Compact SUV Secrets - Which is the leader of the Pack?

Looking for a stylish, comfortable, rough weather and bad road vehicle to haul your family and gear around without buying some Sheik a new Rolex? If so then the newest breed of compact SUV's from both Detroit and Asia may have a place in your garage.

The Ford Escape, Jeep Liberty, and Honda CR-V are all moderately priced fuel efficient compact sport SUV's. While they will not have the gross weight, or powerful V8 engines needed for serious offroad adventures, or towing a large boat, they will meet the mission requirements of 95% of families on the road.

These new compact SUV all are built with unibody construction for strength and weight savings, all feature independent suspension. No bouncy rough truck style solid axles in these utes. This means you will have the comfort of car like handling, with the added ground clearance and four driven wheels for inclement weather or rough roads.

The Honda CR-V which is loosely based on the Civic platform was the first compact SUV on the market in America released in 1996. Five years later Detroit fired back with offerings from Ford and Chrysler with the Escape and the Liberty. All of these compact SUV's get fuel economy in excess of 15 MPG on the city and in the mid twenties on the highway.

By using proven engines and transmissions in each of these cars, the manufacturers where able to create a first generation model with the reliability of the proven platforms they where adapted from. The latest model year from Chrysler is even backed by a lifetime, unlimited mileage warranty.

The moderate price, and high level of versatility and style make any of these compact SUV's ideal for first time drivers, or the daily driver of someone who does not need 12,000 lbs of towing capacity, or want to drive something with the sex appeal of a Ford Taurus.

In addition the luxury trim levels of all three feature leather seating, CD changers, XM radio, iPod integration, and much more. With fuel economy close to that of a minivan, and styling like that of the gas guzzling big brothers from Ford and Chrysler, these three compact sport utilities may be just the car you are looking for to get you, your passengers, and their gear, to the camping spot, or the soccer field.

Right now with the automotive market a tad slower than normal, all the manufacturers are offering aggressive discounts, low or no interest financing and rebates for qualified buyers.

In addition if you are more in the market for a used car, the aggressive discounts, and offers that are driving the new car sales, are putting numerous low mileage – high quality used vehicles on the dealer's lots. Take a look through your local Sunday paper, or stroll through your local dealers lots. You may be surprised at how much car you can get, and how little fuel you will burn.