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2025 Car Mileage with the Best Gas MileageHead-to-Head: 2023 Honda CR-V vs Subaru Crosstrek
It’s the 2023 Honda CR-V vs Subaru Crosstrek Which new SUV has the better mileage, the lower price, and the best features? You’re about to find out!
Honda CR-V vs Subaru Crosstrek
Do you need a new SUV that stays below $40,000? Well, here are two good choices for you. The brand-new 2023 Honda CR-V has a handful of trims that range from $31,110 to $38,600. Also new, the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek starts much lower with a base model price of $23,645. It escalates to $36,845 for a Crosstrek Hybrid. Speaking of hybrids, both of these automakers offer them with these models, but there are some differences.
The 2023 Honda CR-V actually kicks off the sixth generation of the popular SUV, so it has several updates compared to some of the features we mentioned in our 2022 Honda CR-V review. If you’re comparing the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek to the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek, you won’t find too many differences. The question, however, isn’t how these two 2023 models compare to their 2022 counterparts. The question is how the 2023 Honda CR-V compares to the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek. Let’s get to the comparisons!
Specs
Most 2023 Honda CR-V models come equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is standard on all trims, but a hybrid powertrain is offered on the 2023 CR-V Sport and Sport Touring trims. It uses an electronic CVT, or eCVT. The CR-V Hybrid, which isn’t a plug-in hybrid, used to be offered as a separate model, but it’s no longer available on its own. Two electric motors boosted by lithium-ion batteries work with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine to make 204 hp with 232 lb-ft of torque.
The Sport Touring comes with standard all-wheel drive (AWD), while that drivetrain is optional on all other models. There is 7.8 inches of ground clearance to work with when the 2023 CR-V is equipped with front-wheel drive (FWD). Switching to AWD increases that clearance to 8.2 inches.
The 2023 CR-V does a good job on fuel economy. It can get 34 miles per gallon (MPG) on the highway and 28 MPG in the city with FWD. The 2023 CR-V models with AWD drop down to 32 MPG on the highway and 27 MPG in the city. An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rating gives the 2023 Honda CR-V Sport Hybrid a calculation of 36 MPG on the highway and 43 MPG in the city.
Meanwhile the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek makes 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. This is the engine found on the lower two trims. The higher positioned Sport and Limited trims increase to 152 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque with a 2.5-liter engine. Both are mated to a CVT, but a six-speed manual transmission is available for the Base and Premium trims. The manual transmission is unique to the Crosstrek in this comparison with the CR-V. Every Crosstrek comes with the AWD capability that Subaru is known for. It’s also got 8.7 inches of ground
Like the 2023 CR-V, the 2023 Crosstrek is available as a hybrid. The plug-in hybrid uses that 2.0-liter engine to make a combined output of 148 horsepower. All-electric power will move the Crosstrek Hybrid about 17 miles with 90 miles per gallon of gasoline equivalent (MPGe). The 2023 Crosstrek plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) ends up with 480 miles of total vehicle range. Fully recharging that PHEV model will take about two hours if the Crosstrek is plugged into a Level 2 charging station. With a 110-volt outlet, the 2023 Crosstrek can recharge in about five hours.
The base 2.0-liter engine gets an EPA-determined estimation of 29 MPG on the highway and 22 MPG in the city. Models with the CVT achieve better mileage estimates: 33 MPG on the highway and 28 MPG in the city. Those 2023 Subaru Crosstrek SUVs with the 2.5-liter engine perform best on the highway, getting 34 MPG. In the city, the 2.5-liter delivers 27 MPG.
Driving and Performance
The 2023 Honda CR-V is packed with enough power to satisfy people in most daily driving situations. The CVT requires some strength sometimes, but the CR-V runs smoothly for the most part. Getting up to speed on an Interstate on-ramp is where you’re most likely to notice any acceleration issues. You’ll probably hear some extra noise while doing so, too. In terms of handling, the CR-V doesn’t take much effort. It responds quickly to driver demands on steering and braking. This SUV maintains composure while making a turn or cruising along a curve in the road. The suspension hides most bumps, potholes, or cracks you may run into along your route, too.
The 2023 Subaru Crosstrek is not exactly quick when it comes to accelerating, but it gets the job done. The 2.5-liter engine is the better choice if you’re looking to get up to highway speeds in a hurry. Drivers can enjoy a calm drive that handles like a car. Tight turning helps with maneuverability, but there is some body roll on sharper turns. That bit of higher ground clearance makes the Crosstrek ever-so-slightly less stable around curves. Overall, though, the Crosstrek provides a good experience for the driver and passengers thanks to a suspension that is firm enough for good handling and soft enough to shield most of the bumps along the way.
Comfort and Interior
Beyond the suspension adding to the comfort of the cabin, the 2023 Honda CR-V provides a good amount of room for passengers to utilize. The body of the 2023 model has been stretched 1.6 inches, adding 0.6 inches of additional legroom. Front passengers have 41.3 inches of legroom while rear passengers have 41.0 inches. Those measurements stay the same throughout the 2023 Honda CR-V lineup. Honda delivered 39.3 cu-ft of cargo space for luggage, gear, or any other objects. If the seats are folded, that space expands to 76.5 cu-ft.
The 2023 CR-V has a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a leather-wrapped shift knob, and leather-trimmed seats in some of the trims, mostly in the higher ones. Heated front seats and a power-adjustable driver’s seat make driving this SUV a more relaxed experience. Every 2023 CR-V has a one-touch power moonroof, too.
