The 2018 Honda HR-V blends great rear-seat flexibility and gas mileage, but it’s slow.
Pros Makes the most of its size Lots of standard equipment Great gas mileage Shift it yourself, if you like Composed, absorbent ride
Cons Thin acceleration Crash-test scores are mixed Doesn’t offer latest safety tech Road manners: meh
The 2018 Honda HR-V ranked #3 in Subcompact SUVs. Currently the Honda HR-V has a score of 8.2 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 31 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Adult-friendly back seat Versatile cargo area
Cons Awkward available touch screen Firm front seat cushions Slow to reach highway speeds
Honda’s mini ute switches to 2018 with a new paint color—Aegean Blue Metallic—and a new dark-colored wheel design on EX and EX-L trims. Other than that, the HR-V sees no other changes, mechanical or otherwise.
Pros Fuel-efficient powertrain, cargo-hauling leader, handsome styling.
Cons Lackluster acceleration, frustrating infotainment system, short on small-item storage.
The 2017 Mazda CX-5 ranks 2 out of 18 Compact SUVs. The 2017 Mazda CX-5 ranks near the top of the compact SUV class for its outstanding performance, comfortable passenger space, high-quality interior, and laudable features.
Pros Fantastic performance Smooth ride Upscale cabin Roomy and comfortable seats
Cons Average engine power Low predicted reliability rating
The 2017 Mazda CX-5 has been fully redesigned. Though its dimensions haven't changed, it's smoother and quieter to drive. Other improvements include sharper styling, a more upscale cabin and some new features. Its engine and automatic transmission are largely carried over, though last year's manual transmission is no longer available.
Pros Keen handling and steering make the CX-5 enjoyable to drive Attractive and upscale cabin for a premium ownership experience Quieter on the highway than before
Cons Not as powerful as some rivals
The 2017 Mazda CX-5 takes a lot of small steps forward, but are any of them big enough changes to sway buyers? The 2017 Mazda CX-5 is new this year, and improves upon last year's model with a better interior and exterior look, quieter ride, a new-ish standard engine, and a coming turbodiesel that could be among the leaders for small crossovers in highway mileage. It's offered in Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring trims with varying levels of creature comforts.
Pros Best-looking compact crossover, by our eyes Improved interior Excellent driveability Fold-flat rear seats
Cons Not dramatically different than outgoing model Turbodiesel arriving later this year Finicky infotainment system Small-ish cargo area
