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Stunt Smaller In The 5 Hottest Compact SUVS

Sorry to break it to you, but summer’s over. It’s time to garage the drop top and hop into something that can handle everything fall and winter can throw at it. Something with four wheel drive, a little lift and some off-road capabilities.

We know that because of the current gas crisis, everyone’s pushing crossovers instead SUVs, but if you look closely you’ll see that there are a number of compact SUVs that are worth some consideration. To help you out, before we become fully immersed in the cold weather months and start planning ski trips to Vermont, we picked 5 of our favorite compact SUV’s…

MERCURY MARINER

Price:$25,425
Power:240hp; 233 lb-ft, 3.0L V6
MPG: 17 city/24 hwy

No one really knows how or why Mercury is still around. Now more than ever they seem to just re-badge Ford models and hawk ‘em as their own. But when compared to the Ford Escape, the Mariner seems to be that much better. Especially the VOGA edition. It’s hard to put your finger on exactly what it is that makes it better, but it is. It may be the higher end materials used or the updated interior, whatever it is, the driving experience is different. Though we’re not really down with all white leather seats, it feels more luxe than a Lincoln. Maybe they should re-badge it?

TOYOTA RAV4

Price: $27,070
Power:269 hp; 246 lb.-ft, 3.5L V6
MPG: 19 city/26 hwy

In their quest to become more and more Americanized, Toyota’s trucks and SUVs have grown to F-150, Expedition proportions. In turn, their smallest SUV, the Rav4 has also grown up over the years. Which is a shame saying that the Rav4 kicked off the whole compact SUV market back in 1996. But even with its added girth (pause), it’s still on of the best SUVs on the market today. It looks like a mini Land Cruiser, can comfortably seat 6 dudes and has hill start and downhill assist control in case you find yourself off the beaten path.

BMW X-3

Price: $38,600
Power:260hp; 225 lb.-ft 3.0L Inline 6
MPG: 17 city/24 mpg

Though it really didn’t hurt their sales, those in the rap world took heed when Jay Z declared the X5 a baby mama mobile. So you may think that the X3 would totally off-limits, right? GTFOH. Stop jockin’ Jay and get a life. The X3, like the X5, is dope. Sure, it may seem a little feminine, but in a smaller, more nimble package you still get BMW fit and finish, a 260hp 6 cylinder engine, BMW’s x Drive intelligent all-wheel drive system and a 6 speed sport transmission with paddle shifters. How feminine is that?

ACURA RDX

Price: $33,695
Power:240hp; 260 lb.-ft 2.3L Turbocharged inline four
MPG: 17 city/22 hwy

For their first compact SUV, Acura went in with the features. On top of their Super Handling All Wheel Drive system, they threw in their first ever turbocharged engine, meaning it’ll be just as comfortable in Manchester, Vermont during ski-season as it would be in sliding into a parking spot in Soho. It may just be a CR-V with a suit on, but it’s a damn good suit.

LAND ROVER LR2

Price:$35,985
Power: 230hp; 234 lb.-ft. 3.2L V6
MPG: 16 city/23 hwy

When it comes to the SUV game, nothing beats Land Rover. We know this, you know this. They infuse the same mixture of high-class build quality and off-road capabilities, so you know it’s ready for anything. Not to mention it gets the best gas mileage out of any Land Rover, with 22 mpg.