Shopping for a crossover should be a pretty straightforward affair. Basically, you’re looking for a decent-sized vehicle with good maneuverability, a capable powertrain, and respectable ground clearance. If you find an offering that ticks all of these boxes, you’ve found a good crossover.
The problem is in choosing the best among those available, and believe us when we say there are a ton of worthwhile crossover offerings to consider. American, Japanese, Korean—hell, even the Chinese manufacturers are beginning to step up their game.
So let’s narrow down the choices a bit, shall we? Two of the more prominent and less-basic crossovers in the market are the Honda HR-V and the Subaru XV. The former was recently refreshed, while the latter was recently blessed with the gift of sight—or Subaru EyeSight, rather.
The two variants most similar in price are the HR-V 1.8 RS Navi (P1,495,000) and the XV 2.0i. The Honda is arguably the more sporty-looking one thanks to its RS-style aesthetics and 17-inch black alloy wheels. It features automatic climate control inside in contrast to the XV’s manual setup, and it comes with nicer leather seats. It also provides more flexibility when it comes to cargo space, boasting 431 liters compared to the XV’s 385.
In terms of performance, however, the XV is the clear winner. It’s all-wheel drive (the HR-V is only front-wheel drive), and its 2.0-liter engine produces more horsepower and torque. The Subaru is also equipped with knee airbags and has an extra 35mm of ground clearance over the Honda. When it comes to handling, the HR-V is slightly more maneuverable thanks to more compact dimensions, a shorter wheelbase, and a 100mm shorter turning radius.
As usual, take a look at the specs below and decide for yourself. Let us know your choice in the poll below, too.
Honda HR-V 1.8 RS NAVI |
Subaru XV 2.0i |
|
| Price (Philippine Peso) | 1,495,000 | 1,418,000 |
| Drive | FWD | AWD |
| Seating capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Engine | 1.8-liter SOHC gasoline | 2.0-liter DOHC gasoline |
| Power | 140hp @ 6,500rpm | 154hp @ 6,000rpm |
| Torque | 172Nm @ 4,300rpm | 196Nm @ 4,000rpm |
| Fuel tank capacity (liters) | 50 | 63 |
| Transmission | CVT | CVT |
| Brakes (front/rear) | Ventilated disc/disc | Ventilated discs |
| Front suspension | MacPherson strut with stabilizer | MacPherson strut |
| Rear suspension | Axle type | Double wishbone |
| Wheels | 17-inch black alloy | 17-inch alloy |
| Tires | 215/55 R17 | 225/60 R17 |
| Ignition | Push start | Push start |
| Audio system | 7-inch toucscreen with navigation | 8-inch touchscreen |
| A/C system | Automatic | Manual |
| Seats | Leather | Fabric |
| Airbags | Driver/passenger, side | Driver/passenger, side, curtain, knee |
| Dimensions (mm) | 4,294 x 1,772 x 1,605 | 4,465 x 1,800 x 1,615 |
| Cargo capacity (liters) | 431 | 385 |
| Steering wheel | Leather with telescopic adjustment | Leather with telescopic adjustment |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,610 | 2,665 |
| Turning radius (mm) | 5,300 | 5,400 |
| Ground clearance (mm) | 185 | 220 |
