Compacts are popular with consumers for their convenience and versatility. There are a few models worth considering if you’re looking for a reliable 2009 compact SUV that won’t break the bank. These come from brands you trust, like Honda, and Mazda, and they also have awards or safety ratings listed.
You can’t have reliable, compact 2009 SUVs without the Honda CR-V
When evaluating some of the best compact SUVs of 2009, the Honda CR-V topped the list. It has excellent safety ratings and plenty of cargo space to carry everyone’s belongings. The 2009 Honda CR-V seats five and has all-wheel drive. Fuel economy numbers are 20 mpg city and 26/27 mpg highway.
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Maximum cargo space: 72.9 cubic feet
Mazda’s CX-7 is a good option for a 2009 compact SUV
Even though the 2009 Mazda CX-7 is showing its age a bit, it still has enough to offer customers on a budget. These days, the 2009 CX-7 costs less than $10,000 and still has room for five. Fuel economy ranged from 16/17 mpg city to 22/23 mpg highway.
Reviews call this reliable compact SUV sporty and fun to drive. It doesn’t have the largest cargo area, coming in at 58.6 cubic feet. Mazda has equipped the CX-7 with a turbocharged engine that produces 244 horsepower. Front-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive was optional. Taller passengers may feel a little cramped in the SUV, so be mindful of headroom in the cabin.
He gave the 2009 Mazda CX-7 a mix of “good” and “marginal” scores. While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration didn’t give the CX-7 an overall rating, it did give the SUV high scores in some of the tests it performed.
Maximum cargo space: 58.6 cubic feet
Toyota’s 2009 RAV4 has a long history of reliability
The 2009 Toyota RAV4 is another reliable compact SUV with high ratings. Experts say the cabin is roomy and comfortable, with an optional third row for even more room. The RAV4 received an update in 2009, getting a new four-cylinder engine for better fuel economy. The new four-cylinder got 22/28 mpg city/highway with front-wheel drive, while the optional V6 got 19/27 mpg.
Toyota’s 2009 RAV4 has 73 cubic feet of cargo space, the most on the list. Some people found the rear-opening side gate annoying, but it was a quirky feature. Base models came with cloth seats and a six-speaker stereo system. A CD changer was available along with the leather seats.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the RAV4 a mix of “good” and “acceptable” scores. While it didn’t give the Toyota SUV an overall rating, it did give the SUV high scores in some of its crashworthiness tests.
Maximum cargo space: 73.0 cubic feet
Other reliable 2009 compact SUVs include the Saturn VUE and Chevrolet Equinox, but these didn’t have quite as high safety scores. The good news is that these three options should give customers a good starting point.
