All the Best Toyota Compact SUVs

The C-HR is Toyota’s smallest, cheapest compact SUV, but the Toyota lineup offers other compact SUVs worth considering.
Written by Jessica Gibson
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
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The Toyota C-HR might be one of Toyota’s most popular compact SUVs, but Toyota offers an affordable range of small SUVs that also includes the Corolla Cross, RAV4, and bZ4X.
Sedans like the Camry and Corolla probably spring to mind when you think of Toyota, but the manufacturer also makes a variety of small or subcompact SUVs that are worth taking a look at. When you’re shopping for the best compact SUV, it’s important to look at each vehicle’s strengths and weaknesses.
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is here to help you with the research! In this article, we’ll cover all the small crossover and compact SUVs that Toyota is currently manufacturing. Plus, we’ll give you tips to help you save on
Toyota insurance costs
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2022 Toyota compact SUV and crossover models

2022 Toyota C-HR ($24,280 MSRP)

The C-HR is relatively new to Toyota’s lineup and it’s got a few things going for it. The C-HR has nimble handling and nice interior design, along with Toyota’s great standard features. If you’re looking for additional safety options, the C-HR boasts Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.5.
The C-HR is Toyota’s smallest and cheapest compact SUV and
C-HR insurance costs
should be quite affordable—but is it the best you can buy? Not really. Consumer Reports puts it at #11 out of 15 compact cars, while Edmunds ranks it even lower—#16 out of 19 subcompact SUVs.
Reviewers note that the super slow acceleration, small cargo space, and poor rear visibility take away from the pleasure of driving the C-HR. The
Hyundai Kona
,
Mazda CX-30
, and
Honda HR-V
all typically enjoy higher ratings from experts.
Highlights of the C-HR include: 
  • Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 safety features including forward-collision mitigation, lane-departure warnings, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist
  • 27/31 EPA-estimated mpg (city/highway)
  • Roomy rear-seating 
  • Sporty handling
Weaknesses include: 
  • No all-wheel drive
  • Slow acceleration
  • Road and engine noise in the cabin
  • Minimal cargo space—especially for an SUV
  • LE trim discontinued

2022 Toyota Corolla Cross ($22,445 MSRP)

It’s the Corolla as you haven’t seen it before! Both the Corolla sedan and
Corolla Cross
were built on the same platform, so you can enjoy the standard features you know and love in a compact SUV. 
In terms of size, the Corolla Cross fits right in between the C-HR and RAV4 at a fraction of the price. Edmunds gives it 7.4/10—pretty average for an SUV, while Consumer Reports ranks it #7 out of 15 subcompact SUVs. Although the Corolla Cross doesn’t offer much in the way of exciting features or driving capability, it is an affordable Toyota in the crowded market for compact SUVs.
If you were hoping for a hybrid SUV, just wait! Toyota has plans to release a hybrid Toyota Corolla Cross within the near future.
Highlights of the Corolla Cross include: 
  • Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 safety features including forward-collision mitigation, lane-departure warnings, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for 2022
  • Huge cargo capacity
  • Optional all-wheel drive
  • 30/32 mpg (city/highway)
Weaknesses include: 
  • No on-board navigation system
  • Less leg room than rivals
  • Poor acceleration
MORE: Every Toyota sports car you should know

2022 Toyota RAV4 ($26,975 MSRP)

The
Toyota RAV4
has been a workhorse of the lineup since 1994. The latest model was redesigned to improve the infotainment system and standard feature availability. Overall, the RAV4 feels and drives like a standard SUV. Edmunds rates it 7.7/10, arguing that it’s a completely serviceable SUV but it doesn’t go out of its way to impress or stand out.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing. After all, the RAV4 promises and delivers the quality, safety, and comfort you expect from a Toyota.
If you’re looking for a compact SUV with better mileage, the RAV4 is available as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid. Keep in mind, that the
Toyota Prius
offers better mileage for a lower price. But if you’re looking for off-road capabilities with SUV styling, the RAV4 is the way to go. 
Highlights of the Toyota RAV4 include: 
  • Android Auto compatibility
  • Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 driver assistance aids
  • Ample cargo space
  • 5-star safety rating from NHTSA
  • IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for 2022
  • 27/35 mpg (city/highway) or 41/38 mpg for the RAV4 hybrid (city/highway)
Weaknesses include: 
  • Lackluster acceleration
  • Noisy cabin
  • Cramped rear seat compared to the sedan

