The Honda CR-V is one of the safest, most refined crossovers in the compact to mid-size segment, but it's not too exciting.
It's a polar opposite of the Ford Escape, new for 2013 with a rakish roofline and a powertrain lineup including turbocharged fours, not to mention excellent handling.
On the other hand, the Escape isn't as boxy and practical in that way as the previous version was.
The Chevrolet Equinox has an excellent base powertrain with high fuel economy; it's also refined and quiet, with a clever sliding second-row seat, but it's not quite as space-efficient or versatile as the Honda.
Both the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage are a bit smaller than the CR-V but not all that much more fuel-efficient; they're not nearly as spacious inside, either, but they drive with more small-car verve.
Finally, the new Toyota RAV4 has become more like the CR-V with its recent redesign.
It's more efficient, not much more exciting, and now it's four-cylinder only.
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 2014 Honda CR-VBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Chevrolet EquinoxBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Ford EscapeBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Hyundai TucsonBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Kia SportageBrowse Used Listings |  2014 Toyota RAV4Browse Used Listings |
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| Quick Specs | |||||
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The 2014 Honda CR-V isn't exactly sprightly, but it nails efficiency on a few levels and finally brings more features to the family-wagon fight. |
The 2014 Chevrolet Equinox is every bit as solid, spacious, and well-equipped as cost-conscious families could expect -- and far more quiet and refined than many other models without a luxury badge. |
With authentically athletic looks and performance balancing out good passenger space, cargo versatility, and loads of high-tech features, the 2014 Ford Escape is attractive to a wide range of buyers. |
A better ride and improved handling should add to the appeal of the 2014 Hyundai Tucson, which carries forward with curvaceous sheetmetal and against-the-grain crossover styling. |
With up to 260 horsepower on tap and styling that's suitably athletic, the 2014 Kia Sportage shows that practical compact crossover wagons don't need to be so stodgy. |
The 2014 Toyota RAV4 is sensible and spacious; but if driving fun is a priority, you can do better. |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $23,120 | $24,440 | $23,100 | $21,450 | $21,600 | $23,550 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 22 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy | 20 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy | 20 MPG City / 29 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy | 22 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy |
| Engine | |||||
| Regular Unleaded I-4 | Gas/Ethanol I4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Small SUV 2WD | 2WD Sport Utility Vehicle | Small SUV 2WD | Small SUV 2WD | Small SUV 2WD | Small SUV 2WD |
| Style Name | |||||
| 2WD 5-Door LX | FWD 4-Door LS | FWD 4-Door S | FWD 4-Door GLS | 2WD 4-Door LX | FWD 4-Door LE (GS) |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Sport Utility | Sport Utility Vehicle | Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Sport Utility | Sport Utility |
| Transmission | |||||
| Automatic w/OD | Automatic | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2014 Honda CR-V vs. 2014 Chevrolet Equinox | 2014 Honda CR-V vs. 2014 Ford Escape | 2014 Honda CR-V vs. 2014 Hyundai Tucson | 2014 Honda CR-V vs. 2014 Kia Sportage | 2014 Honda CR-V vs. 2014 Toyota RAV4 | |
