MOTORTREND: The Big Test: 2015-2016 Subcompact Crossovers

Generation Gap: Subcompact CUVs Square Off for Millennial Buyers

By Christian Seabaugh | Photos By William Walker | From the August 2015 issue of Motor Trend

There's a theory in the study of generations that after a set time the traits that define one generation repeat for a future generation.

I'd argue that the auto market responds to the same generational shifts. Take a look at the average car that someone in the 1930s would drive, such as the Chevrolet Standard Six. Cars were two-box sedans that efficiently used all the space allotted by the car's wheelbase, and because of the poor quality of the pre-interstate highway American roads, these sedans rode high for better ride quality. Sound familiar? It should. Two-box designs to maximize interior volume and storage? Check. High ride to handle crumbling urban roadways? You got it. These subcompact crossovers are the auto industry's answer to those early requests, remade for the millennial generation.

Some, such as the Nissan Juke SL and Subaru XV Crosstrek, are established players. Others—the 2015 Chevrolet Trax LT, 2016 Honda HR-V, 2015 Jeep Renegade Latitude, and 2016 Mazda CX-3—are new to the scene.

Ride and Handling....

On the ride front, it's tough to beat the Subaru XV Crosstrek. Thanks to the longest wheelbase and the most ground clearance in the group, the Crosstrek's ride impressed us on our driving loops. "Most comfortable ride yet," logged associate editor Scott Evans. "It doesn't give up a lot in handling, either." At least not subjectively. Objectively, the XV was near the back of the handling pack—thanks to its economy-oriented CVT, the tall crossover lapped the figure eight in 28.0 seconds at a 0.60 g average.

The Jeep Renegade is another ride quality standout. The Renegade's ride is firm yet forgiving. The Renegade will toss its driver around a bit on some severe undulations, but it's never punishing. "Jeeplike" is probably the best way to describe it. At the track, the Renegade lapped the figure eight in a lengthy 28.4 seconds at 0.61 g. Associate online editor Benson Kong said it offered "sharp and immediate braking and steering reflexes." The Trax and HR-V fell somewhere in the middle. The Trax generally had good road manners, though some thought the Chevy exhibited excessive body roll during cornering. The Honda's ride was on the harsher side for a CUV with non-sporting pretensions, but none of us really found it objectionable. The HR-V lapped the figure eight in 28.0 seconds while averaging 0.62 g, and the Chevy took 29.2 seconds at 0.56 g.

"These six subcompact crossovers are the auto industry’s answer to century-old requests, remade for the millennial generation."

The pocket rockets from Mazda and Nissan were best in test for handling. Both the CX-3 and Juke live up to their sporty designs. The CX-3's ride is stiff but never punishing, with digital director Chris Clonts noting that the CX-3 "handles highway expansion joints and medium hits really well with no bucking." Said Evans, "You could have some fun with this one." Overall, the Juke's ride quality is a mixed bag. The Nissan handles large bumps well, but it gets brittle quick over washboard sections of road. The CX-3 and Juke were neck and neck during our handling tests. The Mazda did a 27.6-second lap at 0.66 g, and the Juke lapped the figure eight in 27.1 seconds at 0.67 g.

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http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/1506_the_big_test_2015_2016_subcompact_crossovers/