At the 2026 New York Auto Show, I had the opportunity to look at a number of compact SUVs and compare them back-to-back to see which ones best accommodate shorter drivers. The results actually surprised me on a number of accounts.
I’m about 5-feet-tall, which is what they call the “fifth percentile female” in the auto industry, and that’s typically the lowest common denominator for which automakers design cars. I should also say, I don’t have a particularly long or short torso, so my legs are proportional to the rest of my body. All that being said, here’s my ranking of best compact SUVs for short drivers going from worst to best.
Hyundai Tucson won’t work for short legs
When I’ve driven the Hyundai Tucson previously, I hadn’t noticed some of the (literal) pain points I discovered during the NY Auto Show test. But after testing multiple vehicles and adjusting for the optimal sight lines, the Tucson fell short (pun intended) in the leg department. In order to sit high enough and still reach the pedals comfortably, my left knee was trapped by the underbelly of the dash. There are always compromises that can be made for comfort, and I have done those things while driving. However, because I often drive big vehicles with miserable visibility, I have a higher tolerance for poor sight lines in vehicles taller people can see better out of.
Chevrolet Equinox pushes knees into dash
Similar to the Tucson, the Chevrolet Equinox also has tight spacing between the seat and dash when I adjust my seat for good visibility. The headrest and steering wheel placement were fine, and I’ll be honest, there’s a part of me that wondered if the extra bolstering in the RS trim I looked at could have caused the problem. Even without the padding, the proximity of the knee to the dash could still cause problems in the event of a crash. So, this still goes toward the bottom of my list for short drivers.
Nissan Rogue might be OK, maybe
I really like the overall comfort of the seats in the Nissan Rogue as they are among the most comfortable in this segment. However, I still had some knee issues—though not to the severity I did in the Tucson and Equinox. I had space between my knee and the dash, but it was still a bit closer than I would have liked. In a regular driving situation, I would certainly move back and down slightly to give more room and compromise some of that extra visibility. Someone with longer legs or an extra inch or two in height will have no problems with this vehicle.
Toyota RAV4 has an aggressive headrest
I’ve always found the Toyota RAV4 to be fairly kind to short drivers, and the all-new sixth-generation 2026 model is no different. The seat bottoms are just the right length, and I had no issues with bumping my knee or the steering wheel position. The one thing that surprised me was the far-forward tilt of the headrest that hit my head at an awkward angle. As I point out in the video, you can adjust the seatback to help with this. Additionally, I will point out that I’ve had this as a test vehicle since this video, and over the long haul, the headrest didn’t prove to be as much of a problem as I thought it would be.
Subaru Forester is just right
I have long recommended the Subaru Forester as a vehicle for shorter drivers, namely this is a vehicle I would have wanted my petite mother to own if she were still driving. The step-in height is just right, the seats aren’t overly bolstered, and the steering wheel has a good amount tilt/telescoping travel for just the right adjustments. Oh, and the headrest poses no problems. Combine that with the fact that there are ICE and hybrid powertrains as well as a Wilderness trim, and this has a lot of “just right” options for all kinds of drivers.
Our take on the best compact SUVs for short drivers
Obviously, this is just a starting point for short drivers. And the one point in favor of all of these SUVs: I did sit far enough away from the steering wheel for safety’s sake. The NHTSA.gov website recommends drivers be at least 10 inches from the steering wheel, and I was in all cases.
I do know not everyone is exactly my size. And your legs may be longer than mine, even if you are the same height, so you may not have the same exact problems. But of all the SUVs here, and I’ve driven them all except the Equinox, I will say the Forester and RAV4 check a lot of boxes for all sizes of drivers.
Be sure to watch the full video, for my full take on each of these SUVs and to see exactly what my problems were. I’ve also started a new playlist for the best vehicles for short drivers, and I’ve currently looked at full-size SUVs and full-size trucks in addition to compact SUVs. More to come!
