2027 Honda HR-V vs Subaru Crosstrek: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Crosstrek — it leads our weighted scorecard 1.5–1.5 across 7 categories, winning on more available power (194 hp vs 158 hp) and fewer recalls on the 2023–2025 model years (2 vs 5). Choose the HR-V if you'll sell in about five years (62% vs 56% of value retained).
Scorecard: HR-V 1.5 pts · Crosstrek 1.5 pts across 7 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 HR-V | 2027 Crosstrek | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $26,600 | $26,995 | Tie |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 62% | 56% | HR-V |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 28 mpg | 29 mpg | Tie |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 158 hp | 194 hp | Crosstrek |
| Max towing (1) | — | 3,500 lb | No data |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | 24.4 cu ft | 23.3 cu ft | Tie |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | 5.1% off MSRP | — | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 5 | 2 | Crosstrek |
| Weighted points | 1.5 | 1.5 | Crosstrek |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: it's a wash — HR-V 28 mpg vs Crosstrek 29 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: it's a wash — HR-V 5 vs Crosstrek 5 (standard seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: it's a wash — HR-V $26,600 vs Crosstrek $26,995 (starting MSRP). Used, the median asking price is $24,650 for the HR-V vs $24,772 for the Crosstrek.
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the HR-V — 62% vs 56% (5-year value retained).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The HR-V starts at $26,600 and tops out at $30,450; the Crosstrek runs $26,995 to $35,995 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified HR-V buyers paid a median 5.1% off MSRP across 38 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 7.9% off. Used, the median asking price is $24,650 for the HR-V and $24,772 for the Crosstrek (all model years, US dealer listings).
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- HR-V: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Crosstrek: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: HR-V 5, Crosstrek 2.
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 HR-V | 2027 Crosstrek | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $26,600 | $26,995 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $30,450 | $35,995 |
| Horsepower | 158 hp | 180–194 hp |
| Max torque | 138 lb-ft | 178 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 27–28 mpg | 26–29 mpg |
| Max towing | — | 3,500 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 24.4 cu ft | 23.3 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Size
| HR-V | Crosstrek | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 179.8 in | 176.4 in |
| Width | 72.4 in | 70.9 in |
| Height | 63.4 in | 62.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 104.5 in | 105.1 in |
| Ground clearance | 7 in | 8.7 in |
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) HR-V lists for a median $19,428 — 62% of today's median new price of $31,350. A 5-year-old (2021) Crosstrek lists for a median $21,004 — 56% of today's median new price of $37,484.
Shop both
- See 25,241 new 2027 Honda HR-Vs for sale →Median listed price $31,800 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See 18,440 new 2027 Subaru Crosstreks for sale →Median listed price $33,836 · updated Nov 7, 2026
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Honda HR-V
More on the Subaru Crosstrek
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the HR-V better than the Crosstrek?
On our data, no — the Crosstrek comes out ahead. Our pick: the Crosstrek — it leads our weighted scorecard 1.5–1.5 across 7 categories, winning on more available power (194 hp vs 158 hp) and fewer recalls on the 2023–2025 model years (2 vs 5). Choose the HR-V if you'll sell in about five years (62% vs 56% of value retained).
Which is more reliable, the HR-V or the Crosstrek?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 HR-V and 2 for the Crosstrek.
Which holds its value better, the HR-V or the Crosstrek?
The HR-V: a 5-year-old example lists for 62% of the new price, versus 56% for the Crosstrek, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the HR-V or the Crosstrek?
They start within 3% of each other: $26,600 vs $26,995.
Which has better gas mileage, the HR-V or the Crosstrek?
It's a wash: 28 mpg vs 29 mpg best EPA combined.
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2027 Honda HR-V vs Subaru Crosstrek: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/honda-hr-v-vs-subaru-crosstrek, updated November 8, 2026.