The 2018 Kia Niro Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid breathe new life into the hybrid segment, with a practical wagon shape and excellent interior you’d never know was a hybrid.
Pros Utility vehicle styling Good noise suppression Handsome, intuitive interior 40-mpg-plus fuel economy Plug-in version priced well
Cons AWD unavailable Sluggish acceleration at speed No crash-test data yet Plug-in range now only average
The 2018 Kia Niro ranked #5 in Subcompact SUVs. Currently the Kia Niro has a score of 8.1 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 14 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Magnificent fuel economy Spacious, comfortable seats Generous cargo capacity Upscale cabin
Cons Less athletic than rivals Not available with AWD High base price
The most significant change for the 2018 Niro is the addition of lane keeping assist, replacing the previous lane departure warning system. It's included in the Advanced Technology package available on LX and EX trims, and it's standard on the top Touring trim.
PROS Impressive fuel economy from the base trim model One of the more affordable hybrids in the segment Batteries are hidden under the rear seat and don't affect cargo space
CONS Feature-laden Touring trim sacrifices fuel efficiency Less cargo space than most rivals Feels lazy when driving in the default Eco mode All-wheel drive isn't offered despite crossover styling
The 2019 Honda CR-V ranked #2 in Compact SUVs. Currently the Honda CR-V has a score of 8.6 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 18 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Generous passenger space Immense cargo hold Comfortable ride Great fuel economy estimates
Cons Base model lacks touch screen Competitors have more standard safety features
The 2019 Honda CR-V rewards owners with fantastic utility and great safety scores.
Pros Roomy, versatile interior Excellent value Comfortable ride Lots of safety gear on most models Classy overall feel
Cons Weird looks Base CR-V LX short on features No thrill machine Competitors are catching up
For 2019, the CR-V is essentially unchanged.
Pros Turbocharged engine delivers a rare combination of thrift and zest Roomy interior with cavernous cargo capacity for this class Rides comfortably yet handles corners athletically Plentiful and thoughtful storage areas
Cons Touchscreen can be finicky to use and lacks a separate tuning knob Underwhelming base engine on the LX trim
