Overview
Getting an SUV is no small decision, but that doesn’t mean you can’t decide to get a small SUV. Subcompact SUVs as well as compact SUVs are great options for a one- or two-person household who don’t need a huge vehicle. Check out the smallest SUVs on the market in 2022, where the term “honkin” only refers to what the horn does and not the SUV’s size.
2022 Hyundai Venue (Starting price: $19,000)
The 2022 Hyundai Venue is proof that you shouldn’t underestimate the small ones. Measuring 159 inches long and 70 inches wide and standing at 62 inches tall, this subcompact SUV is one of the smallest on the market right now. While it’s not built to transport cargo (it has a maximum of 31.9 cubic feet available), it can easily provide a roomy ride for up to five people.
If you think the Venue’s small size forces it to sacrifice small comforts, think again. This SUV has a built-in infotainment system compatible with both iPhone and Android, USB ports to charge your device and automated safety features like lane-keeping assist. It offers a combined fuel economy of 31 MPG, surpassing most of its compact competitors. Again: don’t underestimate the little ones!
2022 Kia Soul (Starting price: $19,290)
165 inches long, 71 inches wide, and 63 inches tall. That’s the size of the Kia Soul, a lively yet spacious subcompact with passenger space for five and cargo space for a whopping 62.1 cubic feet’s worth of belongings.
Spaciousness isn’t the only benefit this SUV has, though: it modestly touts a combined fuel economy of 30 MPG, and inside, it’s equipped with a digital display that’s friendly with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth.
No matter where you look, it’s easy to tell that this SUV was designed with its occupants in mind.
2022 Hyundai KONA EV (Starting price: $34,000)
For anyone looking to go electric, Hyundai’s KONA EV demonstrates a small size and a small environmental impact. A mere 166 inches long and 71 inches wide, the KONA EV is a short 61 inches tall, but that doesn’t make it easy to miss.
With five-person seating, 45.8 cubic feet of cargo space, and features like an infotainment system and wireless charging, the KONA EV makes it abundantly clear that it doesn’t just care about the planet’s well-being; it cares about yours, too.
Don’t lose hope if you live somewhere lacking charging stations for this electric SUV. There’s a gasoline-powered KONA with almost identical dimensions: the gas-powered KONA is just a touch taller than other electric SUVs, standing at 62 inches tall. (It also starts at $21,300, making it the cheaper choice.)
2022 FIAT 500X Pop (Starting price: $27,965)
The FIAT 500X Pop must have gotten its name from its bubble-like appearance: this round, stout subcompact is 167.2 inches long, 70.7 inches wide, and 63 inches tall. It can fit five people with little trouble, although it offers less in terms of cargo space, with only 39.8 cubic feet available, even with the rear seats down.
It’s a fairly no-frills vehicle, lacking the infotainment systems and interior comforts available in its sister models. Still, it’s a great model for someone who just wants a small SUV without the bells and whistles.
2022 Chevrolet Trax (Starting price: $21,400)
If you hit the road with the Chevy Trax, you don’t need to worry about it being too big to cover your tracks. It measures up to its status as a compact crossover SUV, with a length of 168 inches, a width of 70 inches, and a height of 65 to 66 inches.
Its 48.4 cubic feet of cargo space is a touch tighter than some of its competitors, but it makes up for it with an infotainment system that accepts both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (plus the ability to host a WiFi hotspot on some models) and a combined fuel economy of 27 MPG.
2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV (Starting price: $33,500)
Another small but powerful electric vehicle, the Chevrolet Bolt, clocks in at 170 inches long, 70 inches wide, and 64 inches tall. Though it normally seats five people, the rear seats can be folded down to free up 56.9 cubic feet of cargo space, with extra storage tucked away under the console and cargo floor.
Some models also have extra amenities, like wireless phone connection, temperature-controlled front seats, and automated or hands-free controls.
2022 Mercedes-Benz GLA-250 (Starting price: $36,400)
At 173.6 inches long, 72.2 inches wide, and 63.5 inches tall, the GLA-250 by Mercedes-Benz demonstrates that luxury SUVs don’t have to be huge or flashy. The front-wheel-drive provides a smooth yet safe ride, and its roomy interior can seat up to five people or transport up to 50.5 cubic feet of cargo.
It also makes fairly good use of its fuel for an SUV, with a combined 28 MPG fuel economy (although it uses the more pricey premium gasoline). It’s certainly on the pricier end of small SUVs, but the comfort of the GLA-250 is the prime example of how “you get what you pay for” can apply to good things, too. So with a little investment, you can get enjoy one of the best small SUVs money can buy.
2022 Subaru Crosstrek (Starting price: $23,145)
For an SUV with a name implying long, rugged travels, the Subaru Crosstrek might not seem up to the task, measuring 177 inches long, 71 inches wide, and 64 inches tall. However, it’s not one to be discounted: the Crosstrek offers all-wheel drive, a combined fuel economy of 30 MPG, and long-term reliability. The inside is also roomy, hosting space for five riders or 55.3 cubic feet of cargo (whichever you prefer), and offers various comforts such as climate control and an infotainment system.
Hoping to reduce your SUV’s environmental impact? Subaru supports your efforts: the Crosstrek is also available as a plug-in hybrid so that you can power your SUV with electricity and not just gas. It’s smaller than its gas-powered counterpart, with only 43.1 cubic feet of cargo space, but it’s worth the tradeoff.
2022 Jeep Renegade (Starting price: $24,695)
The Renegade lives up to its name with its unusual design, but it doesn’t renege on its subcompact nature: the base model measures 166.6 inches long, 74.2 inches wide, and 66.5 inches tall. But that doesn’t mean it’s too small to fit front-wheel drive, five-person seating, and 50.8 cubic feet of cargo space.
Its fuel economy falls slightly short of some of its competitors, only reaching a combined 26 MPG. However, compared to Trax’s economy of 27 MPG, it can hardly be considered a dealbreaker.
SUViews Can Help You Find the Right SUV for Your Needs
If all these SUVs feel a bit too small for you, find a better fit with the help of SUViews. Use our informative blog posts to learn the size of SUV that best suits your needs, and read reviews of a wide variety of models to make your decision on specific models.
With plenty of knowledge on hand, you can drive away from the dealership in an SUV that’s the perfect fit for you and the ideal size for a compact parking space.
