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  • Is the Honda CR-V the Best Mid-Sized SUV?

    Is the Honda CR-V the Best Mid-Sized SUV?

    If you’re in the market for a new car and wondering which SUV is right for you and your family, look no further! Today we’re breaking down some of the best SUVs on the market today and what makes each special. Important aspects, like price and average gas mileage, are high on our list of priorities. We’re also looking for SUVs with great comfort that offer a ton of bang for your buck. Let’s talk about some practical, comfortable vehicles.

    Honda Passport

    When you hear the word Honda, the first thing that comes to mind is usually “reliable.” The Honda Passport is no exception: reliable, comfortable and affordable, Honda’s midsize SUV is well worth your attention. The Passport starts at $31,990 for the base trim, though you’ll likely opt for the higher trim levels for even more cabin amenities, a stronger engine and a more robust safety suite.

    The vehicle gets an average of 20 MPG in the city and 25 on the highway, making it pretty standard among SUVs of its size. Even the base trim offers a pretty solid engine, ponying up 280 horses, making this vehicle fun as well as practical. The interior has a lot of cargo space, and seating for five. Thankfully, all five people get ample leg room and tons of soft-touch materials, making the cabin a peaceful and quiet space for long car rides.

    Toyota Highlander

    Another respected name in the automotive industry, Toyota’s Highlander is another solid midsize SUV you should consider. The cabin is one of the best in the class, offering up a ton of interior comfort for much less than higher-end competitors. Soft, sleek leather seats and a very upscale infotainment system make this SUV feel like it should be $20,000 more expensive. Thankfully, it starts at only $37,170 for the base trim.

    We highly recommend the hybrid version of the Highlander, as it offers a fantastic 30 MPG in the city, though this also means it gets only 28 on the highway. That said, this hybrid still packs a ton of power, bringing 306 horsepower to bear. It’s not exactly light or agile, though, so expect to take turns a little wide. However, this remains a great option for families, offering great cargo space, tons of legroom and a quiet, comfortable ride. Not to mention its stellar suite of safety features and great safety ratings!

    Kia Telluride

    The Korean carmaker has long been considered a leader in SUVs, and the Telluride’s 2020 model is here to continue that tradition. The Telluride is aptly named: riding in this vehicle is downright peaceful. The cabin is quiet and meditative, perfect for getting you through hectic morning commutes or back and forth dropping kids off at school. The suspension is incredibly smooth, the cabin is stylish and likable, and the engine is sufficiently powerful.

    Also making the vehicle appealing to families is the safety software suite. Emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, backup cams and more all make the Telluride a modern and easy-to-drive vehicle. Starting at $31,690, it’s also quite affordable for being a new (and luxurious) midsize SUV! As for the cost to own, it sports an average of 20 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway.


  • 2019 Honda CR-V: How Does it Stack Up?

    2019 Honda CR-V: How Does it Stack Up?

    The 2019 model year CR-V is upon us, and Honda’s best-selling car looks pretty solid. Is it a worthy competitor to the Toyota RAV 4, though, or does Honda’s biggest rival take the small crossover top spot this year? Today we’re taking a closer look at the 2019 CR-V to answer just that.

    2019 Honda CR-V

    What’s New?

    There’s actually very little that’s new in the 2019 CR-V when compared to the 2018 model. This is the same fifth-generation CR-V we’ve been seeing for the last few model years. That being said, it sports a great suite of technology still and the styling is still modern and sleek. As for brand-new features, the only notable option is the new white paint scheme.

    As for things you won’t find this year, a trim level has been deleted from the roster for 2019. The more simplified range is a good thing for this more budget-level small SUV: as one of Honda’s mainstays and a great practical car, it’s not exactly competing with BMW or Tesla. We appreciate the more concise model range with a simpler statement of purpose: this is a practical car for working families.

    Design

    Much like last year, the fifth-generation CR-V looks great. The styling is modern and slick, and we love the black-painted touches on the rims. Other neat flourishes include the rear taillight molding that gives a 3D effect, the chrome, black and grey plastic finishes all add together for a modern and clean look. Style lines across surfaces like the door panels, framing the grille and across the hood give the car a lot of visual coherency.

    The interior is similarly modern and feels clean and stylish without looking gaudy. We love the soft-touch materials over most major surfaces, as well as the tasteful wood grain finish in some of the panels. From the driving position, the layout is smooth and draws the eye to the infotainment system, which we’ll get to in a moment. From the passengers’ positions, the car’s surroundings are comfortable and calming.

    Interior Tech

    About that infotainment system: the screen is large and bold, and the touch controls are responsive. Honda’s proprietary display-audio system is at work here, and it’s great. The image resolution looks solid, and, while not being the most impressive on the market, works well for what this car is trying to do. Oddly, there’s no wi-fi hotspot option for this vehicle. This is an odd touch for an otherwise modern car.

    That being said, modern touches are also here: the Display Audio system has functionality for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which both allow you to sync your smartphone with your car’s infotainment system. The Display Audio system is also easy to learn and navigate if you’ve not encountered it before. All in all, this is a solid suit of tech for an SUV of this class.

    Practicality

    The interior storage space and drive train are as you’d expect from a CR-V. It can carry tons of stuff, making it a great grocery-getter, and it drives fine. It’s neither fast nor slow, sporting its 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque in all trim levels but the base LX. It’ll get you on to the highway and around town, but it won’t do so with any panache.

    The ride is smooth and comfortable, much like the interior of the vehicle. Even on a rough road with many bumps and ruts, you’ll likely feel fine as the vehicle just trucks along. From its starting price of $24,450, it’s a great deal for anyone looking for a good daily driver. We’re happy to report that the 2019 CR-V is still on top when it comes to small SUVs.