01. 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan
The 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan shares some of its underpinnings with the VW Golf hatchback, which gives it a handling advantage when compared to other compact sport utility vehicles. Although the Volkswagen Tiguan's 56.1 cubic feet of total cargo space isn't quite as generous as a few of its rivals, the vehicle's comfortable and upscale interior feel more than make up for it. A 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine generates 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque under the hood of the Tiguan, and transmission choices include a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic. 4MATIC all-wheel drive can of course be added as an option, and fuel mileage for the compact SUV shows as 22-mpg in city driving and 27-mpg on the highway.