Subaru Crosstrek vs Honda HR-V
The 2022 Subaru Crosstrek and 2022 Honda HR-V are two of the most popular compact crossovers for budget-conscious buyers seeking practicality and reliability. Both sit in a sweet spot of used pricing under $22,000, offer solid fuel economy, and target similar suburban and outdoor-lifestyle buyers. The key differences lie in all-wheel drive availability, cargo space, and long-term ownership costs that aren't obvious from the sticker price alone.
The 2022 Subaru Crosstrek edges out the HR-V primarily due to its stronger resale value retention and standard symmetrical AWD, which eliminates the costly upgrade fee and justifies its slightly higher entry price over five years.
2022 Subaru Crosstrek
Winner- Standard AWD on all trims reduces long-term safety and traction upgrade costs
- Strong resale value — retains roughly 55% after 5 years limiting depreciation hit
- Lower-than-average repair frequency with well-documented Subaru maintenance schedules
- CVT transmission can be costly to repair if neglected beyond 100k miles
- Subaru head gasket history on older engines creates buyer hesitation affecting insurance slightly
- Lower fuel economy than HR-V at ~29 MPG combined costs more annually at the pump
2022 Honda HR-V
- Best-in-class fuel economy at ~32 MPG combined lowers annual fuel spend noticeably
- Honda's strong reliability reputation means lower average repair costs in years 1-3
- Slightly lower insurance premiums due to Honda's favorable actuarial loss history
- 2022 HR-V generation switch means FWD-only on base trims — AWD costs $1,500+ more
- Steeper depreciation curve than Crosstrek — retains only about 50% value after 5 years
- Underpowered 158-hp engine may lead buyers to upgrade sooner, resetting depreciation clock
Category by category
The verdict
Over five years, the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek costs approximately $1,440 more in total than the HR-V but delivers standard AWD and better resale that justify the gap for many buyers. If you live in a Sun Belt city and mostly commute, the HR-V's fuel and insurance savings make it the smarter financial choice. But for buyers who want all-weather confidence without paying extra, the Crosstrek is the more complete — and ultimately better-value — package.
Subaru Crosstrek: The 2022 Subaru Crosstrek is best for buyers in snowy or rural climates who prioritize standard AWD, higher ground clearance, and stronger long-term resale value over marginal monthly savings.
Honda HR-V: The 2022 Honda HR-V is best for urban and suburban commuters who prioritize lower monthly running costs, better fuel economy, and Honda's historically low repair frequency in a tidy, easy-to-park package.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2022 Subaru Crosstrek more reliable than the 2022 Honda HR-V?
Both are above-average in reliability for their class. The HR-V edges out the Crosstrek slightly on powertrain reliability per Consumer Reports, but the Crosstrek is more consistent across all systems and has a larger owner base confirming long-term durability.
Does the 2022 Honda HR-V come with AWD?
The 2022 HR-V offers AWD only as a paid upgrade on higher trims, adding roughly $1,500 to the purchase price — a key cost consideration versus the Crosstrek where AWD is standard on every trim.
Which holds its value better, the Crosstrek or the HR-V?
The 2022 Crosstrek retains approximately 55% of its value after five years compared to around 50% for the HR-V, meaning the Crosstrek loses roughly $1,000–$1,500 less to depreciation over the same period.
What is the real-world fuel cost difference between the Crosstrek and HR-V?
Driving 12,000 miles per year at $3.50/gallon, the HR-V's 32 MPG combined costs roughly $1,313/year in fuel versus $1,448/year for the Crosstrek's 29 MPG — a savings of about $135 annually favoring the HR-V.
Which is cheaper to insure, the 2022 Crosstrek or the 2022 HR-V?
The 2022 HR-V averages about $128/month to insure nationally versus $142/month for the Crosstrek, saving HR-V owners approximately $168 per year based on quotes for a typical 35-year-old driver with a clean record.