Forget about its Chinese roots; the Envision is a comfortable, well-appointed crossover. But it's also expensive, and there are some interior compromises. Let's not beat around the bush: The 2017 Buick Envision is the first mainstream vehicle assembled in China and exported to the United States. Introduced last year but expanded for the 2017 model year to a full lineup of base, Preferred, Essence, Premium, and Premium II trim levels, the Envision may sound like a brand of perfume, but it's really a mid-size crossover.
Pros Perfect fit for the Buick lineup Quiet interior Comfortable ride quality Attractive styling
Cons Price on par with genuine luxury rivals Would you buy a Chinese-made American car? Turbo is AWD-only Advanced safety tech costs big bucks
The 2017 Buick Envision ranks 12 out of 14 Luxury Compact SUVs. The 2017 Buick Envision gets lost near the back of the luxury compact SUV pack. It’s comfortable to drive and nicely equipped, and it offers good value for the money, but in a sea of over-achievers, the Envision is just average.
Pros Peppy turbocharged engine Comfortable, spacious seats Excellent safety ratings Lots of tech features
Cons Underpowered base engine Dull handling
The 2017 Buick Envision is an all-new vehicle in the lineup that slots between the smaller Encore and the midsize Enclave SUVs. The Envision combines a practical size with a long list of standard features that make it a value-packed, near-luxury SUV worth considering.
Pros Manageable size makes it easy to drive and maneuver The cabin is as quiet inside as premium luxury SUVs You get a lot of features for the money.
Cons Cargo capacity is merely average for the class Engine output is adequate but far from impressive.
The Honda HR-V, all-new last year, is unchanged for 2017.The HR-V uses one of Honda's clever innovations, the so-called Magic Seat that the company also features in the related Fit hatchback. The seat has flip-up rear seat cushions that, when raised, create a tall and narrow cargo area between the front and rear seats that's great for things such as a bicycle or a flat-screen TV. With all the seats in place, there's suitable space for average-size adults, too. Besides the HR-V's flexibility, it also benefits from high fuel economy and an unobstructed outward view.
Pros Easily fits average-sized adults in front and back Clever cargo solutions make it more versatile than rivals Fuel economy figures are better than most competitors Outward visibility is excellent
Cons Unimpressive power output results in lackluster acceleration Infotainment system is not user-friendly There's an abundance of engine noise and vibration
Think of the 2017 Honda HR-V as a Fit with all-wheel drive and a little more headroom. It's not as fun as it could be, but it makes a lot of sense. The 2017 Honda HR-V is a relatively new entry into the small SUV category, but it cemented its standing as the segment's practicality-oriented choice early on thanks to Honda's almost religious devotion to interior packaging.
Pros Perky body Clever Magic Seat offers great flexibility High level of standard features Manual transmission offered Absorbent, composed ride
Cons Won't win a drag race So-so safety scores Lacks some safety tech Not as fun to drive as Hondas used to be
The 2017 Honda HR-V ranks 1 out of 12 Subcompact SUVs. The 2017 Honda HR-V ranks near the top of our subcompact SUV list thanks to its spacious cabin, quality interior, smooth ride, and excellent cargo space. This cargo space is highlighted by Honda's rear Magic Seat, which allows for multiple configurations. The HR-V also garners ample overall praise from professional auto reviewers.
Pros Flexible cargo space Spacious rear seats Quiet cabin
Cons Cumbersome available touch screen Lackluster engine
