Subaru Crosstrek Vs. Honda HR-V: Which Is Better?
The Subaru Crosstrek is a better subcompact SUV than the Honda HR-V. Find out why with our in-depth Subaru Crosstrek vs. Honda HR-V comparison.
Written by Mariza Morin
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The Honda HR-V tops the Subaru Crosstrek when it comes to affordability, but the Crosstrek is the clear winner in terms of standard performance, safety, and tech features.
The Subaru Crosstrek and the Honda HR-V actually have a lot in common. They’re both pragmatic subcompact SUVs similar in size and fuel economy, but the Crosstrek offers more notable standard features including better driver-assistance aids and high-tech options.
But which practical subcompact SUV is right for you?
Jerry
, the world’s only trustworthy super app
that helps drivers save money on car insurance
, has created this in-depth comparison of the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek and Honda HR-V to help you uncover which is best for your needs. Crosstrek vs. HR-V: which is more expensive?
Let’s talk about costs first. The starting MSRP for a 2022 Subaru Crosstrek is $24,320, while the Honda HR-V impresses with a lower starting price of $23,115—that’s a $1,205 difference!
All HR-V trims remain below the $28,000 range as the top-tier
Crosstrek Limited
and Hybrid trims continue to go up in price. Check out the pricing options for the two vehicles below: Model | Starting MSRP | Model | Starting MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
Crosstrek Base | $24,320 | HR-V LX | $23,115 |
Crosstrek Premium | $24,720 | HR-V Sport | $25,065 |
Crosstrek Sport | $27,920 | HR-V EX | $26,315 |
Crosstrek Limited | $29,420 | HR-V EX-L | $27,915 |
Crosstrek Hybrid | $36,770 |
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Ownership costs
But owning a new vehicle doesn’t stop with the initial price tag. Let’s take a closer look at the long-term ownership costs for the Crosstrek and HR-V.
Edmunds estimates that the total five-year ownership costs for a 2022 Subaru Crosstrek will go over $10,000 of the initial MSRP and end up at $34,905. On the other side, Edmunds puts the five-year ownership costs for a 2022 HR-V at a lower $33,002—nearly $10,000 over its initial MSRP as well.
While there is a $1,903 difference between the ownership costs of both vehicles, cheaper fuel costs, insurance, maintenance, and repairs make the HR-V slightly more affordable to own over time. Of course, these are estimates based on the base trim level for each vehicle, so the total ownership costs will vary depending on the model.
Insurance costs
Let’s now compare the average insurance costs for the Crosstrek and HR-V.
On average,
Honda HR-V insurance costs
are slightly lower than the Crosstrek. For the base trim level, insurance for the HR-V generally costs about $2,431 annually or $203 per month. On the other hand, the Subaru Crosstrek insurance costs
an average of $2,646 annually or $220 per month. Why is the HR-V cheaper to insure compared to the Crosstrek? All insurance companies calculate their estimated premiums differently, but in this case, the HR-V is expected to have lower maintenance and repair costs compared to the more expensive Crosstrek.
Winner: Honda HR-V
When it comes to affordability, the Honda HR-V is the clear winner in this battle of the subcompact SUVs. The HR-V not only has a lower starting price but lower costs of total ownership over five years as well. And if that doesn’t sell you, insuring the HR-V is also relatively cheaper than the Crosstrek!
MORE: Are Hondas expensive to maintain?
Subaru Crosstrek vs. Honda HR-V: In-Depth Comparison
The Honda HR-V may be more affordable than the Crosstrek, but does this make it the better vehicle? In this section, we’ll go over all the important specs of both vehicles to determine which subcompact SUV is right for you.
Body style and size
The Crosstrek and HR-V are virtually neck-and-neck when it comes to size. When it comes to cargo space, the HR-V beats out its Subaru competitor with more cargo volume with the seats up or down. But the
Crosstrek has a slightly longer wheelbase
and more ground clearance, along with a couple of inches more of front legroom.Dimensions | 2022 Subaru Crosstrek | 2022 Honda HR-V |
|---|---|---|
Wheelbase | 104.9 inches | 102.8 inches |
Passenger volume | 100.9 cubic feet | 100.1 cubic feet |
Headroom (front/rear) | 39.8/38 inches | 39.5/38.3 inches |
Legroom (front/rear) | 43.1/36.5 inches | 41.2/39.3 inches |
Cargo volume w/seats up | 20.8 cubic feet | 24.3 cubic feet |
Cargo volume w/seats down | 55.3 cubic feet | 58.8 cubic feet |
Ground clearance | 8.7 inches | 7.3 inches |
Base curb weight | 3188 lbs | 2906 lbs |
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Engine and performance
While the Crosstrek has two Boxer® engines available based on the trim level, its standard engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that cranks out 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. It’s definitely not the most powerful option, but it may be somewhat more exciting than the HR-V’s 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 141 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque.
