Compact vs Midsize: What Kind of Used SUV Would Suit You Best?

Are you shopping around for used SUVs for sale in Knoxville? Across our network of dealerships, you can find tons of the top names you know and love, like Chevy, Nissan, Honda, and more! Seeing a wide variety of options makes it easy to compare styles and trims. So, now, it’s all about figuring out which body style makes the most sense for your lifestyle around the Marble City.

We welcome many drivers who want to stay in the five-seater category. Naturally, Knoxville has busy streets and even busier parking areas, so drivers who spend a lot of time in congested urban areas often favor five-seaters over three-row models. The question is, then, do you go for a midsize SUV or a compact one?

While both body styles offer five seats, that’s about where their similarities end. Otherwise, after spending some time behind the wheel of the two body styles, you’ll see they offer very different experiences and benefits. So today, we’ll go over the main differences between used compact and midsize SUVs, to guide you towards the one that best complements your needs.

Let’s Talk About Interior Space

Let’s start with the simple size of these models, specifically their interiors. If you regularly transport adults or have older children, a midsize SUV will make more sense for your needs; midsize SUVs typically have more passenger volume than compact ones.

Passenger Volume

Let’s take the 2022 Chevy Blazer versus the 2022 Chevy Equinox, for example. The former offers 107.8 cu.ft. of passenger volume, while the latter only offers 103.5 cu.ft. Looking at the midsize 2021 Ford Edge, you get 113.9 cu.ft of passenger volume, while the 2021 compact Ford Escape only has 104 cu.ft of passenger volume.

Midsize SUVs are roomier inside, so if you transport passengers who won’t put up with feeling cramped, you’re best off with a midsize SUV. However, if you rarely use your rear seats, or you have small children, a compact SUV could be just right.

Cargo Volume

You’re also going to get a bit more cargo space inside a midsize SUV compared to a compact. Using the Blazer and Equinox as examples again, the former offers 30.5 cu.ft. of cargo volume in its trunk, while the latter provides 29.9 cu.ft. The difference is small, but it can matter to those who frequently load up their trunks. Those numbers expand when you lower the back row, with the Blazer offering 64.2 cu.ft., and the Equinox giving you 63.9 cu.ft.

Handling on City Streets and Tight Parking Spaces

If you’re more concerned with exterior dimensions than interior, you might consider a compact SUV. Knoxville drivers who battle it out for street parking downtown know how convenient a smaller vehicle can be.

A compact SUV like the Honda CR-V will have smaller dimensions all around than a midsize option like the Passport. Looking at the two models’ overall lengths, recent CR-V models are 182.1 inches long, while the Passport is 189.1 inches. So you’ll need to find seven extra inches of parking space for your Passport.

The CR-V’s width sits at 73 inches, while the Passport’s is 78.6 inches. You’ll need a parking spot that’s more than five inches wider for your Passport compared to your CR-V. Compact SUVs can be ideal for individuals who rarely have passengers in their rear seats and are more concerned with navigating busy areas, like crowded parking lots and urban streets.

Are Towing Capabilities Important to You?

Do you enjoy getting out of the city on the weekends? Maybe with a camper or boat in tow? You’ll be able to tow significantly larger vessels with a midsize SUV compared to a compact. Let’s look at the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe and the 2022 Honda Passport. The Santa Fe can tow up to 3,500 lbs. The Passport really impresses, with 5,000 lbs of towing abilities (similar to some full-size models).

If you move over to compact models, like a 2021 GMC Terrain or Honda CR-V, that towing figure drops down to 1,500 lbs for both. A more recent Equinox can also only tow 1,500 lbs. So even on the lower end of a midsize SUV’s towing figures, you’re going to get at least twice the power of a compact SUV. And some midsize SUVs get even more impressive towing abilities. We typically tell drivers that if they’re after an SUV ready to venture out of the city, get a midsize. If they want one made for maneuvering urban environments, go for a compact.

A Look at Fuel Efficiency

Fuel efficiency is often at the top of drivers’ minds, especially those who tackle long daily commutes every day, or who love to explore faraway places when they have the time. In general, a compact SUV is going to be your better option if fuel efficiency is a top priority. Not only do most compact SUVs deliver more efficient powertrains than their midsize competitors, but their smaller dimensions also naturally improve efficiency. It’s simply less weight for the engine to support and move.

Let’s take a quick look at the Chevy Blazer versus the Equinox again. The midsize 2022 Blazer achieves up to 22 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway. Meanwhile, the compact Equinox achieves 26 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway. You can see that if you spend a lot of time in the city, you’ll spend much less time at the pump in the Equinox compared to the Blazer.

A Smaller Body, A Smaller Price Tag

Finally, let’s look at the price. This is an easy one to predict: smaller cars cost less than larger models. Is it a major difference? Yes. Since you’re looking at used models, there will be more variance, since you could consider lower- or higher-mileage options. However, you can generally expect midsize SUVs to cost more than compact SUVs, especially if you’re looking at the same model year of the two, with similar mileage.

A 2021 Ford Edge, for example, started at a little over $32,000 when buying brand-new, while the compact Escape started at a little under $25,000. So you might expect a roughly $7,000 price difference between the two. Looking at a midsize 2023 Blazer, the starting price was about $35,000 when new, while the 2023 Equinox started at around $26,000. That’s an even more pronounced price difference.

If you’re working towards aggressive financial goals for your life in Knoxville, a compact SUV will probably get you there sooner than a midsize SUV. While pre-owned models can vary in price, examining their original price tags gives you a better idea of what to expect when shopping used.

We Have the Pre-Owned Compact and Midsize SUVs You’re Looking For

Have you decided which used SUV size best suits your life? You can find the models we discussed here, along with others, at our many dealership locations! If you know that affordability, parking-friendly dimensions, and great fuel economy are must-haves, check out a compact SUV like the Chevy Equinox, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, or GMC Terrain. If you want more towing abilities and a roomier interior, consider a midsize Chevy Blazer. These spacious five-seaters are great for those who transport adult passengers and want more cargo room.

One of our sales specialists at any of our locations would love to learn what your drives look like and put you in the SUV that will make them better and more enjoyable. We carry tons of popular compact and midsize SUVs at competitive prices and would love to help you find the best pre-owned option!