2021 Subaru Crosstrek 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 gave it a car-like appearance, reminiscent of Honda's sedan lineup. This design approach made the CR-V more akin to a station wagon than a traditional SUV, setting a standard for modern family transportation. However, the interior of the CR-V was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery clashing with lower-quality plastics. This contrast reminded drivers that even the more expensive CR-V models were essentially upgraded versions of a commodity car rather than true premium products.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek was a crossover that embraced the rugged looks and features that car shoppers sought. By building on the Impreza hatchback's foundation, Subaru added black body cladding, model-specific 17-inch wheels, and a taller ride height, giving the Crosstrek 8.7 inches of ground clearance. These changes allowed the Crosstrek to mimic an SUV's character while offering vibrant color options like Plasma Yellow Pearl. The interior remained functional but plain, with some questionable design choices like clashing color accents. Despite these quirks, the Crosstrek's water-repellant StarTex upholstery was practical for outdoor adventures.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine across its lineup, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), this powertrain provided a responsive driving experience, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V's car-like demeanor extended to its road manners, offering nimble handling and a comfortable ride with minimal body roll. Its lightweight design contributed to excellent fuel economy, with FWD models achieving 30 miles per gallon combined and AWD models managing 29 mpg. Honda also introduced a hybrid version for 2020, further enhancing its fuel efficiency.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered two gasoline powertrain options. The Sport and Limited trims featured a new 2.5-liter boxer-four engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, while the base and Premium trims retained the 2.0-liter engine with 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. The Crosstrek's standard AWD system included torque vectoring and X-Mode for improved handling on loose surfaces. Despite its SUV-like stance, the Crosstrek maintained predictable handling, though the higher center of gravity resulted in increased body roll. The new 2.5-liter engine provided adequate acceleration, but the CVT's droning was noticeable.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and storage solutions. Its cabin offered ample head- and legroom for both front and rear passengers, thanks to a well-designed seating position and excellent visibility. The cargo area was spacious, with a two-position load floor allowing for versatile storage options. With the rear seats folded, the CR-V provided 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space, matching larger competitors like the Volkswagen Tiguan. Clever storage solutions, such as a deep center console and large door pockets, made the CR-V practical for everyday use.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek shared its interior dimensions with the Impreza hatchback, offering competitive passenger space but limited cargo capacity. With 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 55.3 cubic feet with them folded, the Crosstrek lagged behind some rivals. The CVT-equipped models featured a rear-seat reminder system, while the front offered a convenient cubby hole with USB and auxiliary ports. However, storage space was minimal, and the driving position, while higher than the Impreza's, didn't provide the commanding view of traditional SUVs. Good outward visibility was a plus, thanks to the large side glass.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a standard 5-inch screen on the LX trim that lacked features. Higher trims offered a 7-inch touchscreen, but it still fell short compared to competitors. The system's lack of hard buttons made it challenging to operate, and even Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration felt tacked on. However, the CR-V did offer 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 for added convenience.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek featured the Starlink infotainment system with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. Premium and Sport trims added WiFi and SiriusXM satellite radio, while an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation was available on higher trims. Subaru's unique second screen displayed additional information, though it seemed redundant. The 8-inch touchscreen was user-friendly, with large analog knobs and buttons for essential functions. The steering wheel controls for EyeSight driver-assistance features were also well-designed, enhancing the overall user experience.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came equipped with the "Honda Sensing" system as standard, offering features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. EX trims and above added blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitoring. The CR-V earned a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with the Touring trim's LED headlights improving nighttime visibility. A safety recall affected a small number of vehicles for a rear subframe issue.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with strong performance in side crash tests. The IIHS awarded the 2020 model a Top Safety Pick, contingent on optional EyeSight features and Steering Responsive Headlights. EyeSight offered adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The Limited trim included additional safety features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. However, EyeSight's camera positioning limited its functionality in certain conditions, though it offered better protection than grille-mounted systems.