Comparing The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek vs. Honda HR-V

If you’re in the market for a compact SUV, the Subaru Crosstrek and the Honda HR-V have probably stood out from the rest of the crowd. These SUVs are similar in many ways, and both vehicles have strong features that will appeal to specific drivers. We asked our SUV experts to do a comparison to help buyers decide which of these models would best suit their needs.

2023 Subaru Crosstrek vs. Honda HR-V: Trim Levels and Pricing

The Subaru Crosstrek comes in four gas-powered trims and a plug-in hybrid version. Honda offers the HR-V in three gas-powered models only. Here’s a quick look at the pricing for both:

As you can see, the Subaru Crosstrek and the Honda HR-V start at nearly the same price, but then the gap widens slightly. Also, there are two additional models available with the Crosstrek. Now let’s look at what you get with each of these vehicles:

2023 Subaru Crosstrek vs. Honda HR-V: Exterior

At first glance, these two SUVs look remarkably similar in size and shape. However, a closer look reveals some key differences. While the length, width, and height remain virtually identical, the Subaru Crosstrek has 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and the HR-V has 7.3 inches. When you leave the pavement in the rearview mirror, this ride height gives the Crosstrek a clear advantage over the HR-V.

The first three Crosstrek trims come with 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels and all-season tires, and the top two models upgrade to 18-inch wheels. The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid has low-rolling-resistance all-season tires. The Honda HR-V base model LX and top-tier EX-L have 17-inch alloy wheels and all-season tires, while the mid-range Sport trim comes with 18-inch alloy wheels.

The Crosstrek has multi-reflector halogen headlights on the lower trims and LED steering responsive headlights on the top models. Fog lamps come with the middle two Crosstrek trims and upgrade to LED fog lamps on the top two models. The Honda HR-V trim has LED headlights but doesn’t offer the steering responsive feature or fog lamps on any model.

Both vehicles feature a rear roofline spoiler and add a sport grille to their Sport trims. The Crosstrek comes standard with raised roof rails, ready for crossbars to mount everything from bicycles to surfboards to a pair of kayaks. Honda doesn’t offer a roof rail system, limiting what you can carry to the SUV’s interior.

2023 Subaru Crosstrek vs. Honda HR-V: Interior

Both vehicles have seating for five people. The cabins have nearly identical passenger volume measurements but differ in cargo capacity. The Honda HR-V has 24.4 cubic feet behind the second row, while the Crosstrek has 20.8 cubic feet. The HR-V offers 55.1 cubic feet of space with the second row folded flat, and the Crosstrek measures 55.3 cubic feet.

You get premium cloth upholstery with the lower Crosstrek and HR-V trims and leather with the top tiers. The Crosstrek Premium trim adds exclusive orange stitching, and the Crosstrek Sport model has StarTex synthetic upholstery with yellow stitching. StarTex offers a beautiful and durable look and feel and is ideal for cleaning after an excursion. In addition, Honda and Subaru equip these vehicles with heated seats.

The Subaru Crosstrek’s in-vehicle STARLINK technology runs on a 6.5-inch touch screen on the first three models and an 8.0-inch touch screen on the top two trims. In addition, your STARLINK system has Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth preloaded for wireless phone operations. You’ll receive free trials for SiriusXM satellite radio and SiriusXM Travel Link services.

Honda installed a 7.0-inch touch screen in two HR-V trims and a 9.0-inch touch screen in the top model. The HR-V’s in-vehicle technology includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth systems. You’ll also get a free trial subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio. You can purchase a subscription to SiriusXM Travel Link separately if you choose, but you’ll lose out on the free trial.

2023 Subaru Crosstrek vs. Honda HR-V: Performance

Subaru offers three engine options, depending on the trim you choose. Both the Crosstrek Base and Premium models have a boxer engine, a flat-line four-cylinder with dual overhead cams and an active valve control system. Subaru paired this engine with a six-speed manual transmission. As a result, this powertrain produces 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque with a towing capacity of 1,500 pounds. The EPA estimates you get 29 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg in the city.

A 2.5-liter boxer engine paired with Subaru’s Lineartronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) comes on the Crosstrek Sport and Crosstrek Limited trims. This powertrain gives you 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. With the CVT, you get adaptive control, incline assist, and an eight-speed manual mode with paddle shifters. In addition, the EPA estimates this powertrain gets 34 mpg on the highway and 27 mpg in the city.

If you choose the plug-in hybrid Crosstrek, you get the 2.0-liter boxer engine paired with an electric motor and a CVT. This configuration gets you 148 total system horsepower. You also get 30 mpg using the gas engine and 90 MPGe with the electric motor.

Every Crosstrek comes standard with all-wheel drive (AWD), and the top tiers get X-MODE, a configurable drive mode system that tunes your Crosstrek to match the terrain.

Honda put the same 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine and CVT in every HR-V. This powertrain provides 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque and gets 32 mpg on the highway and 26 mpg in the city. Honda doesn’t offer a tow package or list a towing capacity for the HR-V. You can add AWD as an option for $1,500.

The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Beats the Honda HR-V

After a thorough review, it is clear the Subaru Crosstrek offers more standard features and a more potent powertrain than the Honda HR-V. If you’re in the market for a capable SUV to keep up with your active lifestyle, the Crosstrek would be an excellent fit for you. We invite you to browse our inventory online or stop by our dealership for a personalized demonstration of your favorite model.