Top compact crossovers 04/27/2011
Crossovers and SUVs previously required a pretty significant investment, but in recent years automakers have begun to offer lineups of crossovers for less than $20,000. These models typically feature four-cylinder engines and are based off of compact cars already in the automaker's lineup. The result is fuel-efficient vehicles that deliver a lot of space and cargo room for their price.
Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson is the perfect example of a value-driven crossover. It retails for just south of $19,000 and comes with a 10 year/100,000 mile warranty. Most of the features on the car are quite basic, but it does deliver solid fuel economy at 20/27 miles per gallon. Hyundai has been on a tear lately by offering reliable and fuel-efficient vehicles for less than their competitors, and the Tucson is just another prime example of the company's recent trend.
Mazda Tribute
Mazda's Tribute crossover represents the next step up from the Tucson. This car sells for just above $20,000, but offers a number of improvements over the Tucson. Drivers will get better performance, fuel economy and a bit more cargo space in the back. It unfortunately doesn't come with the 10-year warranty, but other than that it's a solid choice for the money.
Nissan Juke
Of these three vehicles, the Juke is the crossover that offers the most performance. Its turbocharged four-cylinder produces 188 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy is better than the other two cars as well at 27/32 miles per gallon. The one thing that drivers will really be sacrificing on the Juke is space. It's also by far the smallest of the three vehicles profiled here, but if that's not something that bothers you, it's a great option. Nissan prices the car at $19,340.