Compact & Subcompact SUVs with 4×4 (3 Popular Models)
Four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles – also known as 4×4 – are excellent off-roaders, allowing drivers to break away from the beaten path to uncharted territories.
4WD is typically available in larger vehicles.
Still, this post’s handful of small and extra-small SUVs with four-wheel drive should satisfy the most adventurous souls.
Subcompact SUV with 4WD
All-wheel-drive subcompact crossovers make up a significantly greater number than those with 4×4 drivetrains, as the latter only has the following model.
#1 Jeep Renegade
Meet Jeep’s smallest 4WD vehicle, the Jeep Renegade, an extra-small SUV with better off-roading ability than most in its class.
Since debuting in 2015, the Jeep Renegade has had front-wheel drive (FWD) as the base, most affordable model, while four-wheel drive (4WD) has largely been optional.
With each passing model year, an increasing number of Jeep Renegades began sporting 4WD, with the FWD remaining solely to provide budget-minded shoppers a chance to own this fun little SUV at the lowest possible price.
It has cornering agility and is easy to maneuver in tight spaces due to its size.
Despite the Renegade being a 4WD, those into serious rock-crawling should consider the Jeep Wrangler, with considerably more off-road prowess (later in this post).
Compact SUVs with 4WD
Like the extra-small SUVs, small SUVs with AWD are more common than those equipped with a 4WD system.
#2 Jeep Wrangler
This small SUV had earned a reputation as the most iconic off-road warrior with superior capability on rugged terrains.
A two or four-door configuration and removable top or doors are available. A plug-in hybrid, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe, also debuted in 2021, offering greater fuel efficiency and some all-electric range.
The Jeep Wrangler is a 4×4 at its core, with every model for the past decades having a four-wheel-drive system, making this Jeep the perfect small 4×4 for new and used SUV shoppers.
This charming SUV can meet almost every driving taste with near-endless customization options at various trim levels in the latest-generation Wrangler, like Sport, Willys, Sahara, and Rubicon.
However, Jeep Wrangler isn’t for those needing on-road ride comfort because of the body-on-frame (truck-like) construction, solid-axle suspension, and slow steering.
But suppose you can live with the brittle ride but want a quieter drive; opt for the hardtop version over the soft-top.
#3 Jeep Cherokee
All-stars like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Mazda CX-50 fill the frontrunning positions of the small SUV class.
Still, drivers into the occasional weekend adventures will find the ideal trade-off between on-road comfort and off-road mastery in the Jeep Cherokee.
As most Jeep Cherokee models come with a four-wheel-drive system, the SUV makes a compelling choice as the best small 4WD SUV with acceptable ride quality on pavements.
The latest-gen Cherokee provides a more comfortable ride than most Jeeps, with the suspension doing a good enough job of softening harsh roads, but a degree of road and wind noise is still present at most speeds.
Opt for the Trailhawk if you plan to venture onto rougher terrains regularly.
However, slightly larger 4WD SUVs may better suit larger families wanting to haul more passengers on a trip to the wild outdoors.
References:
https://www.jeep.com/renegade.html
