A Honda CR-V Costs $31,495. But A Used Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 Is More Fun

The Honda CR-V has long been one of the best compact crossovers in America.

It’s attractive, reliable, comfortable and reasonably priced. In most of its permutations, it’s also pretty fuel-efficient. For $31,495, Honda will sell you a CR-V with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that sends 190 horsepower to the front wheels. Add $1,500 for all-wheel drive. Or opt for Honda’s excellent CR-V Hybrid for $34,650 with front-wheel drive or $37,545 with all-wheel drive.

Honda sold a staggering 402,791 CR-Vs in the United States last year, making it the second-best-selling gasoline-fueled utility vehicle behind the Toyota RAV4.

The last time AutoGuide compared the hybrid versions of the CR-V and RAV4, both fuel-sipping crossovers earned praises but Honda’s entry eked out a victory. Today, it remains a top pick in the hotly contested compact crossover segment. The average new car in America costs a little shy of $50,000. The Honda CR-V is well under that sum, and it’s a strong option for buyers looking for a new car under $40,000.

Of course, that also means you’re going to see them absolutely everywhere on the road. Not everyone likes following the well-beaten path, regardless of how nicely paved it may be.

We’re going to highlight some interesting alternatives for the CR-V’s starting price for buyers who want to be a bit different. This isn’t meant to be an exhaustive list of every alternative to a new Honda CR-V. Instead, we’re just going to pick out a few alternatives that may entice some buyers who otherwise wouldn’t know where to look.

We’ve limited our picks to cars sold within the last few years and with no more than the average of 12,000 miles per year on their odometers.

Acura is Honda’s dedicated premium brand, so if you’re interested in a small crossover from Honda, you may also be interested to see what Acura has to offer.

Fortunately, the RDX is an excellent offering in the premium compact crossover segment. It was completely redesigned for the 2019 model year, and it features a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that sends 272 horsepower to either the front or all four wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission. It drives very well, and is certainly a fancier option than the CR-V for a similar price. The 2022 edition got a few worthwhile upgrades, like wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity.

Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) is an excellent system that improves handling on all types of roads and weather. The RDX won’t be as efficient as the CR-V, especially if the CR-V you’re comparing it with is powered by the optional hybrid drivetrain. On the flip side, though, the RDX will be quicker on the road.

If fuel efficiency is of prime concern, a used Lexus RX 450h is worth considering as a potential alternative to the Honda CR-V. It still sips a bit more fuel than the Honda, but its 30-mile-per-gallon combined rating is still solid (note that Lexus recommends premium unleaded gas).

If you value interior spaciousness, a supremely quiet and comfortable ride and think you may enjoy the premium ownership experience offered by a Lexus, you may decide that the tradeoff between efficiency and cost is worth it.

Used car shoppers will find two versions of the RX 450h in the same price range as a new Honda CR-V. The base version may be a little less expensive than the F-Sport edition that features revised bodywork, upgraded wheels and a fancy suspension package that improves handling.

Things just got a little bit more interesting. A Mercedes-Benz GLB crossover can be bought on the used market for the same price as a new Honda CR-V. In fact, you could buy one directly from Mercedes’ certified pre-owned inventory, which would add an additional year of warranty coverage over what was included from the factory upon the crossover’s initial sale.

There are two versions of Mercedes’ small luxury SUV. The first is the GLB 250, a fine machine that is attractive, comfortable and fairly efficient. The GLB even offers a small third row of seats for added utility. But if you really want to have fun behind the wheel, consider the AMG 35 variant, which offers 302 horsepower and a 0-60 time of around 5.0 seconds. It’s a hot rod dressed in plain clothes, and it may represent the most fun you can have behind the wheel of a small utility vehicle without giving up all pretense of practicality.

Why not just buy a CR-V?

We recommend the Honda CR-V to all kinds of buyers. It’s a great utility vehicle. We’re not saying that you should buy one of these alternatives. We’re just pointing out that you could. Some people want ultimate practicality while others value performance, luxury or just plain uniqueness. Choice is a good thing, right?

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