Compare the2023 BMW X2VS 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The X2 has standard BMW Assist, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The CR-V Hybrid doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the X2 and the CR-V Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, and available all wheel drive.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, rear impact and roof-crush tests, its standard front crash prevention system, its “Good” rating in the new passenger-side small overlap crash test, and its headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X2 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2019, a rating granted to only 195 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CR-V Hybrid has not been tested, yet.

The X2 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The CR-V Hybrid’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The X2’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the CR-V Hybrid’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X2 for 1 year and 12000 miles longer than Honda pays for maintenance for the CR-V Hybrid (3/36,000 vs. 2/24,000).

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X2 third among small premium SUVs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The CR-V Hybrid isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 18 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Honda is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Honda is ranked fifth.

The X2’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 24 more horsepower (228 vs. 204) and 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 247) than the CR-V Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The X2 M35i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 97 more horsepower (301 vs. 204) and 84 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 247) than the CR-V Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the BMW X2 xDrive28i is faster than the Honda CR-V Hybrid:

Both the X2 and CR-V Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The X2 has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The X2 has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the CR-V Hybrid (16.1 vs. 14 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The X2’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The CR-V Hybrid doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the X2’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the CR-V Hybrid:

The X2’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the CR-V Hybrid are solid, not vented.

The X2 stops much shorter than the CR-V Hybrid:

The X2’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CR-V Hybrid’s standard 60 series tires. The X2 M35i’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X2 M35i offers optional 20-inch wheels. The CR-V Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X2 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The CR-V Hybrid doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X2 offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the CR-V Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The X2 has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The CR-V Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The X2 offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The CR-V Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The X2 has vehicle speed sensitive 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 CR-V Hybrid doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The X2 sDrive28i xDrive handles at .92 G’s, while the CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X2 sDrive28i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.4 seconds quicker than the CR-V Hybrid Sport Touring AWD (25.9 seconds @ .68 average G’s vs. 29.3 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

The BMW X2 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 250 pounds less than the Honda CR-V Hybrid.

The X2 is 1 foot shorter than the CR-V Hybrid, making the X2 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The X2 has a higher standard payload capacity than the CR-V Hybrid (941 vs. 850 lbs.).

The X2 has a higher maximum payload capacity than the CR-V Hybrid (970 vs. 850 lbs.).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Honda. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 31% lower rating, Honda is ranked 25th.

The X2 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The CR-V Hybrid doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The power windows standard on both the X2 and the CR-V Hybrid have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the X2 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CR-V Hybrid prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The X2’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The CR-V Hybrid’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the X2 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the CR-V Hybrid can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The X2’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The CR-V Hybrid’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X2 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The CR-V Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the X2 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The CR-V Hybrid’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The X2’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The CR-V Hybrid offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The X2’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The CR-V Hybrid doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X2, based on reliability, safety and performance.