Aug 10, 2017

Direction Decision Decisions Junction AwayYou know you want a leading sport utility vehicle, and it’s only natural to consider Honda’s award-winning lineup, but how can you decide between the CR-V and HR-V? Both are well-rounded crossovers that deliver value and quality like no other competitor can, which is why U.S. News & World Report named Honda the Best SUV brand winner for 2017. So, which do you choose? This handy guide should help narrow down your options.

2017 CR-V: The Family-Friendly Option

The Honda CR-V was completely redesigned for the 2017 model year, making now a great time to buy. Still, the outgoing CR-V was the best-selling in its class, so you may want to consider a pre-owned model if you’re on a tight budget. For this comparison, we’ll focus on the 2017 models and how they differ.

The new CR-V boasts a turbocharged engine that’s quick to accelerate and offers a smooth ride. Honda overhauled the vehicle’s underpinnings this year, reducing body roll in corners for a more compliant ride. There’s also an extra 1.5 inches of ground clearance than the previous edition, which has made the beloved CR-V even better.

Compared with the HR-V, the CR-V is the clear winner in interior refinement and seating comfort, although some drivers would say it’s too close to call. Both seat five with soft cloth upholstery and an upscale interior, but the CR-V has wider seats and a bit more legroom. Even rear-seat passengers can stretch out.

The CR-V is also the better option for families with children. While both the HR-V and CR-V include the LATCH car-seat system, the CR-V has wider doors that make it easier to install car seats and transfer children. What’s more, the CR-V can accommodate three child seats with the LATCH connectors, while the HR-V only has room for two.

2017 HR-V: The Budget-Friendly Option

As a subcompact crossover SUV, the HR-V is the best option for buyers wanting a new car on a budget. Even though the HR-V is the smaller sibling, it makes up for its limited space with flexible cargo room and Honda’s well-known Magic Seat. In one simple move, you can fold down the 60/40-split rear seatbacks until they’re flush with the cargo floor, which allows you to transport everything from tall plants to mountain bikes with the front wheels removed. This feature is also class-exclusive, so you won’t find it on the CR-V.

The HR-V also gets slightly better gas mileage on the open road, although the figures are close enough to consider a tie. Either way, you’re getting a fuel-efficient vehicle that will help you save money at the pump.

While the HR-V doesn’t offer the amount of cargo or passenger space available in the CR-V, it’s still an attractive option for singles, couples, students, and commuters who want something manageable at a price they can afford.

So, which Honda crossover is right for you? With the HR-V and the CR-V, there’s no bad option – it all comes down to the features you want. Stop by Scott Clarks Honda to compare them for yourself.

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