
There’s a crossover for just about everyone.
If performance and frugality are high on your list, the Toyota RAV4 hybrid offers great acceleration and fuel economy.
If space isn’t crucial, look to the right-priced Volvo XC40, which charms at every opportunity.
Ford’s new Escape looks and feels more like a car than before, which may appeal to sedan defectors.
The Subaru Forester doesn’t ace any category, but it does everything well above average.
It’s a winner in our eyes.
VW’s spacious Tiguan feels a little like the Rubbermaid of crossovers — it’s utilitarian with little personality, but it works really well.
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Quick Specs | |||||
The 2021 Mazda CX-5 crossover has some priorities out of order; it doles out fine handling while it delivers a skimpy back seat. |
The 2021 Ford Escape is the softer side of the Blue Oval’s small crossover 1-2 combo. |
A recent Best Car To Buy winner, the 2021 Subaru Forester notches big wins in utility and safety as one of our most recommended crossover SUVs. |
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 is the meat-and-potatoes crossover for many buyers; the RAV4 Prime supplies the all-electric range. |
The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan compact crossover is spacious and comfortable, and also the league-leader in modesty, |
The 2021 Volvo XC40 is a high-personality compact crossover with plenty of features for the money. |
MSRP From | |||||
$25,370 | $25,555 | $24,795 | $26,350 | $25,245 | $33,700 |
Gas Mileage | |||||
22 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy | 23 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy | 26 MPG City / 33 MPG Hwy | 25 MPG City / 38 MPG Hwy | 21 MPG City / 29 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy |
Engine | |||||
Regular Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-3 | Regular Unleaded H-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-4 |
EPA Class | |||||
Small SUV 2WD | Small SUV 2WD | Small SUV 4WD | Small SUV 2WD | Small SUV 2WD | Small SUV 2WD |
Style Name | |||||
Sport FWD | S FWD | CVT | LE FWD (SE) | 2.0T S FWD | T4 FWD Momentum |
Drivetrain | |||||
Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
Passenger Capacity | |||||
5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 5 |
Passenger Doors | |||||
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Body Style | |||||
Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Sport Utility |
Transmission | |||||
Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | CVT w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD |
Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
2021 Mazda CX-5 vs. 2021 Ford Escape | 2021 Mazda CX-5 vs. 2021 Subaru Forester | 2021 Mazda CX-5 vs. 2021 Toyota RAV4 | 2021 Mazda CX-5 vs. 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan | 2021 Mazda CX-5 vs. 2021 Volvo XC40 |