10 Best 2023 Compact Crossover SUVs Worth Waiting For

Today’s automotive industry is full of competitive segments but none of these come close to compact crossovers. Pretty much every carmaker has its model in this segment, so you can imagine how hard is to attract new buyers. From the buyer’s perspective, a good thing about such fierce competition is that novelties come every year. The next year won’t be an exception, we will see a full load of interesting novelties.

Among novelties, the most important will be full redesigns. Several important players in the segment will come completely new for the 2023 model year, starting from the super-popular Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage. The luxurious Mercedes-Benz is also about to get a full overhaul, while we are getting the same reports for the Jeep Cherokee.

Also, the class leader, Toyota RAV4, is expected to receive mid-cycle updates. Finally, we added a couple of models that will be redesigned during 2023, such as the Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester.

2023 Honda CR-V

2023 Honda CR-V Spy Shot
2023 Honda CR-V Spy Shot

Without any doubt, this will be one of the most important novelties for the next year. The super-popular compact crossover is about to receive a full redesign and if we consider that the outgoing model is still pretty amazing, there’s no doubt that most of the changes will be evolutionary.

However, that doesn’t mean that we won’t be seeing important novelties. Of course, we will see the completely new exterior and interior designs, as well as full loads of new tech features. Still, the biggest novelty will probably be the additions of the third row, which will put CR-V in a pretty exclusive company of three-row compact crossovers, with VW Tiguan and Mitsubishi Outlander.

The evolutionary part of this redesign is mostly about mechanics. Therefore, we count on two familiar powertrain options to be offered, starting from a familiar 1.5-liter turbo-four, which currently puts out around 190 horsepower. The Hybrid powertrain will also carry on without more important changes, though each unit could come with some slight power increase.

We expect to see the new 2023 Honda CR-V sometime in the second half of the year, with a starting price of around 27.000 dollars.

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2023 Kia Sportage

2023 Kia Sportage Redesign

Another big novelty for the next year will be the new generation of Kia’s compact crossover. The new Sportage already debuted in Europe, while the North American version will arrive for the 2023 model year. Compared to the outgoing model, it will feature a full road of radical changes.

The most obvious are those regarding styling. The new look is pretty futuristic and it’s mostly about sharp lines, which is a completely opposite thing from the current model. The same thing is with the cabin design, which looks way better than before, thanks to high-quality materials, great build quality and a full load of tech features.

Big novelties are coming under the hood as well. While base models are about to come with a 2.5-liter inline-four, there will also be a couple of hybrid versions on the offer. The classic hybrid will come with the same setup as the new Tucson, with a max output of 227 horsepower. The same is with the plug-in hybrid version, which features a more powerful electric motor and a combined output of 261 horsepower. Also, this version will provide 33 miles of the all-electric range.

The all-new 2023 Kia Sportage will arrive in the second half of the year, with a starting price of around 26.500 dollars.

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2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC

2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC Spy Shot
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC Spy Shot

The luxury compact crossover is also about to receive a complete overhaul. Although the officials aren’t generous with sharing details, some things are quite easy to be predicted, starting from the fact that most of the parts will be shared with the new C-Class sedan. This refers to mechanics, as well as to aesthetics.

This particularly refers to the interior design, which should look nearly identical, at least when it comes to the dashboard design. We count on the same layout, characterized by the excellent build quality, elegant aesthetics and a full load of tech features.

Finally, there is the matter of the powertrain. From what we know so far, base models will come with a familiar 2.0-liter turbo-four, which will come coupled with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. On the other hand, the faith of AMG models is still unknown, though we honestly hope that the German manufacturer could keep six- and eight-cylinder units in production for some more time.

Expect to see the new 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC in the second half of the year, with a starting price of around 45.000 dollars.

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2023 Jeep Cherokee

2022 Jeep Cherokee
2022 Jeep Cherokee

Unlike the previous redesigns on the list, this one is yet to be officially confirmed. At this point, we are still relying on rumors, which suggest a full redesign of a model that has been around since 2014. Of course, we would expect to see a full load of changes, including completely new mechanics.

This means that the 2023 Jeep Cherokee would switch to the Giorgio platform, which would bring all kinds of benefits. Weight reduction, better ride quality and a rear-wheel-drive-biased system are some of the things that come to mind. Of course, we would see a completely new styling, as well as a completely new interior design.

Under the hood, the new model will probably rely on the 2.0-liter turbo-four. Of course, we expect to see a full load of off-road features, which traditionally make this model one of the most capable SUVs in the class. Also, don’t exclude the possibility to see a hybrid version on the offer.

We believe that the 2023 Jeep Cherokee could arrive by the end of the year, with a starting price of around 30.000 dollars.

2023 Toyota RAV4

2022 Toyota RAV4

Unlike the previous models on the list, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 won’t get a full redesign. Instead, we will see a mid-cycle refresh, which would bring visual updates mostly. We believe this is going to be a typical facelift, with the focus on the front end. Other areas should come with a few novelties as well.

