Honda HR-V vs. CR-V

Having one or two available SUVs isn’t enough for automakers anymore. Nowadays, they have to have an extensive lineup of high-riding options for shoppers. Honda has a total of five different SUVs with its two smallest options being the HR-V and CR-V. If you’re in the market for a versatile SUV from Honda, choosing between these two models may be more difficult than you think.

In this comparison, we’ll take a look at how the HR-V and CR-V compare to one another when it comes to pricing, size, specifications, and reviews before naming the better option. Whether you want an affordable SUV to commute in or something for the family, we can help you make a choice.

Honda HR-V vs. CR-V Price

As the smaller of the two options, the Honda HR-V has an obvious advantage over the CR-V when it comes to pricing. The cheapest Honda HR-V is the LX trim that starts at $25,395 (with destination), while the most expensive one can top $28,945.

In comparison, the most affordable Honda CR-V is the LX which costs $29,705 and the most expensive CR-V is the EX-L that’s priced at $35,005. There’s a $4,310 difference in price between the HR-V and CR-V’s base trims and $6,060 between their range-topping trims.

As the cheaper model, Honda HR-V Deals are better than the ones that are available for the Honda CR-V. The HR-V tends to be available with more affordable lease deals than the CR-V, while financing deals are similar for both models.

Honda HR-V vs. CR-V Size

The subcompact HR-V is much smaller than the compact CR-V. The HR-V is 179.8 inches long, 72.4 inches wide, and 63.4 inches tall. The CR-V is the larger SUV of the two, being roughly four inches longer, one inch wider, and three inches taller.

Because of its larger body, the CR-V offers more interior space than the HR-V. The CR-V has more front headroom, rear headroom, and rear legroom than the HR-V. Surprisingly, the HR-V offers more front legroom than the CR-V.

When it comes to cargo capacity, the CR-V offers more space than the HR-V. The compact SUV has 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and a total of 76.5 cubic feet of cargo space. The smaller HR-V has 24.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and a total of 55.1 cubic feet of cargo space.

Honda HR-V vs. Honda CR-V Specs

Neither SUV leads its respective segment when it comes to power. The HR-V comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. The larger CR-V comes with a more powerful turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that’s rated at 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque.

While one would assume that the HR-V is the more efficient option of the two, that isn’t the case. Despite being larger and more powerful than the HR-V, the CR-V is rated to get up to 30 mpg combined. The best the HR-V can get is up to 28 mpg combined.

Consumers looking to tow cargo will have to choose the CR-V, which is rated to tow up to 1,500 pounds. The HR-V is not rated to tow any cargo.

Honda offers the CR-V in a hybrid model that’s covered separately. The HR-V is not available with a hybrid powertrain.

Honda HR-V vs. Honda CR-V Reviews

In our review of the Honda HR-V, we claimed that the subcompact SUV is a solid option thanks to sharing its underpinnings with the Civic, but fails to stand out in the class. It trails its rivals when it comes to performance, stand-out features, and fuel economy.

The CR-V, on the other hand, is a segment leader. For drivers that aren’t looking for outright performance, the CR-V manages to get a lot right, as it’s a comfortable, spacious, efficient, and safe SUV. The available hybrid powertrain gives the CR-V an added dimension that’s missing from a lot of its competitors.

Which Is Better: Honda CR-V or Honda HR-V?

The Honda CR-V easily wins this comparison. While it’s a hefty upgrade in price over the HR-V, it’s more of a well-rounded SUV that’s capable of handling the daily commute, the family road trip, taking the pets to the vet, and everything in between. It has more interior space than the HR-V, more power, better fuel economy, and more towing capacity.

While the HR-V loses this comparison, it’s not a bad subcompact SUV – it’s just aimed at a different driver. The HR-V is aimed at drivers shopping on a tight budget that want a small vehicle that’s easy to drive and park on tight roads.

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