The 2025 Honda HR-V and Subaru Crosstrek are small SUVs that go above and beyond in passenger space, cargo volume, fuel efficiency, and refinement. Despite their affordable pricing, neither skimps on standard/available tech or safety features.
The 2023 comprehensive makeover of the HR-V left it resting on the Civic platform. This transition translated into a roomy cabin, and sedan-like agility and refinement.
Meanwhile, the Subaru Crosstrek, revamped for 2024, features a stiffened chassis, which allowed Subaru engineers to deliver a smoother and more composed ride. As we’ve come to expect, all-wheel drive (AWD) is standard — it is a Subaru hallmark, after all — and the Crosstrek’s elevated ride height makes it surprisingly capable when venturing off-road.
Let’s see how the HR-V and Crosstrek stack up.
2025 Honda HR-V
The Honda HR-V is available in three trims: LX, Sport, and EX-L. Standard on the entry-level LX is a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, automatic climate control, keyless entry, remote start, and the Honda Sensing bundle of active driver aids.
Every HR-V is equipped with a 158-horsepower 4-cylinder engine matched to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard; all-wheel drive is optional. The HR-V is basically unchanged this year.
Honda HR-V Highlights
Suspension refinement: Honda’s decision to move the HR-V to the Civic platform has paid off with a more compliant, refined ride. No matter the driving environment, the Honda HR-V remains composed, yet it can zip around corners with enthusiasm.
Honda Sensing: Safety is a major HR-V priority. The standard Honda Sensing safety suite includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has named the HR-V a Top Safety Pick+ because of its excellent performance in crash tests. Meanwhile, we applaud the effectiveness of its accident-avoidance technology.
HondaLink: Using this standard smartphone app, owners can interact with their HR-V in countless ways, such as tracking it if stolen. They can also schedule service appointments or set geofencing limits when tossing the keys to someone else.
Active Noise Cancellation: To minimize engine drone and other unwelcome road noise, Honda engineers the audio system with active noise cancellation technology to counteract it.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the HR-V models for sale near you.
2025 Subaru Crosstrek
The Subaru Crosstrek is available in five trims: Base, Premium, Sport, Limited, and Wilderness. Serving as the entry-level powertrain is a 152-hp 4-cylinder engine paired with a CVT and standard all-wheel drive. Moving to the Premium, Sport, Limited, or Wilderness trims includes a more spirited 182-hp 4-cylinder.
With its recent redesign, Subaru worked hard to improve the overall ride quality of the Crosstrek while minimizing engine and road noise. The results are impressive. And we think Subaru loyalists will appreciate how the automaker accomplished this without dramatically altering the basic formula of its current best-selling model.
Subaru Crosstrek Highlights
Standard AWD: There’s no need to check an option box to add all-wheel drive. It’s standard on every Crosstrek, making this pint-sized Subaru extremely capable when roads turn slippery.
Wilderness trim: The Wilderness model comes with a front underbody skid plate, all-terrain tires, extra driver-selectable off-road driving modes, beefier suspension, redesigned front and rear bumpers for improved approach and departure angles, and black exterior body cladding.
Larger touchscreen: Standard in all but the Crosstrek Base grade, a portrait-oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen takes pride of place in the center of the dashboard. It’s easy to see and use. Don’t worry; the Crosstrek cabin still has the same rugged charms people love. In other words, you won’t think you’re in some snooty luxury conveyance, even with that handy-dandy touchscreen.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: Rejoice, smartphone fans! Every Crosstrek with an 11.6-inch screen comes standard with wireless smartphone connectivity. A wired connection is needed with the standard dual-screen infotainment system used in the base model.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Crosstrek models for sale near you.
Similarities
The Honda HR-V and Subaru Crosstrek rank high in our list of Best Subcompact SUVs for 2025. As we revealed here, there are plenty of reasons to recommend either of these two small sport-utes, not least of which is how they blend refinement, affordability, interior space, and cargo-toting capability into one very enticing package.
Price
New 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$27,980 |
$26,441 |
|||
$29,230 |
$27,444 |
|||
$31,780 |
$30,092 |
|||
$33,680 |
$31,891 |
|||
$34,780 |
$32,933 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Honda HR-V vehicles and New 2025 Subaru Crosstrek vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
| 2025 Honda HR-V | 2025 Subaru Crosstrek | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
| Towing Capacity | N/A | 1,500 pounds |
| Horsepower | 158 hp @ 6,500 rpm | 152 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 138 lb-ft @ 4,200 rpm | 145 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
| Transmission | Automatic, CVT | Automatic, CVT w/Lineartronic |
| Fuel Economy | 26 city/32 highway/28 combined mpg | 27 city/34 highway/29 combined mpg |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 104.5 inches | 105.1 inches |
| Overall Length | 179.8 inches | 176.4 inches |
| Width | 72.4 inches | 79.4 inches |
| Height | 63.4 inches | 62.8 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 35.1 feet | 35.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.4 inches | 39.8 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 38.0 inches | 38.0 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.9 inches | 42.9 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 37.7 inches | 36.5 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 56.6 inches | 56.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 55.2 inches | 55.3 inches |
| Cargo Behind Second Seat | 24.4 feet | N/A |
| Cargo With All Seats Down | N/A | 54.7 feet |
Specification table reflects the typical configuration of vehicles shown.
Conclusion
The Honda HR-V and the Subaru Crosstrek are smart picks in the increasingly competitive subcompact SUV market. They deliver the modern conveniences demanded by shoppers, such as smartphone connectivity and excellent safety suites. They have identical warranties. They are also compact and quite maneuverable, which makes them great for cities and crowded parking lots.
We love the outdoorsy image of the Crosstrek and how the current version is smooth and upscale without abandoning any of Subaru’s iconic quirky appeal. Similarly, the HR-V feels more grown-up than it once did, without having tossed aside the attributes that made this Honda such a popular and savvy choice.
In this remarkably close contest, the Honda HR-V — with its extra cargo space, better rear legroom, top-quality interior, and higher fuel economy — shines a bit brighter than the Crosstrek, which will continue to impress the Subaru faithful with its go-anywhere-any-time attitude.
