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Best in Class: The 6 top sub-compact crossover SUVs

From affordable to racy, they cover the bases in the highly-competitive segment

Graeme Fletcher
Aug 31, 2021  •  September 9, 2021  •  8 minute read  •  Join the conversation
sub-compact crossovers

Having endured the brain-numbing side of the past lockdowns, Canada is finally showing signs of getting back on its collective feet. For many, a new ride is one of the priorities. To help things along, Driving.ca takes a look at the top contenders in one of the hottest segments in the business — sub-compact crossovers. In each case, the newest model available is listed.

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2022 Honda HR-V

The 2022 Honda HR-V is a carry-over. The cabin is well-built and attractive with lots of standard fare, although only the top Touring model gets satellite radio. The plus is the 60/40-split folding Magic rear seat — the bases lift and the backs fold, so there’s a rare degree of flexibility. The all-wheel-drive models have 657 litres of cargo space with the seats up; and 1,631L when folded.

While all HR-V models get things like adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation with auto-braking, lane-keep assist and auto high-beams, blind-spot monitoring is conspicuous by its absence. The Sport and Touring do have Honda’s camera-based LaneWatch, but it only looks after the right side.

  1. 2022 HR-V
    2022 HR-V Photo by Honda
  2. 2022 HR-V
    2022 HR-V

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The HR-V arrives with a 1.8-litre four-cylinder that twists out 141 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque. It drives the front or all four wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The smart money will upgrade to AWD. It is $2,300 on the base LX, but standard on the Sport and Touring. It sends power to the rear wheels during acceleration or when climbing a grade, and it comes to life heading into a corner, which improves the steering response — the manner in which the HR-V handles a twisty road is commendable.

It’s also comfortable, thanks in part to the amplitude of reactive dampers. In simple terms, road irregularities are absorbed by softer damping, which brings a more compliant ride. Hard cornering increases the damping force to reduce unwanted body roll.

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The 2022 Honda HR-V’s pricing ranges from $25,705 for the front-drive LX; to $34,205 for the top Touring model.

2022 Hyundai Kona and Kia Seltos

While the 2022 Hyundai Kona and Kia Seltos share the same platform and have similar powertrain availability, each has been given its own personality. One of the big differences is the latest Kona has been pared down from five core models to three, but with two option packages. The notable addition is the N Line.

Both arrive with well-conceived cabins with all key features being available. This runs to a slick 10.25-inch infotainment screen on the top models — it works with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and it has built-in navigation. The N Line adds digital instrumentation with a 10.25-inch screen when the Ultimate package is in place; it’s not offered on Seltos. Satellite radio is standard on all but the base Kona; it is only available on the top Seltos EX Premium and SX Turbo.

  1. 2022 Kona N Line
    2022 Kona N Line Photo by Hyundai
  2. 2022 Kona N Line
    2022 Kona N Line Photo by Hyundai

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Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is not offered on the base Kona; it is standard on all Seltos models. Conversely, lane-keep assist and forward collision avoidance are not available on the base Seltos LX, but are standard features on all Kona models.

The space utilization is good in both cases, although the different body styles do impact cargo capacity. The sleeker Kona has 544L seats-up; and 1,296L when folded; the boxier Seltos has 753L seats up and 1,778L when folded.

The power, in both cases, comes from a 2.0L four-cylinder or a stronger 1.6L turbo-four. The former makes 147 hp in Kona and 146 hp in Seltos; both twist out 132 lb-ft of torque. The turbo-four bumps those numbers to 195 hp in Kona and 175 in Seltos; torque is rated at 195 lb-ft for both.

  1. 2022 Seltos
    2022 Seltos Photo by Kia
  2. 2022 Seltos
    2022 Seltos Photo by Kia

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The bigger difference is found in the rest of the drivetrain. Kona teams a six-speed automatic transmission with the base engine; Seltos uses a CVT. Both turbo-fours work with a seven-speed double-clutch transmission. These go-faster derivatives drop the run to 100 km/h to around eight seconds, with is almost 2.5 seconds quicker than the base engine.

Again, there is a difference in all-wheel-drive availability. It is optional on the Kona Essential and Preferred, but standard on the N Line. It is optional on Seltos LX, but standard on all other models. That aside, the AWD system is proactive and proficient at getting the power down. It also comes with a hidden bonus — the twist beam used in the front-drive models goes away in favour of a better multi-link rear setup in the AWD units. It delivers better handling and a more refined ride.

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The 2022 Hyundai Kona is $21,999 for the front-drive Essential; and runs to $33,699 for the Kona N Line with the Ultimate package. The 2022 Kia Seltos ranges from $23,395 for the front-drive LX; to $32,995 for the SX Turbo.

