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Best compact SUVs of 2023 and 2024

Compact SUVs are now the go-to choice for family transportation. Actually, considering how popular they are, they have clearly moved beyond only family duty. With such popularity, though, comes an awful lot of competitors, and it can be difficult to figure out which one might be the best compact SUV for you.  It's important to note that by "compact SUV" we're talking about a specific segment. As we describe in our more comprehensive "Best small SUVs" list, there are also subcompact SUVs that vary widely in size amongst themselves, but are clearly smaller than the SUVs below. Frankly, today's segment of compact SUVs isn't exactly compact — some have more cargo space than vehicles that are considered midsize based on their exterior dimensions. They've all grown considerably over the years. While many lists out there just rattle off every vehicle available in a segment, we thought we'd be a bit more helpful and curate your shopping a bit with the top-recommended choices reviewed by Autoblog. We've included both mainstream and compact luxury SUV choices. Best compact SUVs of 2023 and 2024 2024 Honda CR-V Why it stands out: Best-in-class space; excellent hybrid powertrain; sharp interior style; Honda dependabilityCould be better: No lower-price base trim levels; no sporty or off-road niche models; no plug-in hybrid Read our full 2024 Honda CR-V Review Consider the CR-V the baseline for any compact SUV search, and look extra closely at the superb CR-V Hybrid option. Objectively speaking, it's tough to beat due to its massive cargo capacity, voluminous back seat, strong-yet-efficient engines, well-balanced driving dynamics, competitive pricing and features,  and well-regarded reliability. It's easy to see why it continues to be such a best-seller: for the vast majority of compact SUV buyers, and especially families, it checks every box. That's been the case for many years now, however. The all-new 2023 Honda CR-V changes things up by adding a bit more style and character, particularly in terms of its interior design and how surprisingly enjoyable the Sport and Sport Touring hybrid trim levels are to drive.

Recharge Wrap-up: Hyundai H350 Fuel Cell van, Formula E in Brooklyn

Formula E's New York City e-Prix will take place in Brooklyn. With lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty as its backdrop, the race will play out on a 1.21-mile, 13-turn course on the streets of Red Hook. Formula E revealed the location at a press conference at the site of the circuit, at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal on the New York Harbor. "New York City is where technology, sustainability and commerce collide," says NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio. "We are thrilled to be the new home of the ePrix." The race is scheduled for July 29, 2017. Watch the video above, and read more from Formula E. Hyundai is debuting its H350 Fuel Cell Concept at the 2016 IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hannover, Germany. The hydrogen-powered commercial van offers emissions-free (except for water vapor) driving without the lengthy recharge times of a plug-in vehicle. It has a driving range of 262 miles on a single tank, and refuels in just minutes. It can be configured with a cargo area of up to 456 cubic feet, or with seating for 14 passengers. Hyundai's fuel cell van concept draws from the automaker's experience with the Tucson Fuel Cell production vehicle. Read more from Hyundai. Mercedes-Benz says it will offer an electric delivery van again in 2018. The German automaker left the niche market in 2012 after slow sales of its Vito E-Cell, which it launched in 2010. "The future of urban deliveries will be electric," says Volker Mornhinweg, head of the company's vans division. "We at Mercedes-Benz Vans are convinced of this." While Mercedes has not said whether the EV will be a new model or an electric version of a current offering, it did say it would develop the powertrain in-house, and offer various battery capacities. Read more at Automotive News Europe. Related Gallery Mercedes-Benz Vito E-Cell View 16 Photos News Source: YouTube: FIA Formula E Championship, Formula E, Hyundai, Automotive News Europe Green Motorsports Hyundai Mercedes-Benz Minivan/Van Commercial Vehicles Electric Videos recharge wrapup

Consumer Reports no longer recommends Honda Civic

Consumer Reports annual Car Reliability Survey is out, and yes, there are some big surprises. First and foremost? The venerable publication no longer recommends the Honda Civic. In fact, aside from the walking-dead CR-Z and limited-release Clarity fuel-cell car, the Civic is the only Honda to miss out on CR's prestigious nod. At the opposite end there's a surprise as well – Toyota and Lexus remain the most reliable brands on the market, but Buick cracked the top three. That's up from seventh last year, and the first time for an American brand to stand on the Consumer Reports podium. Mazda's entire lineup earned Recommended checks as well. Consumer Reports dinged the Civic for its "infuriating" touch-screen radio, lack of driver lumbar adjustability, the limited selection of cars on dealer lots fitted with Honda's popular Sensing system, and the company's decision to offer LaneWatch instead of a full-tilt blind-spot monitoring system. Its score? A lowly 58. The Civic isn't the only surprise drop from CR's Recommended ranks. The Audi A3, Ford F-150, Subaru WRX/STI, and Volkswagen Jetta, GTI, and Passat all lost the Consumer Reports' checkmark. On the flipside, a number of popular vehicles graduated to the Recommended ranks, including the BMW X5, Chevrolet Camaro, Corvette, and Cruze, Hyundai Santa Fe, Porsche Macan, and Tesla Model S. Perhaps the biggest surprise is the hilariously recall-prone Ford Escape getting a Recommended check – considering the popularity of Ford's small crossover, this is likely a coup for the brand, as it puts the Escape on a level playing field with the Recommended Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Nissan Rogue. While Ford is probably happy to see CR promote the Escape, the list wasn't as kind for every brand. For example, of the entire Fiat Chrysler Automobiles catalog, the ancient Chrysler 300 was the only car to score a check – there wasn't a single Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Maserati, or Ram on the list. That hurts. FCA isn't alone at the low end, either. GMC, Jaguar Land Rover, Mini, and Mitsubishi don't have a vehicle on CR's list between them, while brands like Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Nissan, Lincoln, Infiniti, and Cadillac only have a few models each. You can check out Consumer Reports entire reliability roundup, even without a subscription, here.