2022 Subaru Crosstrek vs Honda HR-V

In today's market, small SUVs and crossovers abound - however there are two that really stand out of the crowd: Honda HR-V & Subaru Crosstrek. They offer great value for money with a range of desirable amenities such as cutting edge technology making them incredibly attractive options in today’s car landscape. Although neither can boast incredible power or sportiness, they certainly still have plenty to offer potential buyers.

The Powertrain

With the Subaru Crosstrek, drivers can enjoy a variety of powertrain choices. Its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produces 152 horsepower and 145 pound feet of torque - an impressive amount to make any journey smooth sailing! What's even more remarkable is that buyers have their pick between a standard six speed manual transmission or they could opt for Lineartronic continuously variable transmission which eliminates time consuming shifting altogether.

Power on tap for those seeking more thrills, this sizable 2.5-liter engine packs in 4 cylinders and easily churns out 186 horses along with 176 lb-ft of torque - all seamlessly shifted via CVT transmission.

The Crosstrek Hybrid offers an alternate powertrain option to drivers looking for a little extra oomph. With the combined effort of its 2.0-liter gasoline motor and electric engine, this plug-in hybrid gives 148 horsepower - although not quite as much punch as its gas counterparts who provide up to 1,500 pounds in towing capacity; it still has enough under the hood with 1000 lbs available when needed on your next adventure.

Obviously, the real benefit of the Crosstrek Hybrid is its efficiency. It has an estimated combined fuel economy of 90 MPGe, and Subaru estimates that it can run on electric power alone for about 17 miles. For some people, this is more than sufficient for running errands around town or going to work or school each day. They can then plug in the vehicle when they're home for the night to recharge the battery. When traveling for longer distances, the gas-powered engine kicks in and can be relied upon. In hybrid mode, estimated fuel economy is 35 miles per gallon.

The 2.0-liter engine offers an efficient fuel performance with manual at 22 city and 29 highway miles per gallon, but when coupled up to automatic transmission it increases the savings even more - cruising 28 mpg in urban areas and 33 on highways! Plus, if you opt for the larger 2.5L motor those numbers jump further still; a maximum of 34mpg on open roads while offering 27 around town makes this car one economical choice.

The Honda HR-V offers a 1.8L four cylinder engine as the lone option for power, but don't let its size fool you - this little motor still packs 141 horsepower and 127 lb-ft of torque. Whether rolling around town or hitting backroads, the average driver should be more than satisfied with performance on offer from this peppy powerhouse.

Honda has matched the engine with a continuously variable transmission, which has Sport mode to liven things up a bit. Most trims have paddle shifters mounted on their steering wheels to give drivers a little extra control, if they want to use it.

For those seeking a reliable all-wheel drive car, the Subaru Crosstrek is an excellent choice. Not only does it come standard with AWD to keep you safe in any weather or terrain condition; but X-MODE enhancement is also available! This feature boosts traction control even further and comes equipped on three out of five trim levels - making your driving experience smooth sailing no matter where life takes you.

The HR-V has the option of all-wheel drive, allowing drivers to tackle snowy and icy conditions. However, it does come at an additional cost of $1,500 - giving that extra peace of mind isn't always cheap! It also is limited when it comes to heavy lifting; if you need a vehicle for hauling heavier items like boats or recreational vehicles then this won’t be your best bet since its maximum tow rating only reaches 1,100 pounds with proper equipment.

Drivability

The Crosstrek and HR-V offer a nimble driving experience for the city. While they may not appear to be very tall, both vehicles boast impressive ground clearances; the former has 8.7 inches while all-wheel drive models of the latter measure at 6.7 inches off the pavement! Furthermore, although it is longer than its counterpart with dimensions measuring 176.5 x 104.9 in., that still doesn't compare to 170 .4 x ?? (check wheelbase) size of Honda's compact SUV option - perfect for tight urban spaces.

A few things enhance the driving experience with the HR-V. The first is hill start assist, which keeps the vehicle stopped when on a slope. This can prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards before it's gained enough momentum to start moving forwards. The other feature is active noise cancellation. It's included on three out of the four trims, and it makes the cabin feel much quieter and more peaceful.

In contrast, the Crosstrek has hill descent control. This is available on select trims and standard on the others. When engaged, it can limit speed so the driver doesn't have to ride on the brakes.

An open invitation to space and comfort awaits with the Crosstrek or HR-V - perfect for road trips where you want a little extra room without compromising on practicality. These SUVs provide two rows of spacious seating designed around five passengers, so no one has to worry about being squished in between friends and family.

The Crosstrek is the perfect companion for any family outing! Enjoy plenty of space to stretch out and relax with 43.1 inches in front, 36.5 inches in back - or if you're looking to bring along a bit more cargo, fold down its seats and open up 55.3 cubic feet of storage room; enough volume for all your adventure needs.

The Crosstrek Hybrid offers plenty of cargo space to haul all your gear. Behind the rear seats you can fit up to 15.9 cubic feet and then, when those are folded down, the car expands into a whopping 43.1 cubit foot storage area - perfect for short trips or weekend getaways.

