2023 Honda HR-V vs. 2022 Subaru Crosstrek: Compare Crossovers

If you want a compact utility motor vehicle with rugged cues, a very little additional journey peak, and an economical price—yet with a profile that is eventually much more carlike than trucklike—the Subaru Outback and Honda HR-V are two wonderful contenders.

The Subaru Crosstrek arrived a decade back, pursuing the accomplishment of the Outback Sport. It shipped the exact same method, with even far more rugged cladding and an elevated trip height versus the relevant Impreza compact hatchback. Honda’s crossover SUVs preserve growing in size, with the CR-V compact crossover increasing larger in just about every technology. That is still left room down below, for a developed-up 2023 Honda HR-V that is now appropriate-sized for smaller-spouse and children use, and about the dimensions that the CR-V was prior to 2017.

Our ratings give the Honda HR-V an edge, and its TCC Ranking of 6.4 out of 10 could widen the moment it’s been crash-tested and rated for basic safety. The Crosstrek trails it with a TCC Rating of 6. out of 10, but these two designs have distinctive strengths and weaknesses that make 1 or the other the far better alternative depending on expectations.

2023 Honda HR-V

2022 Subaru Crosstrek

The HR-V stands at pretty much the same over-all height as the Crosstrek, when it’s about 4 inches for a longer period, and an inch wider—although the Crosstrek rides on a slightly extended wheelbase. Even though the Crosstrek aces the ground-clearance check out at 8.7 inches, the HR-V has 7.3 inches of floor clearance in its Activity trim—0.3 additional than in other versions—as perfectly as matte black trim that doesn’t search like it would scratch as quickly as what is applied in the rest of the lineup. The Crosstrek embodies Subaru-family members styling—think loads of cladding and chunky hardware—while the HR-V has much more of a fashionable hatchback profile, and looks far more nuanced and finely in depth. Within, the HR-V is a knockout, with a simple and uncluttered glance that sits very low, with a honeycomb-mesh beltline bisecting an infotainment screen and weather configurations. Subaru’s utilitarian inside feels like a mishmash in comparison to that of the HR-V.

The outgoing HR-V was a subcompact crossover that aimed to suit your way of living greater than your good friends. This version follows a lot more of a common format to maximize passenger area. You are going to most likely find the HR-V’s new front seats additional relaxed, although in back again the HR-V has sufficient head, knee, and leg home for 6-footers to sense comfortable guiding other 6-footers—not some thing we can say of the Crosstrek. The HR-V has a minimal more cargo house with travellers in place—at 24.4 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 55.1 cubic ft with them flipped down, compared to 20.8 and 55.3 cu ft in the Crosstrek.

2023 Honda HR-V

2022 Subaru Crosstrek

In overall performance, there is a crystal clear winner, albeit with a huge asterisk. The Crosstrek is run by a 2.-liter flat-4 engine creating 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque, or in Sport and Constrained versions, a 2.5-liter flat-4 generating 182 hp and 176 lb-ft. There is a 6-velocity manual offered with the scaled-down engine—something the HR-V doesn’t give at all. The HR-V is driven by a 2.-liter inline-4 generating 158 hp and 138 lb-ft. Both equally versions have a CVT that performs “Who’s on initially?” with the motor and your own accelerator inputs. Subaru’s greater 2.5-liter engine eases individuals frustrations with a lot more readily available torque. What’s the asterisk? Noise, vibration, and harshness. Subaru’s engines are coarse and loud and, when pressed, appears very good only to die-difficult Subaru (or rally-racing) followers.

All those who enterprise off-highway far more normally are heading to enjoy the Subaru’s X-Manner, which caters the all-wheel-travel system’s torque distribution for the disorders. All-wheel drive is regular on all Crosstreks but expenditures $1,500 additional in the HR-V, and there’s no these off-road method in the Honda (whilst it does have Snow and Descent modes).

Security suggestions in the Crosstrek’s favor—for now. It earns top scores from the IIHS and the NHTSA, and CVT-geared up autos all get an remarkable established of lively-security characteristics. The HR-V has not been crash-examined yet, but it is a new structure and, we suspect, very likely engineered to do properly in the latest exams. A comprehensive established of energetic-basic safety merchandise are included in the HR-V, too, but best EX-L variations include blind-location displays.

2023 Honda HR-V

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Activity

2021 Subaru Crosstrek Sport

In capabilities and value, it is practically a attract. Both of those crossovers start off just beneath $25,000, but the HR-V’s AWD possibility expenses $1,500 much more, while the Crosstrek comes standard with AWD. Both of those products provide a sunroof, upgraded audio, and leather-based upholstery in their top versions (Constrained for the Crosstrek, EX-L for the HR-V), and Subaru sells a plug-in hybrid version limited to zero emission states. The top rated-trim HR-V also will come with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a larger 9.-inch touchscreen we locate just a bit extra intuitive.

The Subaru receives improved fuel mileage with its CVT at 29 mpg put together in most trims, which exceeds the HR-V’s 27 mpg merged with AWD.

Which a single is finest for you? The Crosstrek prioritizes trail potential and is at its greatest in Sport and Confined variations, with its more powerful, far more assured powertrain. The HR-V, in the meantime, is a good on-a-funds decide for city types trying to get a whole lot of capabilities, refinement, and passenger space for the cash.