10 Affordable Compact Crossover Utility Vehicles

There are a huge number of drivers out there whose families have grown too big for a standard sedan, but haven’t yet reached the point where a large minivan or sport-utility vehicle is absolutely necessary. This is where the compact crossover utility vehicle segment comes to the rescue by offering spacious interior accommodations for both passengers and all the gear that comes with active family life in a package that is still reasonably fuel efficient and small enough to easily park – no matter where mom and dad duties might take the entire crew.

Let’s take a look at 10 affordable compact crossover utility vehicles that manage to bridge the gap between sedan and minivan at a very reasonable price.

01. 2011 Honda CR-V: MSRP $21,695

The 2011 Honda CR-V is one of the standard-bearers in the compact crossover segment, and many other manufacturers compare use the Honda offering as a benchmark for their own vehicles. The Honda CR-V offers seating for five and a total of 73 cubic feet of storage space with the rear row folded forward. The compact crossover offers the option of all-wheel drive, and comes standard with a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine that is good for 180 horsepower and 161 lb-ft of torque. Matched with a five-speed automatic transmission, the CR-V returns fuel mileage of 21-mpg in the city and 28-mpg on the highway.

02. 2011 Jeep Compass: MSRP $19,295

The 2011 Jeep Compass has been given a fresh look, better handling, a smoother ride and a more upscale interior for the current model year. Now bearing the same styling as its larger Jeep Grand Cherokee cousin, the Jeep Compass comes with 53.6 cubic feet of storage space behind the front seats, the ability to accommodate as many as five passengers and the option of a rugged four-wheel drive system capable of facilitating genuine off-road adventures. The Compass is outfitted with either a 2.0-liter (158 horsepower) or 2.4-liter (172 horsepower) four-cylinder engine under the hood, and transmission choices include a five-speed manual and a continuously-variable automatic. Fuel mileage for the thriftiest edition of the Compass is rated at 23-mpg city and 29-mpg highway.

03. 2011 Ford Escape: MSRP $21,215

The 2011 Ford Escape is perhaps most notable for the long list of technology features that it makes available, including the MyKey parental control, the SYNC vehicle interface, parallel parking assist and a navigation system. The Ford Escape also offers 66 cubic feet of total cargo space thanks to fold-flat rear seats, as well as a cabin that can comfortably handle up to five passengers. The Escape can be ordered with four-cylinder or V-6 power, with each unit generating 171 horses and 240 horses, respectively. Fuel mileage for the smaller engine comes in at 20-mpg city and 28-mpg highway, and while both motors can be had with a six-speed automatic, the four-cylinder also offers the availability of a five-speed manual transmission. All-wheel drive is optional with either drivetrain.

04. 2011 Kia Sportage: MSRP $18,255

The Kia Sportage was completely redesigned for 2011, and it brings more to the table than its newly massaged sheet metal and improved interior. The Kia Sportage now offers a responsive chassis and suspension system to go with its available 260 horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The entry-level motor for the Sportage provides a respectable 176 horsepower, and enjoys a slight edge in fuel economy over the turbo unit, returning 22-mpg city and 31-mpg highway. It also comes with the option of a six-speed manual transmission, while both engines can be paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox. All-wheel drive is available across the board. In terms of interior room, the Sportage comes with five passenger seating and the ability to swallow as much as 54.6 cubic feet of cargo with the rear accommodations out of the picture.

05. 2011 Chevrolet Equinox: MSRP $22,995

The 2011 Chevrolet Equinox boasts equipment upgrades and trim changes compared to the 2010 model. The Chevrolet Equinox still offers the same spacious passenger and cargo space that came about as a result of the previous year’s redesign (five occupants, 63.7 cubic feet), and a sliding rear seat helps to open up serious leg room. A 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine represents the standard Equinox power plant, and it generates 182 horses while providing fuel economy of 22-mpg city and 32-mpg highway. A more robust 3.0-liter V-6 is also available, and it generates 264 ponies while dropping fuel economy to 17-mpg around town and 25-mpg highway. Both motors are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive is also available as an option with each.

06. 2011 Hyundai Tucson: MSRP $18,895

The 2011 Hyundai Tucson is a value-centered crossover that looks much more expensive than it really is. In addition to the long list of equipment that Hyundai typically stuffs into each and every model – the Tucson is no exception – the crossover also enjoys five passenger seating and as much as 55.8 cubic feet of available interior space. Entry-level models are matched with a thrifty, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 165 horsepower, while all other editions benefit from a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder unit that ups output to 176 horsepower. Fuel mileage for the smaller engine shows as one mile per gallon better in stop and go driving than the 2.4-liter (23-mpg city, 31-mpg highway), and this motor also comes with the choice of either a five-speed manual or a six-speed auto transmission. The 2.4-liter motor is automatic-only, but does offer the option of all-wheel drive.

07. 2011 Toyota RAV4: MSRP $22,025

The 2011 Toyota RAV4 is a little bit larger than some of its compact crossover competitors, as evidenced by the inclusion of a third row of seating that bumps passenger capacity up to seven. The Toyota RAV4 can also handle as much as 73 cubic feet of cargo, which makes it competitive with some mid-size SUVs. The crossover’s entry-level engine is a 179 horsepower, four-cylinder that offers fuel economy of 22-mpg city and 28-mpg highway. For those who value power over efficiency, a 3.5-liter V-6 that churns out 269 horsepower is also available. Fuel mileage for this engine is rated at 19-mpg around town and 27-mpg highway. Although the base 2.5-liter motor comes exclusively with a four-speed automatic transmission, the V-6 features a modern six-speed autobox. Each motor can be combined with optional four-wheel drive.

08. 2011 Nissan Rogue: MSRP $21,210

The 2011 Nissan Rogue drives as sleek as it looks, delivering a more engaging experience behind the wheel than is typical for its class. The Nissan Rogue backs up its look-at-me styling with 57.9 cubic feet of total cargo space (with the rear seats folded forward) and the ability to accommodate as many as five passengers. A single engine choice can be found on the Rogue’s build sheet: a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder unit that is good for 170 horsepower. A continuously-variable automatic transmission represents the only available Rogue gearbox, and fuel mileage for front-wheel drive editions of the crossover shows as 22-mpg city and 28-mpg highway. All-wheel drive is also available.

09. 2011 Mazda CX-7: MSRP $21,990

Like the Nissan Rogue, the 2011 Mazda CX-7 prizes driver involvement and delivers a responsive suspension system and a chassis that is fun to flog through the curves. Although it might offer a more conservative appearance than the Rogue, the Mazda CX-7 matches it in terms of seating capacity (five) and trumps it when it comes to internal storage space (59 cubic feet available). The CX-7 also offers an optional 2.3-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers 244 horsepower while delivering fuel mileage of 18-mpg city and 24-mpg highway. A naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder is found in the CX-7’s base trim, where it generates 161 horsepower and improves fuel economy to 20-mpg city and 28-mpg highway. Base models see a five-speed automatic transmission, while turbo editions gain an extra forward cog in their auto gearboxes. All-wheel drive is optional with each engine.

10. 2011 Honda Element: MSRP $20,825

The 2011 Honda Element is perhaps the quirkiest crossover on this list, a rectangular box that is designed with the utmost practicality in mind. Wide loading points, a substantial 75 cubic feet of interior space and seating for four passengers help to make the Honda Element a solid choice for families that need a versatile hauler that doesn’t take up much space in the driveway. All front-wheel drive versions of the Element feature a 166 horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, a five-speed automatic transmission and fuel mileage of 20-mpg city and 25-mpg highway. Opting for all-wheel drive knocks one mile per gallon from each respective rating.