If your weekends involve leaving paved roads in your rearview mirror, the Subaru Crosstrek and the Honda HR-V are just your style. Their higher chassis means better ground clearance and less hesitation when the road gets rocky—literally.

While the HR-V offers up to 7.3 inches of ground clearance, the Crosstrek starts at 8.7 inches and climbs to 9.3 inches with the Wilderness trim level. That extra inch (or two) makes all the difference when rocks and roots are involved in your adventure. Plus, available underbody skid plates add extra protection to your already taller SUV.

Then there’s the matter of the drivetrain. To conquer the natural world, you need the right tools. The legendary Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with X-MODE® actively distributes torque to the wheels that need it most, working to prevent wheel slippage and optimize traction when articulating. The Honda’s Real Time AWD system is optional and kicks in after slippage has been detected, making this system more reactive than proactive.

When the asphalt ends and your adventure begins, you can trust the Crosstrek to help you go farther without hesitation.

The cabin of your SUV needs to wear many hats: a serene space, a mobile HQ, and your home away from home. With the Subaru Crosstrek or the Honda HR-V, you can fold down the second row and enjoy at least 54.7 cubic feet of spacious camping space. Roll out your sleeping bag, toss some pillows in the back, and crack the windows to make a cozy campsite at your favorite remote location.

If you’re ready to upgrade your weekend adventures without needing more equipment, the Subaru Crosstrek has you covered with these exclusive available features:

• Roof Rails: Never leave a bag behind. When properly equipped, the Crosstrek can carry up to 165 pounds while in motion and a whopping 700 pounds when parked. Stash your gear up top while driving, then pitch a rooftop tent for a more spacious, elevated sleeping arrangement.
• StarTex® Water-repellent Upholstery: Made for muddy paws and sandy packs. This durable, easy-to-clean material is made from plant materials and is an eco-conscious alternative to leather.

The HR-V offers leather upholstery on its higher trims and will likely require more upkeep to keep things looking fresh after each outing. So, while each SUV provides plenty of room to roam, you may prefer the Crosstrek’s thoughtful design and camping-ready upgrades.

Your SUV must be built to tackle all types of roads. The city's tight parking spaces and narrow lanes call for a smaller footprint. When you're outdoors, navigating trails and uneven paths demands the same. The Subaru Crosstrek and the Honda HR-V fit the compact SUV bill, but subtle differences make a huge difference.

The Crosstrek is shorter and narrower than the HR-V, giving it an advantage when squeezing into a parallel parking spot or weaving through a forest access route. Despite its smaller footprint, the Crosstrek makes excellent use of its size, offering more passenger space.

The size difference may not seem like a lot, but it makes all the difference when loading up for a weekend camping trip with your best friend. This extra space gives you more room to stretch out and get comfortable.

Whether it’s a 6 a.m. airport run or a late-night coffee escape, comfort should always be a priority. The Subaru Crosstrek and the Honda HR-V echo this sentiment with their heated front seats. When optionally equipped, this feature provides the comfort to thaw out after an autumnal hike or ease post-hike shoulder and back tension.

But dig deeper, and the Crosstrek offers extra touches tailored to your lifestyle.

The Crosstrek has a dual-zone automatic climate control system that lets you and your copilot independently adjust temperature settings throughout the commute. It’s a small convenience that ensures personalized comfort, allowing you to arrive at your destination feeling more rejuvenated.

While the Honda HR-V offers a comparable climate system, it’s only available on the highest trim level. The Crosstrek, on the other hand, makes this system standard across all trim levels.

It's common to find yourself in unique situations: traversing a new city, navigating a foggy mountain pass, or parking in a crowded downtown area. It's in these everyday moments that advanced safety systems prove their worth.

The Subaru Crosstrek and the Honda HR-V come standard with an advanced driver-assist suite: Subaru EyeSight® and Honda Sensing®. Whatever SUV you choose, sophisticated monitoring technology constantly scans your surroundings to check for hazards you may have missed. Lane Keep Assist can help avoid unintentional drifting, while Advanced Adaptive Cruise Control assists with braking and acceleration to keep a safe distance between you and other vehicles.

While these SUVs are equally matched with their active safety features, the STARLINK® Safety and Security System sets the Crosstrek apart. When optionally equipped, this system adds Automatic Collision Notifications, SOS Emergency Assistance, and seven other features to keep you covered if the unexpected happens. The HR-V offers no similar post-collision service suite.

You rely on technology to keep you grounded and in the loop. Thanks to their connectivity features, the Subaru Crosstrek and the Honda HR-V make it easy to catch up on your favorite podcast or navigate a new trailhead. Luckily, these SUVs offer comparable capabilities in their base configuration, including:

• 7-inch color touchscreen display
• Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™ integration
• 4-speaker system

When you start moving up the trim ladder, the differences in infotainment strategies become clear. While the HR-V tops out at a 9-inch display, the Crosstrek adds a vertically stacked 11.6-inch layout that feels more like a tablet than in-car entertainment. Plus, available cloud-based navigation and voice-activated controls in the Crosstrek help keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.

Features like these in the Crosstrek offer the kind of seamless support you need.