The Volkswagen Tiguan compact SUV has carved out a niche for itself in a competitor-rich segment loaded with excellent choices. It lost none of its trademark European flair in its 2025 update, and its mission to provide a lively driving experience gets a boost for 2026 with the addition of the new range-topping SEL R-Line Turbo trim packing a 268-hp version of its turbocharged four-cylinder. Inside, there’s room for five (the previous generation’s option third row is no longer available), contemporary infotainment functionality, and upscale options including leather upholstery and wood trim. And it’s all wrapped in stylish sheetmetal that radiates some Teutonic personality in a segment where conformity is the default.
2026 Mazda CX-50
While the Mazda CX-50 certainly steps on the toes of the slightly smaller CX-5, we can’t be bothered to care, as both models are dynamically delightful. The CX-50 is one of those rare modern crossovers that still gives you a sense of the road through the steering wheel, and it zips through traffic with ease.…
2026 Honda CR-V
If the compact-SUV segment were a soft-drink vending machine, the Honda CR-V would be a chilled can of Coca-Cola in spot A1. It has the name recognition and the mass appeal, and while its recipe might not be a secret, it is a winning one. All three of the CR-V’s trims (excluding the hybrid variants,…
2026 Ford Bronco Sport
Ford would like you to see the Bronco Sport as a smaller, more affordable version of the Bronco. But really, it’s more closely related to the Ford Escape SUV. Still, the Bronco Sport does have more off-road chops than most compact SUVs, particularly after some enhancements were added last year. The most serious kit comes…
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