10 Honda CR-V Competitors to Consider

2018 Honda CR V Red front side ・ Photo by Honda

The Honda CR-V was not only one of the first crossover SUVs, but it is also one of the most popular. And there is good reason for that. The CR-V has matured into one of the most versatile and useful vehicles you can buy for less than $25,000. Though it has the tall profile of a traditional SUV, it rides on a car-derived chassis. Because of that its ride quality and fuel economy rival that of its close cousin, the Honda Civic. But the CR-V’s “two-box” design and hatchback configuration enable it to haul prodigious amounts of cargo. These days, most CR-V trims use a potent 190-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that also gives it an extra dose of fun-to-drive.

So the CR-V is extremely popular. But that doesn’t mean it is the only compact crossover to consider. A wealth of other fine vehicles also populate the segment, and the following pages will give you a good look at them.

1. 2018 Toyota RAV4

While the Honda CR-V has long been a crowd favorite, in recent years one could argue that the Toyota RAV4 has grown equally popular. In fact, in 2017 the RAV4 not only exceeded the CR-V’s sales performance, but it was also the bestselling vehicle in the country except for a couple of full-size pickup trucks. Superior quality and longevity are two big reasons for that.

The RAV4 is powered by a stalwart 176-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine or a gas-electric hybrid powertrain. In years past, the RAV4 was spartan and almost truck-like, but that changed with the newest redesign. Now the RAV4 boasts an impressive array of standard equipment, including roof rails, a backup camera, Bluetooth/USB integration, and a 6-inch touchscreen-operated audio system. This year for the first time the RAV4 is offered in Adventure grade, which includes a higher ride height and more rugged off-road-oriented styling.

Photo by Toyota

2. 2018 Kia Sportage

Back before the turn of the last century, the Kia Sportage was the vehicle that really put the brand on the map in the United States. Now, more than two decades later, Kia is getting accolades for its high product quality in addition to its exceptionally long warranty. This model year, a technology package now available at the affordable LX level offers blind-spot detection, a lane-departure warning, and a rear cross-traffic alert.

This compact five-passenger crossover features a laundry list of standard features —  alloy wheels, automatic headlights, power-operated side mirrors, and heated front seats, to name a few. The Sportage is more conventionally good-looking than ever before, and the base 181-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine provides plenty of acceleration. If you’d like more, a 240-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder is available too, as is all-wheel drive.

Photo by Kia

3. 2018 Ford Escape

With four trim levels from which to choose, shoppers are likely to find a Ford Escape to suit their particular tastes and budget. In keeping with the desires of shoppers in the segment, the Escape is on-road-oriented, but all-wheel drive and turbocharged engines are available to spice things up.

The base engine is a 168-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder. A turbocharged EcoBoost 2.0-liter four-cylinder that offers 245 horsepower transforms the character of the tidy crossover. The base model lacks alloy wheels, but it does bring a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, automatic headlights, LED tail lights, split-folding/reclining rear seats, and Bluetooth smartphone integration. The top-of-the-line Escape Titanium features the 2.0-liter engine, a navigation system, enhanced active parking assistance, and high-intensity discharge headlights.

Photo by Ford

4. 2018 Nissan Rogue

The five-passenger Rogue is Nissan’s answer to the Honda CR-V, and a lot of consumers have been finding it a very good answer. It outsold the CR-V by a considerable margin last year, boosted by Nissan’s aggressive sales incentives. The Rogue offers exceptional passenger and cargo flexibility with its innovative EZ Flex seating system and Divide-N-Hide cargo system. For the 2018 model year, Nissan has begun offering ProPILOT Assist technology that aids steering, braking, and even acceleration during single-lane highway driving on the Rogue SL grade as part of a package.

All 2018 Rogues use a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated to the Xtronic continuously variable transmission with Sport and Eco modes. The CVT boosts fuel economy (26 mpg city/33 mpg highway/29 mpg combined), but not everyone loves the way it feels.

Photo by Nissan

5. 2018 Chevrolet Equinox

The redesigned-for-2018 Chevrolet Equinox offers the compact crossover buyer both choice and size. For example, three different engine choices are available: a 170-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, a 252-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, a 137-horsepower 1.6-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder.

