Compare the2022 Honda HR-VVS 2021 Subaru Crosstrek

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the HR-V deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The HR-V’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Crosstrek’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Both the HR-V and the Crosstrek have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes and lane departure warning systems.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Honda HR-V is safer than the Subaru Crosstrek:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Honda HR-V is safer than the Subaru Crosstrek:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 68 percent more Honda dealers than there are Subaru dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the HR-V’s warranty.

The engine in the HR-V has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engines in the Crosstrek have dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the HR-V’s reliability 12 points higher than the Crosstrek.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda 19th in initial quality. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 27th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 3 places higher in reliability than Subaru.

The Honda HR-V comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Crosstrek.

The HR-V stops shorter than the Crosstrek:

The HR-V’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Crosstrek’s standard 60 series tires. The HR-V Sport’s tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Crosstrek Limited’s 55 series tires.

The HR-V has variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The HR-V EX-L AWD handles at .84 G’s, while the Crosstrek Limited pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The HR-V EX executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Crosstrek Limited (27.8 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

The Honda HR-V may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 200 pounds less than the Subaru Crosstrek.

The HR-V is 6.1 inches shorter than the Crosstrek, making the HR-V easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The HR-V Sport/EX/EX-L uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The HR-V has .1 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom and 2.8 inches more rear legroom than the Crosstrek.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the HR-V’s rear seats recline. The Crosstrek’s rear seats don’t recline.

The HR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Crosstrek with its rear seat up (24.3 vs. 20.8 cubic feet). The HR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Crosstrek with its rear seat folded (58.8 vs. 55.3 cubic feet).

The HR-V’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Crosstrek has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The HR-V’s power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Crosstrek’s power window (except driver window) switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Consumer Reports rated the HR-V’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Crosstrek’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

The HR-V is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Crosstrek doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the HR-V is less expensive to operate than the Crosstrek because it costs $264 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the HR-V than the Crosstrek, including $54 less for a water pump, $12 less for front brake pads, $85 less for fuel injection, $164 less for front struts and $128 less for a timing belt/chain.