2020 Mazda CX-5
$25,190 | U.S. News Score: 8.6/10
The Mazda CX-5, a sporty, fun-to-drive compact SUV, delivers excellent gas mileage and one of the most attractive cabins in the class. Its standard 187-horsepower engine achieves ample power, or you can opt for the 227-horsepower turbo-four for more zip.
Inside, you’ll find supportive seating for five people and the Mazda Connect infotainment system with Bluetooth and a 7-inch touch screen. Though its cargo hold is not as large as the CR-V’s – and not very impressive for the segment – the CX-5 can still accommodate enough suitcases for a family vacation.
The Mazda CX-5, recognized as a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), comes standard with adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and a rearview camera.
2021 Chevrolet Equinox
$23,800 | U.S. News Score: 8/10
The Chevrolet Equinox boasts better predicted reliability than the Honda CR-V, which could translate into fewer repairs and more money in your wallet. For exceptional power and acceleration, opt for the 252-horsepower turbo-four. The base 170-horsepower engine is somewhat underpowered.
Seating is comfortable in both rows, but the Equinox’s cabin and cargo hold are smaller than the CR-V’s. All models come with the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system with a 7-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and two USB ports.
The 2021 Equinox hasn’t been crash tested yet, but the mechanically similar 2020 Equinox was deemed a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. The Chevy boasts a long list of standard and optional safety features, which include a rearview camera, forward automatic emergency braking, and the Chevrolet Teen Driver System. The latter lets you set limits on speed and audio volume for secondary drivers.
2020 Kia Sportage
$23,990 | U.S. News Score: 8.5/10
The 2020 Kia Sportage, the winner of one of our 2020 Best Cars for Teens awards and a finalist for our 2020 Best Compact SUV for the Money award, boasts a blend of power, comfort, and the most up-to-date dashboard technology at an affordable price.
The Sportage’s 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine provides an ample 181 horsepower, but the optional 240-horsepower turbo-four provides much more zest than the CR-V. Inside, this compact SUV comes with comfortable seats, plenty of head- and legroom, and a long list of standard tech features. These include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, a USB port, and an infotainment system with an 8-inch touch screen.
The Sportage has an excellent predicted reliability score and strong safety ratings. All models come equipped with a rearview camera and a driver attention monitor, which detects distracted driving and recommends rest when needed.
2020 Audi A4 Allroad
$44,600 | U.S. News Score: 8.5/10
If you aren’t sold on the idea of getting an SUV, the elegant Audi A4 Allroad wagon might be an appealing alternative. As a luxury model, the Allroad is tens of thousands of dollars costlier than the CR-V, but features an impressive mix of performance, comfort, and luxury.
The wagon’s standard adaptive suspension handles road imperfections smoothly, while its 2.0-liter turbo-four delivers a sprightly 248 horsepower. Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system is standard, as well.
The five-passenger Allroad’s elegant cabin comes with leather upholstery and heated front seats, as well as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, a 10-speaker stereo system, and a 10.1-inch touch screen.
All models also come with LED headlights with automatic high beams, automatic emergency braking, and low-speed forward collision warning.
2020 Ford Escape
$24,885 | U.S. News Score: 8.2/10
Redesigned for the 2020 model year, the Ford Escape compact crossover delivers a smooth ride and long list of standard safety equipment. The compact crossover’s standard Ecoboost engine delivers an ample 181 horsepower, but the optional 250-horsepower powertrain puts much more pep into your ride.
While the Escape cannot match the CR-V in cabin comfort or interior style, upper trims do come with high-tech dashboard features including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and Ford’s SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touch screen.
The Escape, an IIHS Top Safety Pick, also boasts a great predicted reliability rating. Standard safety features include blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and curve control, which can reduce the throttle and engage the brakes when the system determines you’ve taken a turn too quickly.
2020 Toyota RAV4
$25,950 | U.S. News Score: 8.1/10
As the top-selling SUV in the U.S., the Toyota RAV4 also took home our 2020 Best Compact SUV for Families award. Its 203-horsepower four-cylinder engine is more robust than the Honda CR-V’s, and delivers quicker acceleration, too.
All models come with Apple CarPlay and an infotainment system with a 7-inch touch screen. Android Auto, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hot spot are newly standard for 2020. This equipment is still optional in the CR-V.
The RAV4 also comes with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 bundle of driver-assistance features, which includes automatic emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, and automatic high-beam headlights.
2020 Hyundai Santa Fe
$26,275 | U.S. News Score: 8.5/10
The Hyundai Santa Fe, winner of our 2020 Best 2-Row SUV for the Money award, is our top-ranked midsize SUV. Buyers appreciate its quiet cabin, fuel efficiency, and great predicted reliability.
