The Best Mini SUV Features Fun And Safety

The Mini Cooper Countryman at only 161.7″ in length, 70.4″ in width and 61.5″ in height is the best mini SUV for its size on the market according to several sources. A front-runner on any best mini SUV list, the 1.6L 4-cylinder engine and 6-speed manual transmission make it an energy saver up to the need in today’s green conscious world. Standard interior features include an air filtration system, cooled storage compartment, and a cargo area light while exterior standards score points with roof rack, alloy wheels, and rear defogger.

Best Mini SUV Options

The mighty mini Jeep Wrangler comes with eight different trims for a close second of a popular mini SUV, with price starting at an affordable $21,964. This 2-door SUV has a 3.8L 202 hp V6 standard engine with a 6-speed manual transmission for plenty of power and gas mileage of 15/19 mpg. Superior safety features such as the 4-wheel ABS and emergency braking assist, make this one a favorite among online mini SUV reviews. Many folks appreciated the child seat anchors and rear side hinged door as well.

The 2011 Toyota RAV4 ranks one on several best mini SUV lists with reviewers calling it family-friendly and practical. The RAV4 will seat as many as seven people and packs a powerful V6 under the hood. The RAV4 is frequently compared to the Honda CRV and while the Honda does not sport the third row that Toyota does, reviewers say it scores points for the better interior.

Mileage For The Best Mini SUV

In the small SUV class, the Subaru Outback is the winner on most lists for its easy handling, great mileage and safety features. Options are too numerous to list here and there are six trims available, but by anyone’s standards this is a best small SUV. The Forester also got great reviews for its excellent crash ratings and passenger comfort. Another great little SUV that made the best mini SUV list for most people is the Volkswagen Tiguan, pricier than many but worth it according to mini SUV reviews for sports car driving dynamic styling, standard Bluetooth technology and Japanese efficiency.

The 2011 Honda CR-V ranks in the top three of the best mini SUV list with more than 100 published reviews touting everything from safety and reliability to being “fun and cute.” With comfortable passenger seating, great gas mileage and a generous trunk, Honda maintains its good reputation with this winner. Affordability also makes it a popular choice.

No small SUV list would be complete without mentioning the Kia Sportage, an annual favorite in the low price class. More pros than cons dominate reviews of this sporty small SUV and a positive consensus for safety and reliability round out the opinions. With an economical but energetic four-cylinder engine and an interior that has more room than last year’s model, most reviewers gave this one high marks.

With plenty of new styles, choices and options, the market for mini SUVs has never been better. High gas prices are making gas-guzzlers and pickup trucks passé as everyone tries to save money and still get where they need to go. Look for more new and innovative model of a best mini SUV in the years ahead as competition reaches a fever pitch.

Best Mini SUV – Mini Cooper Countryman Review Video

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Image Source 1 By M 93 (own photo) [Attribution], via Wikimedia Commons
Image Source 2 By Pitak (Own work) [GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Image Source 3 By U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (safercar.gov) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Image Source 4 By Bull-Doser (Own work.) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Image Source 5 By IFCAR (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Image Source 6 By El monty (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

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