Edmund's Recommendations for Compact SUVs

"Tom McParland" (tommcparland)
05/15/2014 at 13:13 • Filed to: crossovers, compact suvs, edmunds

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! Look...buyers in this segment aren't super concerned about steering feel, and 0-60 times. They want stylish, safe, practical, reliable, and pretty good on gas. The Subaru Forester is one of the best selling and highest rated crossovers among its peers.

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I don't really take issue with most of their recommendations, the CRV is a nice safe bet, the Rogue has some really cool features if you load it up, and the CX-5 is the Miata of crossovers. But the Soul? I get that it is the "value" proposition because it starts at under 15k. However, the Soul is really just a tall hatchback (edit: that doesn't even have AWD!), despite Kia categorizing it as a "crossover." Not to mention that the Subaru is the only compact SUV in the class with a legit AWD system, standard. The rest of these trucklets are FWD cars with the extra transfer case as an afterthought. I realize that most buyers don't care about this, but it is worth mentioning.

So how about this Edmunds...I'll give you the SOUL, but swap the Honda for the Subie.

DISCUSSION (16)

PS9 > Tom McParland
05/15/2014 at 13:16

Too bad the Soul doesn't have any real power under the bonnet to make use of that AWD. But then again, I bet the system is weaksauce anyways like most AWD systems underpinning beige cars.

ddavidn > Tom McParland
05/15/2014 at 13:17

My mother-in-law just bought a Soul. I told her to get a CRV (obviously not my first choice, but best for her criteria.

Saracen > Tom McParland
05/15/2014 at 13:18

The Forester is very good, but I would argue the CX-5 is the best overall.

Gamecat235 > Tom McParland
05/15/2014 at 13:19

This is really odd. I mean, I know that many here (not you) truly have a serious dislike for all things Consumer Reports, but CR loves the Forester. As do many many other publications. So seeing a list from anyone without the Forester on the list, seems a bit odd. But... some of the ratings here are very subjective criteria... so, in the end, it appears to be one mans opinion.

But if I was back in this market (I have an older Rav4 currently), the Forester would likely be my only choice unless budget was my only factor, and then I'd be looking at some other segment anyway.

Tom McParland > Saracen
05/15/2014 at 13:19

I dunno on pure handling the Mazda wins, but on the features that most buyers want the Subie takes the cake. And you get get a WRX motor in your Forester if you like...no turbo for the Mazda

Tom McParland > Gamecat235
05/15/2014 at 13:22

Yup CR has the Subie as the top rated crossover in its class by a good margin. In fact I would go as far to say that the Forester is almost a poor-man's Q5 in terms of fit/ finish and performance (if you get the turbo)

Saracen > Tom McParland
05/15/2014 at 13:22

You just said that crossover buyers don't care about 0-60 times. And you're right. They want mileage.

The CX-5 has great handling, and simply phenomenal gas mileage. I also think it's the value leader in the segment.

And the Forester Turbo is only available with a CVT. Barf.

For Sweden > Tom McParland
05/15/2014 at 13:26

It also has rally pedigree!

Textured Soy Protein > Tom McParland
05/15/2014 at 13:28

The Soul doesn't have an awd option.

However, if the Buick Encore counts as a crossover, the Soul is within a few inches of the Encore in every dimension.

But really, all crossovers are pretty much tall hatchbacks with awd options.

dinobot666 > Saracen
05/15/2014 at 13:59

It's very worth noting that nobody bought the Forester XT with a manual transmission when it was offered for sale in the US. Take rate was about 5%. Subaru makes a car that people actually buy, not what they say they will buy on the internet.

Saracen > dinobot666
05/15/2014 at 14:10

First of all, who says on the internet "I'll buy a manual", and then doesn't do it? Manual fans are a pretty outspoken bunch, and if they want it, they'll buy it. It's not the same as saying "I'll buy a car that costs way more than I can actually afford if they sell it here."

No, the Forester XT had a low take rate with a manual because most of the buyers are non-enthusiasts. Plain and simple.

dinobot666 > Saracen
05/15/2014 at 14:23

It's a common theme that us enthusiasts like to regurgitate "WHY ISN'T THERE A TWIN TURBO DIESEL ROTARY MIATA WAGON WITH A MANUAL??!!1"

As much as I'd love to own a Forester XT, after owning a WRX wagon for a few years, the truth is, that it'd be a shared vehicle, and my wife doesn't want anything to do with driving a manual transmission. I'm sure that's the case for a lot of buyers when it comes to making the decision when it comes to an auto or manual.

Buyers aren't drawn to manuals in the US that the way they are in Europe, where cars are smaller and (typically) less powerful where an automatic zaps power and adds cost to an already expensive vehicle price, so yeah, it isn't always about being an auto enthusiast either.

Saracen > dinobot666
05/15/2014 at 14:48

We aren't talking about Europe here. Most buyers in the US can care less about driving a manual transmission. I would be shocked if the majority of buyers that do not opt for a manual gearbox are not of the more enthusiastic variety.

Some like to complain that there aren't enthusiast-oriented cars out there, and don't buy them. Then there are those of us that put our money where our mouth is. I'm the latter. I bought the closest thing to a european, awd manual equipped wagon because that's what was available (Golf R). If a real awd manual wagon from ze Germans ever makes it here again, I'll be doing backflips - diesel or not.

schwartz > Gamecat235
05/16/2014 at 11:12

I am not sure why, they are an excellent source for reliability data and they give unbiased reviews/rating. Sure they don't sway towards the enthusiast bunch but they do honestly enjoy cars.

straz85 > Saracen
05/16/2014 at 14:06

I cross shopped the Forester and CX-5. The CX-5 feels like a cave inside, it's dark, even with the sunroof. Feels very small and confined. Drives nicely, but lacks power. I ended up with a Forester XT.

Burrito de EJ25 > Saracen
05/28/2014 at 01:06

The CVT in the Fozzie is really good.