Unless you really need three rows of seats, the 2018 Subaru Outback is the sensible SUV alternative.
Pros Swiss Army knife utility More refined than ever Lots of safety tech Comfortable, roomy interior Good ride and handling
Cons Optional 6-cylinder is thirsty Short on high-end luxuries No EyeSight on base Outback Touring’s roof rack lacks cross bars
The 2018 Subaru Outback ranked #3 in Wagons. Currently the Subaru Outback has a score of 8.4 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 41 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Standard all-wheel drive Spacious seats Lots of cargo space
Cons Unimpressive base engine
The 2018 Subaru Outback receives a variety of changes. On the outside, the grille and front and rear fascias have been updated for a more aggressive look, and there are new headlights that feature LED daytime running lights. A new side mirror design reduces interior cabin noise. On the inside, the Outback features a new infotainment system that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a new center console and steering wheel design. Premium and higher trims receive contrast stitching on the doors, seats and dash.
PROS A more spacious and comfortable cabin than those of many rivals Roof and cargo-loading heights are lower than those of most SUVs Excellent visibility in all directions Off-road ability is above average
CONS Gas and brake pedal feel make it hard to drive four-cylinder smoothly Acceleration is lackluster, especially with four-cylinder engine
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