With a total length of just 172.6 inches and a snug five-passenger seating capacity, the subcompact Toyota C-HR is the smallest Toyota SUV available today—but it’s not the only small crossover on offer from the automaker.

In the world of SUVs, bigger isn’t always better. For one thing, larger crossovers and truck-based SUVs tend to be cumbersome gas guzzlers with higher maintenance costs; for another, they’re not exactly elegant. Unless you need a real people mover with seven seats or more, or a burly ute capable of towing some serious cargo, a small SUV is the sensible choice for most drivers.

If you’re looking for a small SUV from Toyota, the subcompact C-HR is the tiniest option available—but it might not be the best. Here to lead you through the full lineup of small Toyota SUV models is

Jerry

, the super app created to make buying

car insurance

as easy as sending a text. Then we'll show you how to save more on your

Toyota insurance costs

. Let’s get started.

What is the smallest SUV Toyota makes?

First things first: the absolute smallest Toyota SUV is the

Toyota C-HR

, a subcompact crossover that’s actually smaller than a

Prius

Standing proud at just 61.6 inches tall and 172.6 inches long, the C-HR stands out from the pack for its smart, youthful looks. In terms of performance, it delivers sporty handling and slightly above-average fuel efficiency with an EPA-estimated 29 combined mpg (though multiple reviewers report that their test vehicles exceeded that estimate).

In terms of cargo space, the C-HR’s 19.1 cubic feet are fairly standard, although they expand to a potential 37 cubes with the rear seats down. And with the excellent build quality and class-topping standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 driver assistance suite you’ll find in just about any Toyota vehicle, the C-HR lives up to its brand promise in many arenas.

That’s where the good news ends. The major characteristic that defines the C-HR, unfortunately, is its sluggish acceleration. With a dismal 11-second zero-to-60 time, excessive road noise, and reluctant performance from its wimpy 144-hp four-cylinder engine, the C-HR is, at best, a thoroughly unhurried little SUV. At worst, it’s a noisy $25,000 tortoise in an admittedly spiffy shell.

MORE:

Are Toyotas expensive to maintain?

Other small Toyota SUVs

The C-HR may be the smallest SUV on offer from Toyota, but it’s not the only small Toyota crossover worth considering. To give you a sense of how the C-HR compares to its larger siblings, we’ve compiled a list of every small to small-ish Toyota SUV on the market today.

Smallest: 2022 Toyota C-HR

Starting price: $25,465

Wheelbase: 103.9 inches

Seating capacity: Five

Cheeky styling and great fuel economy give the tiny C-HR its edge over other small Toyota SUVs. Plodding acceleration, a noisy ride, and no option for all-wheel drive hold it back.

Small: 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross

Starting price: $23,780

Wheelbase: 103.9 inches

Seating capacity: Five

The

Corolla Cross

is exactly what its name implies: a crossover version of the enduringly popular Corolla sedan. It takes everything that makes the

Corolla

a car for the ages, adds a liftgate, and squishes it all into a compact, perky package.

Although it’s not set to win any speed races, its 169-hp engine suffers less from the poisonous sluggishness that plagues the C-HR—and there’s a pleasing 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space on offer behind the second row.

Small-ish: 2022 Toyota RAV4

Starting price: $28,310

Wheelbase: 105.9 inches

Seating capacity: Five

The true superstar of the Toyota SUV lineup—and by far the make’s most popular small SUV—is the

RAV4

. It’s everything you want in a Toyota SUV: practical, comfortable, and safe. Generous cargo space, quick acceleration, and even a light-duty off-road edition capable of tackling some mild off-road situations put the RAV4 head and shoulders above its smaller siblings.

The RAV4 is also the smallest Toyota SUV with a hybrid powertrain. Both the

RAV4 Hybrid

and the plug-in hybrid

RAV4 Prime

deliver strong performance with competitive fuel economy.

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The best alternatives to Toyota’s smallest SUV

If you’re not sold on the C-HR, the RAV4 is probably the best crossover SUV available from Toyota. But looking elsewhere in the market, Toyota’s smallest SUV has some stiff competition from subcompact and compact crossovers like the Hyundai Kona, the Mazda CX-30, and the Honda CR-V.

Peppy and perky: 2022 Hyundai Kona

The 2022 Hyundai Kona starts at a mere $22,595, and it gets right everything that the Toyota C-HR gets wrong.

Lethargic engine? Not here. While the base 147-hp engine is nothing to write home about, the N Line and Limited trims upgrade to a delightful 195-hp turbocharged four-cylinder which sends the Kona zipping comfortably over just about any road. A snappy 7.2-second 0-to-60 time sets the Kona well ahead of the class for speed, and despite some stiff steering, it’s a joy to drive.

All-wheel drive is an option for drivers who want it, and the rich lineup of standard features—from wireless smartphone integration to competitive driver assistance tech—makes the Kona a truly value-oriented vehicle.

MORE:

Does Hyundai have a self-driving car?

High class at a low price: 2022 Mazda CX-30

If you like sipping champagne on a boxed-wine budget, you’ll love the pint-sized

Mazda CX-30

, a subcompact crossover that feels more upscale than its $23,725 starting price tag suggests.

Like the Kona, the CX-30 has an optional turbocharged engine that leads it away from the pitfalls of the C-HR. But speed isn’t the standout of this mini crossover: in fact, it’s got a tendency to dawdle. You won’t mind it, though, when you’re behind the wheel of this surprisingly luxe, easy-to-operate SUV.

All-wheel drive is standard at all trim levels, as is a handsome suite of driver assistance and infotainment technology. Climb up the trim ladder to the beautifully tricked-out Turbo Premium Plus, and you might just feel like you’re sitting in a

BMW

Mercedes

The common sense compact: Honda CR-V

If you’re looking to maximize your space in a small SUV, you can’t do much better than the

Honda CR-V

, which starts at $28,045. Neither its looks nor its engine will thrill, but it challenges its rivals in the things that matter most to many compact crossover shoppers: cargo space, fuel economy, and value.

Honda hasn’t overinvested in the CR-V’s engines, but neither has it cut corners: the standard turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine meets expectations, and its refined ride quality won’t disappoint. The CR-V also has an optional hybrid powertrain which slashes fuel consumption and keeps costs low—though it starts at $33,255. Fuel economy for the gas-only CR-V is 29 mpg with optional all-wheel drive; the hybrid version hops up to 38 mpg.

The real triumph of the CR-V is the space it offers to both cargo and passengers. Generous seating dimensions welcome all occupants in its well-appointed cabin, and the cargo volume starts at an impressive 37.6 cubic feet (and expands to 75.8 with the rear seats down).

MORE:

How long is a Honda CR-V?

How to shrink your car insurance payments

One advantage of buying a smaller SUV is that you’re likely to have a lower

car insurance

premium. But don’t assume that the size of your vehicle automatically translates to diminished payments—just like you have to search for the ideal crossover SUV, you may need to hunt for that perfect premium.

If spending all day on the phone with insurance companies isn’t your idea of fun, don’t worry—

Jerry

can get the job done in about the time it takes you to compose a text. As a licensed insurance broker and the world’s first super app for car owners, Jerry partners with over 55 top insurance companies (both big and small) to find optimized quotes for your vehicle and profile.

Best of all, Jerry won’t abandon you to make the switch solo. Instead, our team of insurance experts will work to get your quote finalized and your new policy set up in record time, so that you can focus on the things that really matter, like enjoying your new vehicle.

“I was a little skeptical at first, but
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