Standard features include alloy wheels, LED running lights, automatic xenon headlamps, a stop-start system, heated/power-operated side mirrors, a backup camera, remote entry/starting, and a six-speaker audio system controlled by touchscreen. Options include leather upholstery, all-wheel-drive, heated rear seats and rear parking sensors. Newly available safety features include a safety alert seat, low-speed forward automatic braking, and Surround Vision. A switchable AWD system is also among the options. It enhances efficiency by disconnecting from the rear axle when its power and torque is unneeded.

Photo by Chevrolet

6. 2018 Hyundai Tucson

The Hyundai Tucson was named most dependable small SUV by J.D. Power in the research firm’s 2018 Vehicle Dependability Study, just another indication that the Tucson is a viable alternative to the Honda CR-V. For 2018, the Tucson expands the availability of heated seats and a 7-inch audio display system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Two direct-injected four-cylinder engines are available: a 175-horsepower 1.6-liter and 164-horsepower 2.0-liter. For under $25,000, the Tucson SEL offers LED daytime running lights and accent lights, an eight-way power driver seat with two-way power lumbar support, heated front seats, power windows with a driver’s auto-up/down feature, and the 7-inch touchscreen display audio system. Other nice available features include proximity-key entry with push-button start and a hands-free liftgate.

Photo by Hyundai

7. 2018 GMC Terrain

The GMC Terrain’s calling card used to be its distinctive squared off styling. But for the 2018 model year, GMC backed away from that look and brought the compact crossover’s styling back toward the mainstream. The result is a good-looking, useful vehicle that presents a reasonable alternative to the CR-V. 

Under the skin, the Terrain shares a lot with its General Motors sibling, the Chevrolet Equinox, including its three four-cylinder engine choices: a 170-horsepower 1.5-liter turbo, 252-horsepower turbo, and 137-horsepower 1.6-liter diesel. GMC has had a great deal of success with its Denali top-level trim packages across the line, and the Terrain Denali features unique grille, 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, and the availability of a very sophisticated safety package that includes automatic parking assist and surround vision.

Photo by General Motors

8. 2018 Subaru Forester

While front-wheel drive is the standard setup for nearly every crossover, Subaru equips every Forester with its symmetrical all-wheel drive system. Another Subaru differentiator is safety, and for 2018 the company's EyeSight driver assist technology is now standard or available on more Forester trim levels than before. It integrates adaptive cruise control, automatic pre-collision braking, and a lane-departure and sway warning.

Premium trims equipped with optional EyeSight also include blind-spot monitoring and a rear cross-traffic alert. The five-passenger Forester can be equipped with two engines: a 170-hp 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder or 250-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder. The more powerful 2.0XT model also includes the Subaru Intelligent Drive powertrain performance management system that allows the selection of three different modes — Intelligent, Sport, and Sport Sharp.

Photo by Subaru

9. 2019 Jeep Cherokee

The Jeep Cherokee got the small SUV segment up and running decades ago, and it is still going strong today. The Cherokee was significantly revised for the 2019 model year, with sales of the new version starting in the first quarter of 2018. Jeep calls Cherokee a mid-size SUV and might suggest that its smaller Compass is the CR-V competitor, but the Cherokee’s overall length is much closer to the CR-V than the Compass.

The Cherokee's featured powertrain is the all-new 270-horsepower 2.0-liter direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. The base engine is a 180-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder, while a 271-horsepower 3.2-liter V6 is also available, delivering a tow rating of 4,500 pounds. Befitting a Jeep, the Cherokee offers three distinct 4x4 systems for extra traction in challenging conditions.

Photo by Fiat Chrylser Automobiles

10. 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander

The Mitsubishi Outlander has the advantage of three-row seating over the Honda CR-V. It’s about 4 inches longer than the CR-V but equally handy to drive in urban traffic, and the option to carry two additional passengers is appealing.

For 2018, the Outlander offers a new 7-inch touchscreen display audio unit with Bluetooth as standard on the base ES trim. The Touring package, available on the SEL and GT trims, includes forward-collision mitigation, a lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Two engines are available: a 166-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a 224-horsepower 3.0-liter V6. Dual-zone automatic climate control, a tilt and telescopic steering column, and a rearview camera make the Outlander’s cabin a more comfortable place.

Photo by Mitsubishi