2021 Honda HR-V vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of Honda's fifth generation of compact crossovers, had a design that was both familiar and enjoyable. Its exterior styling was characterized by soft, curvy lines that resembled Honda's sedan lineup, giving it a station wagon-like appearance rather than a traditional SUV look. This design approach made the CR-V a modern family vehicle on the outside. However, the interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery clashing with lower-quality plastics. This reminded drivers that even the pricier CR-V models were upgrades of a commodity car rather than premium products.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda HR-V had a softer, friendlier appearance compared to Honda's larger SUVs. Its distinctive styling included unique window lines converging near the taillights, housing the rear door handles. Most trims featured 17-inch alloy wheels, with the Sport model boasting matte-black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out trim. The interior was plain but functional, with good material quality and fit. While it wasn't a luxury car, it felt solid. Higher trims offered features like push-button start, automatic climate control, a moonroof, and heated front seats, with leather upholstery available on the EX-L model.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This powertrain provided a well-matched driving experience, with the CVT offering a credible imitation of a conventional automatic transmission. The CR-V's road manners were excellent, resembling a small sedan with nimble handling and minimal body roll. Its low curb weight of 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model contributed to its agility and fuel efficiency, achieving 30 miles per gallon combined for FWD models and 29 mpg for AWD models. A hybrid version was also available for those seeking higher fuel economy.

The 2021 Honda HR-V, on the other hand, was equipped with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 141 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque, also paired with a CVT. While the HR-V's powertrain was unchanged from previous models, it felt underpowered for highway driving, especially compared to competitors with more powerful engine options. However, the HR-V's chassis made up for its engine shortcomings, offering a rewarding driving experience on twisty roads and decent ride quality. Its AWD system was suitable for slippery roads but not for rough terrain, and it wasn't rated for towing.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and storage solutions. Its cabin was roomy, with excellent head- and legroom for both driver and passengers. Clever storage solutions, like the deep center console and two-position load floor, added to its practicality. The CR-V offered 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, matching the Volkswagen Tiguan despite being shorter. Even the door pockets were spacious, making it easy to live with the CR-V.

The 2021 Honda HR-V impressed with its cargo space, thanks to the "Magic Seat" 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat. It offered 58.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats down and 24.3 cubic feet with them up, surpassing many competitors. The HR-V also excelled in rear-seat legroom, leading the segment in this category. While it lacked clever interior storage solutions, it featured sensibly-designed controls and a standard tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel for easy driving position adjustments.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a standard 5-inch screen on the LX trim and a 7-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were only available with the larger screen. However, the CR-V offered plenty of USB ports, with two in the front and two high-powered ones in the backseat. The Touring trim added a wireless phone charger.

The 2021 Honda HR-V's base LX trim came with a 5-inch display screen and a four-speaker audio system, while the Sport trim and higher offered a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The EX and EX-L models added SiriusXM satellite radio. The infotainment system was plain but functional, with two USB ports conveniently located ahead of the shifter. However, the 7-inch touchscreen was small compared to competitors, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not standard on the base trim.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came standard with the "Honda Sensing" system, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with the Touring trim offering better headlights. A safety recall affected a small number of vehicles for a rear subframe issue.

The 2021 Honda HR-V received top "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. However, it only offered Honda Sensing safety features on the EX and EX-L trims. These features included forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The HR-V also featured Honda's LaneWatch, providing a camera view when the turn signal was activated.