The 2018 Honda HR-V blends great rear-seat flexibility and gas mileage, but it’s slow.
Pros Makes the most of its size Lots of standard equipment Great gas mileage Shift it yourself, if you like Composed, absorbent ride
Cons Thin acceleration Crash-test scores are mixed Doesn’t offer latest safety tech Road manners: meh
The 2018 Honda HR-V ranked #3 in Subcompact SUVs. Currently the Honda HR-V has a score of 8.2 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 31 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Adult-friendly back seat Versatile cargo area
Cons Awkward available touch screen Firm front seat cushions Slow to reach highway speeds
Honda’s mini ute switches to 2018 with a new paint color—Aegean Blue Metallic—and a new dark-colored wheel design on EX and EX-L trims. Other than that, the HR-V sees no other changes, mechanical or otherwise.
Pros Fuel-efficient powertrain, cargo-hauling leader, handsome styling.
Cons Lackluster acceleration, frustrating infotainment system, short on small-item storage.
The 2018 Lexus RX Hybrid ranked #3 in Luxury Midsize SUVs. Currently the Lexus RX Hybrid has a score of 8.7 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 30 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Excellent fuel economy Roomy, comfortable seats
Cons Frustrating infotainment system Subpar cargo capacity
The 2018 Lexus RX 450h is less expensive than last year, but some features that were standard are now optional. These include the sunroof, roof rails, heated and ventilated front seats, driver-seat memory settings, navigation system and blind-spot monitoring. The new Premium package adds some of these features back in, while others are sold as stand-alone options.
PROS Impeccably crafted and attractively designed cabin Excellent fuel economy for a luxury crossover Supremely quiet Appealing ride and handling balance with F Sport package
CONS Relatively slow acceleration Below-average cargo capacity Optional tech interface is distracting to use
RX 450hL hybrids have a lower-output V-6, batteries, and motors that power the rear wheels for a through-the-road, all-wheel-drive powertrain. The continuously variable transmission saps the life out of its delivery, but it’s smooth.
Pros Bracing design Swift acceleration Broad range of road manners Hybrid's high gas mileage High-tech safety standard
Cons That polarizing sheet metal Gets expensive in a hurry Firm F Sport ride Gas-only mileage just average