Both subcompact SUVs have a few things in common when it comes to performance. For example, the Crosstrek and HR-V both share a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 pounds and come standard with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), but you can upgrade to a six-speed manual transmission on the Crosstrek’s Base and Premium trims.
However, the Crosstrek comes equipped with
Subaru's symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD)
as the HR-V features standard front-wheel drive with all-wheel drive as an option across all trim levels. And the Crosstrek also has one more trick up its sleeve: a hybrid powertrain. If you’re okay with spending over $7,000 more compared to all the other Crosstrek models, the plug-in hybrid version delivers a combined 148 horsepower—more than the HR-V. So, what’s the verdict? The Crosstrek is slightly more powerful with more horsepower and torque, along with standard AWD that will have you ready for some
light off-roading adventures
. But when it comes to everyday driving, neither vehicle is winning any races anytime soon. Fuel economy
The Crosstrek and HR-V are fiercely competitive when it comes to fuel efficiency.
The Crosstrek is rated for 33 mpg on the highway, while the HR-V with standard FWD has a slight edge up to 34 mpg on the highway. That said, both share 30 and 28 miles to the gallon for combined and city driving.
But if you upgrade the base HR-V LX model with AWD, your fuel economy rating will go down ever so slightly to 27 and 31 mpg for highway and city driving. However, your EPA fuel ratings will sink even lower at higher the HR-V trim levels (with AWD), with 26 mpg on the highway and 31 mpg in the city.
But, of course, the HR-V is no match for the Crosstrek Plug-in Hybrid with an impressive EPA rating of 35 mpg in combined city/highway driving, and up to 90 MPGe in hybrid mode.
Safety
The Crosstrek and the HR-V are both equipped to keep you safe on the road.
But the Subaru takes things one step further with its standard EyeSight suite of driver-assistance technologies that offers adaptive cruise control, forward-collision mitigation, and lane-keeping assistance.The HR-V, on the other hand, provides a rearview camera as its only standard safety feature. If you’re looking for more advanced driver aids, you’ll need to upgrade to the EX or EX-L trims to gain access to the Honda Sensing safety tech suite, which comes with the same standard safety features as Subaru’s EyeSight.
And in testing, the Crosstrek continues to be a winner on the safety front. Both vehicles get a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with both the Crosstrek and HR-V’s overall frontal crash and rollover ratings dropping to four stars. But the Crosstrek once again dominates when it comes to safety as a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Tech
The Crosstrek provides exceptionally better standard technology than the HR-V.
The Crosstrek comes standard with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Subaru’s StarLink infotainment system. However, these high-tech features are only available for upgrade with the HR-V. The Honda subcompact SUV comes with a standard 5-inch touch screen and you’ll only gain access to the HondaLink telematics system if you spring for a higher trim level.
Interior and comfort
When it comes to interior styling, the HR-V’s classy cabin features mostly high-quality materials that make the Crosstrek look rather dull by comparison. But if you require more comfort in your Honda, you’ll have to upgrade to the EX trim to unlock premium features like heated front seats and mirrors, a power moonroof, and automatic climate control.
The Crosstrek is similar in this regard, so if you’re looking for more modern conveniences, you’ll have to spring for the Limited trim level that boasts a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, leather seat coverings, and an upgraded infotainment system.
Winner: Subaru Crosstrek
All things considered, the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek dominates in our comparison due to its performance power, better safety ratings, improved fuel economy, and more standard tech features. Although it costs slightly more initially, you get more bang for your buck with all the standard features the Crosstrek comes equipped with, which makes it a better value overall.
But if you’re on a stricter budget, the HR-V is a great stylish subcompact SUV that saves you at the pump and provides more cargo space than the competition. However, the Crosstrek offers more practical standard features and plenty of upgraded options to make your vehicle more comfortable and convenient compared to its Honda competitor.
How to save on Subaru insurance costs
The Crosstrek might be the better subcompact SUV compared to the HR-V, but its
Subaru insurance costs
are slightly higher than the Honda. Thankfully you can easily find the most affordable rates around on your Crosstrek with the comparison super app Jerry
. Here’s how it works: just download the app and sign up to access several customized quotes from our pool of over 55 top insurance companies. Once you pick a new policy, Jerry’s team of skilled agents will quickly get to work switching you over while helping you cancel your old policy. On average, Jerry users save over $800 a year on car insurance!
“My policy covers two people and four cars: a truck, SUV, convertible, and muscle car.Jerryhelped me go from paying $308 a month to $125 a month with the same coverage. I’m loving the savings.” —Jocelyn A.
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