2021 Mazda CX-30

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 is a more upscale breed of entry-level crossover that rides the middle ground between the sub-compact CX-3 and compact CX-5. The slick exterior styling flows neatly into the equally sharp interior. The driver-oriented layout is logical, the materials are classy and the attention to detail is there for all to enjoy. From the 8.8-inch infotainment screen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to the crisp, uncluttered instrumentation, it feels a cut above the segment norm. Unfortunately, satellite radio is only available on the top GT. The CX-30 has 572L of cargo space with the seats-up; and 1,280L when folded.

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All models arrive with blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Forward collision mitigation, lane-keep departure warning with keep assist, and adaptive cruise control are GS and GT features.

  1. 2021 Mazda CX-30
    2021 Mazda CX-30 Photo by Mazda
  2. 2021 Mazda CX-30
    2021 Mazda CX-30 Photo by Mazda

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While the base GX drives the front wheels with a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that makes 155 hp and 150 lb-ft of torque, the smart money will move up to the larger 2.5L four found in the GS and GT. The 186 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque bring a much better work ethic. The third choice is the GT’s rip-roaring 2.5L turbo-four option. When running premium gas, it pushes 250 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque — it’s the road-rocket of the bunch.

All work with a six-speed automatic transmission to drive the front or all four wheels. All-wheel-drive is optional on the GX and GS, but standard of the GT. One of the CX-30’s best features is the manner in which it handles. In this regard it is the speedster of the crossover breed. The steering is light and precise, and the amount of body roll is limited to a few initial degrees. One of the keys is G-Vectoring Control Plus. Heading into a corner it reduces engine torque slightly, which a better turn-in response. At the exit, it dabs the outside front brake momentarily to get the CX-30 back on track in a quicker manner.

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Mazda CX-30 pricing starts at $24,700; and tops out at $36,850 for the GT Turbo.

2021 Nissan Kicks

For 2021, Nissan has updated the Kicks’ exterior styling and improved the cabin. Both moves bring it more in line with the segment norm. The cabin picks up on the exterior style, meaning it’s perky, comfortable and comes with a ton of tech. New is a larger eight-inch infotainment screen and seven-inch digital cluster for the SV and SR models. All support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; satellite radio is not available the base S model. The Kicks has 716L of cargo space with the seats up; and 1,546L when folded.

All models also arrive with the right safety equipment. The list runs from forward collision mitigation with auto-braking to blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert auto braking and lane departure warning. That’s more than some more expensive rides.

  1. 2021 Nissan Kicks
    2021 Nissan Kicks Photo by Nissan
  2. 2021 Nissan Kicks
    2021 Nissan Kicks Photo by Nissan

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The Kicks arrives one way, and that’s with a 1.6L four-cylinder that makes 122 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque. It drives the front wheels through a CVT — the lack of an AWD option does put it at a competitive disadvantage, although the pricing is tough to ignore.

In a welcome move, the transmission is easy to live with in normal driving. The combination gets the driver to 100 km/h is 10.8 seconds, which is far from pulse quickening. However, solace can be taken in the posted average economy of 7.2 L/100 km. Likewise, there’s a lot to like about the ride and handling. It is comfortable and the suspension keeps unwanted body roll at bay, so it is not out of its depth on a twisty road.

The Nissan Kicks pricing ranges from $19,898 for the S to $24,998 for the top SR Premium.

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2021 Subaru Crosstrek

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is a solid option that blends on-road manners with some real off-road ability. New for 2021 is a refreshed front-end and the Outdoor model, which can be likened to an “Outbacked” Crosstrek.

Inside, Crosstrek comes nicely equipped with quality materials and a 6.5-inch infotainment screen in most models; a larger eight-incher is found in the top models. Both screens support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, although satellite radio is not offered on the Convenience. The Crosstrek has 588L of cargo space seats-up; and 1,565L when folded.

  1. 2021 Subaru Crosstrek
    2021 Subaru Crosstrek Photo by Subaru
  2. 2021 Subaru Crosstrek
    2021 Subaru Crosstrek Photo by Subaru

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All models are available with EyeSight, a comprehensive suite of active safety features that includes forward collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist and lane centering assist. However, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert is not offered on the Convenience or Touring models.

All models are powered by a 2.0L flat-four boxer engine. It produces 152 hp, 145 lb-ft of torque, and drives all four wheels. The exception is the new Crosstrek Outdoor, which gets a brawnier 2.5L flat-four with 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque. The Convenience, Touring, and Sport models use a six-speed manual; all EyeSight-equipped units, including the Outdoor, come with a CVT.

The key here is Crosstrek has one of the best AWD systems around when teamed with the CVT. It is proactive, which adds stability and some off-road ability, especially when teamed with the Outdoor’s dual-function X-Mode system — the driver can now select snow/dirt or deep snow/mud settings.

Crosstrek boasts a solid blend of ride and handling. It is comfortable on the highway and the setup does a good job of keeping things on an even keel and sharpening the steering feel when the road begins to twist.

The Subaru Crosstrek pricing ranges from $23,795 for the Convenience to $31,395 for the Sport with EyeSight.

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