Canada’s five best compact crossovers
Japanese makes dominate, taking four of the top spots on our list of great rides
When Canada finally gets back on its collective feet, there will be some fabulous deals to be scooped up. To help things along, Driving takes a look at the top picks from the hottest segment in the business — compact crossovers. Our top five, in ascending order:
2020 FORD ESCAPE
The Ford Escape arrives this year with a comprehensive makeover inside and out. It’s considerably larger, yet it’s also lighter, which helps performance and economy.
There’s also a wider choice of engines, including a hybrid option. The fun drive is found in the Titanium and its 250-horsepower 2.0-litre turbo-four. Fire the power through an eight-speed automatic transmission and an advanced AWD system and you have a quick ride. Thankfully, it handles the power and a fast corner with agility and poise.
Move inside and there is a wealth of equipment and surprising space — the lone nit remains that the infotainment system does not allow the native navigation system and Apple CarPlay or Android Auto to work together. It’s a case of one or the other.
2020 SUBARU FORESTER
The fifth-generation Subaru Forester is larger and has more interior room. It’s also stronger, which works wonders for the ride and handling, and gives it some real off-road ability.
All trims are powered by an updated 2.5-L four-cylinder engine that pushes 182 hp through a continuously variable transmission and one of the best all-wheel-drive systems around — being proactive, it does the right thing at the right time.
This system is layered with Subaru’s X Mode system, which helps enormously on an off-road trek.
The Forester might not be the most inspired on-road drive, but it is a solid family hauler. The cabin is comfortable and it has enough technology and space to keep everyone happy. Subaru’s advanced Eyesight driving assistant then makes the ride home safer.
2021 HONDA CR-V
The Honda CR-V has long been the darling of the cuteute segment. The latest model has been face-lifted and it now gets the 1.5-L turbo-four as standard equipment in all models. It produces 190 hp and works with a CVT to drive Honda’s Real Time AWD system in all except the base front-drive unit. The combination brings perky performance and solid fuel economy.
The CR-V’s cabin is spacious and comes with all the desirable equipment. The notable exception is blindspot monitoring, which is only offered on the top two trims. What’s intriguing is the CR-V Hybrid that’s waiting in the wings. Honda has not yet announced if this rig will come to Canada. One can only hope it does — the 212 hp and much better fuel economy holds great promise.
2020 TOYOTA RAV4
The fifth-generation Toyota RAV4 now has a more aggressive look and gets a longer wheelbase, which means more interior room. The cabin sees a marked improvement, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. As for the rest of it, the cabin is nicely attired and has all the key safety aids.
The RAV4 is powered by a 203-hp 2.5-L four-cylinder that drives an eight-speed automatic transmission and the front or all four wheels. The suspension does a good job of cushioning a rough road without allowing the body to roll through a corner. However, the really big news is the 2021 RAV4 Prime Hybrid that’s on its way. With 302 hp and a 60-km electric-only driving range, it promises to raise the segment’s bar once again.
2021 MAZDA CX-5
Of the compact crossovers on the market, the Mazda CX-5 has to rank as one of the best, simply because it drives more like a station wagon than a tall-riding crossover. The inclusion of G-Vectoring Control Plus is the separator — it modulates the engine and dabs the brakes to improve the turn-in response and add balance at the exit of a corner.
In base form, the CX-5 has a 187-hp four-cylinder driving the front or all four wheels. The smart shopper will take Mazda’s iActiv AWD system.
The CX-5’s cabin is comfortable and has decent space for four adults.
If you want a truly perky drive, opt for the Signature model and its 250-hp turbo-four. Yes, it is more expensive, but it’s also well worth the money.