The 2018 BMW X2 has agile handling to match its sleek looks, and while it gives up some interior space for the low roofline, it still retains some crossover utility.
Pros Sprightly acceleration Agile handling Stylish design Efficient for a crossover Good backseat space
Cons Interior space is compromised A front-drive BMW? Pricing creeps up quickly Most safety features are optional and pricey
Boldly styled on the outside, the X2 shares its underpinnings with the already excellent X1. A 228-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four mates to an eight-speed automatic transmission with front- or all-wheel drive. The fun-to-drive X2 went from 0–60 in 6.4 seconds in our testing. Connectivity options include a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and Apple CarPlay. Available safety tech includes lane-departure warning, automatic high-beams, forward-collision warning, and low-speed automated emergency braking.
Pros Attractive inside and out, nails the fun-to-drive quotient.
Cons Stiff ride, road and suspension noise, high as-tested price.
One of the nicest-looking BMWs of late also happens to be one of the most affordable, but despite its gorgeous design, it's far from perfect.
Pros Exterior design Driving dynamics Interior fit and finish Spacious for its size Very competent powertrain Great ride comfort (Adaptive Suspension), infotainment system
Cons Misses out on full autonomous emergency braking Apple CarPlay optional and an ongoing cost Interior carry-over from X1 showing its age
We're torn between the EX and the EX-L. The latter has desirable luxury features such as leather upholstery, a programmable power liftgate and a premium audio system. We liked it enough to buy one for our long-term test fleet.
PROS Turbocharged engine delivers a rare combination of thrift and zest Roomy interior with cavernous cargo capacity for this class Rides comfortably yet handles corners athletically Plentiful and thoughtful storage areas
CONS Optional navigation system isn't as reliable as expected Base LX's engine is weaker and thirstier than the turbo Touchscreen can be finicky to use and lacks a separate tuning knob
The 2018 Honda CR-V ranked #1 in Compact SUVs. Currently the Honda CR-V has a score of 8.8 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 30 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Cavernous cargo area High-quality cabin Supple ride Good crash test scores
Cons Few standard features
The 2018 Honda CR-V may be light on personality, but this compact crossover checks off every other box. It’s a very smart choice.
Pros Does nearly everything right Exceptionally roomy interior Good value Lots of safety gear Upscale feel
Cons Odd styling LX lacks important features Hardly fun to drive No high-performance version, if that matters
