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 Jeep Renegade mounts a spirited defense of its brand bona fides, but delivers a less convincing impression of a great economy car.
Pros Looks like a real Jeep User-friendly interior Real off-road capability Clever design Easter eggs Tuck-away glass-panel roof
Cons Not a five-seater Too-snug rear seat Gas mileage is meh Upgraded 4-cylinder is noisy
The 2018 Jeep Renegade ranked #8 in Subcompact SUVs. Currently the Jeep Renegade has a score of 7.8 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 35 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Exceptional off-road capabilities Upmarket interior Smooth and nimble handling
Cons Rivals have more standard features Subpar gas mileage
The Jeep Renegade receives a handful of infotainment updates for 2018. A rearview camera, a 5-inch touchscreen and a six-speaker audio system are all now standard. New, upgraded 7- and 8.4-inch touchscreens now include Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. All touchscreens are loaded with the newest version of Jeep's Uconnect infotainment system.
PROS Trailhawk model's best-in-class off-road capability Agile handling when going around turns Plenty of easy-to-use technology features Lots of character with a classic Jeep look
CONS Rear-seat legroom is tight for adults Boxy shape makes for lots of wind noise on the highway Fuel economy is middling for the segment Nine-speed transmission is clunky and easily confused
