Honda's CR-V is one reason why crossovers and sport-utiliies are outselling sedans for the first time ever.
New vehicle sales are still red hot and sport-utility vehicles are among the vehicles generating the heat these days, in particular compact SUVs.
Small SUVs offer buyers a lot of upside: elevated ride height and four-wheel drive capability as well as good gas mileage allowing buyers to hedge against a return to gas prices above $3 a gallon some day.
Perhaps their best selling point is the selling price: a well-equipped small SUV can be had for less than $25,000.
“The country is having a love affair with small SUVs right now, and Kelley Blue Book visitors are especially infatuated,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com.
(Ford investigating 420,000 F-150s for brake problems. For more, Click Here.)
“Balancing an SUV’s elevated driving position, superior cargo versatility and available all-wheel drive with the efficiency and affordability of a mainstream sedan, today’s small SUVs offer multifaceted appeal. It’s no wonder that it is one of the fastest-growing segments in the auto industry.”
In fact, there are more than a dozen choices in that segment and selection, which is best can be a dizzying task.
However, KBB.com’s editors have taken the time to drive all of the offerings and provide a top 10 list of what they think are the best choices and the Honda CR-V came out on top. Not surprisingly, it’s also one of the group’s top 16 Best Family Cars of 2016.
“The CR-V was again an easy pick for this top spot,” one of the editors noted. “Honda’s small SUV is roomy, reliable, refined, efficient and just about everything else you might be seeking from a small SUV.”
(Reliability woes worsen, according to new JD Power study. Click Here for the full story.)
The rest of the top 10 included:
- Mazda CX-5
- Hyundai Tucson
- Kia Sorento
- Subaru Forester
- Honda HR-V
- Toyota RAV4
- Nissan Rogue
- Jeep Renegade
- Jeep Wrangler
Perhaps the biggest surprise on the list is the Tucson.
(Kia fortifies portfolio with introduction of 2017 Sportage. Click Here for details.)
“A no-show on this list last year, Hyundai’s small SUV grabs the number three slot this year on the strength of a complete redesign that makes it more refined and even more stylish,” the site said.