2023 Toyota bZ4X electric ($42,000 MSRP)

With the highest price tag of the compact SUV lineup, the new Toyota bZ4X should offer a lot! The upcoming Toyota electric car (well, SUV) is a mouthful—bZ meaning “beyond zero” emissions, 4 because it’s similar to Toyota’s RAV4, and X to note that it’s a crossover SUV.
The bZ4X is comparable to other electric vehicles on the market, but it doesn’t do much to stand out from the crowd. Edmunds gives it a mediocre 7.1/10, putting it at #6 out of 6 for electric SUVs. Consumer Reports hasn’t tested it yet but notes that the bZ4X has already been recalled for hub caps that can loosen and cause the wheel to fly off.
Highlights of the bZ4X include: 
  • Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 Suite of safety and driver assistance systems
  • Smooth, dynamic handling
  • Comfortable front seats
  • Easy-to-use controls and infotainment system
  • 0 to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds
  • All-wheel drive option includes 13 more horsepower
Weaknesses include: 
  • Lackluster mileage compared to other electric vehicles
  • Small battery size
  • No power seats or rear hatch controls
  • Inexpensive-looking trim
MORE: Are Toyotas expensive to maintain?

Other small Toyota models

Toyota has an extensive lineup, so if you can’t find a small SUV that suits your needs, check out their midsize or full-size cars and SUVs. Here are a few that might catch your eye:
  • Toyota Camry
    ($25,845 MSRP): This midsized sedan consistently ranks as one of the best. It’s got comfortable handling, good fuel economy, and optional all-wheel drive.
  • Toyota Avalon
    ($36,835 MSRP): Toyota’s roomy sedan includes a 3.5-liter V6 engine, so this car has plenty of get-up-and-go!
  • Toyota Venza
    ($33,240 MSRP): This hybrid SUV fits between the Rav4 and Highlander in size. What you lose in space, you definitely gain in great fuel mileage.
  • Toyota Prius ($25,075 MSRP): Toyota’s iconic hybrid gets the best fuel economy in the lineup. It’s snug but offers good cargo space.
If you’re looking for a truck, van, or large SUV, check out the Tacoma, Tundra, Sienna, 4Runner, and Highlander models. 

What is Toyota’s smallest compact SUV? 

The Toyota C-HR wins the prize for the
smallest Toyota SUV
, but not by much. The subcompact C-HR is only slightly smaller than the Toyota Corolla Cross. The key difference is how the space is used—the C-HR offers more cargo space, while the Corolla Cross gives passengers more cabin room.
  • Toyota C-HR wheelbase: 103.9 inches 
  • Toyota Corolla Cross wheelbase: 103.9 inches
  • Toyota C-HR passenger volume: 88.4 cubic feet 
  • Toyota Corolla Cross passenger volume: 77 cubic feet 

What is Toyota’s cheapest compact SUV?

The Toyota Corolla Cross is currently the cheapest Toyota compact SUV, ringing up with a starting MSRP of $22,445.
MORE: The best used Toyota to buy

How to save on Toyota insurance

This might come as a surprise, but it’s cheaper to insure an SUV than a sedan. There are simply more claims on sedans, which raise the cost of insurance premiums. Once you’ve selected a Toyota compact SUV,
Jerry
can help you find even better quotes for your
car insurance
policy. 
After providing you with a comprehensive cross-analysis of the best policies across providers, Jerry will handle the phone calls, paperwork, and renewals for your top pick so that you don’t have to. Jerry can even help cancel your old policy! So why do all that extra work when Jerry can do it better?
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