Top 15 SUVs of 2016

It can be challenging to figure out which features matter the most when searching for the ultimate SUV for you and your family. We decided to look at the top vehicles in each class to determine which ones had the most to offer for the average driver. There’s a whole bunch of information out there, and we distilled it down to the most widely sought-after elements of SUVs.

This list includes SUV models from subcompacts to large luxury vehicles, and the best off-roaders too. The top SUV for you will depend on what you consider to be the most important: price, features or mileage. As for safety ratings, we chose only those vehicles with top marks. A couple of them have not been rated, however. We also looked at performance and reliability in our evaluation.

Here are the results:

[respa]1. Honda HR-V – Subcompact

• Seats 5
• Base Price: $19,215
• Fully Loaded: $25,990
• Mileage: 26/33
• Safety Rating: 5 stars
• Options: Moon roof, leather upholstery, push-button start, upgraded infotainment system, HD/satellite radio, blind spot camera and more.
• Best Features: Cargo capacity, affordability

The HR-V has a 6-speed manual transmission, and it’s a four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive vehicle. This isn’t a performance vehicle, so don’t expect super-fast acceleration. However, it would be a great choice for commuting because it has the best mileage of all the vehicles in this class that have the same features.

At 58.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity, this subcompact has a lot of interior room. The back seat has enough room to be comfortable without squishing passengers’ knees, too. The back seat will fold down in a 60/40 ratio, leaving a passenger seat while significantly increasing cargo space.

• Final Verdict: dependable commuter vehicle if you don’t mind manual transmission.

2. Mazda CX-3 – Subcompact

• Seats 5
• Base Price: $19,960
• Fully Loaded: $26,240
• Mileage: 28/33
• Safety Rating: 5 stars
• Options: Leather upholstery, LED lighting, 18-inch wheels, heated seats, heads-up display, advanced safety package and more.
• Best Features: Acceleration, handling

[respa]Steering and handling are first class in this four-cylinder, front-wheel-drive vehicle. It comes with automatic transmission, and acceleration is among the best in the subcompact range at 0-60 mph in 8.1 seconds. At the same time, the thrifty gas mileage compares to other subcompacts. The CX-3 ranks first out of ten subcompacts according to U.S. News and World Report.

The CX-3 doesn’t have as much cargo room as some other models. However, it’s a sporty choice, with edgy styling like optional 18-inch rims. The suspension and handling make it feel more like a sports car than an SUV. If you’re looking for something fun to drive and cargo space isn’t a deal killer, this is an enjoyable ride with some of the best features in a subcompact SUV.

• Final Verdict: Great for someone who wants to save on mileage but still have a cool-looking ride.

3. Honda CR-V – Compact

• Seats 5
• Base Price: $23,843
• Fully Loaded: $33, 495
• Mileage: 26/33
• Safety Rating: 5 stars
• Options: Moon roof, push button start, extra climate control zone, all-wheel drive.
• Best Features: Fuel economy, roominess

With the Honda CR-V, we’re moving up from subcompacts to the roomier and slightly more expensive compact class. This is another four-cylinder front-wheel-drive model with automatic transmission. There’s a lot of cargo capacity with 70.9 cubic feet available. The acceleration isn’t exciting, but it has improved over earlier models.

Considering the size of this compact SUV, it almost gets the best gas mileage. With the same mpg as the HR-V subcompact, the CR-V adds extra leg room and enough headroom for everyone. Only the Toyota RAV4 has more cargo capacity, and the CR-V comes with Pandora compatibility as a standard feature. It also has one of the top safety ratings from multiple sources, and it’s the U.S. News and World Report’s pick for top 2016 model luxury SUV in the compact category.

• Final Verdict: If gas mileage is important to you but you need more cargo space, the CR-V is a good pick.

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