The time of only budget-minded vehicles coming with four cylinders is over. Today, even luxury vehicles. SUVs come with small, four-cylinder engines. At one time, these engines were only good for small vehicles that did nothing more than driving around town in the past. Today, that’s certainly not the case and performance from four-cylinder engines has increased dramatically in recent times.

Thanks to the addition of forced induction through turbocharging and supercharging, many four-cylinder SUVs are bigger, more powerful, and more capable than ever before. Volvo showed the world that a four-cylinder engine was all it took to create an entire lineup of vehicles, including three-row SUVs like the Volvo XC90. With that in mind, these are some of the top choices for gas-powered four-cylinder SUVs in today’s market.

Note: The list was compiled using the U.S. News & World Report scoring system along with information and performance data from various automakers.

10 2024 BMW X1

After a complete redesign for the 2023 model year, the 2024 BMW X1 carries over mostly unchanged. Only one engine is offered for this subcompact luxury crossover, but it makes this SUV one of the best gas-powered four-cylinder SUVs in the market. Couple this power with BMW athleticism, and you have an SUV that’s fun and active on any road.

Performance Specifications

As you would expect from a small BMW SUV, the X1 offers supple, engaged handling, a sleek and well-built cabin, and a long list of standard features that make this little SUV a joy to drive. The suspension provides a gentle and smooth ride over rough surfaces, ensuring comfort when desired. Still, this engaging little SUV has the desired spirit when called upon.

9 2024 Genesis GV70

When you want refined and comfortable driving in the compact luxury SUV class, the 2024 Genesis GV70 has these qualities. This impressive compact SUV comes standard with AWD and delivers plenty of power from the base four-cylinder engine, which makes the GV70 one of the best gas-powered SUVs to drive.

Performance Specifications

Stepping into the 2024 Genesis GV70, you’ll find a well-crafted, modern, and opulent cabin with tasteful design elements and an impressive build quality. The materials are mostly high-quality items that make this luxury compact SUV feel upscale and impressive during your drive. There’s ample room for five people to enjoy a comfortable ride and bring their gear, which fits in the 28.9 cubic-foot cargo hold.

8 2024 Mazda CX-30

When you want a small and active SUV with a premium feeling, the 2024 Mazda CX-30 is hard to beat. This Mazda is still considered part of the mainstream class. Still, the active engine, impressive cabin materials, and stylish design suggest it’s a step above the Hyundai Kona or Kia Seltos.

Performance Specifications

The Mazda CX-30 is one of the best gas-powered four-cylinder SUVs. It has sharp, athletic handling and a smooth, comfortable ride without punishing you or your passengers. When you need a small SUV to get around town but want to enjoy a good performance and feel on the highway, the CX-30 is at the top of its class.

7 2024 BMW X3

If you’re looking for an athletic, fun, and active SUV with room for five people and the luxury marquee of BMW, this is the compact SUV you want to drive. The 2024 BMW X3 is a solid choice if you’re after one of the best gas-powered four-cylinder SUVs in the entire market. This compact luxury SUV is a proven winner in its class.

Performance Specifications

The BMW X3 has a full package of desirable driving qualities. This SUV handles perfectly, has room for passengers and cargo, and features a straightforward infotainment system to keep you connected while on the road.

6 2024 Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson has been a top model in the compact SUV market for several years. In 2023, US News awarded it the Best New Car for Teens and the Best Compact SUV for Families. This small and active SUV is loaded with impressive features that complement its spacious, upscale interior.

Performance Specifications

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson comes with America’s best warranty, which takes the basic five-year/60,000-mile coverage and extends it with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. This coverage and the roomy interior with five comfortable seats make the Tucson an easy choice when you want an SUV that brings predictability, practicality, reliability, and capability to your drive.

5 2024 Genesis GV80

Genesis hit the market in 2017 with two cars but has since transformed into a luxury brand with a full range of sedans and SUVs. The Genesis GV80 is an impressive, confident, and sophisticated midsize luxury SUV with five seats and standard AWD. It provides a gentle ride, an airy cabin, and a large cargo area in the rear.

Performance Specifications

The 2024 Genesis GV80 received high marks for safety from the IIHS and NHTSA, reaching the Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. This SUV includes a full package of advanced driver-assist and safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control with lane centering, and driver-attention monitoring. If you want more power, the GV80 has a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine in higher trims.

4 2024 Lincoln Nautilus

The Lincoln Nautilus is one of the top choices among gas-powered four-cylinder SUVs. This comfortable luxury SUV rides smoothly on any surface, offering the quality you desire from a brand like Lincoln. If you need to carry children in car seats, the Nautilus features two complete sets of LATCH connectors for the rear outboard seats to make family driving easier.

Performance Specifications

The 2024 version of the Lincoln Nautilus starts with this 4-cylinder engine, but a hybrid powertrain is also available. This impressive SUV has an upscale cabin, a large cargo area, and an intuitive infotainment system to make an easy connection. Whether you admire the 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space, the full package of safety tech, or this Lincoln’s comfort, the Nautilus is an impressive SUV.

3 2024 Kia Seltos

Some of the top choices in the four-cylinder SUV world are subcompact SUVs. The 2024 Kia Seltos is one of these models, with its impressive package of great features and up to 62.8 cubic feet of cargo space when the rear seats folded. This small SUV provides a choice of two four-cylinder engines.

Performance Specifications

The Seltos is an impressive blend of practicality, solid performance, and comfort. Its balanced ride that translates to good handling, making it a fun little SUV to drive. The useful infotainment system connects quickly, giving drivers the desired entertainment and comfort on the road.

2 2024 Hyundai Kona

Most versions of the Hyundai Kona are ideal for city driving, but those equipped with the turbocharged engine are more powerful and fun on the highways. Among the best gas-powered four-cylinder SUVs, the Kona is one of the smallest but also one of the most fun and well-balanced models.

Performance Specifications

Hyundai vehicles are well-known for offering many standard features, including a full package of driver-assistance items and a useful infotainment system. The 2024 Hyundai Kona is a good SUV with a fantastic package of items for the money. It’s such a good model that US News named it the Best Compact SUV for the Money in 2023.

1 2024 Mazda CX-50

Take a step up from the subcompact class, and you’ll find the 2024 Mazda CX-50 waiting for you to get behind the wheel. Like the smaller CX-30, this SUV boasts premium style inside and out, offers confident handling and provides a comfortable cabin. The SkyActiv engine technology makes this Mazda compact SUV one of the best four-cylinder SUVs.

Performance Specifications

The CX-50 is more than just a pretty face. This impressive compact SUV includes a full package of advanced safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. This Mazda received high marks for safety from the IIHS and NHTSA, which makes it easy to carry car seats with the included LATCH system.