The Santa Fe Sport’s cushy ride pairs with energetic handling for respectable on-road performance, but where the Sport shines is in its exceptionally well-appointed interior, wide array of available safety features, and price tag. The Santa Fe Sport delivers middling fuel economy, but its ample cargo hold makes up for some of that lost advantage and turns this compact version of the Santa Fe into a truly useful automobile.
Pros Upscale interior, agreeable to drive, a features list as long as your leg.
Cons Four-cylinder power in a V-6 class, light on standard safety gear, hoped-for fuel economy gone missing.
The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport still does what good crossover SUVs do best: it delivers flexible space, decent performance, and great value.
Pros Hits all the right crossover-SUV marks Lots of standard features A very good value, then and now Clever sliding seat Turbo-4’s minimal gas mileage penalty
Cons Dull base engine Gas mileage isn’t its strong suit Could use better steering feel 4-cylinders only
Pros Relative value Lots of available luxury features Cabin storage Handling Seating flexibility
Cons Off-the-line power versus V-6 competitors Rearward visibility Rear seating position Road noise Interior quality
There's only one version of the 2018 Lexus ES 300h, but a couple of option packages are worth considering. The Premium package is inexpensive yet adds appealing luxury touches such as a power-adjustable steering wheel, driver-seat memory settings and wood trim (a definite upgrade over the standard piano black pieces).
PROS Efficient hybrid powertrain returns high fuel economy Luxurious interior with impressive fit and finish Plenty of rear legroom, even for tall passengers Lots of standard driver aids, and plenty of optional ones
CONS Lots of noise while the electric motor recharges the battery Enform app suite is a poor substitute for Apple CarPlay/Android Auto Grabby brakes make it difficult to slow down smoothly Infotainment system's controller is frustrating to use
If you’re after a smooth, quiet, roomy, comforting luxury sedan that’s still good value, the 2018 Lexus ES may be one of the better choices.
Pros Silent interior 40-mpg hybrid model Larger inside than you’d think Smooth ride Engine pep
Cons Brake feel could be better Remote Touch interface clumsy, distracting Grille doesn’t gel with rest of car No Android Auto, Apple CarPlay
Pros Interior design Bright instruments No touch-sensitive panels App-compatible multimedia system
Cons Overpowering spindle grille Remote Touch interface Leather upholstery not standard Unremarkable hybrid gas mileage estimates