Money

New Cars 2011: What to Look For in Small SUVs

By Jerry Edgerton

Updated on: August 17, 2010 / 5:59 PM EDT / MoneyWatch

This is the fourth of a series. MoneyWatch also has written about the Outlook for 2011 and broken out details for Small Cars and Mid-size Cars. We also will cover Mid-size SUVs, Minivans, and Hybrid and Electric cars.
When it comes to small SUVs for 2011, auto makers are accentuating the small. New entries Mini Countryman, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, and Nissan Juke all fall on the diminutive end of a field that includes sales leaders Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Ford Escape. And Kia Sportage, sized in between the leaders and the new small entries, gets a redesign for 2011.

Originally written off as "cute utes" in the mid-1990s when larger sport utilities ruled, small SUVs now outsell their bigger brethren. Also known as crossovers because they are built and ride more like a car than a pickup, they appeal mostly to families. The new, smaller crossovers tout their high gas mileage and easier driving and parking, hoping to appeal to younger buyers. Not surprisingly, the tradeoff is smaller cargo capacity and a tighter fit for passengers. Expect to pay between around $19,000 and $30,000 for one.

Here's a rundown of the new small SUVs, followed by the Kia Sportage redesign:

Mini Countryman-Fans of Mini's superb handling and appealing styling who need more room may like the Countryman, coming out in early 2011. It comes with four bucket seats, but you can order a bench rear seat if you need to fit five (tightly). The four doors on the Countryman--the only Mini with that configuration--will make back seat entry easier. With all seats folded down, the Countryman has maximum luggage capacity of 41 cubic feet. (That compares with 73 cubic feet in a Toyota RAV 4, but it's about twice what you'd find in a standard Mini Cooper.) The Countryman comes standard with a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine that generates 120 horsepower. Choosing the Countryman S model gives you a turbocharger and 180 horsepower. Drivers who like Minis when they can can perform like sports cars will be happier with the extra zoom. All-wheel drive also is an option. The Countryman doesn't yet have EPA mileage ratings, but should be a bit below the next-biggest Mini, the Clubman, rated at 28 mpg city, 36 highway. This small crossover won't come cheap; it's expected to range from the low 20s to about $30,000 for a top-end well-equipped model.

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport-The five-seat Outlander Sport, due out later this fall, shares a name with the bigger Outlander but not much else. It's 14 inches shorter, making it closer to wagon size than a typical SUV. Its four-cylinder, 148 horsepower engine won't snap you back with its acceleration, though the company expects The Outlander Sport will be rated for about 30 mpg on the highway. Reviewers like its good looks and its interior, an upgrade from the traditional Outlander. The Sport will come with optional all-wheel drive and start at $19,500 for the base model. Although the Outlander Sport seems to offer a lot for the money, remember to keep reliability in mind. The Mitsubishi brand ranks below average for initial quality and reliability after three years in 2010 studies from J.D. Power and Associates.

Nissan Juke-While not as funky as its little brother, the Nissan Cube (see Best New Cars for Grads), the Juke's curvaceous styling should catch the eye of some young buyers when it comes out in October. Reviewers like not only the styling but the quick 180-horsepower engine, which Nissan expects to be rated at 27 mpg in city driving, 31 mpg highway. The Juke is described as a five-seater and has maximum cargo capacity with the seats folded of 36 cubic feet -- smaller than the Mini and best suited for young singles or couples who travel light. It will start at $18,960 for the base model.

Kia Sportage-One of the earliest small SUVs, the Sportage mostly has been known over the years for its questionable quality and uninspiring design. But reviewers found the 2011 look, sculpted by a new design director at Kia, appealing. (This SUV comes out later this fall.) They also liked the acceleration of the four-cylinder, 176 hp engine. Not yet EPA-rated for mileage, the Sportage likely will be similar to corporate sibling Hyundai Tucson at 22 mpg city, 30 highway. USA Today's reviewer praised many aspects of the new Sportage, but complained about its hard ride and imprecise steering. The Sportage will start at $18,295 and range up to around $29,000 with a boatload of options including navigation, back-up safety camera and a voice command system to make phone calls and play music similar to Ford's SYNC.

Photos courtesy of manufacturers