The Santa Fe’s standard 185-horsepower four-cylinder engine is less animated than the CR-V’s, but buyers can upgrade to a 235-horsepower turbo-four for more speed and power. The cabin features comfortable seating and plenty of passenger room, as well as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an infotainment system with a 7-inch display screen.
Aside from a very good predicted reliability rating, the Santa Fe receives top marks for crashworthiness. Standard safety features include adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. A slew of additional driver assistance aids are optional.
2020 Nissan Rogue
$25,300 | U.S. News Score: 7.8/10
The Nissan Rogue is a compact SUV with an attractive cabin, good fuel efficiency, and a decent predicted reliability score. However, its underpowered 170-horsepower four-cylinder engine is no match for the Honda CR-V's.
The Rogue’s interior offers supportive seats, soft-touch materials, and plenty of legroom. Standard technology features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, two USB ports, and a user-friendly infotainment system with a 7-inch touch screen.
An IIHS Top Safety Pick, the Rogue comes standard with a rearview camera, automatic high-beam headlights, automatic emergency braking, and other features. Many additional driver assistance aids are available as options.
2021 Honda Odyssey
$31,790 | U.S. News Score: 8.7/10
If a compact SUV is too small for your family, consider the Honda Odyssey minivan. The top-ranked Odyssey feels both roomy and robust, and benefits from a styling refresh inside and out for 2021. The mechanically-similar 2020 model took home our 2020 Best Minivan for Families award.
The minivan’s capable V6 delivers 280 horsepower – much more than the CR-V. The Odyssey seats up to eight people, and features class-leading cargo space sufficient to transport furniture, sports equipment, or a long day’s shopping haul. As with the CR-V, buyers will need to upgrade for Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, and an infotainment system with an 8-inch touch screen.
The 2020 Odyssey received top marks in IIHS crash tests, although the organization hasn’t tested the 2021 model as of this writing. The Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance equipment is now standard for 2021, and includes road departure warning, pedestrian detection, and lane keep assist, among other features.
2020 GMC Terrain
$25,000 | U.S. News Score: 7.5/10
The 2020 GMC Terrain places in the middle of our ranking of compact SUVs, but it comes with more standard features than the CR-V. An optional 252-horsepower turbo-four also provides more zip than Honda’s compact ute, although the Terrain’s base engine is lackluster.
The Terrain’s spacious cabin comes with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, as well as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, several USB ports, and the brand’s user-friendly infotainment system with a 7-inch touch screen.
Forward collision warning, lane departure warning, front pedestrian braking, automatic emergency braking, and a following distance indicator are newly standard for the 2020 model year.
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10 Alternatives to the 2020 Honda CR-V
- 2020 Mazda CX-5: $25,190 | U.S. News Score: 8.6/10
- 2021 Chevrolet Equinox: $23,800 | U.S. News Score: 8/10
- 2020 Kia Sportage: $23,990 | U.S. News Score: 8.5/10
- 2020 Audi A4 Allroad: $44,600 | U.S. News Score: 8.5/10
- 2020 Ford Escape: $24,885 | U.S. News Score: 8.2/10
- 2020 Toyota RAV4: $25,950 | U.S. News Score: 8.1/10
- 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe: $26,275 | U.S. News Score: 8.5/10
- 2020 Nissan Rogue: $25,300 | U.S. News Score: 7.8/10
- 2021 Honda Odyssey: $31,790 | U.S. News Score: 8.7/10
- 2020 GMC Terrain: $25,000 | U.S. News Score: 7.5/10
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These Vehicles Give Honda’s Popular SUV a Run for Its Money
The Honda CR-V, a versatile crossover with a reasonable price tag, is one of the top-selling SUVs in the U.S. Drivers appreciate its comfortable ride, roomy cabin, and ample capability for hauling anything from suitcases to surfboards. That’s why we ranked it atop our list of compact SUVs and named it the winner of our 2020 Best Compact SUV for the Money award.
While its excellent build quality, great gas mileage, and standard 190-horsepower turbo-four make this two-row Honda a superb choice for your next SUV, rivals are starting to rise to the challenge. The Mazda CX-5 is an excellent alternative for buyers seeking a sportier ride. If safety and reliability top your list of must-haves, consider the Chevrolet Equinox. Wagon fans will appreciate the Audi Allroad, a spacious ride with power and elegance aplenty.
As you read through the following slides, be aware that our rankings are continually updated as new data becomes available, so the scores you see here may not match those you see elsewhere on our site.
Keep reading to learn more about the 10 best alternatives to the Honda CR-V in dealerships today.