The height of the Crosstrek isn’t enough to make it difficult for older passengers to get into. It’s still easy to get in and out of the passenger seats. The layout is functional, and the Crosstrek has enough high-quality materials for its class to impress. Legroom measures 43.1 inches in the front and 36.5 inches in the second row. That 2023 Crosstrek Hybrid option adds just a little bit more space for passengers in the rear, giving them 36.7 inches of legroom. There’s regularly 20.8 cu-ft (15.9 cu-ft in the hybrid variation) of cargo space, but that amount expands to 55.3 cu-ft (43.1 cu-ft in the hybrid) when the rear seats are lowered in a 60/40 split.
The inner workings of the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek keep the cabin mostly quiet. Soft touch materials and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter handles (which come standard in most of the 2023 Crosstrek trims) enhance the environment. Even with cloth upholstery, the Premium trim adds an extra element with orange stitching. For the Sport trim, the cloth upholstery gets extra flare with yellow contrast stitching, and it is water-repellent.
Trims and Features
The 2023 Honda CR-V is offered in four trims: the EX, the Sport, the EX-L, and the Sport Touring. There’s a good bit of standard features on the basic trim, including a push-button start, LED headlights and taillights, two front-row USB ports, a seven-inch touchscreen, a six-speaker sound system, and smartphone integration for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Some of the safety features included at even the most basic trim level include a blind-spot warning with rear-cross traffic alerts, forward collision mitigation, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control.
Moving up to the Sport trim gets you the option of a hybrid powertrain with a sportier look. It also adds leather to the steering wheel and shift knob. Two USB ports are added for second-row passengers. Honda doesn’t want you to stop at the 2023 CR-V Sport, though, so they added several notable features that make the EX-L an enticing option.
Front and rear parking sensors, a power liftgate, and a nine-inch touchscreen all come with the EX-L. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work with wireless connectivity at this level. There’s also a wireless charging pad. Seat upgrades involve a power-adjustable front passenger seat and driver’s seat memory settings. At the top of the lineup is the 2023 Honda CR-V Sport Touring with 19-inch gloss black wheels, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a hands-free liftgate, and a heated steering wheel. Like the Sport trim, the Sport Touring has the hybrid powertrain option.
There are more trims in the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek, but not necessarily more options. Trims include the base model, the Premium, the Sport, the Limited, and the Crosstrek Hybrid. Starting with the base, buyers will get roof rails, automatic climate control, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, a four-speaker audio system, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Subaru Starlink Multimedia, which includes wired smartphone integration for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation, and wireless Bluetooth, is already in place on every 2023 Crosstrek.
A rear-vision camera is standard, but there aren’t a lot of driver assists on base models that don’t have the CVT. The EyeSight safety tech suite, however, is included with the Crosstrek on the base model as long as you’ve got the CVT. That safety suite adds like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a lane departure warning. The EyeSight package is also available on the Base and Premium trims that use the six-speed manual transmission. If you’ve got the standard CVT and didn’t opt for the six-speed manual transmission, then the base model still comes with hill descent control, and an off-road driving setting.
Additional highlights at the Premium level include heated side mirrors, fog lights, heated front seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Infotainment also gets an upgrade with satellite radio capability, an additional USB port, and Starlink availability. Keyless entry, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a sunroof, blind-spot monitoring, and a rear-cross traffic alert are also included with all CVT models.
The Sport adds paddle shifters and other cosmetic features, like special fender flares and the previously mentioned yellow stitching. The Limited has other distinct fender flares and upholstery. Adaptive LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, leather upholstery, and rear automatic braking are built into this trim level, too. The most premium of features, like an integrated navigation system and eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, are available in the Limited. The Hybrid version of the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek has blue stitching throughout the cabin, a heated steering wheel, and the other features that come in the Limited.
Honda CR-V vs Subaru Crosstrek: The Verdict
I’ll take one of each, please! If only it was that easy, huh? If you’re looking for a vehicle with a traditional internal combustion engine, I have to give the edge to Honda here. The 2023 CR-V is stacked with handy features like the hands-free liftgate, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and wireless Apple and Android connectivity. There’s also an extra inch of touchscreen in the CR-V. Plus, the Honda has some extra horsepower. None of those things are ‘make or break’ in this comparison, but the amenities and distinctions do add up. The two vehicles are pretty even when it comes to fuel economy, if you’re comparing the models with a traditional internal combustion engine.
However, if you’re going the hybrid route, the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek wins this battle. It’s a PHEV that has AWD, various impressive safety features, some off-road abilities, decent range, and fairly quick recharging times. Honda’s CR-V Hybrid just can’t compete with Subaru when it comes to all of that. Even with impressive cabin features, the CR-V Hybrid can’t outperform the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek PHEV.
In this situation, it really depends what kind of vehicle you’re looking for. If you want an economical, well-equipped SUV with a gasoline-powered engine, then the 2023 Honda CR-V is a good choice. If you appreciate electric vehicles, then it’s the 2023 Subaru Crosstrek PHEV for you. We have recently published some additional content that can help you with all of your SUV-buying decisions. Browse our suggestions for the Best Three-Row Hybrid SUVs, the Top 10 Used Luxury SUVs Under $30,000, and the Best Used PHEV SUVs Under $30,000 for even more options.
