Compact SUVs are among the most heavily shopped vehicles in America, which makes a trusted ranking especially useful before a family commits. Kelley Blue Book’s experts rate each model on a five-point scale, and the entries below climb from the weakest score to the strongest. Here are ten compact SUVs, counted up from the bottom of that ranking to the top.
1. Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: Last Place in a Crowded Class
The 2026 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross ranks last among KBB’s compacts, sitting at number 16 with a 3.3 out of 5 expert rating and a starting price of $29,700. It is the lowest score in this gallery by a clear margin, more than half a point behind the next entry.
A $29,700 start puts the Eclipse Cross within reach of higher-rated rivals in the same segment, which weakens the case for choosing it on price alone. Shoppers attracted by a specific feature or dealer offer should still compare it against several better-scored competitors.
2. Jeep Compass: The Least Expensive Jeep
KBB gives the 2026 Jeep Compass a 3.9 out of 5 expert rating and describes it as the least expensive Jeep. That low entry price is the vehicle’s main selling point, and the score puts it a step above the Eclipse Cross without reaching the upper tier.
Buyers who want the Jeep badge without a large outlay may find the Compass the practical way in. The rating still trails many rivals, so anyone weighing it against a Forester or CR-V should decide whether the badge and price outweigh a lower expert score.
3. Chevrolet Equinox: New-Generation Equinox Gets Middling Marks
The 2027 Chevrolet Equinox earns a 3.9 out of 5 KBB expert rating and carries a starting price of $30,995. That ties the Jeep Compass on score while costing about $1,300 more, according to the figures published on each model’s KBB page.
The Equinox is a high-volume seller, so its middling rating may surprise shoppers who assume popularity signals quality. Comparing trims, incentives and the competing models that score higher can help a buyer decide whether the Chevrolet’s features justify its position in the ranking.
4. GMC Terrain: Terrain Climbs Into the Fours
KBB rates the 2026 GMC Terrain 4.2 out of 5, the first entry in this gallery to move past the 4.0 mark. That score places it above its corporate sibling, the Chevrolet Equinox, by three-tenths of a point in the experts’ assessment.
For buyers in the General Motors family, the result suggests that the GMC’s styling and equipment earn a measurable edge over the Chevrolet. The difference is small, and a test drive of both is a sensible way to see whether the rating gap matters in daily use.
5. Nissan Rogue: Rogue Wins Praise for Efficiency
The 2026 Nissan Rogue scores 4.3 out of 5 from KBB, which credits it with combining terrific fuel economy with a comfortable interior. The rating places it among the stronger performers in the compact class, and the praise centers on everyday running costs and comfort.
Fuel economy matters to buyers who commute or take frequent road trips, and the Rogue’s rating suggests it delivers without sacrificing ride comfort. Shoppers should still confirm mileage figures for the specific engine and drivetrain on the lot, since the reviewers’ praise applies to the model in general.
6. Subaru Forester: Forester Reaches the Upper Tier
KBB rates the 2026 Subaru Forester 4.4 out of 5, one of the higher scores among the vehicles counted here. The rating puts the Forester within a tenth of a point of the Toyota RAV4 and the Volkswagen Tiguan, in a portion of the ranking packed with strong choices.
When several models score within a tenth of a point, the ranking offers little basis for a decision, and buyers can reasonably choose on features, price or dealer proximity. The Forester’s placement does confirm that it belongs on any serious compact SUV shopping list.
7. Volkswagen Tiguan: Tiguan Scores Well Despite Software
The 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan scores 4.4 out of 5, even though KBB notes that a kludgy infotainment interface takes some getting used to. The reviewers’ overall verdict stays positive, which indicates that the vehicle’s strengths outweighed that one irritation.
Infotainment frustrations can color daily ownership, so buyers should spend time with the touchscreen during a test drive before signing. A shopper who dislikes complicated menus might weigh that caveat more heavily than the experts did, while others may adapt quickly and appreciate the rest of the package.
8. Toyota RAV4: America’s Best-Seller Lands Third
The 2026 Toyota RAV4, described as America’s perennial best-seller, earns 4.5 out of 5 from KBB and holds third place in the class ranking. Its listed starting price is $33,350, which is higher than the Sportage and CR-V figures in the same table.
Sales leadership and a top-three rating point in the same direction here, which may reassure buyers who prefer a proven choice. The higher starting price is worth noting, and shoppers should compare equipment levels against the Kia and Honda before assuming the RAV4 offers the best value.
9. Kia Sportage: Sportage Takes Silver
The 2026 Kia Sportage ranks second in the class at 4.6 out of 5, according to KBB’s compact SUV table, and starts at $30,285. That makes it the lowest-priced of the top three, undercutting the CR-V by $2,085 and the RAV4 by $3,065.
A near-top rating combined with the lowest starting price of the leaders gives the Sportage a strong value argument. Buyers should confirm the price of the trim they actually want, since a base figure rarely reflects the final total once desired features are added.
10. Honda CR-V: Honda CR-V Takes the Top Spot
The 2026 Honda CR-V tops KBB’s compact SUV ranking with a 4.8 out of 5 expert rating and a starting price of $32,370. It is the highest score in this gallery, two-tenths of a point ahead of the runner-up Kia Sportage.
Coming out first in the most crowded class is a meaningful endorsement, though a two-tenths lead is not a landslide. Shoppers may still prefer the Sportage for its lower price or the RAV4 for its sales record, so the ranking works best as a starting point for test drives.
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