New cars keep getting larger. With many brand-new models dwarfing their 2000s counterparts, the sheer size of many modern vehicles has rendered them unwieldy for city driving. With congested roads and tighter streets, it’s not just the number of cars on the roads that is causing problems; it’s the footprint of these vehicles, too. SUVs are the worst offenders of this, with plenty of models reaching way over 200 inches long. Parking is also proving more difficult than ever in cities, with the majority of parking facilities still hosting spaces designed for cars of 20, 30, or even 40 years ago.
Crossovers are also getting quite pudgy, but they offer a smaller alternative to SUVs while retaining a similar commanding driving position and stature. Unfortunately, all segments of cars are getting larger slowly but surely, especially as safety equipment becomes more advanced and requires more physical space, regulations become harsher, and size feels like a game of status. This is the reality of the automotive landscape we live in. However, with a range of cutting-edge assistant features, efficient body designs, and refinement for city roads, there are several fantastic options to help you with your city commute.
Models are listed based on their EPA-estimated city MPG, from the lowest to the highest.
2026 BMW X1
24 Miles Per Gallon, City Driving
The 2026 BMW X1 is the obvious choice for the consumer who values refinement in a vehicle that is well-suited to the twisty nature of city driving. Being a vehicle that cares about packaging, it is similar to its larger X3 in the interior room, but uses a noticeably smaller body. This intelligent combination allows for a vehicle that feels fairly compact, but large enough for 90 percent of people. Being a vehicle that feels similar to its larger X3 and X5 counterparts, you also get an excellent view of the road, which is a serious and underrated benefit of crossovers. When navigating busy intersections, you can see cars from much further away. That being said, 24 miles per gallon from the little X1 isn’t great for this list, especially compared to a world dominated by hybrids.
Pros
- German engineering quality
- Commanding road-view
- Generous performance
Cons
- Stiffer ride for city potholes
- Distracting iDrive 9 system with almost no physical buttons
- High starting price at $42,800
2026 Buick Envista
28 Miles Per Gallon, City Driving
The 2026 Buick Envista debuted in China only four years ago. With the intention of attracting consumers who wanted something similar, but more sleek than a traditional SUV, the Buick ended up with a coupe-crossover-like combination of design cues. It’s considerably larger than the X1, making it less nimble for city driving, but the Envista’s interior room is excellent. With 38.7 inches of legroom available for rear passengers, it is unusually practical for a crossover — especially for one which hosts a more stylistic approach to design. It also features active noise cancellation, which makes city commutes far more relaxing than in many vehicles of this price.
Pros
- Stylish, European-like design language
- Incredible value starting in the mid-$20,000 range
- Excellent rear legroom
Cons
- Larger footprint makes it slightly less manageable
- Coupe design creates a sizable, though shallow trunk
- The 1.2-liter engine is acceptable for city driving, but struggles on the highway
2026 Chevrolet Trax
28 Miles Per Gallon, City Driving
Sharing similar DNA to the Envista, things are off to a good start. The trick up the Trax‘s sleeve is that it starts at an astonishing $21,945. This is a cheap and cheerful way of entering the contemporary crossover market without breaking the bank. Though it is four inches shorter than the Buick, the flatter roofline means that the cargo area is more usable for stacking bags and overall size, coming in at around 25 cubic feet. For a budget-driven choice, with an engine that feels suited for city-driving and a hugely practical interior, the 2026 Chevy Trax is a brilliant value choice, but one that you will have to accept more audible road noise from and lower-quality materials.
Pros
- Almost 25 percent more cargo space than the Envista
- Value-friendly with MSRP starting at $21,945
- Generous tech in mid-range trims
Cons
- Hard interior plastic shows its lower price
- Average sound deadening
- The engine once again lacks grunt outside the city
The Smoothest-Riding SUVs Available Today
If you are looking for a cozy and luxury SUV, you want one that can ride out the bumps in the road with ease – here are the smoothest-riding SUVs.
2026 VW Taos
28 Miles Per Gallon, City Driving
The 2026 VW Taos‘s magic trick is the more compact 176-inch length, combined with an interior that feels truly spacious. With its upright stance, boxy shape, and thin pillars, the Taos has truly excellent visibility all-around and makes clever use of its unassuming footprint. The VW also includes a range of semi-automated driving wizardry, which assists with steering and braking, creating a safer and more advanced city driving experience, which helps in heavier traffic. The 1.5-liter turbocharged engine achieves the same mpg figures as the 1.2-liter engines in the Envista and Trax, meaning you get the same efficiency out of a more capable powertrain.
Pros
- It features an enormous 27.9 cu ft of cargo room
- Composed and refined approach to ride and comfort
- Incredible visibility for city driving
Cons
- Harder plastics on lower trims, which you wouldn’t expect from a VW
- Fussy touch controls
- Controversial styling choices
2026 Nissan Kicks
28 Miles Per Gallon, City Driving
The 2026 Nissan Kicks is a vibrant city-going bundle of joy, which looks more like a high-riding hatchback rather than something that is trying to be an SUV, which is a refreshing approach to crossover design in 2026. Though it is designed with substance over style in mind, there is something quite charming about the Kicks. With an enormous cargo capacity of 30.0 cubic feet, it acts as an excellent family car, with enough trunk space for almost anyone. Despite that, it is narrower than other cars on this list, so carrying three in the back will be more of a challenge than more traditional crossovers previously mentioned on this list.
