Over the past years, the auto industry has transformed the fundamentals of its vehicles after the thirst of Americans for larger, high-riding, cargo-wielding vehicles. They shifted their focus away from sedans and replaced their current brochure with small cross-customer needs, whether customers, whether it is in mainstream or luxury segments.
The best compact SUV choices in this class tend to offer quality steering with amazing fuel efficiency and powerful engines, along with the specs of a wagon and a stronger road presence in this competitive segment. Lately, these Compact Crossover SUV vehicles offer a blend of four-cylinder engine lineups, FWD – or AWD, and various variants that span the economic scale.
2022 Kia EV6
The new Kia 2022 electric vehicle is the first dedicated EV in a string of new electric cars and crossovers from the South Korean automaker. The KIA EV 6 comes in three trim levels Light, Wind, and GT-Line. Each trim with two powertrains, a single motor, a rear-drive option, or a dual-motor all-wheel drive. A more powerful GT drive version will arrive with 520 horsepower in late 2022.
The light trim has a 58 kWh battery and a single-motor, rear-drive layout producing165 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The wind trim uses a 77.4 kWh battery, single-motor, rear-drive powertrain with 225 horsepower and torque at 258 pound-feet. It also has dual-motor, electronic-AWD variants with 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. The big battery rear drive trims are Kia-rated at 7.2 seconds from zero-to-60 mpg; its chassis tuning is sporty.
Drivers can choose four modes: Sport, Normal, Eco, and Snow. Its adjustable steering and pedal response for various combinations of performance and efficiency. Also, have five paddle-controlled regenerative braking levels; the most aggressive i-Pedal brings the EV6 to a full stop without touching the brake pedal.
2022 Hyundai Tucson
Hyundai has redesigned the all-new 2022 Hyundai Tucson, growing 6 inches longer overall and adapting the automaker’s “parametric dynamics” design language. With the new sporty looks, Hyundai has added performance and off-road-themed trims, the N-Line, and XRT, which offer better drive control and quiet cabin noise, and a smoother-riding driving experience compared to its predecessors.
Unlike the hybrid and PHEV versions, Tucson is not as powerful in its base engine as it is way underpowered compared to the Hybrid. It enjoys enjoying more power and far better fuel economy. The non-hybrid Tucson offers front-wheel drive with AWD for about a $1,500 upcharge. The Hyundai Tucson gets its power from a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine which makes upto 187 HP, along with about 178 pound-feet of torque combined with an 8-speed AT.
The hybrid Tucson has a six-speed automatic gearbox. It uses a 1.6-liter, 180-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder combined with a 44.2 kW electric motor for 226 system horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.
2023 Kia Seltos
The new 2023 Kia Seltos SUV is another Compact Crossover SUV with a new pair of updated LED headlamps, a larger and squarish front grille, a redesigned front bumper, new skid plates, and a new set of LED fog lamps. The new outgoing model of the Kia Seltos has five trim level options: LX, S, Nightfall Edition, EX, and SX Turbo. Turbo trims and powertrain options remain unchanged this year.
A 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque mated to a CVT transmission in the LX, S, and EX versions. A turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 175 horsepower with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission power the SX and Nightfall. Its latter engine is more powerful and responsive.
Also Read: What are Hybrid Cars – How is it Shaping the World?
2022 Volkswagen Taos
The Volkswagen Taos interior is for 4 or 5 people. The car has a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The front-wheel drive model has a traditional 8-speed automatic, and AWD versions have a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. Currently, that is the only engine on offer.
There is a total of three trim levels. Taos starts at $24,190 for the front-drive S, with the base AWD version at $26,235. The standard version includes 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, an 8-inch digital instrument cluster, two USB-C ports, and roof rails. Along with forwarding collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assistance, blind spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert are not included.
At last, the SE costs $28,440 or $29,890 with AWD. It comes up with much additional equipment, a forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a rear-seat USB-C port, and heated seats. The car is entertainment packed with its 8-inch infotainment screen, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a power driver’s seat, cloth-and-vinyl upholstery, and wireless charging is also given. Lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control are both optional.
2022 Subaru Forester
The new 2022 Subaru Forester isn’t stylish at all, and all the Forester gets a modest styling tweak to their front bumpers, headlights, and grilles. Subaru is offered in only one engine choice, a 2.5-liter horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine making 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque mated to a CVT. It takes around 8.5 to 9.0 seconds to reach 0-60 mph. Its highly capable AWD system is standard, with torque vectoring and X-mode electronic controls that put power to the wheel where it will be the best used.