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.
Key Features
- Starting at $28,150 MSRP
- Standard 1.5L EcoBoost® with 181 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque
- LED Signature Lighting
- Standard BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross-Traffic Alert
- Available Intelligent All-Wheel-Drive
- Up to 3,500 lbs of towing capacity
Toyota RAV4
5-Star Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA) — 2025 Toyota RAV4
Whether you’re headed downtown or out of town, the Toyota RAV4 has the smarts, style, and safety features to enhance your drive. Signature design cues include a wide upright front grille, sculpted character profile lines, and prominent wheel arches which help showcase its optional 19-inch alloy wheels. Its rugged look also comes from widened front and rear tracks for added confidence on the trails. Every RAV4 comes powered by a standard Dynamic Force 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder with VVT-iE paired with an 8-speed Direct-Shift Automatic Transmission. Tech features found inside the cabin include hands-free access to Amazon Alexa, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay integration along with an available Qi wireless charging tray and up to five USB ports. Continuing its legacy as an industry leader when it comes to safety, Toyota has equipped every RAV4 model with standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5. This collection of active driver-assistive safety features is only one of the reasons why the Toyota RAV4 received a 5-Star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.
Key Features
- Starting at $28,850 MSRP
- Dynamic Force 2.5-liter I4 engine with VVT-iE mated to an 8-speed Direct-Shift Automatic Transmission with up to 27 city / 35 highway MPG
- Standard 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay® integration
- Standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5
- Available hands-free power liftgate
- Available Multi-Terrain Select and Dynamic Torque Vectoring All-Wheel Drive with Rear Driveline Disconnect
Volkswagen Tiguan
Car and Driver Editors’ Choice Award — 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan
Striking a distinct balance between luxurious comfort and versatile performance, the Volkswagen Tiguan has continued to build on its award-winning reputation. On the exterior, the Tiguan has a look that’s both sophisticated and adventurous thanks to a wide selection of expressive paint choices. For easy access to its expansive cargo area, all it takes is a simple swipe of your foot below its available Hands-free Easy Open and Easy Close Liftgate. Beneath the hood lies a 2.0L inline four-cylinder turbocharged/intercooled TSI® engine with 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque paired with the confidence of available 4MOTION® all-wheel drive. Hear your favorite songs the way the artists intended with the optional Fender® Premium Audio System featuring a 480-watt amp and nine speakers. Innovative driver-assist technologies help you stay prepared for the unexpected behind the wheel of your Tiguan. These options include Adaptive Cruise Control, Park Distance Control with Maneuver Braking, Front Assist, Blind Spot Monitor, and Lane Assist. It’s easy to see why the Volkswagen Tiguan earned a spot on the Editors’ Choice list from Car and Driver for 2024.
Key Features
- Starting at $28,880 MSRP
- 2.0L inline four-cylinder turbocharged/intercooled TSI® engine with 184 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, available 4MOTION® all-wheel drive
- Available 7-seat configuration with 3rd-row seating and 3rd-Row Seating package
- Optional Discover Media touchscreen navigation system with 8-inch color display
- Volkswagen Car-Net® App-Connect with Bluetooth® audio streaming
- Optional Overhead View Camera (Area View)
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
5-Star Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA) — 2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
If you’re looking for a bit of style and sportiness but don’t want to sacrifice safety for it, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is an excellent choice of compact crossover. The Eclipse Cross also comes with an impressive list of standard equipment that would usually be optional in this price range including all-wheel drive and LED exterior lighting. The Eclipse Cross is big on interior space but with a 35-foot turning radius, it can maneuver in and out of tight spaces better than most in this segment. It comes with a 152-horsepower 1.5-liter engine mated to a CVT for smooth power delivery. It comes with an excellent warranty as well and to top it all off, the NHTSA has given it a 5-Star safety rating.
Key Features
- Starting at $26,545 MSRP
- 1.5L MIVEC DOHC 4-Cylinder Direct-Injection Turbocharged
- Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC)
- Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with 8-Step Sport Mode
- 16-Inch Two-Tone Alloy Wheels
- LED Daytime Running Lights