The 2018 Buick Envision is a comfortable, roomy five-seat crossover that may not be the best in its class but is still worth a look.
Pros Pleasant styling Very quiet Comfortable ride Good value at bottom end
Cons Price escalates fast Oddball Preferred trim level Safety tech only on top models A little narrow
The 2018 Buick Envision ranked #11 in Luxury Compact SUVs. Currently the Buick Envision has a score of 7.9 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 25 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Peppy optional turbocharged engine Comfortable, roomy seats Lots of tech features
Cons Underwhelming base engine Numb handling Less interior opulence than luxury rivals
Among small luxury crossover SUVs, the 2018 Buick Envision might be worth your attention. Though its exterior styling is generic, it comes with a generous amount of features for the price and has an attractive interior trimmed in high-quality materials. It slots between the compact Encore and larger Enclave in Buick's portfolio. As such, it's pretty easy to maneuver around town but still has a decent amount of interior and cargo space.
Pros The cabin is quiet at highway speeds You get a lot of features for the money
Cons Weak acceleration with base engine Unsettled ride quality at times Cargo capacity is below average for the class
The 2018 Mazda CX-5 ranked #2 in Compact SUVs. Currently the Mazda CX-5 has a score of 8.7 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 27 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Excellent handling Comfortable, supportive seats Upscale interior
Cons Cumbersome infotainment system Unimpressive cargo capacity
As long as cargo space isn’t your main reason for buying a compact crossover, the 2018 Mazda CX-5 is an excellent, fun-to-drive choice.
Pros Attractive styling inside and out Poised chassis, communicative steering Engine changes bode well for mpg Good value, especially considering high spec level Rear seats fold flat
Cons Frustrating infotainment setup Light cargo volume Short on refinement
The 2018 Mazda CX-5 largely carries over from the previous model year, when it was extensively redesigned. New for 2018 are such standard features as a leather-wrapped steering wheel and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Also new is cylinder-deactivation technology intended to improve fuel economy slightly. The 2.5-liter engine automatically shuts down the two outside cylinders at cruising speeds to maximize efficiency. Last year's Grand Select trim level has been discontinued for 2018.
PROS Keen handling and steering make the CX-5 enjoyable to drive Attractive and upscale cabin for a premium ownership experience Stays quiet at highway speeds
CONS Not as powerful as some rivals
