Compare the2025 Toyota Corolla CrossVS 2026 Honda HR-V

The Corolla Cross has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The HR-V doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Corolla Cross and HR-V have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Corolla Cross XLE has Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The HR-V’s Cross Traffic Monitor doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Corolla Cross and the HR-V have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems and rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Corolla Cross is safer than the Honda HR-V:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Corolla Cross is safer than the Honda HR-V:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Corolla Cross for 1 year and 13000 miles longer than Honda pays for maintenance for the HR-V (2/25000 vs. 1/12000).

There are over 15 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Honda dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Corolla Cross’ warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 39 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 12th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. Honda is ranked fourth.

The Corolla Cross’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 11 more horsepower (169 vs. 158) and 13 lbs.-ft. more torque (151 vs. 138) than the HR-V’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Toyota Corolla Cross is faster than the Honda HR-V:

On the EPA test cycle the Corolla Cross gets better mileage than the HR-V:

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Corolla Cross’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The HR-V doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Corolla Cross stops shorter than the HR-V:

For greater off-road capability the Corolla Cross has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the HR-V LX/EX-L (8.1 vs. 7 inches), allowing the Corolla Cross to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Corolla Cross’ minimum ground clearance is .8 inch higher than on the HR-V Sport (8.1 vs. 7.3 inches).

The Corolla Cross is 4.2 inches shorter than the HR-V, making the Corolla Cross easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Corolla Cross has 1 inch more front legroom and 1 inch more rear headroom than the HR-V.

The Corolla Cross has a much larger cargo volume than the HR-V with its rear seat up (25.5 vs. 24.4 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Corolla Cross XLE offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The HR-V doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

The Corolla Cross has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The HR-V has no towing capacity.

The Corolla Cross has a much higher standard payload capacity than the HR-V (1160 vs. 538 lbs.).

The Corolla Cross has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the HR-V (1175 vs. 538 lbs.).

The power windows standard on both the Corolla Cross and the HR-V have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Corolla Cross is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The HR-V prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Corolla Cross’ front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The HR-V’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the HR-V Sport/EX-L’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Corolla Cross the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the HR-V can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Corolla Cross’ headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the HR-V’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Corolla Cross XLE offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The HR-V doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Corolla Cross’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Honda only offers heated mirrors on the HR-V Sport/EX-L.

The Corolla Cross XLE has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The HR-V doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

Both the Corolla Cross and the HR-V offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Corolla Cross has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The HR-V doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Compared to the Honda HR-V, the Toyota Corolla Cross XLE eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its standard integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

Compared to traditional radio, the Toyota Corolla Cross’ standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the HR-V EX-L.

The Toyota Corolla comes in sedan, four door hatchback and four door bodystyles; the Honda HR-V isn’t available as a sedan or four door hatchback.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota Corolla Cross and the Honda HR-V, based on reliability, safety and performance.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its October 2022 issue and the Toyota Corolla Cross XLE AWD won out over the Honda HR-V EX-L AWD.