Shopping for a vehicle is no easy task, especially with so many competitors in each segment.
Life’s all about choices — take cake or pie, for example. Maybe there’s no wrong answer, but there’s probably one you’ll enjoy more than the other. Cross-shopping vehicles is probably even harder than picking between cake and pie. That’s where ‘s comparisons come in — we want to help you narrow down your options and to see which vehicle may be the better choice for you.
‘s Reviews and Comparisons
As evidence of how popular crossovers have become, half of the top 10 most popular car comparisons of 2017 involved vehicles from the segment. See the full list below.
10. 2017 Mazda CX-5 vs. 2017 Honda CR-V
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Considering the 2017 Honda CR-V was named ‘s Utility Vehicle of the Year, the 2017 Mazda CX-5 had some tough competition. But the CX-5 might arguably be the most competitive offering to the CR-V, in a segment that has grown quite a bit in recent years. Both vehicles have the same starting price, which makes things even more complicated when choosing between the two. If you were making a judgment based on looks alone, you’d likely pick the Mazda. But if you’re looking for function over form, that’s a different story.
9. 2017 Audi A4 vs. 2017 BMW 330i
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The BMW 3 Series is widely considered the benchmark in the compact luxury segment, so it’s only natural to see how the 2017 Audi A4 holds up against the perennial bestseller. Both vehicles are powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and for our comparison, both models had all-wheel drive. So does the Audi A4 have what it takes to persuade BMW 3 Series shoppers? You might be surprised to hear the answer.
8. 2017 Honda CR-V vs. Hyundai Tucson
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Another popular crossover comparison sees the Honda CR-V pitted against the Hyundai Tucson. It’s easy to see why many believe the Tucson is more attractive than the CR-V, but how does the Tucson fare when it comes to its driving experience? The Tucson’s 175 horsepower is a bit less than the CR-V’s 190 figure, but it has 195 pound-feet of torque compared to the CR-V’s 179 lb-ft of torque. Honda equips its crossover with a CVT, while the Tucson sports a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. So can Hyundai’s offering dethrone the CR-V as our most recommend utility vehicle?
7. 2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport vs. Honda Civic
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There was a time where most automotive enthusiasts would laugh at the idea of a Honda Civic being compared to a Hyundai Elantra Sport. But times have changed and the Elantra Sport has become an attractive option in the compact segment. Powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, the Elantra Sport outpowers the Civic that has 174 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque from a 1.5-liter turbo four. Keep in mind that when we did the comparison, the Civic Si wasn’t available yet, so the outcome may have been a bit different had the Si been tested against the Elantra Sport. (We did that comparison here.)
6. 2017 Mazda3 vs. Honda Civic Hatchback
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We decided to compare two former Car of the Year winners against one another to see which hatch is the better buy. There’s a good reason that both of these hatchbacks are venerable contenders within the segment year after year, offering plenty of functional space with its five-door hatchback body and a fun-to-drive experience. The Civic is the tried and trued veteran, with a recognizable nameplate no matter where in the world you are. But the Mazda3 not only looks sporty, but it drives really well, too.
5. 2017 Audi A4 vs. 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300
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There’s a third contender among German automakers in the compact luxury segment, and it comes from Mercedes-Benz. It appears more of our readers are interested to see how the Audi A4 competes against the C300 over the BMW 330i. But like the 3 Series, the C-Class has been a venerable contender for decades in the segment, and the Audi A4 has a bit of catching up to do when it comes to sales worldwide. But maybe, just maybe, the A4 finally has what it takes to start dethroning the more popular C-Class and 3 Series models.
4. 2018 Toyota C-HR vs. 2017 Honda HR-V
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The Toyota C-HR is one of the latest entries in the subcompact crossover segment, and what better model to compare it to than the Honda HR-V? The larger CR-V is one of the best crossovers available, so it’s only natural to believe the HR-V is plenty capable. But Toyota has a rich history of reliability and dependability, and the C-HR is geared towards sportier enthusiasts looking for something a bit more avant-garde. The big question is whether the C-HR drives the way it looks, or if it lacks soul despite its unique styling.
3. 2017 Toyota RAV4 vs. 2017 Mazda CX-5
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Just to reinforce how crossovers have taken over the automotive market is yet another crossover comparison in the top 10. This time, it’s the Toyota RAV4 against the Mazda CX-5, pitting the more conservatively styled RAV4 against the sportier, more attractive CX-5. In a way, the vehicles actually appeal to different buyers with the RAV4 offering more space and utility, while the CX-5 is more upscale and better to drive. If you’re cross-shopping these two models, you’ll want to take a look at our comparison, which it seems a lot of buyers have.
2. Honda Civic Type R vs. Subaru WRX STI vs. Volkswagen Golf R vs. Ford Focus RS
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One of the biggest arrivals of 2017 was the Honda Civic Type R. After decades of waiting, Honda finally brought the mythical Civic Type R to North America and we just couldn’t wait to see how it did against other hot hatches. Joining the Civic Type R in our sport compact comparison is the Subaru WRX STI, Volkswagen Golf R, and Ford Focus RS. Does Honda’s front-wheel-drive hatchback really live up to the hype?
1. 2017 Honda CR-V vs. Toyota RAV4
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Our most popular comparison of the year sees the Honda CR-V facing off against the Toyota RAV4. Both crossovers have more conservative styling and are sensible choices for those looking for utility and affordable pricing. Both vehicles come from Japanese automakers with strong reputations in the industry and know a thing or two about making sensible vehicles. As the most popular comparison of the year, it’s clear many of our readers are cross-shopping the two options, but choosing a winner was easier than you may think.
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