Subaru Crosstreck vs. Honda CRV

[D60]

I think the CRVs are ugly as sin but the interior room is impressive. I like the cabin.

Even so, I still feel the build quality of Honda is better. I'd go Honda

 

[wlk]

Honda, love my Element, and previous Honda's, and its AWD is fabulous but if hwy commuter, just get 2wd CRV for added mpg's. Not a huge Subaru fan but had coworkers that loved their Crosstreks. Agreed with others here as stick Subaru would be the winner but Honda otherwise.

 

[D60]

Honda drives me nuts with wanting proprietary fluids for everything, but whatever. Dual pump fluid? What does that even mean? Is this like twice baked potatoes?

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Honda is much better than Subaru

 

[I<3oil]

Honda drives me nuts with wanting proprietary fluids for everything, but whatever. Dual pump fluid? What does that even mean? Is this like twice baked potatoes?

Erm

The Honda Dual Pump System (DPS) is a mechanical, on-demand all-wheel-drive system used in Honda/Acura vehicles (like CR-V, HR-V) that engages the rear wheels when front-wheel slip is detected. It uses two hydraulic pumps

So, dual means 2. The system is called Dual Pump System, hence, the fluid is Dual Pump Fluid.

 

[IndyIan]

Honda, hands down. Unless you find a used Crosstrek with manual transmission. The Subaru CVT remains a reliability issue. You'll notice in my video that this Crosstrek did not even make 2500 miles before the CVT blew up. And no, I was not the proximate cause of the transmission failure.

Car-part.com has 2021 crosstrek transmissions down in the $5-600 range, about the same as CRV, so I would suspect they fail at about the same rate. My belief is that any CVT can be wrecked fairly quickly with high loads when they are cold, so in a AWD rental, it might be the weak link when someone neutral drops it on pavement. A fwd or fwd biased car might spin the tires for a second to save the cvt.

 

[Zee09]

Neither....

 

[IndyIan]

I'm trying to help a family member decide between these two cars and wanted to know if there were any prevailing opinions here. I own a 2022 Crosstrek Sport and love it so I am biased.

This car will be used for a 40 minute work commute during the week, nothing off-road. Probably a used variant, +/- five years old. Virginia weather. Thanks!

FWIW, the HRV is more a direct competitor to the Crosstrek. For me in that area, I would get the CRV in fwd as the mileage will be pretty similar, and I can use the much larger cargo space in the CRV, 39 vs 22 cuft.
If they are good with a Crosstrek amount of space, then I would just get a fwd HRV CX-3. I like Subaru's for our usage, the AWD with snows is the way to travel in winter when you are going in any weather, and we do some off road and unplowed road stuff. But if they want just a raised up car, then fwd ones do that with a bit better mileage and lower maintenance costs.

 

[wlk]

Honda drives me nuts with wanting proprietary fluids for everything, but whatever. Dual pump fluid? What does that even mean? Is this like twice baked potatoes?

Dual Pump 2 is the only oem I use anymore and been fine but I get it.

 

[D60]

Dual Pump 2 is the only oem I use anymore and been fine but I get it.

Nah I hear ya. I've been using Transmax for both their CVT and DW1. I also thought their power steering fluid needed to be OEM, but maybe not.

As for the Dual Pump, I always respected Subaru for just calling out gear oil in their diffs. But Subaru CVT requirements are so dizzying they need a multi-color, full page chart (if you want to try for OEM fluid).

Pick your poison I guess....

 

[wlk]

I use Lubegard Synthetic Honda Power Steering Fluid or Autozone's ShopPro Synthetic Honda Power Steering Fluid as Lubegard makes it for them. And have Idemitsu Type H Plus for atf as I got 9gals for <$2/qt at Advance

Nah I hear ya. I've been using Transmax for both their CVT and DW1. I also thought their power steering fluid needed to be OEM, but maybe not.

As for the Dual Pump, I always respected Subaru for just calling out gear oil in their diffs. But Subaru CVT requirements are so dizzying they need a multi-color, full page chart (if you want to try for OEM fluid).

Pick your poison I guess....

 

[D60]

I use Lubegard Synthetic Honda Power Steering Fluid or Autozone's ShopPro Synthetic Honda Power Steering Fluid as Lubegard makes it for them.

Around 2020 I bought a case of Beck Arnley from RA. At the time it was affordable -- I haven't looked at pricing since.

Anyway I did one Honda steering rack and haven't needed Honda Power Steering Fluid since.....