Subcompact SUVs promise a high driving position and easy parking at a modest price, but the field varies more than the sticker prices suggest. Kelley Blue Book’s expert panel scores each one on a five-point scale, which makes the gaps visible at a glance. Here are thirteen of them, counted up from the lowest grade to the highest.
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1. Mitsubishi Outlander Sport: Last in the Ranking
The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport lands at the bottom, where Kelley Blue Book rates it 3.7 out of 5 for the 2026 model year and calls it outdated and outclassed. It lists at $26,955, which is not a bargain price for the score.
Shoppers drawn by Mitsubishi’s pricing and warranty should drive the newer rivals first, since several of them earn higher grades for a similar or lower starting figure. The review’s blunt wording signals age more than outright flaws.
2. Buick Encore GX: Near the Bottom
KBB’s experts give the 2026 Encore GX a 3.8 out of 5 grade, and the price starts at $27,995. That is the second-lowest score on the ranking and a higher sticker than several better-rated competitors.
Buick’s small crossover appeals to buyers who want a quiet, comfortable cabin in a compact package. The score suggests that those strengths are offset elsewhere, so a comparison drive against the Chevrolet Trax, which costs less and scores higher, is worth the time.
3. Hyundai Venue: The Budget Entry
The 2025 Venue scores 4.1 out of 5 from Kelley Blue Book and starts at $21,695. It is among the least expensive vehicles in the ranking, and it earns a respectable grade for that money.
Fuel economy is listed at 31 mpg combined, a respectable figure for the price and one that keeps running costs low. Hyundai’s smallest SUV suits city drivers and first-time buyers who value a low entry price over cargo space or speed.
4. Volkswagen Taos: Fuel-Sipping German
Kelley Blue Book rates the 2026 Taos 4.2 out of 5, with pricing from $27,975 and 31 mpg combined. The Volkswagen shares its score with several rivals in the middle of the pack.
The mpg figure is one of the stronger numbers in this group, which should interest commuters who put on miles. Because the score is shared by four SUVs, the tiebreakers become cabin feel, features and the dealer discount a buyer can negotiate.
5. Mazda CX-30: Safety With a Score
The Mazda CX-30 earns 4.2 out of 5 from KBB, while IIHS names it a 2026 Top Safety Pick+. The award is listed among small SUVs, and the CX-30 starts at $27,870 in the KBB ranking.
That pairing gives safety-minded families a measured reason to consider it beyond the editors’ opinion. Buyers should confirm that the specific trim they want meets the award’s equipment requirements, since IIHS criteria can depend on headlights and driver-assistance features.
6. Kia Seltos: Fresh Look Upfront
The redesigned Kia Seltos earns 4.2 out of 5 from KBB for the 2027 model year and starts at $26,485. It ties with the Taos, Trailblazer and CX-30 in the middle of the field.
Kia’s new look is the main change, and the score indicates the update held the model’s standing rather than lifting it. Shoppers comparing it with the Toyota Corolla Cross will note an identical starting price, though the Toyota carries a higher grade.
7. Chevrolet Trailblazer: Thrifty and Tidy
KBB gives the 2026 Trailblazer 4.2 out of 5, with a $25,095 starting price and 30 mpg combined. It sits level with the Seltos and the Taos on the scale.
The Chevrolet is one of the cheaper options in the tied group, and the mpg figure is competitive. Buyers who want an economical commuter with a bit of SUV styling get a reasonable choice here, though the Trax beats it on both price and grade.
8. Chevrolet Trax: Best Value Pick
Kelley Blue Book rates the Trax 4.3 out of 5 and lists a starting price of $23,495. That combination of a high score and a low sticker makes the Chevrolet a standout on the list.
Only the Venue costs less among the SUVs here, and the Trax outscores that Hyundai by two tenths of a point. Shoppers who focus on value rather than prestige, and who want a newer design, will find it hard to beat on paper, provided the interior and engine fit their needs.
9. Honda HR-V: Honda’s Latest Grade
The 2027 HR-V earns 4.4 out of 5 from KBB and starts at $28,050. That is the second-highest sticker among the top five and a sign that buyers pay extra for polish.
Honda has a reputation for dependable ownership, which tends to matter to buyers who keep vehicles for many years. The price is steep compared with the Trax, so the HR-V suits those who value refinement and resale over the lowest cost.
10. Toyota Corolla Cross: Toyota’s Crossover Pick
KBB scores the Corolla Cross 4.5 out of 5, and it starts at $26,485. The Toyota ties for third place and costs less than the HR-V, which sits one rung below.
Shoppers who want a conventional, easy-to-own compact SUV will find the combination attractive. The Toyota nameplate carries strong expectations for reliability, and the score shows reviewers see little reason to knock it down. It also costs $1,565 less than the HR-V while scoring higher.
11. Nissan Kicks: Cheapest Near the Top
The 2027 Kicks gets 4.5 out of 5 from KBB and starts at $24,365, tying the Corolla Cross while costing about $2,100 less. That makes it the least expensive vehicle in the top four.
Nissan’s small SUV is the ranking’s strongest argument that a low price does not require a low grade. Buyers should still look at the optional equipment, since the starting price covers only the base trim. Anyone shopping this segment on a tight budget should put it on the short list.
12. Subaru Crosstrek: Runner-Up Wagon-Style
Kelley Blue Book rates the Subaru Crosstrek 4.6 out of 5, with pricing from $28,445. It takes second place and carries the highest sticker among the top three.
The Crosstrek appeals to buyers who want a raised ride and all-wheel-drive capability in a small package, such as drivers in snowy regions. The premium over the Kicks is about $4,000, which is the cost of that extra grade and equipment, and it is one worth weighing carefully. Whether that gap is worth paying depends on how much winter traction matters.
13. Hyundai Kona: Top of the Class
The Hyundai Kona takes first place after KBB’s experts give it 4.8 out of 5, with pricing from $27,100.
Its price sits roughly in the middle of the group, so the best grade does not demand the highest outlay, and IIHS also lists it among 2026 small SUV Top Safety Pick+ winners. Shoppers should check availability and trim, but by the panel’s numbers the Kona is the clear first drive in this segment.
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