Honda's HR-V does much better when it comes to passenger space. It has 41.2 inches of front-row leg room and a very generous 39.3 inches of second-row leg room. This is on par with what many larger vehicles have to offer. Adults, teens, and taller children riding in the back will certainly appreciate having so much space to stretch their legs. The fact that the HR-V has more second-row leg room than the Crosstrek may be a little surprising since the Crosstrek has a greater length.

The Honda HR-V offers plenty of room for packing up the car, with 24.3 cubic feet when you keep the rear seats upright and a massive 58 cubic feet once they're folded flat – all in just two easy steps!
The HR-V is equipped with a Magic Seat that will conjure up some serious cargo space options! When not occupied, the second row seats can be folded down or flipped up to create over four feet of vertical storage. This ingenious mechanism provides drivers with large amounts of room for bulky items - all at the wave off a wand (or flip of your hand).

Subaru has given each of its Crosstrek trims a touchscreen along with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Its first three trims have 6.5 inch touchscreens, with the top two having eight-inch touchscreens, available navigation, and an available Harman Kardon sound system with eight speakers. Every trim except the entry-level model have SiriusXM as well, and they have six speakers and Wi-Fi capability. The first trim just has four speakers.

The not-so-great news is the the Honda HR-V doesn't come standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, nor does it come standard with a touchscreen. The first trim in the HR-V lineup, which is the LX, only has a five-inch LCD screen and Bluetooth. The Sport, EX, and EX-L trims, however, do have smartphone compatibility and seven-inch touchscreens. In addition, they have Pandora radio compatibility and an SMS text message function. The EX and EX-L further benefit from having SiriusXM and six-speaker sound systems.

To keep devices charged, it's always nice to have access to a USB port. The Honda comes standard with one USB port in the front row. Three out of the four available trims have an additional USB port.

Cruising in the Crosstrek? You're sure to be well-connected! The base model's single USB port is outdone by higher trims, which feature a generous two ports up front. For optimal passenger comfort and convenience, select one of three available packages with four total ports - all easy to access from both rows!

Safety

With driver-assist technologies becoming increasingly commonplace, car buyers today seek more than just safety and reliability from their vehicles. But do economical models like Subarus and Hondas offer enough features to meet the growing expectations of motorists?

Subaru's state-of-the art EyeSight Driver Assist Technology suite adds an extra layer of safety to your ride. Standard on the top three trims, it features impressive systems such as forward collision alert with emergency braking and adaptive cruise control - helping you stay in lane no matter what lies ahead. Plus, for those looking for even more protection, this technology package is also available on the bottom two trims.

The top two tiers of the Crosstrek lineup are imbued with several enhanced features. They boast blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking, all of which provide drivers with a heightened sense of security. While two of the mid-level trims offer the option to have these technologies, they don't come standard. All the Crosstrek trims, though, are equipped with a rear-vision camera, anti-lock brakes, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

Honda's HR-V offers something for everyone behind the wheel - a dependable and budget friendly choice with standard safety features like anti-lock brakes. For those who want that extra assurance, you can upgrade to higher trims which include advanced driver assistance systems such as rearview cameras; ensuring your drive is always safe and sound.

If you're looking for the best that Honda has to offer, check out their top two HR-V trims. You'll get features such as adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning—but even better is  road departure mitigation and lane keeping assist, which can help steer your vehicle back into proper alignment if necessary.

In addition, the top two HR-V trims incorporate Honda LaneWatch, a program that employs a camera mounted at the bottom of the passenger-side exterior mirror. It displays a live video feed of any vehicles located in the SUV's right-side blind spot, augmenting the driver's awareness of their surroundings.

Which Has the Best Value?

Are you looking for a small SUV but can't decide which one is the better option? The Honda HR-V and Subaru Crosstrek have different price points to suit various needs. While the HR-V may be more economical, buyers are sacrificing some features such as touchscreen, phone integration and driver assist tech. On the other hand, those who go with a base model Crosstrek will pay slightly extra but get perks like automatic climate control in return.

Upgrade your drive with the Crosstrek Limited and HR-V EX-L! The more advanced features of these trims come at a cost, but are certainly worth it. For just under $29,000 you can enjoy leather upholstery and heated front seats in the Crosstrek plus 18 inch wheels as well as an eight inch touchscreen and power adjustable driver's seat - all standard! Opt for the slightly cheaper HR-V EX-L model instead to get luxuries like leather seating and a moonroof included in its price tag of around $26,500.

For those looking to go green in style, the Crosstrek Hybrid is an ideal choice! This plug-in hybrid looks just as sleek and luxurious its base model –the Limited– yet offers greatly increased fuel efficiency. Keep your wallet happy while helping save the planet - but be ready to cough up around $36K if you want it parked in your driveway!

Which is Better?

If you're looking for a great car without breaking the bank, Honda's HR-V is your perfect match. It offers plenty of interior space and superior quality at an affordable price - what more could you ask for?

From adventurers to eco-friendly drivers, the Subaru Crosstrek provides something for everyone. Its winning combination of capabilities and hybrid options make it a popular choice among car buyers. Moreover, this model is packed with cutting-edge technological features - from state-of-the art infotainment systems to advanced driver assist technologies - thanks to Subaru’s commitment towards innovation.

Comparing the top-tier models reveals considerable similarities between the two, leaving factors such as interior dimensions and design as distinguishing features; for instance, the Outback presents a slightly more rugged appearance than the HR-V.