Subaru Crosstrek or Honda HRV?

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0:00 Intro

0:32 Power/Performance

SUB: 2.0 F4 152 hp 145 lbft
2.5 F4 182 hp 178 lbft
No turbo.

HRV: 2.0 I4 158 hp 138 lbft
No turbo

Both SUB engines get to 60 quicker than HRV
Subbie wins


1:34 Hybrid

Neither offers
Subbie used to offer a PHEV so they could again
Old one did 17 miles of range
So with same engines in the new one easy to add


2:22 Fuel economy

HRV: 26/32 fwd
25/30 awd

SUB: 2.0 27/34
2.5

Subbie wins since it gets better fuel economy in the base 2.0 WITH awd than the HRV gets with fwd


3:13 AWD & Offroad stuff

HRV fwd base, awd option
Any offroad stuff?

SUB awd std, X mode
Wilderness version
Trans oil cooler, tires, and half inch lift
This was always going to be a pretty easy one for the Subbie


4:33 Ext design

In all honesty i dont LOVE the look of either of the cars, but I guess if i had to choose, it’d be the Crosstrek
I’ve just seen more examples and images online of them in wilderness trim or in some interesting offroad spec that looks more badass

The HRV is certainly more expensive and elegant looking so again, it’s pretty much a wash here

But since I have to offer a point, it’s going to the Subbie


5:07 Price

HRV: 25,395 start

SUB: 26,290

But AWD is going to put it over the subbie in all trims


5:47 Versatility & towing

HRV not rated for towing nothing on honda media site

SUB mine here is the small engine so only 1500 lbs
BUT with the big engine and trans cooler up to 3500 lbs…allegedly

Just context, the bigger CRV is rated at 1500 lbs
Subbie is a beast here



7:05 Interior build and quality

Subbie is much better than last gen
And dazzles with a big center screen BUT it’s materials and quality

HRV wins


8:17 Tech

HRV gets std 7 in digital cluster and 7 in infotainment
EVERY trim gets ACP and AA
Going up to the EXL here gets you the 9 in center screen
Wireless charger
Wireless acp and aa
And 8 speakers

The Subbie gets dual 7 in touchscreen in the center
ACP & AA
4.2 in cluster TFT
BUT you can option up to the premium, sport, limited and wilderness trims
For the big 11.6 in infotainment screen
Up to 10 speakers with harmon kardon for limited trim

The subbie technically does offer a bigger screen and more speakers BUT even still i prefer the resolution, graphics, and responsiveness of the Honda system…plus i’ve had issues with Subbie bluetooth connections in the past


10:03 Safety

HRV was IIHS top safety pick +
Subbie was…not
But for this year you do get eyesite across all trims
The driver assist suite here is decent but it hugs the right lane line which makes overtaking semis stressful

Honda sensing brings loads of STD equipment to HRV…and it all works really seamlessly


10:36 Trunk space

HRV has significantly bigger trunk
Ironic since subbie is the camping brand and to go camping you need a lot of stuff
The new HRV for this gen gets noticeably bigger than last year
biggest in segment

While the subbie gets a little shorter and narrower..a weird thing to see
But the HRV doesnt get mountains or stream designs in its plastic and mats…


11:24 Rear seats

The crosstrek isn’t completely uninhabitable by any means but its not exactly a place i want to spend a lot of time as someone over 6 foot

The HRV is palatial in comparison and i could more comfortably spend more time back here
It’s the same thing as the trunk, but the HRV is segment leading here on interior volume


12:27 drive/livability

This point probably wont come as a huge shock to anyone, but the Subaru just isnt as refined
You can tell it’s the more affordable car
The cabin isn’t as isolated
The engine sounds pretty coarse
I mean it’s not BAD

BUT then immediately behind the wheel of the Honda it feel half a tier up
Hrv is better balanced
more refined
The engine may have less power, but the driving experience is more natural
It’s easier and more pleasant to drive the HRV



14:01 Conclusion