Despite being 4 inches shorter overall than the Tucson and a surprising 14 inches shorter than the Rogue, the Outlander Sport's passenger volume is plentiful: 98 cubic feet versus 102 and 98 cubic feet, respectively.

The cabin materials are acceptable for the car's sub-$20,000 starting price, and while the front and rear seats are a bit stiff, they're comfortable on short trips. Over a long commute, my back definitely felt sore.

Shoppers often select a crossover for cargo utility, and that's where the Outlander Sport's size hurts it most. At 21.7 cubic feet behind the backseat, it falls far behind the Tucson and Rogue, at 25.7 and 28.9 cubic feet, respectively. These two also beat the Sport's maximum cargo volume of 49.5 cubic feet with the backseat folded, providing 55.8 and 57.9 cubic feet, respectively.