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Honda CR-V vs Subaru Crosstrek

2026 Honda CR-V vs 2026 Subaru Crosstrek — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Honda CR-V

2026 Honda CR-V

Midsize Station WagonsAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS5 – 2Honda CR-V wins 5 of 7 categories
Subaru Crosstrek

2026 Subaru Crosstrek

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Honda CR-V is more fuel-efficient: 40 vs 36 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $150 a year less in fuel for the Honda CR-V (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Honda CR-V is the bigger car, about 8 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Subaru Crosstrek has had fewer recall campaigns (17 vs 60).

The two cars

The 2026 Honda CR-V is a midsize station wagon offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl and 1.5L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 185 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,635 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

The 2026 Subaru Crosstrek is a small SUV offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 176 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 105-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,285 lb (Convenience/Touring 4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2022 CR-V and the 2015 Crosstrek have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2018 CR-V and the 2019 Crosstrek.

Basics

Midsize Station Wagons
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Hybrid, eFCV, Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
2.0L 4-cyl, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

40 MPG
Best combined MPG
36 MPG
43 city
City / highway MPG (best)
36 city
$1,700
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,850

Performance & space

190 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
180 hp
184.6 in
Length
176.4 in
73.6 in
Width
70.9 in
66.1 in
Height
63 in
3,525 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,285 lb

Safety & reliability

14
Driver-assist features standard
11
2
Recalls (2026)
3
60
Recalls, all years since 2005
17
177
Owner complaints (latest year)
10

Interest

36,497
Wikipedia views, 30 days
11,593

Buying used

2022
Best used year
2015
2018
Year to avoid
2019

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Honda CR-V if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (40 vs 36 MPG)
  • You want more room (8 in longer)
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech

Choose the Subaru Crosstrek if…

  • You want something easier to park (8 in shorter)
  • You put reliability history first (17 vs 60 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Honda CR-V

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 40 MPG combined — 56% better than the average 2026 midsize station wagon (25.7 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

2026 Subaru Crosstrek

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 36 MPG combined — 39% better than the average 2026 small SUV (25.9 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • "Do not drive" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Full 2026 Honda CR-V specs →Full 2026 Subaru Crosstrek specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →