Versatile SUVs: Why Honda Leads the Pack

Find the Right Honda SUV for Your Lifestyle

Versatile SUVs: Why Honda Leads the Pack

HondaBrand Publisher

Jump To: 2019 Honda CR-V | 2019 Honda HR-V | 2019 Honda Passport | 2020 Honda Pilot

Honda has some of the most loyal owners of any brand, and it's easy to see why: Honda vehicles spark passion and devotion in those who own them. This sentiment is especially true of the models in the automaker's crossover SUV lineup, with their incredible versatility, stylish design cues and pleasing driving dynamics. Since they're backed by the brand's enduring reputation for quality and reliability, Honda's crossovers also attract buyers who are discerning enough to make smart choices.

Currently, Honda offers four diverse SUV choices, so there's a Honda SUV for every type of driver. One thing all these crossovers have in common is their commitment to excellence. The Edmunds team has thoroughly tested all four models, and each one ranks among the top three vehicles in their respective segments (see Edmunds' editors rankings of the CR-V, HR-V, Passport and Pilot).

In the compact category, the Honda CR-V shines as an urban and suburban SUV for shoppers with active lifestyles. The HR-V is the brand's subcompact crossover, and its petite footprint and surprising practicality make it an ideal choice for city living. The midsize two-row Honda Passport is at home both on paved streets and adventuring off-road, when equipped with available all-wheel drive (AWD). Finally, the Pilot is Honda's midsize three-row SUV, and it offers family-friendly amenities for drivers who need more room and more capability. All four Honda SUVs are available with AWD for improved handling.

2019 Honda CR-V

What's New
The Honda CR-V carries over into the 2019 model year with no significant changes. It's part of the model's fifth generation, which was launched for 2017. That overhaul a couple of years ago brought upgrades that made a great SUV even better. The CR-V benefited from styling enhancements that gave it a bold, stunning new look.

Even more improvements are in store for the CR-V for the 2020 model year. The Honda Sensing® suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies will be standard across the entire model line, and the crossover benefits from updated exterior styling. Best of all, a new hybrid variant is set to join the lineup. All non-hybrid models will be powered by the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that was previously offered solely in EX and above trims.

What's Good
Honda's CR-V offers 40.4 inches of second-row legroom. That's more room than you'll get with rivals such as the Mazda CX-5 and the Subaru Forester. There's lots of cargo capacity onboard for road trips and weekend getaways, and the cabin is home to thoughtful storage areas for personal effects and items that may not need to go in the cargo area. The CR-V's handling strikes a balance that modern drivers will appreciate. Its driving dynamics are smooth enough to facilitate comfortable daily commutes yet sporty enough to tackle curvy roads and corners with confidence. And we're huge fans of the CR-V's optional turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which delivers crisp acceleration with EPA fuel economy ratings of 28/34/30 mpg city/highway/combined.¹

Honda's capable compact SUV is equipped with an appealing selection of standard amenities. This list includes LED daytime running lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, an automatic climate control system, and Bluetooth®² phone connectivity. All CR-V models come with an Easy Fold-Down 60/40 Split Rear Seatback that allows you to effortlessly expand the SUV's cargo space to an astonishing 75.8 cubic feet.³

You can upgrade your CR-V with optional features such as Apple CarPlay®⁴/Android Auto™⁵ smartphone integration, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a hands-free access power tailgate. And this SUV is available with the latest and greatest safety and driver-assistive technologies. EX and higher trims come standard with the Honda Sensing® suite of amenities. This package includes a Collision Mitigation Braking System™, a Road Departure Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, and a Lane Keeping Assist System.

Best for
Thanks to its engaging performance, Honda's CR-V is a strong pick for shoppers seeking a small SUV that's fun to drive. The cabin's versatile storage solutions also help make the CR-V a great choice for shoppers with active lifestyles, whether they live in the suburbs or the city.

2019 Honda HR-V

What's New
The Honda HR-V received a host of upgrades for the 2019 model year. Its exterior styling was refreshed, and Honda added two new trim levels: Sport and Touring. A new display audio and connectivity touchscreen was added, along with Apple CarPlay®⁴/Android Auto™⁵ smartphone integration. Rounding out the updates, the HR-V is now available with the Honda Sensing® suite of features, adding an expanded range of safety and driver-assistive technologies.

What's Good
Honda's HR-V impresses with its cleverly designed interior. Even with its easy-to-park subcompact footprint, the HR-V offers plenty of room for adults in both rows of seats. Additionally, the HR-V is at the front of the pack when it comes to cargo capacity. And its 2nd-row Magic Seat® – which can be folded flat into "long mode" to accommodate items like surfboards or flipped up into "tall mode" for cargo like lamps and potted plants – provides outstanding versatility. Shoppers who keep a close eye on their budget will also love the HR-V's performance at the fuel pump. The 2019 model earned higher city and highway fuel economy ratings than rivals such as the Jeep.

Standard features include Bluetooth®² connectivity and the nifty 2nd-row Magic Seat®. The optional Honda Sensing® package adds desirable safety and driver-assistive features such as a Collision Mitigation Braking System™ and Road Departure Mitigation™.

Best for
With its tiny footprint, the Honda HR-V is a nimble companion on narrow city streets, and its highly configurable interior offers superb versatility. This small SUV is a great choice for singles or couples living a busy urban lifestyle.

2019 Honda Passport

What's New
The Passport returns to Honda's lineup for the 2019 model year after a hiatus of over a decade, and it represents a huge improvement over the vehicle that wore the nameplate before it. This two-row midsize SUV is based on the larger, three-row Honda Pilot. It's similar to the Pilot in certain respects, utilizing the same 280-horsepower⁷ V6 engine and efficient nine-speed automatic transmission. However, it distinguishes itself from its larger sibling by offering more second-row legroom and higher ground clearance, making it a great companion for leaving the beaten path behind.

What's Good
The Passport's cabin is wonderfully roomy, and its seats remain comfortable even on longer trips. With its thoughtful underfloor storage compartment, this SUV's cargo area wins high marks for versatility. The second-row seats fold flat with the touch of a button, allowing you to expand the cargo area easily.

Honda's Passport is available with an Intelligent Traction Management System that lets you change the vehicle's traction settings to suit the current road conditions, including snow, sand, and mud modes. When you pair those amenities with the SUV's available all-wheel drive and high ground clearance, the Passport excels as a capable choice for off-road adventures.

All models come with the Honda Sensing® suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies. The Passport is also offered with available upscale amenities such as heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a wireless phone charger,⁸ and a hands-free access power tailgate.

Best for
If you enjoy getting up close and personal with Mother Nature, you'll love what the Passport has to offer. It's rugged enough for off-roading while remaining refined enough to serve as a pleasant daily commuter. It's the perfect choice for drivers who enjoy an outdoor lifestyle.

2020 Honda Pilot

What's New
Following a significant 2019 refresh, the Pilot receives no major changes for the 2020 model year. The Pilot ushered in an updated nine-speed transmission that delivers smoother gear shifts as part of its 2019 overhaul. New tech amenities included a revised available Display Audio touchscreen, and starting in 2019, the Honda Sensing® suite of safety and driver-assistive features became standard equipment on all Pilot models.

What's Good
Shoppers in the market for a family vehicle usually prize those models offering the roomiest accommodations. With a cavernous three-row cabin that seats up to eight, the Pilot has what it takes to transport families in comfort. Smooth handling is another must-have for family SUV shoppers, and the Pilot delivers in this respect as well. Its suspension is tuned to keep rough road surfaces from jarring passengers in the cabin.

Honda's three-row Pilot received strong fuel economy ratings⁹ from the EPA, and its configurable interior delivers lots of versatility. Edmunds' editors love the available One-Touch 2nd-Row Seats, which grant you easy access to the third row with the push of a button. And to help keep your family secure, all Pilots are equipped with a competitive selection of safety and driver-assistive features as part of the Honda Sensing® bundle of safety and driver-assistive technologies.

Best for
Its spacious cabin, pleasant handling, and long list of standard safety features make the Honda Pilot an ideal choice for family transportation. This impressive SUV is purpose-built to meet the needs of busy suburban parents and their growing families.

Versatile SUVs: Why Honda Leads the Pack

Find the Right Honda SUV for Your Lifestyle