2017 Honda HR-V EX

The HR-V is Honda's smallest SUV, a subcompact that splits the difference between a Fit and a CR-V. It's not quick, but the HR-V handles neatly and its Magic Seat makes the cabin feel far bigger than the footprint suggests. The ride is on the firm side, especially in back, so rough pavement comes through more than you might like. Cargo space is a highlight: the rear seats flip up or fold flat, and the low load floor makes hauling easy. The EX is the mid-grade HR-V, adding a 7-inch touchscreen and Honda Sensing that the base LX skips, without the leather of the EX-L. Its 1.8L I4 makes 141 horsepower, and with all-wheel drive you get a sure-footed feel in rain or gravel, though the transmission can hunt for gears on grades. Only the EX offers the Magic Seat with one-touch fold-flat capability, turning the cabin into a cargo hauler that rivals much larger SUVs.