On the inside, things will probably remain the same, though there is always room for updates like new color schemes, new materials and new tech features. Still, the overall layout will remain the same, so you may count on the same amount of passenger and cargo space.

Under the hood, count on three familiar powertrain options. Base models will continue with a 2.5-liter inline-four, while the other two will be hybrids. One of them is good for 220 horsepower and provides 40 mpg in a combined ride. On the other hand, the plug-in hybrid version provides more than 300 horses and also offers up to 42 miles of the all-electric range.

The updated 2023 RAV4 should hit the market in the second half of the year, with a starting price of around 28.000 dollars.

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2023 Hyundai Tucson

2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2023 Hyundai Tucson won’t bring any changes, so you probably wonder why this model is on the list. Simply, it arrived last year and it still features a very fresh design, which is amazing in so many ways. One of the things we like about this SUV is the ride quality, which is all about comfort and convenience.

The styling of the new Tucson is polarizing. On the other hand, everyone likes the interior design, which looks luxurious, pretty much on par with the premium competition. The build quality is excellent, there is a full load of tech features, while the amount of passenger space is impressive.

Another thing to like about this SUV is the powertrain lineup, which includes three options. Base models come with a 2.5-liter inline-four with 191 horsepower. The hybrid combines a 1.6-liter turbo-four with a 44-kW electric motor, for a combined output of 227 horsepower. Finally, there is the PHEV version, which uses a more powerful electric motor and a combined output of 261 horsepower.

The 2023 Tucson should arrive in the last quarter of the year, with a starting price of around 26.500 dollars.

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2023 Ford Bronco Sport

2022 Ford Bronco Sport
2022 Ford Bronco Sport

The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport is another model on the list that won’t bring too many novelties. However, it will remain one of the most interesting choices, as a great mix of two worlds. On one side, it offers pretty good off-road performances, especially in versions like Badlands, where you get upgrades like upgraded suspension, tow hooks, skid plates, two additional terrain management modes, trail control.

On the other hand, we are still talking about a unibody SUV, which rides on the same platform as Ford Escape. As a result, the Bronco Sport is also comfortable and pretty engaging to drive, with precise handling and minimal body roll.

Under the hood, count on two familiar engine options. The base 1.5-liter turbo-three engine puts out around 181 horsepower, while the optional 2.0-liter turbo-four puts out 250 horsepower.

We expect that the 2023 Ford Bronco will hit the market in the last quarter of the year, with a starting price of around 30.000 dollars.

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2023 Nissan Rogue

2022 Nissan Rogue
2022 Nissan Rogue

The current generation of Nissan’s compact crossover has just been presented and the 2023 Nissan Rogue will represent the second production year. However, that doesn’t mean it won’t feature any changes. If we can’t trust the latest reports, there’s a big chance to see a hybrid version of the SUV, maybe already by the end of this year.

What’s interesting about this version is that it won’t be a classic hybrid. Instead, it will feature Nissan’s new ePower technology, which combines a gasoline engine with capable electric motors. The catch with this system is that wheels are moved by electric motors, while the gasoline engine serves to charge a small battery and provide enough power for electric motors.

On the other hand, the standard version is expected to carry on with familiar design and features, with the new 1.5-liter turbo three-cylinder engine that puts out 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. The new Rogue is easy to drive and features a pretty luxurious and comfortable cabin.

It currently starts slightly under 28.000 dollars and we don’t expect a bigger price increase for the next year.

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2024 Mazda CX-5

2022 Mazda CX-5
2022 Mazda CX-5

Big things are expected from Mazda’s next-generation compact crossover. If we can trust the latest reports, the next generation will go full premium. This doesn’t refer just to things like plush interior and a full load of standard equipment. The new model will be much more than that.

The 2024 Mazda CX-5 will be based on the company’s new platform, which will be expected to debut with the next-generation Mazda 6. Therefore, count on a completely different layout, which includes a longitudinally-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive and similar things.

Speaking of the engines, the new model will use SkyActiveX four-cylinder units, as well as the upcoming inline-six, which is expected to come in several output versions.

We believe that the all-new 2024 Mazda CX-5 will arrive sometime in 2023.

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2024 Subaru Forester

2022 Subaru Forester
2022 Subaru Forester

The current generation of the legendary compact SUV is getting close to the end of the production cycle. 2023 will be the final production year of the current model and the new cycle will start with the 2024 Subaru Forester.

We don’t expect to see anything radical with this redesign. We expect to see changes in Subaru’s typical manner, with further improvements regarding ride quality, off-road performance, interior quality etc.

The overall layout will remain the same, with standard AWD and boxer engines. Speaking of the engines, many believe that the 2.4-liter turbo-four will become part of the offer, while there is also room for electrification.

We believe that the 2024 Subaru Forester will hit the market in the second half of 2023.

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