Honda Odyssey
The Odyssey packs in
refinement, quietness, fuel
economy, and a relatively
intuitive infotainment
system. Its interior is very
flexible, with the ability to slide the
second-row outboard seats sideways.
Several connectivity and storage
features keep the entire family happy.
The 280-hp, 3.5-liter V6 engine
supplies plenty of power and is teamed with a slick 10-speed transmission. The
engine is smooth, punchy, and hushed, but there is no all-wheel-drive option.
The ride is very comfortable, the cabin is quiet, and handling is sound. However,
the push-button gear selector takes getting used to. The optional 8-inch info-
tainment touch screen is easier to use than the previous offering, but it can still
be distracting. Advanced safety systems aren't available on the base LX trim.
They are standard on all other Odyssey trims.
OVERALL
SCORE
61
$30,690-$47,320
RELIABILITY
2
SATISFACTION
3
ROAD-TEST SCORE 85 MPG 22
Honda Passport
The Passport is a shorter,
five-seat version of Honda's
Pilot SUV. They share a
platform and the same
smooth, refined 3.5-liter
V6 engine and nine-speed automatic
transmission. We measured 21 mpg
overall. The five-seat, midsized
Passport slots between the compact
CR-V and the three-row Pilot, and
competes with the Ford Edge and Nissan Murano. Unlike the Pilot's ride,
we found the Passport's ride to be rather stiff, but without a marked
improvement in handling agility. The infotainment system is slow to respond,
and the push-button gear selector is tricky to use at first. The interior is roomy
and full of handy storage places. Forward collision warning and automatic
emergency braking are standard, but blind spot warning comes only on
more expensive trims.
OVERALL
SCORE
59
$31,990-$43,780
RELIABILITY
1
SATISFACTION
4
ROAD-TEST SCORE 79 MPG 21
Honda Pilot!
The Pilot is quick, comfort-
able, and refined, but it's
not exactly a joy to drive.
Its three-row seating
configuration, roomy cabin,
and abundant interior storage make it
an extremely functional vehicle. Power
comes from a slick 3.5-liter V6 rated
at 280 hp. We got 20 mpg overall in
our tests of an EX-L with the standard
six-speed automatic. We found the ride to be comfortable but the handling is
ungainly. The touch-screen infotainment system is frustrating to use. Touring
and Elite trims get a nine-speed transmission that doesn't shift very smoothly
and features a push-button gear selector that takes getting used to. All Pilots
come standard with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking,
and lane keeping assistance.
OVERALL
SCORE
75
$31,550-$49,620
RELIABILITY
3
SATISFACTION
3
ROAD-TEST SCORE 80 MPG 20
Honda Ridgeline
!
Honda's smart pickup is
built on the same platform
as the Honda Pilot. Unlike
other trucks, it has a
unibody construction,
fully independent suspension, and
lockable trunk space below the
bed floor. Power comes from a slick
3.5-liter V6 engine, which returned
20 mpg overall in our tests, the best
of any nondiesel pickup. Towing capacity is modest at 5,000 pounds, and
the bed is shallow. Front- and all-wheel-drive versions are available. Ride
and handling are more refined than in conventional pickup trucks, and the
cabin is quiet. The infotainment system is rather tricky to use. Updates for 2020
include a new nine-speed automatic transmission, standard forward collision
warning and automatic emergency braking, and standard Android Auto and
Apple CarPlay compatibility.
OVERALL
SCORE
76
$33,900-$43,520
RELIABILITY
3
SATISFACTION
4
ROAD-TEST SCORE 83 MPG 20
Hyundai Accent
The Accent is bare-bones
transportation and
suffers from many of the
shortcomings common
among subcompacts. Its
1.6-liter four-cylinder engine returned
33 mpg overall in our tests. That is
good, but many larger, more substan-
tial compact cars can match that.
The engine sounds coarse under hard
acceleration. The stiff ride doesn't do much to soften bumps and ruts, and
road noise fills the cabin. The basic interior features easy-to-use controls.
We found the seats to be short on support, and the backseat is tight.
Advanced safety features come only on the top Limited trim, which is priced
like a compact car, and undermine the reason to buy a subcompact. For 2020
the Accent gets a continuously variable transmission, which Hyundai claims
will improve fuel economy.
OVERALL
SCORE
63
$15,195-$19,300
RELIABILITY
3
SATISFACTION
2
ROAD-TEST SCORE 64 MPG 33
Hyundai Elantra
!
The Elantra is relatively
roomy, is sparing with
fuel, and features intuitive
controls. The 2.0-liter
four-cylinder returned an
excellent 33 mpg overall in our tests
with the six-speed automatic. It now
has a continuously variable automatic
that mimics a conventional transmis-
sion quite well. The Eco version feels
more responsive but comes at a nearly $3,000 price premium. Although
handling is secure, there isn't much driving excitement. The ride is fine but
nothing special. Inside, the front seats in our tested SE are short on lumbar
support, though the power seat in the Limited is better. An available
GT hatchback with taut, nimble handling is quite different from the sedan.
Changes for 2020 include standard active safety features including automatic
emergency braking and forward collision warning.
OVERALL
SCORE
67
$18,950-$24,600
RELIABILITY
4
SATISFACTION
3
ROAD-TEST SCORE 66 MPG 33
Hyundai Ioniq
The Ioniq is the first direct
challenger to the Toyota
Prius. Evoking the Prius
silhouette and hatchback
configuration, the Ioniq
hybrid matches it as a fuel-sipper,
with 52 mpg overall. Power comes
from a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine,
which, paired with the electric drive,
puts out a combined 139 hp. The
six-speed dual-clutch transmission isn't the smoothest, and there's some delay
off the line. Like other hybrids, it can drive on electric power at low speeds.
Handling lacks agility, and the ride is a bit unsettled but unobjectionable. Our
SEL had unusually long stopping distances. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
compatibility is standard. Plug-in and fully electric versions are also available.
A number of safety features, including forward collision warning and automatic
emergency braking, are standard for 2020.
OVERALL
SCORE
71
$23,200-$38,615
RELIABILITY
4
SATISFACTION
4
ROAD-TEST SCORE 67 MPG 52
Hyundai Kona
!
The Hyundai Kona is one
of the better subcompact
SUVs. It competes with
the Honda HR-V, Mazda
CX-3, and the like. The
base 2.0-liter engine is adequate
around town but can feel sluggish at
times. We got 26 mpg with it in our
all-wheel-drive Kona. The uplevel
1.6-liter turbo is more powerful, but
power delivery is neither as smooth nor as predictable. Nimble handling makes
the Kona feel very responsive in corners. The ride, however, is stiff, and the
cabin gets loud with road and engine noise. The controls are super-easy to
use. Safety features include standard forward collision warning with automatic
emergency braking, and optional blind spot warning, rear cross traffic warning,
and driver monitoring.
OVERALL
SCORE
78
$20,100-$45,200
RELIABILITY
5
SATISFACTION
4
ROAD-TEST SCORE 71 MPG 26
62 CR.ORG APRIL 2020
NEW CAR PROFILES HONDA — INFINITI