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Identifying the First-Gen Ford MustangHonda HR-V vs Subaru Crosstrek
We compare two popular compact SUVs to see which is the best choice for you: the Subaru Crosstrek or the Honda HR-V.Subcompact SUVs go Head-to-Head
The Subaru Crosstrek and Honda HR-V are two sides of the small-to-mid-sized Crossover SUV coin. One is a plane-jane grocery getter with a dreary but reliable engine, and the other is a cute little off-roader with a boxer engine of equal wimpiness. But let’s be real, these aren’t Civic Type Rs or WRX STIs. They’re family runabouts with two polar opposite personalities.
Today, let’s break down these two yin and yang crossovers for those pondering whether they’re team Subie or team Honda.
Specs
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a Crosstrek owner or an HR-V owner; neither powertrain is all that impressive. On the Honda side, the HR-V’s two-liter, naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine is a throwback to how all old Hondas used to be powered. All stats are in durability, reliability, and good fuel economy, and almost none are in engine power.
We’re talking about 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque fed to a CVT. Zero to 60 figures are equally bleh, we’re talking well oner nine seconds. Historically, the rival Crosstrek has been a slow vehicle. The two-liter four-cylinder boxer engine native to the lower trims in 2025 definitely does not help the stereotype. The Crosstrek drivetrain creates 152 horses and 145 lb-ft of torque. That works out to an official towing capacity of 1,500 lbs, or 3,500 for the Wilderness trim, and a zero–to–60 sprint in—get this—9.5 seconds.
The 2.5-liter engine available with the Sport trim brings power up to 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. This also brings zero to 60 figures up to 8.5 seconds.Even so, it’s a clear win for the Crosstrek. That optional extra 500 ccs turned out to make all the difference.
As for fuel economy, the 2.0 and 2.5-liter Crosstreks manage a combined 29 MPG, except for the Wilderness trim with different tires and 27 combined MPG. Compared to the 28 combined MPG of a front-wheel drive HR-V or 27 MPG with AWD, the two are roughly equal when it comes to fuel economy.
Comfort and Interior
Subaru and Honda are both known for making good use of limited space. Rear legroom is solid for the HR-V, we’re talking 37.7 inches for the kids to stretch their legs. So is cargo space behind the seats, with 24.4 cubic feet with the seats in place and 55.1 cubic feet with the seats in the stowed position.
The slightly smaller Crosstrek gives rear passengers 36.5 inches of legroom regardless of the drivetrain, plus just a hair under 20 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. That extends to 54.7 cubic feet with the seats down.
Materials and build quality are about on par with each other. The HR-V range-topping EX-L trim at $30,550 even comes with leather upholstery for an uber-luxurious kick. Keep in mind, at $25,695, the base LX trim is only separated by $4,100. So you don’t have to pile on the debt to get some upgrades in creature comforts.
The 2025 Crosstrek also offers leather seats in its range-topping Limited trim at $31,395, notwithstanding the less luxurious but trail-focused Wilderness trim at $32,495. That’s a $6,800 difference between the base trim and the top of the range. Call it a tie in the interior and trim department. There’s enough similarity between the two to satisfy.
Features
Subaru‘s always been a little quirky compared to other Japanese brands. In a good way, of course. So, it should come as no surprise that a low-end Subie infotainment system would have a flair for the unusual. Instead of one big screen, these low-trimmed Crosstreks use dual seven-inch screens stacked one on top of the other. The top streams the rear-view camera displays Android Auto and iOS Car Play, and controls the radio, while the bottom screen handles the climate control. Amazingly, for a 2025 model, USB Type-A and AUX connectivity are still here and present.
Up the range, a 11.6-inch conventional single unit display lowers the weird factor but makes up for it with increased functionality. It’s all run by the SUBARU STARLINK infotainment suite that’s among the highest rated in the industry. Subaru’s X-MODE hill descent mode and full-time all-wheel drive also make it a legitimately capable off-roader. Doubly so for the rugged Wilderness edition.
Now, the HR-V probably isn’t completely useless on a light woodland trail, at least in an all-wheel drive configuration. But would it be even remotely at home here as the Subaru? Not even close. Elsewhere, the HR-V is perfectly acceptable. Low-end trim levels net a seven-inch infotainment screen. A nine-inch screen in higher trims isn’t awful either, but it’s still smaller than what you’d find in the equivalent up-trimmed Crosstrek.
As far as driver assistants are concerned, the two are pretty evenly matched. It’s getting harder and harder to tell the difference between different carmakers in this respect these days, as much of this tech is becoming standard across the industry. With this in mind, it’s clear that Crosstrek is better equipped than the other two.
Verdict
The HR-V is far from a bad car. It’s spacious, practical, light on fuel, and should last. But it’s not fast, interesting, or special in any way save for the luxurious highest trim package. With its clever interior, optional peppy engine, and a dedication to adventure via the Wilderness trim, it’s clear Subaru is just a more fun brand than Honda at the moment in the lower-mid-size SUV segment.
If you ask us, Honda should make a rugged off-road-focused HR-V with all-terrain tires like the Crosstrek Wilderness. That’d be some real fireworks. But for now, the dub goes to the Crosstrek, even though it’s almost a guarantee that the HR-V will sell more.
