Kelley Blue Book: The 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross vs. the Honda HR-V: How do they compare?

Let’s take a closer look at these small SUVs and find the right one for you.

2023 Honda HR-V

The Honda
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HR-V was completely redesigned for the 2023 model year. The all-new HR-V is bigger than the one it replaced, with a more refined interior and upgraded cabin tech. Pricing starts at $23,800. 

Honda HR-V highlights

Classy interior: Both of these models have handsome interiors. But the HR-V’s feels a cut above its competition. A honeycomb line cuts the dash horizontally, adding a modern aesthetic where other subcompacts feel basic. Available leather seats include interesting stitching patterns. It’s a more polished look than we’re used to seeing in this class.

Rear seat room: Some small SUV buyers rarely use the rear seats. If you’ll be carrying passengers in yours regularly, though, they’ll appreciate that the HR-V has significantly more leg and shoulder room in the second row than the Corolla Cross. It’s among the largest vehicles in its class now, and Honda used much of that space to be kind to rear-seat passengers.

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Active noise cancellation: We expect to find active noise cancellation systems on higher-end cars. But they’re arguably not needed there. In a class of cars this affordable, road and wind noise are more common. Honda uses a high-tech system to quiet them, and it shows.

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross

Everyone knows the Toyota Corolla name – it’s history’s best-selling nameplate. Last year, Toyota
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took advantage of that fact to introduce an all-new compact SUV smaller than its popular RAV4 wearing the Corolla Cross name. The 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross offers legendary Toyota reliability in a compact package with available all-wheel-drive. Pricing starts at $23,060. 

Toyota Corolla Cross highlights

Better fuel economy: The Corolla Cross won’t cost you much to own. Its 32 mpg combined beats the 28 of the HR-V. It doesn’t get there by skimping on horsepower, either. The Toyota has 11 more than the Honda option. This year, a hybrid Corolla Cross becomes available with an estimated 37 mpg combined and 194 horsepower.

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Andriod Auto: Every trim level of Corolla Cross comes with standard wireless Apple
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CarPlay and Android Auto. The HR-V has them, too, but only on more expensive trim levels.

Rear seat vents: The HR-V may offer more rear seat room, but the Corolla Cross gives its second-row passengers A/C vents. Many automakers skimp on heating and cooling for the rear seats at this price point. Toyota includes a button to switch the rear-seat vents off if you’re not carrying anyone back there.

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Similarities

Americans have debated whether Toyota or Honda offers better reliability and resale value for decades because both brands are fantastic at both. These are the smallest SUVs from the two most bulletproof brands on the market, and they have more in common than different.

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Conclusion

The Honda HR-V and Toyota Corolla Cross both make outstanding choices. We’re discussing small differences like a few inches of shoulder room and an extra vent to try to differentiate them because they’re both solid, similar choices. We slightly prefer the interior styling of the HR-V, but you’re not going to go wrong with either.

Specs

2023 Honda HR-V

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross

Starting Price

$23,650

$23,060

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

150 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

175.6 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.