3 Advantages The Toyota Corolla Cross Has Over The Honda HR-V
Subcompact crossovers are taking the industry by storm and even supplanting traditional sedans. Once again, Honda and Toyota are duking it out for dominance in the section. The 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross and 2023 Honda HR-V are pretty evenly matched as subcompact crossovers go. Here are a few areas where the Corolla Cross comes out ahead.
1. HR-V doesn’t get a hybrid version in the U.S.
While the Toyota Corolla Cross gets a new hybrid powertrain for the 2023 model year, the HR-V continues to miss out on electrification.
One of the major selling points for the 2023 Corolla Cross is its new hybrid option. According to Car and Driver, the Corolla Cross Hybrid uses three electric motors to create a combined 196 horsepower. It also offers an EPA-estimated 38 mpg city and 45 mpg highway.
Honda does offer a hybrid HR-V – but it’s only available in Europe for now. The American HR-V gets a standard 2.0-liter engine making just 158 horsepower.
2. Corolla Cross gets better city fuel economy
The Toyota Corolla Cross beats the Honda HR-V on city fuel economy, achieving up to 31 mpg. And that’s the gas-only engine. The Corolla Cross Hybrid bumps city fuel economy up to 38 mpg. By contrast, the HR-V gets just 26 mpg city from its standard 2.0-liter engine.
3. Corolla Cross starting price is lower than HR-V
The 2023 Honda HR-V and 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross are pretty close on price, but the Toyota does have a slight edge.
According to Car and Driver, the base Corolla Cross starts at $24,395. Go up to the top trim XSE Hybrid and you’ll see a starting price just past $32,000.
Meanwhile, the Honda HR-V starts at just over $25,000. The EX-L top-trim version does beat the Corolla Cross XSE Hybrid, however, with a starting price under $30,000.
Is the Corolla Cross bigger than the HR-V?
As subcompact SUVs, the Corolla Cross and HR-V are very similar in size. The Corolla Cross is slightly taller while the HR-V is slightly wider. The Honda does have a slight advantage in cargo capacity – but just barely.
Which subcompact SUV is better?
The race between the Toyota Corolla Cross and Honda HR-V is a dead heat in many ways. Yet, Toyota may get the advantage with its available hybrid powertrain. The HR-V could be more competitive if Honda brings its hybrid option over from Europe.
Car and Driver also points out that the Civic’s 1.5-liter turbocharged engine ought to be compatible with the HR-V. That extra power could bring it ahead of the Corolla Cross.
