There’s a lot to like about the sharp-handling, attractive 2018 Kia Sportage, even if its fuel economy doesn’t impress.
Pros Distinctive styling Great ride and handling Optional turbo power Quality feel inside Stellar infotainment
Cons Lousy fuel economy Styling not for everyone So-so visibility Limited configurability
The 2018 Kia Sportage ranked #4 in Compact SUVs. Currently the Kia Sportage has a score of 8.6 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 22 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Premium interior Two rows of spacious seats Agile handling and smooth ride Excellent warranty and predicted reliability rating
Cons Unimpressive engines Below-average fuel economy Smaller cargo hold than rivals
The Sportage stands pat with its unmistakable front-end styling and steadfast powertrain duo for 2018. Instead of changing those, Kia has extended some of its active safety features to lower trims, upgraded several standard features, and reshuffled the contents of option packages.
Pros Audi-like interior, long list of features, speedy turbo engine.
Cons Poor fuel economy, limited cargo space, love-it-or-hate-it styling.
The 2018 Jaguar F-Pace ranked #4 in Luxury Compact SUVs. Currently the Jaguar F-Pace has a score of 8.6 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 21 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Sports-car-like handling Comfortably seats five adults Extra-large cargo hold Fuel-efficient optional turbodiesel engine
Cons Minor irritations with the infotainment system Optional turbodiesel engine is sluggish off the line
Jaguar adds a third engine option for the 2018 F-Pace. A 247-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine is the new engine for the base model. A more powerful 296-hp version is also new and arrives midway through the model year. It replaces the 340-hp version of the supercharged V6.
PROS Available supercharged V6 delivers quick and powerful acceleration Bigger cargo space than many rivals Handles and brakes like a sport sedan Fuel-efficient diesel option gets 29 mpg combined
CONS More road and wind noise in the cabin than competitors The larger the wheels, the poorer the ride comfort Mediocre infotainment system with clunky smartphone integration Interior materials feel cheap for a luxury SUV at this price
The 2018 Jaguar F-Pace is a statement of style over sedans. It looks like it belongs, which we suppose is the point.
Pros Great road manners and sporty feel Variety of engine and trim choices Attractive styling Widescreen infotainment unit
Cons Safety features and rearview camera are added-cost options Interior too dark and plain in some colors Ride can be harsh in larger wheel size configurations
