2021 Honda HR-V LX

The 2021 HR-V is Honda's smallest SUV, slotting below the CR-V and offering subcompact practicality with a tall cabin and versatile Magic Seat. It competes with the Toyota C-HR, Nissan Kicks, and Mazda CX-3, standing out for its flexible interior and available all-wheel drive. The HR-V handles tidily and rides comfortably, though the engine gets vocal when pushed hard and acceleration is modest. The Magic Seat folds flat or flips up to hold tall items, and rear legroom is generous for the class, making it a smart small SUV for cargo. The LX is the base HR-V, and it's the one to pick if you want the same Magic Seat and Honda Sensing as pricier trims without paying for extras like the Sport's bigger wheels. This one pairs a 1.8L I4 making 141 horsepower with an automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, which is enough for around town but you'll want to plan passes on the highway; it still returns 30 mpg combined. The LX rides on 17-inch steel wheels and skips the push-button start and blind-spot monitoring you'd get on the EX, so expect a more barebones cabin but a lower price.