Honda HR-V VS Subaru Crosstrek comparison // Can HR-V beat Crosstrek?

#HondaHR-V
#SubaruCrosstrek
#CoupleCarComparison
This is a Motormouth couple car comparison of the all-new Honda HR-V versus the Subaru Crosstrek subcompact SUVs. The Honda HR-V has a 2L 4-cylinder matched to a CVT with 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. FWD and AWD options available. Honda will be bringing out an HR-V hybrid but no word on when it will be available. The Subaru Crosstrek has three powertrain options, a 2L 4-cylinder matched to a CVT or a 6-speed manual, 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. A 2.5L 4-cylinder with a CVT, 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. In Canada, this engine is available on the Outdoor and Limited trims and in the US, the Sport and Limited. There is also a Crosstrek plug-in hybrid with a combined 148 horsepower available in the US and in Quebec. Standard AWD on all models. The Honda HR-V is over 3” longer than the Subaru Crosstrek but the Subaru has almost 2” more ground clearance. The Crosstrek has an inch more front row legroom and the HR-V more second row legroom and space behind the second row. The Honda has a standard 7” touchscreen, available 9” with navigation, the Subaru 6.5”, available 8” with navigation. Both have standard wired Apple Carplay and Android Auto, a manual driver and passenger seat, heated front seats, cloth upholstery, available leather a moonroof and heated steering wheel. There are some features the Subaru Crosstrek is missing that the HR-V has available, wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto and a wireless charger. The Crosstrek on the other hand has an available power driver seat which the HR-V in Canada does not have. It is available in the US on the top trim.
Four features the HR-V and Crosstrek are missing include, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and a power tailgate.

The HR-V AWD model starts at $31,030 CAD/$25,150 USD and the Crosstrek $27,195 CAD/$24,995 USD. HR-V top model $37,130 CAD/$28,950 USD and the Crosstrek $35,795 CAD/$29,495 USD.

At Canada Drives you can buy your car 100% online and have it delivered straight to your doorstep. Once delivered, you have a full 7 days to love it or return it.

[marcelm]

Why is no one mentioning Subaru's insane maintenance schedule? I calculated close to $5k for regular maintenance costs (excluding parts) for first 5 years of ownership - despite fact I only do 8, 500km / yr. The Subaru's "time" factor is the killer compared to Honda's mostly mileage-based maintenance schedule.

If you're going to include "price" in the debate as to which is the better vehicle, then "required maintenance costs" should also be part of that discussion.

[andyduck]

We have a 2021 outdoor. I've owned many different 4 wheel and all wheel drives before. This little crosstrek is shockingly good in snow with outstanding fuel economy. Great fit and finish with good seat and leg room. I cant really say anything negative about it other than the trunk is a "touch" small. Highly recommend this vehicle!

[filcad]

Crosstrek all the way! I love my 2021 Cool Khaki Grey. It's Symmetrical AWD is such a top-tier when it comes to winter driving especially I am from Manitoba.

[jp]

Excellent visibility and awd were the primary reasons for buying the 23 Crosstrek Limited for my daughter’s first car. We got lucky finding it at our local subaru dealer for msrp with no markups.

[TheCheffydave]

Well, Subi’s are OFF my list. Had 2, a 2012 Outback, and a 2015 Forester, both EX’s. The outback began using oil at 20K. Neither Subaru or the dealer, offered any help, , the Computer went out at 179, 000, I sold it to Car Brain for $4000.The forester was a dream, but the tranny went out at the same 179, 000 miles, got $4500 from Car Brain. Went back to TOYOTA, never should have left! Got a 2020 Corrolla from CARVANA, with only 18K, mint outside/inside, Safety Sense 2.0, 1.8 liter engine, gets 32 City/48 Hwy, paid $23, 000 with tax/tags in Florida. NO DEALER FEES! This is 30 days before the prices went nuts! Similar car now is $30K plus, all this too will pass.
❤️ your U-tube channel, you guys rock!

