Honda CR-V vs. HR-V: Find Your Perfect SUV Match

When you’re shopping for a new Honda SUV, it’s important to find a vehicle that perfectly suits your needs. If you’re undecided between the Honda CR-V vs. HR-V, our team at #1 Cochran Honda Boardman is here to help. We’ve detailed the key differences between the CR-V and HR-V to help you find your perfect SUV match. Compare the features, size, and performance of these striking SUVs.

Deciding Between the Honda CR-V and HR-V

Buying a new SUV is a big investment, so it’s important to understand your needs to make the right choice.

Understanding Your Needs for a Compact vs. Subcompact SUV

If most of your car journeys are for weekend adventures or involve ferrying your kids and all their gear to after-school events, you should consider the CR-V, which offers a larger cargo capacity. If you mostly use your vehicle for daily commutes and local errands, the HR-V will suit your needs perfectly.

Overview of the CR-V and HR-V

The Honda CR-V is a compact SUV with rugged good looks that make it stand out on the city streets and the open road. It’s offered in the LX, EX, Sport Hybrid, EX-L, Sport-L Hybrid, and Sport Touring Hybrid trims with increasing levels of comfort and equipment.

The subcompact Honda HR-V blends perfectly into the urban landscape while offering a smooth and refined ride on the highway. You can choose between the LX, Sport, and EX-L trim levels. The HR-V is one of the best-equipped vehicles in its class, offering the driving characteristics of a larger vehicle.

Interior Space and Comfort for Drivers and Passengers

Both the CR-V and HR-V feature spacious cabins, providing roomy and comfortable seating for up to five people. The interior dimensions for the CR-V are as follows:

• Headroom front/rear: 40/38.2 inches
• Legroom front/rear: 41.3/41 inches
• Shoulder room front/rear: 57.9/55.9 inches
• Hip room front/rear: 55.6/52.6 inches

Here are the interior dimensions of the Honda HR-V:

• Headroom front/rear: 39.4/38 inches
• Legroom front/rear: 41.9/37.7 inches
• Shoulder room front/rear: 56.6/55.2 inches
• Hip room front/rear: 54/47.4 inches

While the larger CR-V offers more interior space, the HR-V is roomy for its class.

Cargo Capacity: Packing for Adventures

With a full complement of passengers, the CR-V has 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. Folding down the second row increases this to 76.5 cubic feet. The HR-V offers 24.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, while folding them down provides 55.1 cubic feet, among the best in the subcompact SUV sector.

Performance and Efficiency: Balancing Power and Efficiency

When it comes to the CR-V vs. HR-V performance, both models feature smooth and efficient engines, although the CR-V’s available hybrid powertrain takes fuel economy to the next level.

Engine Options and Powertrains Explained

Powering the CR-V LX, EX, and EX-L trims is a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder that delivers 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. In hybrid models, a 2.0-liter engine is paired with an electric motor for an output of 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. Both powertrains feature a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Front-wheel drive is standard for most trims. The Sport Touring trim comes standard with all-wheel drive, which is available for other trims.

Under the HR-V’s hood is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque via a CVT. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive as an option.

Fuel Economy

With front-wheel drive, the CR-V’s turbocharged engine returns up to 28 mpg around the Youngstown city streets and 34 mpg on the highway. Front-wheel-drive hybrid models deliver up to 43 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. The figures drop slightly for all-wheel-drive models.

HR-V models with front-wheel drive reach up to 26 mpg city and 32 mpg highway, while all-wheel-drive HR-Vs get up to 25 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.

Driving Experience: Handling, Agility, and Ride Comfort

Honda vehicles are renowned for their responsive handling and smooth ride, and the CR-V and HR-V are no exception. Both models are easy to navigate around town while offering composed handling on the winding back roads. Both cabins are quiet, thanks to insulation and soundproofing that minimize wind and road noise.

Features and Technology: Staying Connected and Safe

Both the Honda CR-V and HR-V come well equipped as standard and offer available features so you can customize your SUV just like you want it.

Comparing Standard and Available Features

The LX trim of both the CR-V and HR-V comes standard with push button start, a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, automatic climate control, and a tilting and telescoping steering column. The CR-V adds ambient lighting, an LED cargo area, and map lights. Higher-spec trims of both models offer features such as heated power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.

Infotainment Systems

The base infotainment system in the CR-V and HR-V features a 7-inch touch screen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, Bluetooth, and a four-speaker sound system. The top three CR-V trims and the HR-V EX-L add a 9-inch touch screen, wireless smartphone integration, a wireless charger, and a premium audio system with satellite and HD Radio.

Safety Ratings and Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems

Both SUVs come standard with the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assistance technologies. It includes adaptive cruise control, a lane-keeping system, lane departure warning, road departure mitigation, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Available features include blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic detection.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has named the Honda CR-V a Top Safety Pick, while the HR-V was named a Top Safety Pick+. Both models received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Choose the Right Honda SUV for You at #1 Cochran Honda Boardman

The best way to compare the Honda CR-V and HR-V is to drive them both to see which model is the best fit for you. Contact us today at #1 Cochran Honda Boardman in Youngstown, Ohio, to schedule a test drive.