2026 Kia Seltos
$23,790 - $31,490 | 29 MPG | $0.66 per mile
Best Subcompact SUVs for 2026
7 SUVs earned NHTSA's published safety ratings for 2026. The 2026 Kia Seltos appears first with a 5-star NHTSA safety rating, starting at $23,790. RepairPal rates it 4.0 out of 5.0 for reliability. Ranked by NHTSA safety rating, highest first, then base price, cheapest first when results are tied.
Photo by Abby Rurenko on UnsplashHow this list is generated
Model year: 2026; Vehicle type: SUV; Size class: Subcompact. Data is refreshed periodically from published sources.
45-Star Rated
1IIHS Awards
7Brands
$22k–$39kPrice Range
Sources: NHTSA.gov, IIHS.org, fueleconomy.gov, RepairPal.com, AAA.
| # | Vehicle | Base MSRP | Safety | Annual Fuel | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2026 Kia Seltos | $23,790 | 5★ | $1,500 | 0 |
| 2 | 2026 Buick Encore GX | $25,900 | 5★ | $1,450 | 0 |
| 3 | 2026 Honda HR-V | $26,500 | 5★ | $2,150 | 0 |
| 4 | 2026 Lexus UX | $36,955 | 5★ | $1,400 | 0 |
| 5 | 2026 Nissan Kicks | $22,430 | 4★ | $1,950 | 2 |
| 6 | 2026 MINI Countryman | $38,900 | — | $2,550 | 0 |
| 7 | 2026 Toyota C-HR Electric | $37,000 | — | — | 0 |
Vehicles Matching These Criteria
7 vehicles
2026 Buick Encore GX
$25,900 - $33,000 | 27-30 MPG | $0.66 per mile
2026 Honda HR-V
$26,500 - $31,850 | 27-28 MPG | $0.66 per mile
2026 Lexus UX
$36,955 - $46,945 | 42-43 MPG | $0.78 per mile
2026 Nissan Kicks
$22,430 - $28,160 | 30-31 MPG | $0.66 per mile
2026 MINI Countryman
$38,900 - $49,400 | 27 MPG | $0.56 per mile
2026 Toyota C-HR Electric
$37,000 - $39,000
Common Questions
How many 2026 SUVs have 5-star safety ratings?
4 of 7 SUVs earned NHTSA's top 5-star overall safety rating for 2026. Prices start at $22,430.
Which 2026 SUVs have zero recalls?
6 of 7 vehicles shown on this page have no recalls on file with NHTSA. Recall counts can change at any time as manufacturers and NHTSA identify new issues.
Which brands have SUVs on this list?
7 brands are represented: Buick, Honda, Kia, Lexus, MINI, Nissan, Toyota. Rankings are based on EPA, NHTSA, IIHS, AAA, and RepairPal data, not editorial opinion.