A secret all car critics know — a subcompact SUV might be the ideal car for many drivers. Yes, Americans tend to prefer more size. But the best subcompact SUVs have luxuries equal to larger cars, more space than you might expect, and can flit in and out of traffic with ease.
Two of the best come from two companies that have vied for attention from American families for decades. Honda’s
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subcompact SUV, the HR-V, was redesigned just last year. Toyota’s
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Corolla Cross was introduced as an entirely new model around the same time. They’re the freshest things in the segment, and each offers a tremendous balance of traits.
Let’s see how they compare.
2024 Honda HR-V
The Honda HR-V was redesigned from the wheels up for the 2023 model year, so Honda hasn’t found it necessary to make significant changes for 2024. It’s upscale for such an inexpensive vehicle, with a sophisticated suspension setup rare at this price range and luxury tech like active noise cancelation. Pricing starts at $24,100.
Honda HR-V highlights
Upscale interior: If you haven’t been car shopping in a few years, you probably expect affordable subcompact vehicles to have fairly spartan interiors. The HR-V’s cabin might shock you. Attractive features like a honeycomb trim line through the dashboard give it character. Available leather seats step up the luxury and offer interesting quilting patterns.
Serious rear seat room: Honda easily wins this comparison’s rear seat comfort battle. The HR-V beats the Corolla Cross in shoulder room and dramatically beats it in legroom. If you’re buying your HR-V as a family car, it will still work when the kids reach high school.
Active Noise Cancellation: Honda surprised us when they built this into such an affordable car. Active noise cancellation uses strategically-placed speakers to cancel out wind and road noise, making the HR-V one of the quietest vehicles in its price range.
Check out: The redesigned 2024 Chevy Trax: a roomy, affordable crossover SUV with zippy driving dynamics
2024 Toyota Corolla Cross
You’ve known the name Toyota Corolla for as long as you can remember. Toyota finally did the obvious last year, introducing a subcompact SUV based on the Corolla’s bones, the 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross. It’s still so new to the market that you may not have seen one on the road, but they’ve improved it for 2024 with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and improved safety tech. Pricing starts at $23,610.
Toyota Corolla Cross highlights
Wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay: Android Auto and Apple
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CarPlay let you operate common phone apps through the car’s touchscreen, reducing the temptation to drive distracted and giving you access to easy streaming entertainment and navigation. The HR-V offers wireless versions on its highest trim levels. But the Corolla Cross offers wireless versions on even the base model.
More fuel efficient: The Corolla Cross gets 32 mpg in combined city/highway driving. The HR-V gets 28. That adds up at the pump over years of owning the car. Better yet, you don’t have to give up power to get there. The Toyota has 11 horsepower more on tap.
Rear seat vents: Honda may offer more space in the rear seat, but Toyota offers better temperature balance. The Corolla Cross gets rear-seat air vents. Toyota even builds a button to switch them off if no one is back there. The HR-V lacks them — a bit of a surprise on a 2024 model-year car.
Also read: The all-new 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid hits the spot
Similarities
Honda and Toyota are both known for excellent build quality and the strong resale values that come with it. Less than $500 separates the entry prices of these two.
Conclusion
Few buyers have ever gone wrong choosing a Honda or a Toyota. So minor differences might make this decision for you. The HR-V’s upscale feel, quiet cabin, and extra rear-seat space might make the difference for some who expect to carry more than one passenger regularly. But the Corolla Cross will save you at the pump, and Toyota’s decision to offer wireless phone integration at every price level means a base model Corolla Cross might beat out a base model HR-V for some.
Compare two more compact SUVs: Which is better? The Subaru Crosstrek vs. the Hyundai Kona
Specs
| 2024 Honda HR-V | 2024 Toyota Corolla Cross | |
| Starting Price | $24,100 | $23,610 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter I4 | 2.0-liter I4 |
| Horsepower | 158 hp @ 6,500 rpm | 169 hp @ 6,600 rpm |
| Torque | 138 lb-ft @ 4,200 rpm | 151 lb-ft @ 4,400-4,800 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT | CVT |
| Fuel Economy | 26 city/32 highway/28 combined mpg | 31 city/33 highway/32 combined mpg |
| Also Available | AWD | AWD; hybrid |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | TBD | TBD |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 104.5 inches | 103.9 inches |
| Overall Length | 179.8 inches | 176.1 inches |
| Width | 72.4 inches | 71.9 inches |
| Height | 63.4 inches | 64.8 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 35.1 feet | 35.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.4 inches | 39.5 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.0 inches | 39.1 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.9 inches | 42.9 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 37.7 inches | 32.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 56.6 inches | 52.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 55.2 inches | 52.4 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 24.4/55.1 cubic feet | 26.5 FWD/25.2 AWD |
This story originally ran on KBB.com.
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