Best family compact SUVs

It's almost inevitable. Once you two are no longer DINKS, an SUV appears in your driveway. The convertible lacks boot space, the V8 ute has no rear seat and the full-on 4WD is too big.

The solution seems to be a compact or medium SUV. There are worthy station wagons to consider but new car buyers want to look like explorers, not breeders. Check the shopping centre or school car parks -- easily a third of vehicles have more than 150mm of ground clearance.

Today's SUV is far from the 4WDs of yore -- it's easy to drive and load, child friendly, frugal with fuel and competitively priced.  The toughest surface these machines face is a wet speed bump so four of the five we've assessed have a 2WD variant.

If you want to carry seven or more, that's the terrain of people-movers and large SUVs. Stay tuned for that. Weekly running costs include purchase, finance, registration, insurance, servicing; based on 15,000km a year, private ownership; costs vary between states and variants.

Toyota RAV4 

The new model brings with it a diesel -- it's unsuited to towing, so the 2.5 petrol is the option for versatility. Boot space is 506L (or 577L without a full-size spare). It has only 160mm of ground clearance and a low chin, so steer clear of serious obstacles. It scores for driver's knee airbag, spacious and quiet cabin with good storage but loses for a sharpish ride.

Warranty: 3 years/100,000km
Running costs: $199-$235 pw
Safety: 5 stars
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 107kW/187Nm; 2.5-litre 4-cyl, 132kW/233Nm; 2.2-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel, 110kW/340Nm
Transmission: 6-speed man, 6-speed auto, CVT; FWD/AWD
Thirst: 5.6L-8.6L/100km Tank 60L
Dimensions: 4.6m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.7m (H)
Stuey's pick: GXL 2.5 auto AWD $35,490
Price: from $28,490

Subaru Forester

One of the newer models here, the Soob still leans to the off-road side of the equation. There are diesel and turbo petrol options but most buyers won't need that amount of urge. Boot space isn't great at 422L but the Forester gives occupants ample room and a smooth drivetrain. The CVT is much better than previous versions.

Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km
Running costs: $210-$230 pw
Safety: 5 stars
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl boxer, 110kW/198Nm; 2.5-litre 4-cyl boxer, 126kW/235Nm; 2.0-litre 4-cyl boxer turbo diesel, 108kW/350Nm
Transmission: 6-speed man, CVT; AWD
Thirst: 5.9L-8.1L/100km
Tank: 60L
Dimensions: 4.6m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.7m (H)
Stuey's pick: 2.5i-L $35,990
Price: from $30,990

Mazda CX-5

If evidence was needed that SUVs are moving away from their off-road origins, the Mazda provides it. An A-grade unsealed surface is about as adventurous as you'd want to get with the little Mazda but it has few peers for on-road dynamics and nothing comes close to its Skyactiv turbo diesel powerplant. The absence of rear vents can be overlooked but at least the child seat anchor points are on the seat backs. It's got the longest wheelbase of this quintet, which suggests reasonable cabin space, but boot space is below par at 403 litres and ride quality isn't as supple as the Honda.

Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km
Running costs: $203-$244 pw
Safety: 5 stars
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 114kW/200Nm; 2.5-litre 4cyl, 138kW/250Nm; 2.2-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel, 129kW/420Nm
Transmission: 6-speed man, 6-speed auto; FWD/AWD
Thirst: 5.7L-7.4L/100km Tank 58L
Dimensions: 4.5m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.7m (H)
Stuey's pick: Maxx Sport 2.2
Price: from $27,880

Nissan X-Trail

This version has been around for nearly a decade, hence it rates four crash safety stars from ANCAP rather than the now standard five. It tops the braked towing capacity with 2000kg, adding to its versatility despite just 410L of boot space. It has off-road prowess, diesel variant (in AWD only) and a ``lite'' option, the 2.0-litre front-driver.

Warranty: 3 years/100,000km
Running costs: $219-$243 pw
Safety: 4 stars
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 102kW/198Nm; 2.5-litre 4-cyl, 125kW/226Nm; 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel, 127kW/360Nm (auto 110kW/320Nm)
Transmission: 6-speed man, 6-speed auto, CVT; FWD/AWD
Thirst: 7.1L-9.1L/100km
Tank: 65L
Dimensions: 4.6m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.7m (H)
Stuey's pick: 2.5 ST $32,690
Price: from $28,490

Honda CR-V

Once dominant then long lost, the Honda is getting back where it belongs. Chief asset is cargo space of 556L, the best of the bunch despite a full-size spare, although marred by roof-mounted child seat anchors. Footprint is compact but Honda says there has been no change to passenger space. Compared with previous model, much quieter and easier on the backside. Pricing is canny, there are front and all-wheel drive variants and a diesel is imminent.

Warranty: 3 years/100,000km
Running costs: $189-$225 pw
Safety: 5 stars
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 114kW/190Nm; 2.4-litre 4-cyl, 140kW/222Nm
Transmission: 6-speed man, 5-speed auto; FWD/AWD
Thirst: 7.7L-8.7L/100km
Tank: 58L
Dimensions: 4.5m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.7m (H)
Stuey's pick: VTi-S AWD
Price: from $27,490