Compact crossovers have been on the rise since Toyota introduced the RAV4 -- short for "recreational activity vehicle" -- in 1984. Ever since, the segment has been hot, hot, hot, with new entrants driving sales ever higher. The latest: Buick's Encore and Toyota's all-electric RAV4 (seen above). Motor Trend can rerun this headline every month for the foreseeable future.
They may not be the sexiest rides on the street, but for value, reliability, and fun, these cars quietly blow the doors off the competition.
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