In the past few months, we have seen all-new versions from the biggest names in the rapidly evolving automotive industry, such as Land Rover Discovery and Ford Fiesta, march into dealers. The trend is set to continue as 2018 progresses, with more focus on SUVs and crossovers which are popular among millennials. And as the topic of autonomous cars gains momentum, major manufacturers are working to improve their brands, thus rolling out newer models with a diversity of body styles, engines, and technology.
Read a preview of the best new cars worth your money in the 2018 model year. Worth noting is that prices listed do not include shipping charges.
SUV
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2018 Dodge Journey
When comparing the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee against the 2018 Dodge Journey, you’re going to find that while both of these SUV’s look nice, they are two vehicles suitable for different lifestyles altogether. Let’s start with the pricing. The MSRP starts at just over $30,000 on the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee whereas the 2018 Dodge Journey has an MSRP of just under $23,000.
Both vehicles get an average of 21-22 MPG combined. For travelers, both SUV’s are decent for traveling long distance and have a smooth ride and comfortable seating. The Jeep offers seating for five and the Dodge seats seven.
Let’s compare a few things side by side with these vehicles:
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2018 Dodge Journey
| Engine: 295-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 | Engine: 173-hp, 2.4 liter I-4 |
| Drivetrain: Rear Wheel Drive | Drivetrain: Front Wheel Drive |
| Fuel: Regular gasoline | Fuel: Regular gasoline |
| Transmission: 8-speed automatic transmission with overdrive and automatic manual | Transmission: 4-speed automatic with overdrive and automatic manual |
| Entertainment: Radio- AM/FM/Satellite CD Player: Console Mounted MP3-Not Available AUX-Standard Navigation System- Available Front LCD-2 Bluetooth-Standard Touchscreen-Standard | Entertainment: Radio- AM/FM/Satellite CD Player: Standard MP3-Standard AUX-Standard Navigation System- Not Available Front LCD- 1 Bluetooth-Available Touchscreen- Standard |
The 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee returns in 2018 as one of the most dependable SUV’s on the market. The Jeep also offers Forward Collision Warning where the Dodge does not offer any collision warning. The Jeep provides optional blind spot warning systems that are not available with the Dodge Journey. Another difference is that Jeep offers Uconnect Access so you can reach help immediately if you are in an accident and immobilized. The Dodge does not offer this.
Safety
Per the National Highway Safety Administration ratings for the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs the 2018 Dodge Journey, the Jeep has higher overall ratings for safety when compared to the Dodge.
| Star Rating | |
| 2018 GRAND CHEROKEE | 2018 DODGE JOURNEY |
| Five Stars | Four Stars |
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has only a 4.2% rate for fatal crashes annually. With the ratings accessed, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is rated as a safer overall vehicle than the Dodge Journey.
Comparison Between Model Years
2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee vs 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee: No notable changes from 2017 to 2018 with the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
2017 Dodge Journey and 2018 Dodge Journey: The optional third row seating available in the 2017 model has been made a standard feature in the 2018 model.
SEDANS
2018 Toyota Corolla vs 2018 Honda Civic
The Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic have been two of the most reliable sedans on the market for over twenty years, and this is not changing in 2018. Both vehicles have an MSRP of just over $18,000 and have plenty of options to really make the car comfortable. Both vehicles also get 32 combined mpg. Both the Toyota and Honda seat five comfortably.
Let’s look at how they stack up to one another when it comes to engine power, entertainment and safety.
2018 Toyota Corolla 2018 Honda Civic
| Engine: 132 hp. 1.8 liter I-4 | Engine: 158- hp. 2.0 liter I-4 |
| Drivetrain: Front Wheel Drive | Drivetrain: Front Wheel Drive
|
| Fuel: regular gasoline | Fuel: regular gasoline |
| Transmission: 2 speed CVT with overdrive | Transmission: 2 speed CVT with overdrive or a 6-speed manual with overdrive |
| Entertainment: Radio- AM/FM stereo CD Player- Standard MP3- Standard AUX- Standard Navigation System- Available Front LCD- 1 Bluetooth- Standard Touchscreen- Standard | Entertainment: Radio- AM/FM stereo CD Player- Not Available MP3- Not Available AUX- Not Available Navigation System- Not Available Front LCD- 1 Bluetooth- Standard Touchscreen- Standard |
Both the 2018 Toyota Corolla and the 2018 Honda Civic have a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA.
Comparison Between Model Years
2017 and 2018 Toyota Corolla: No notable changes.
2017 and 2018 Honda Civic: No notable changes. Price increases range from $100 to $200.
MINIVANS
2018 Honda Odyssey vs 2018 Toyota Sienna
When it comes to comparing the 2018 Honda Odyssey with the 2018 Toyota Sienna, you will find they are quite similar in comparison. Both vehicles average a combined MPG of 22 and both list with a WSRP of just under $31,000.
