SUVs are the new king of the road. In 2016, they outsold sedans for the first time, knocking that category off its long-held throne and becoming the best-selling segment in America.

Much of the credit for this ascension goes to small SUVs. Car buyers purchased more than 2 million of them last year, including the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4, according to Consumer Reports.

Consumer Reports busts a few of the more persistent myths.

• Myth: SUVs are gas hogs. Reality: Small SUVs approach the fuel economy of midsized cars. The current Toyota RAV4 manages a respectable 24 mpg overall, and the RAV4 Hybrid gets an impressive 31 mpg.

• Myth: SUVs aren’t as safe as sedans. Reality: Consumer Reports has raised concerns about SUV handling and safety since the 1980s, but today’s models benefit from electronic stability control, a technology proven to prevent rollovers. Today’s SUVs are also designed to do less damage to cars in a collision.

• Myth: SUVs perform poorly. Reality: Today it’s common for a small SUV to meet or even exceed the performance of a comparably priced midsized sedan. For example, the Kia Sportage slices through Consumer Reports’ accident maneuver test at 52.5 mph vs. the Optima’s 51.5 mph.

• Myth: Cars are more comfortable than SUVs. Reality: Because small SUVs are basically tall-roof versions of compact cars, most have the ride comfort of cars and drive much like them. Consumer Reports’ top-rated small SUV, the Subaru Forester, has a spacious interior, a supple ride and secure handling.

Features That Make a Favorite

Small SUVs combine small carlike road manners with added utility. Here are attributes that have made them the most popular type of SUV.

• Generous Cargo Room. An SUV’s tall roofline and expansive cargo opening provide more luggage space than even most large sedans. Split-folding rear seats increase flexibility.

• Available All-wheel Drive. It helps keep a car sure-footed in snow and on slick roads. Rare on compact and midsized sedans, all-wheel drive is available on every small SUV.

• Parking-friendly Size. Although small SUVs are often a good 6 inches to 10 inches taller than sedans, they’re the length of a compact car, making them relatively easy to squeeze into tight parking spots.

• Elevated Driving Position. Small SUVs may be compact but they ride high and give a commanding view of the road. Tall windows offer excellent front and side views, although thick roof pillars typically compromise rearview glances.

• Increased Ground Clearance. A taller ride height than the average car makes SUVs better at coping with dirt roads and modest off-road trails, and provides room to manage daily challenges from curbs, potholes, snow and road debris.

• Easy Cabin Access. You have to duck to enter sedans and climb up to get into old-school SUVs. But the seat height and tall roofline of small SUVs make them easy to slide in and out of, which is one reason they’re a hit with seniors.

To learn more, visit ConsumerReports.org.