It feels like just yesterday we were talking about sedans ruling the roost, the reliable Toyota Camrys and Honda Accords of the world. But times, they are a-changin'. Now, the real action, the kind that fills our driveways and our streets, is happening in the compact SUV segment. Car and Driver, ever attuned to what real people are actually buying, gathered eight of the most popular contenders to see how they stack up. This isn't about niche off-roaders or luxury cruisers; this is about the vehicles that form the backbone of American motoring today.
We're talking about the titans: the Toyota RAV4, the Honda CR-V, the Nissan Rogue – names you see everywhere. But the field is getting crowded and interesting. Ford sent its popular Escape, aiming for a fun-to-drive score with a potent engine. Kia threw its hat in the ring with the redesigned Sportage, a vehicle that seems to embrace both ruggedness and a touch of class. Volkswagen offered up the Tiguan, hinting at sportiness with its R-Line trim. Mazda, skipping its smaller CX-5, brought the newer, more adventurous CX-50. And then there's the newcomer, the Dodge Hornet, injecting some classic Dodge attitude even in its base form.
It's a diverse bunch, and the editors made a point to select models that represent the mainstream appeal, eschewing vehicles on the cusp of redesigns or those with more specialized powertrains. The price points, too, were kept refreshingly grounded, hovering just below the current average new-car price. This was about finding the best of what most people can and do buy.
So, where did they end up? Well, the Nissan Rogue Platinum, despite its luxurious-looking interior and a rear seat that practically begs you to settle in for a long journey, landed in eighth place. While it certainly looks the part, and offers a comfortable ride for highway cruising, the driving dynamics left something to be desired. The steering felt a bit disconnected, the brakes a tad spongy, and when pushed, the chassis seemed to struggle. Even Nissan's innovative three-cylinder turbocharged engine, while producing decent power, didn't quite translate into a thrilling experience, and it fell short of its advertised fuel economy. It's a prime example of how first impressions, while important, aren't the whole story. Sometimes, the flash can't quite make up for a lack of substance when the rubber meets the road.
