The 2018 Kia Soul puts style ahead of safety features and turbo power.
Pros Looks sharp Good Uvo infotainment Turbo-4 power Versatile hatchback body Still a manual on the order sheet
Cons Engines can be noisy 6-speed automatic hunts through gears Mediocre gas mileage Top safety tech unavailable with turbo
The 2018 Kia Soul ranked #1 in Compact Cars. Currently the Kia Soul has a score of 9.1 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 45 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Comfortable, roomy cabin Considerable cargo space Upscale interior Energetic turbocharged engine available Outstanding warranty and predicted reliability rating
Cons Sluggish base engine Below-average gas mileage
Only a few changes were made to the Soul for 2018. The base Soul’s Convenience package now gets an upgraded UVO3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus automatic climate control. Midrange Soul Plus models now get the UVO3 system as standard.
Pros Funkiness on wheels, powerful and efficient turbo engine, comfortable cabin.
Cons Average cargo capacity, no all-wheel-drive option.
For 2017, the Toyota RAV4 gains a host of driver assistance features as standard equipment, including a forward collision mitigation system, lane departure warning, automatic high beams and adaptive cruise. The range-topping Platinum trim level is new this year.
Pros Quiet demeanor on the road makes it a pleasant commuter vehicle Rides smoothly in a variety of conditions Plenty of cargo space for its size High-tech safety features come standard
Cons Modest acceleration from the sole engine offering Fewer easily accessible storage compartments than most competitors
The 2017 Toyota RAV4 ranks 11 out of 18 Compact SUVs. The 2017 RAV4 faces stiff competition in the compact SUV class. It trails several rivals in terms of style and performance, but it has impressive safety features in all trims and one of the most spacious cabins in its class.
Pros Impressive list of standard features Easy-to-use infotainment system Spacious cabin
Cons Unimpressive acceleration Plastic-heavy interior
There's a RAV4 for just about everyone, and while we applaud Toyota for adding more safety technology for 2017, the competition is worth a good look, too. The 2017 Toyota RAV4 is the latest in a long line of compact crossover SUVs to grace the automaker's showrooms.
Pros Upgraded, roomy interior Lots of standard safety tech Wide range of models available Improved ride and handling Hybrid is intriguing
Cons Not the most polished crossover to drive No third row Unimpressive fuel economy Quirky styling