[paranromallover]

I got a mazda cx-30 and i love it. But i will say the subaru crosstrek was my second alternative. I think the crosstrek might have actually been slightly more comfortable but the cx-30 gave me that old school 6 speed auto which i love feeling physical gear shifts when driving.

[donofd]

Just bought a 2023 Crosstrek Limited loaded . I love everything about this vehicle.

[Flying-Fox]

The fix for Honda to be competitive is to make the turbo engine standard with the same pricing. Now that would be value for your money.

[goru]

A year later we are deciding between these two cars and this video is so useful.

[MarksTech]

just took my Crosstrek sport to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado during heavy snow. I love it so much. the best car ive owned. I drove it from NC to CO. best road trip ever!

[ericsoumah]

Hi guy's, love your channel, I've owned three Crosstreks, 15, 19, now a 2021 Outdoor, love the extra ruggedness and of course the 2.5l, fantastic vehicle, wouldn't even consider another vehicle.
Thanks
Eric

[MountainTactical]

2023 Crosstrek Special Edition was left out on the review. I recently purchased mine, love it.

[VC]

I have the 2021 Crosstrek Outdoor and truly love the thing after 40 000+ km.

2.5L engine is plenty to merge/pass safely on the highway. Spacious enough for us. Amazing in the snow!!! Great fuel economy (7-8 L/100 in the summer and 9-12 L/100 depending on conditions in the winter).

Does it's job as a comfortable daily commuter and when I throw a ski box/bike rack on there, it's the perfect camp/adventure/weekend rig.

Only gripe is the spongy rear springs (thinking of upgrading them to reduce sag under load) and the 21 did not come with LED headlights. Stock halogens are nowhere near bright enough at night IMO. This seems to be fixed in the 2023 Outdoor model though... amazing.

[rubencastro]

Just ordered 2024 Sport model ..can't wait for it!

[Topaz]

One of the best reviews I have seen in a long time; and its Canadian to boot!! Better yet, British Columbia. Thank you, nicely done. Would be nice to see a full review on the Crosstrek Hybrid

[brucesnider]

Great video. We test drove the Crosstrek and HRV last week, along with the VW Taos. Disappointed in the lack of features in the HRV EX-L NAVI considering the price (e.g. manual driver seat adjustment). We decided to buy the 2023 Crosstrek Limited.

[JGK]

It will also be interesting a year from now to see a similar comparison when the Subaru Crosstrek finally gets its major revisions with the 2024 model.

[Offensively-normal]

A few months ago I picked the Civic over the Impreza. I don't need AWD. A few weeks ago my daughter who does need AWD ask for my opinion and it was the Crosstrek all the way. We are both extremely happy with our picks. Had Honda offered the 1.5t it might have been a different outcome. I think they blew it on that one. Never the less they will sell every HRV they build.

[garetcalvendra]

I read in the specs that HRV in Canada does not come standard with blind spot monitoring nor cross traffic alert. These 2 are only available on the top trim.

[adamesd]

There is an important point regarding the fuel economy figures:

Subarus, including the Crosstrek, often do not meet their EPA numbers. Almost every review I’ve seen or read on Subarus shows this.

The 2023 HRV, however, seems to consistently beat its EPA fuel economy figures. Again, almost all l reviewers that have tested its fuel economy mention this.

So while the Crosstrek on paper may have better fuel economy numbers, the HRV might actually have the edge in the real world.

This actually makes sense. Subarus are usually not light for their class, boxer engines are not particularly fuel efficient, the 2.0 and 2.5 liter boxer engines Subaru uses are not new designs with the latest fuel-saving tech, and the inclusion of AWD on virtually all Subarus further saps their fuel economy stats.

Also, Honda makes more engines than anyone else in the world, and specializes in fuel efficient engines.

And both the Crosstrek and the HRV come with CVTs, so no advantage to either side there.

It would be bizarre if the AWD Crosstrek with the bigger, more powerful 2.5 liter engine actually got better real world fuel economy than even a FWD HRV with its standard 2.0 liter engine.

Nothing against Subarus, I love them. But that’s just a point that needed to be made.