The compact SUV segment is one of the largest in America, with many thousands of buyers opting for one of these models each month. On the sales charts, this segment is dominated by the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, two vehicles known for their practicality, reliability, and quality. It may come as a surprise, then, that neither the RAV4 nor the CR-V was rated as the best compact SUV in the new JD Power 2026 U.S. Initial Quality Study. The top 3 spots in this segment were occupied by a few models you may not have expected to see. Here’s a closer look.
The Best Compact SUVs For Initial Quality
2026 Ford Escape Ford
This particularly JD Power study assesses the number of problems new cars experience over the first 90 days of ownership. To score vehicles and brands, the researchers consulted 78,514 purchasers and lessees of 2026 model-year vehicles. Drivers have to answer questions across 10 categories, spanning the powertrain, driving experience, interior, displays, and many other aspects of their vehicles that affect the ownership experience.
In the popular compact SUV segment, the following vehicles achieved the highest ratings:
- Winner: Nissan Rogue
- Runner-up: Ford Escape
- Runner-up: Buick Envision
The Rogue’s segment win complements the manufacturer’s brand ranking; Nissan was the fifth-best brand after Porsche, Genesis, Ford, and Lexus. In sixth spot was Buick. While JD Power doesn’t provide a complete ranking of vehicles per segment, we do know that Honda was ranked 13th among all brands and Toyota ranked 15th.
The Nissan Rogue’s win comes after a troubled year for the crossover. Its three-cylinder turbo engine has been the subject of multiple recalls and engine failures for some customers, so much so that Nissan extended the warranty. But that’s a longer-term problem; in terms of initial quality, Nissan performed very well.
The Ford Escape’s place on the list may also come as a surprise to many, given the high number of recalls faced by the Ford brand over the last two years. Buick’s Envision is outclassed by many in its segment, but it’s a quietly competent vehicle that has proven dependable, too.
Related: Nissan Rogue Owners Get 10-Year Engine Warranty After Multiple Recalls
Initial Quality Vs. Long-Term Reliability
Honda
A poor result in the Initial Quality Study does not necessarily mean a vehicle will remain reliable as the miles add up. While it may come as a surprise to see the RAV4 and CR-V both miss out on a podium finish, they’re known to outlast most rivals after several years of ownership. In an iSeeCars study of the longest-lasting SUVs, the RAV4 and CR-V were the only compact crossovers to make the top 20. If you plan on keeping your crossover for a long time, they remain two of the best choices.
In our Toyota and Honda reliability comparison, Toyota generally fared better, but both brands have faced challenges with new technologies. This is likely what brought down their rankings in the Initial Quality Study, where customers still reported a number of issues with infotainment systems in new cars.
Related: Toyota Vs. Honda Reliability: One Clear Winner
Final Thoughts
Toyota
If reliability is a crucial part of your decision-making process when buying a new car, we encourage you to consult multiple reliability surveys and user forums. It often takes more than one source to get a clear picture of how dependable a certain model will be. While the Rogue outperforms the RAV4 and CR-V in initial quality over the first few months of ownership, it has more serious powertrain issues as it ages. However, for customers who drive less and are considering a short-term lease, the Nissan looks to be a safe option.
Related: This Is The Most Reliable Nissan Rogue Model Year
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