2018 Honda Odyssey 2018 Toyota Sienna
| Engine: 280-hp, 3.5-liter V6 | Engine: 296-hp, 3.5-liter V6
|
| Drivetrain: Front wheel drive | Drivetrain: Front wheel drive |
| Fuel: regular gasoline | Fuel: regular gasoline |
| Transmission: 9-speed automatic with overdrive and auto manual | Transmission: 8-speed automatic with overdrive and auto manual |
| Entertainment: Radio- AM/FM stereo CD Player- Not Available MP3- Not Available AUX- Standard Navigation System- Not Available Front LCD- 2 Bluetooth- Standard Touchscreen- Standard | Entertainment: Radio- AM/FM stereo/satellite CD Player- Standard MP3- Standard AUX- Standard Navigation System- Not Available Front LCD- 2 Bluetooth- Standard Touchscreen- Standard |
For overall safety, the 2018 Honda Odyssey received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA, but the Toyota Sienna has not yet been rated an overall safety rating. The Odyssey has optional forward collision warning while it is standard on the Sienna and as of April 2018, the 2018 Honda Odyssey has yielded more consumer complaints than the 2018 Toyota Sienna.
Comparison Between Model Years
2017 and 2018 Honda Odyssey: The 2018 Honda Odyssey has a removable mid-section with slide out seats. This not only allows roomier passenger seating but also more ample cargo space when needed for long trips. The infotainment system has been updated and includes more passenger control over climate and entertainment.
2017 and 2018 Toyota Sienna: The 2018 Toyota Sienna offers an EnTune infotainment system not available on previous models and it can now stream from Android devices. The 2018 model also has forward collision warning, lane departure warning and automatic high beams.
PICKUP TRUCKS
2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs 2018 Dodge RAM 1500
It’s tough to compare two of the best full sized pickup trucks on the road, but while they are both rugged and tough trucks that are built to last and tolerate some of the toughest road conditions, they each have some distinctive differences that you will want to be aware of before heading to the dealership.
2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2018 RAM 1500
| Engine: 285-hp, 4.3-liter V6 355-hp, 5.3-liter V8 | Engine: 240-hp, 3.0-liter V-6 305-hp, 3.6-liter V-6 395-hp, 5.7-liter V-8
|
| Drivetrain: Rear wheel drive | Drivetrain: Rear wheel drive |
| Fuel: regular gasoline | Fuel: regular gasoline (3.0 takes diesel) |
| Transmission: 6 speed manual with overdrive and auto manual | Transmission: 8 speed automatic with overdrive with overdrive 8 speed automatic with overdrive and auto manual |
| Entertainment: Radio- AM/FM stereo/satellite CD Player- Not Available MP3- Not Available
AUX- Standard Navigation System- Not Available Front LCD- 1 Bluetooth- Standard Touchscreen- Standard | Entertainment: Radio- AM/FM stereo/satellite CD Player- Available Mounted in Console MP3- Not Available AUX- Standard Navigation System- Not Available Front LCD- 1 Bluetooth- Available Touchscreen- Standard |
The 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 scored a little higher in safety with five stars than the RAM 1500 with a four-star overall safety rating and neither has any recalls at this time.
Comparison Between Model Years
2017 and 2018 Chevy Silverado 1500: No notable changes.
2017 and 2018 RAM 1500: The 2018 RAM 1500 offers a new line of trims and advances in the Uconnect infotainment system. Changes include 4G LTE Wi-Fi on some models as well as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity. All 2018 RAM 1500’s are equipped with a rear back up camera.
HYBRIDS/PLUG INS
2018 Nissan Leaf vs 2018 Ford Focus Electric
Electric vehicles are becoming quite the trend in recent years for those who want to do their part with cutting down on the carbon footprint left by gasoline and diesel fuels. With this trend to buy electric cars, there is thankfully a great deal of research being put forth into new technology for the most popular cars on the roads. When comparing the 2018 Nissan Leaf against the 2018 Ford Focus Electric, you will find comparable MSRP at right around $29,000 and both vehicles average between 108 and 114 combined miles per gallon.
Let’s see other comparisons on the two electric vehicles.
2018 Nissan Leaf 2018 Ford Focus Electric
| Engine: 147-hp electric engine | Engine: 143-hp electric engine |
| Drivetrain: Front wheel drive | Drivetrain: Front wheel drive
|
| Seats: 5 | Seats: 5 |
| Transmission: 1 speed automatic | Transmission: 1 speed automatic |
| Entertainment: Radio- AM/FM stereo/satellite CD Player- Not Available MP3- Not Available AUX- Standard Navigation System- Not Available
Front LCD- 3 Bluetooth- Standard Touchscreen- Standard | Entertainment: Radio- AM/FM stereo/satellite CD Player- Standard MP3- Standard AUX- Standard Navigation System- With Voice Activation Front LCD- 3 Bluetooth- Standard Touchscreen- Standard |
Neither vehicle has been provided a safety rating with the NHTSA as of April 2018, but the 2018 Ford Focus Electric has a five-star rating for rollover crashes. The Nissan Leaf has seen a great improvement this year with the ability to now travel up to 150 miles per charge and is a roomy, powerful electric vehicle that looks stylish as well. Cargo space in the 2018 Ford Focus Electric is limited, but the vehicle is a stylish hatchback with heated seats, heated side mirrors and an efficient engine.
Comparison Between Model Years
2017 and 2018 Nissan Leaf: The 2018 Nissan Leaf can travel up to 150 miles per full charge as opposed to the 107 miles on the 2017 model. Battery capacity has increased from 30 kilowatt hours to 40 kilowatt hours and the new Leaf is nearly $700 cheaper than the 2017 model.
2017 and 2018 Ford Focus Electric: No notable changes.
Article written by Daren Johnson of a1autotransport.com.
*** Photos courtesy of Caricos
