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

If you want a compact utility auto with rugged cues, a very little much more ride peak, and an reasonably priced price—yet with a profile that’s finally more carlike than trucklike—the Subaru Outback and Honda HR-V are two good contenders.

The Subaru Crosstrek arrived a ten years ago, pursuing the achievements of the Outback Sport. It sent the similar method, with even more rugged cladding and an elevated ride height compared to the linked Impreza compact hatchback. Honda’s crossover SUVs hold growing in size, with the CR-V compact crossover growing larger sized in just about every era. Which is left house underneath, for a grown-up 2023 Honda HR-V that is now proper-sized for small-relatives use, and about the dimensions that the CR-V was prior to 2017. 

Our rankings give the Honda HR-V an edge, and its TCC Rating of 6.4 out of 10 may possibly widen at the time it’s been crash-analyzed and rated for safety. The Crosstrek trails it with a TCC Score of 6. out of 10, but these two designs have distinct strengths and weaknesses that make one or the other the improved selection relying on expectations.

The HR-V stands at nearly the very same over-all top as the Crosstrek, although it is about 4 inches extended, and an inch wider—although the Crosstrek rides on a marginally lengthier wheelbase. Though the Crosstrek aces the floor-clearance verify at 8.7 inches, the HR-V has 7.3 inches of ground clearance in its Activity trim—0.3 extra than in other versions—as very well as matte black trim that does not search like it would scratch as easily as what’s utilized in the rest of the lineup. The Crosstrek embodies Subaru-spouse and children styling—think lots of cladding and chunky hardware—while the HR-V has more of a modern-day hatchback profile, and looks a lot more nuanced and finely detailed. Inside, the HR-V is a knockout, with a easy and uncluttered appear that sits minimal, with a honeycomb-mesh beltline bisecting an infotainment monitor and climate options. Subaru’s utilitarian interior feels like a mishmash compared to that of the HR-V. 

The outgoing HR-V was a subcompact crossover that aimed to in good shape your life style far better than your close friends. This variation follows far more of a standard structure to improve passenger area. You’ll possible locate the HR-V’s new entrance seats more at ease, although in back the HR-V has ample head, knee, and leg space for 6-footers to experience cozy guiding other six-footers—not anything we can say of the Crosstrek. The HR-V has a minor more cargo space with passengers in place—at 24.4 cubic toes with the rear seats up and 55.1 cubic ft with them flipped down, versus 20.8 and 55.3 cu ft in the Crosstrek. 

In general performance, there’s a obvious winner, albeit with a huge asterisk. The Crosstrek is run by a 2.-liter flat-4 motor producing 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque, or in Activity and Minimal versions, a 2.5-liter flat-4 producing 182 hp and 176 lb-ft. There is a 6-velocity handbook obtainable with the more compact engine—something the HR-V doesn’t give at all. The HR-V is driven by a 2.-liter inline-4 producing 158 hp and 138 lb-ft. Each models have a CVT that performs “Who’s on initial?” with the engine and your own accelerator inputs. Subaru’s more substantial 2.5-liter motor eases those frustrations with much more available torque. What’s the asterisk? Sound, vibration, and harshness. Subaru’s engines are coarse and loud and, when pressed, sounds superior only to die-difficult Subaru (or rally-racing) lovers. 

Those who enterprise off-street much more normally are going to enjoy the Subaru’s X-Manner, which caters the all-wheel-generate system’s torque distribution for the conditions. All-wheel travel is typical on all Crosstreks but costs $1,500 added in the HR-V, and there is no these types of off-highway mode in the Honda (even though it does have Snow and Descent modes). 

Safety strategies in the Crosstrek’s favor—for now. It earns best ratings from the IIHS and the NHTSA, and CVT-outfitted autos all get an spectacular set of lively-safety capabilities. The HR-V hasn’t been crash-analyzed nevertheless, but it’s a new framework and, we suspect, possible engineered to do well in the latest tests. A entire established of energetic-protection merchandise are incorporated in the HR-V, too, but prime EX-L variations incorporate blind-spot displays.

In characteristics and worth, it’s just about a attract. Both crossovers commence just below $25,000, but the HR-V’s AWD solution expenses $1,500 far more, while the Crosstrek arrives common with AWD. Both styles present a sunroof, upgraded audio, and leather-based upholstery in their leading variations (Minimal for the Crosstrek, EX-L for the HR-V), and Subaru sells a plug-in hybrid edition limited to zero emission states. The best-trim HR-V also will come with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a larger 9.-inch touchscreen we locate just a bit a lot more intuitive. 

The Subaru will get better gasoline mileage with its CVT at 29 mpg mixed in most trims, which exceeds the HR-V’s 27 mpg mixed with AWD. 

Which a single is best for you? The Crosstrek prioritizes path potential and is at its best in Sport and Confined versions, with its stronger, more assured powertrain. The HR-V, in the meantime, is a terrific on-a-price range pick for urban varieties trying to find a large amount of features, refinement, and passenger house for the funds.