Pros
- It comes with an AWD system, giving the Kicks extra road surface versatility
- Tight turning circle at only 34.8 feet
- 8.4 inches of ground clearance breezes through pot-hole-filled city roads
Cons
- Despite having a 2.0-liter engine, it’s still fairly slow
- The 12-gallon fuel tank is smaller than the competitors
- Emphasis on fussy touchscreen sliders rather than physical buttons
2026 Subaru Crosstrek
36 Miles Per Gallon, City Driving
The 2026 Crosstrek is the explorer of the list. Subaru’s standard AWD system and 8.7-inch ground clearance encourage consumers to use the vehicle for not only efficient city driving, but also on more challenging terrain. That being said, it is also beneficial for high curbs, steep entries, and huge potholes that are often found in city driving, so Subaru’s attention to ruggedness also enhances some of its city-driving capabilities. Though the Crosstrek‘s efficiency is not quite as strong as the upcoming hybrids on this list, there is still a noticeable uplift from gas-only entries, whilst providing instantaneous torque from the hybrid system.
Pros
- AWD at no extra charge
- The Subaru Eyesight safety system is standard across trims
- Comfortable ride, with suspension benefiting city driving and mixed terrain
Cons
- Basic interior, which is adequate but not inviting
- Acceleration not as fast as many hybrids, 0–60 mph in eight seconds
- CVT drone when merging or with faster acceleration
Top 10 Most Fuel-Efficient Compact SUVs Of 2025
Here are your top picks for smiles-per-gallon compact SUVs in 2025.
2026 Honda CR-V
43 Miles Per Gallon, City Driving
The Honda CR-V is the definitive benchmark for crossovers in 2026. It’s such a compelling all-rounder. From its excellent reliability, its efficient hybrid powertrain, and its huge trunk, it ticks almost everything on a consumer’s list. Being the first hybrid on the list, the city-based efficiency is excellent, meaning long-term, you’ll be paying a lot less money on fuel each year compared to its gas-only rivals. It isn’t just the core mechanics of the 2026 CR-V that are praised, but the Honda Sensing Suite too. With traffic-jam assisting technology, stressful congestion zones feel more relaxing in the Honda.
Pros
- Rear Doors that open almost 90 degrees
- Fantastic resale value
- Utilizes physical switches and buttons
Cons
- The hybrid system is known to drone under harsh acceleration
- Far more expensive than the Buicks or Chevys on this list
- No spare tyres included
2026 Lexus UX 300h
45 Miles Per Gallon, City Driving
The 2026 Lexus UX 300h offers a unique angle of approach compared to previous vehicles on this list, placing itself as the luxury cocoon of the bunch. However, that doesn’t stop the Lexus from being one of the most impressive city cars on this list. With its absurdly tiny turning circle of only 34.2 feet, the 300h can edge itself into tricky parking spaces and weave through traffic that would challenge cars that are noticeably smaller. Not only that, but it manages city driving capability alongside immense reliability, in luxurious style. The Lexus UX features an incredibly quiet cockpit due to its sound deadening, acoustic glass, and emphasis on removing any present vibration and harshness.
Pros
- Best-in-class reliability
- Best in-class turning circle
- Luxury fit and finish make the 300h feel like a truly premium compact
Cons
- No spare tire present
- 33.1-inch legroom means the backseats are fairly cramped
- Lower ground clearance presents challenges for certain city situations
2026 Kia Niro Hybrid
53 Miles Per Gallon, City Driving
The 2026 Kia Niro is the brightest star in the crossover hybrid world, holding the title as the most efficient in its segment. This means, over the course of a five to ten-year ownership, you could be saving thousands of dollars, even when stuck in dreaded city traffic. Being narrower and shorter than a CR-V, the Niro can also outshine the gold standard crossover in maneuverability as well as efficiency, making it one of the best choices on this list for someone who values true substance that tackles the difficulties of city driving. Kia has also worked on improving its interior insulation, bringing it closer to the Lexus and Buick, showing that the brand is after the title of “best all-rounder.”
Pros
- Dual-screen dash, more in line with luxury crossovers
- Recycled materials throughout the cabin make it eco-friendly
- Incredible 10-year and 100,000 miles warranty
Cons
- Less emphasis on performance than most crossovers
- No spare tire
- No AWD option
Best Budget-Friendly SUVs With Advanced Safety Features
Cheap to buy and safe – these ten affordable SUVs boast a winning combination and are equipped with advanced safety features above their pay grade.
2026 Volvo EX30
127 MPGe, City Driving
Sure, putting an electric car at the top might be cheating on efficiency. But remember, this is a list that is focused on city-driving. If you’re commuting throughout the city and have charging infrastructure at home, there is no doubt this is the most efficient method of driving. This is the smallest SUV Volvo has ever produced, and it provides a minimalist design along with its comparatively tiny dimensions. At only 166.7 inches long, it’s even smaller than a 2026 VW Golf. This means that there are parking spaces out there that the 2026 Volvo EX30 could fit into that no other car on this list could. Not only that, but in traditional Volvo fashion, it utilizes a suite of safety features and city-specific tech, such as dooring alerts, which notify you when there isn’t enough room to open your door in a tricky situation.
Pros
- Incredibly fast, with a 0-60 mph time of 3.4 seconds
- It features sustainable materials with a high-end feel
- Charges from 10 percent to 80 percent in less than 30 minutes with a fast charger
Cons
- Almost every control is screen-operated
- Smaller dimensions heavily impact rear leg-room
- Unpredictable range based on conditions
Sources: FuelEconomy.Gov, iSeeCars