As large as vehicles have gotten these days, with the biggest SUVs looking more and more like monster trucks than ever, there is still a strong market — particularly among younger people and those who drive mainly in urban areas — for smaller and more maneuverable vehicles that don’t take up so much space.

That’s where vehicles like the 2022 Nissan Kicks — a subcompact crossover first introduced a few years back — come into play. WIth a no-frills approach that’s the polar opposite of the ultra luxury offerings available today, it’s focused mainly on offering an attractive, tech-savvy ride that is also affordable.

I recently tested the 2022 Nissan Kicks (in the top SR trim level), and I’m back with a full report of what it offers and how it compares to the myriad small SUV offerings available to today’s car-buying public.

If you want to talk about categories that are exploding in the past few years, subcompact SUVs are probably at the top of the list. On the higher end of things, nearly every luxury automaker has one these days (BMW, Cadillac, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, Infiniti, to name a few), so you need to do something to stand out.

Lexus’ entry in this segment is the UX, which stands out in a couple of ways.

First, new for 2019 is a hybrid version of the UX, which is unheard of in this segment.

Also, you can opt for an attractive F Sport package which spices up the exterior and the performance.

I recently spent some time in a 2019 Lexus UX 250h F Sport, which featured both the hybrid engine and the F Sport package, and I’m back with a full report.

Some vehicles look great, but suffer when it comes to performance.

Others drive great, but their design looks like the back side of a dog.

The best vehicles do both things just right.

One of that rare group is the redesigned 2019 Mazda CX-5, a vehicle which I recently spent some time in. Read on for a full rundown of how it compares to the sea of SUVs on the market.

As an endless slew of entries continues to arrive in the subcompact crossover category, there are some mainstays that continue to stand tall, literally and figuratively.
One of those long-term entries is the Kia Soul, which gets a redesign for the 2020 model year. I recently spent some time in a 2020 Soul and I’m back with a full report on how the new version measures up in the category.

LOOKS
Despite the redesign, the heart of the 2020 Kia Soul remains the same. It’s still a five-passenger, four-door hatchback. The unique boxy shape remains, as does its short snub-nose design, and tall seating.

Among the changes are a 1.2-inch increase in the wheelbase and 2.2 extra inches in length.
The rear lighting encircling the back window is a look rarely seen. and is sharply designed. The Soul also offers plenty of great color options, including the Snow White Pearl exterior with black interior on my test vehicle.

Interior space is impressive, and the Soul’s back seat is roomy for the segment. There is adequate head space for the segment, and plenty of storage space with the back seats down (62 cubic feet to be exact).

The Interior has a pretty basic setup with cloth and plastic materials, not surprising given the price range. If you opt for the X Line trim level, you get upgraded exterior body cladding, front fog lights, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. All user controls are well-placed for the driver to manipulate, and easy for anyone to figure out.