Subaru Crosstrek vs Buick Encore GX vs Honda HR-V
Real out-the-door prices, every trim, every spec, and an honest verdict on each.
Choose your shortlist
The verdict
Photo finish
The 2026 Buick Encore GX edges ahead by just 1.1 points — inside our margin for calling it, so there's no clear winner on the numbers. Let your priorities pick: the cheapest, the most efficient, or the one owners rave about below.
2026 Buick Encore GX
61.9
2026 Subaru Crosstrek
60.8
2026 Honda HR-V
60.3
How the winner is called: price up to 20 pts, fuel economy up to 15, owner evidence up to 15, editor verdict up to 12, driving impressions up to 10, power up to 8, seats up to 5, safety awards up to 5. A category only counts when every compared car has that data, the category leader always earns its full weight, and a winner is only declared when the lead is 8+ points. Computed live from stored specs and sourced owner quotes — no opinions.
The Scoreboard
No feelings, just receipts — each point below is computed straight from the spec sheet.
2026 Buick Encore GX
$27,490 incl. destination — $105 less than the runner-up
2026 Buick Encore GX
29 City / 31 Highway
2026 Subaru Crosstrek
180 hp
The bottom line
Early points to the 2026 Buick Encore GX and the 2026 Buick Encore GX and the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek. Start with the 2026 Buick Encore GX at $27,490 if the monthly payment decides, then read the spec sheet below — every point above comes straight from it.
Subaru · Compact Crossover SUV
2026 Subaru Crosstrek
“Standard class-leading all-wheel drive system”
See the full reviewTrim-Level Comparison
Pick a specific trim for each model to compare exact equipment and features side-by-side.
Trim Price (incl. dest.)
- Crosstrek$31,970
- Encore GX$28,690
- HR-V$29,395
Est. Monthly, Brand Financing (60 mo)
- Crosstrek$633/mo
- Encore GX$568/mo
- HR-V$582/mo
vs. Base Trim
- Crosstrek+$3,630
- Encore GX+$1,200
- HR-V+$1,800
| Crosstrek Sport | Encore GX Sport Touring | HR-V Sport | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trim Price (incl. dest.) | $31,970 | $28,690 | $29,395 |
| Est. Monthly, Brand Financing (60 mo) | $633/mo | $568/mo | $582/mo |
| vs. Base Trim | +$3,630 | +$1,200 | +$1,800 |
11 of 11 features shown
CrosstrekEncore GXHR-V
180-hp 2.5-liter engine
Included Not included Not included
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Included Not included Not included
18-inch dark gray-finish alloy wheels
Included Not included Not included
Yellow interior accents
Included Not included Not included
8-inch Digital Driver Information Center
Not included Included Not included
QuietTuning Technology
Not included Included Not included
Flat-Bottom Steering Wheel
Not included Included Not included
Roof-Mounted Side Rails
Not included Included Not included
9-Inch Color Touchscreen
Not included Not included Included
Heated Front Seats
Not included Not included Included
Remote Engine Start
Not included Not included Included
| 180-hp 2.5-liter engine | Included | Not included | Not included |
| Dual-zone automatic climate control | Included | Not included | Not included |
| 18-inch dark gray-finish alloy wheels | Included | Not included | Not included |
| Yellow interior accents | Included | Not included | Not included |
| 8-inch Digital Driver Information Center | Not included | Included | Not included |
| QuietTuning Technology | Not included | Included | Not included |
| Flat-Bottom Steering Wheel | Not included | Included | Not included |
| Roof-Mounted Side Rails | Not included | Included | Not included |
| 9-Inch Color Touchscreen | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Heated Front Seats | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Remote Engine Start | Not included | Not included | Included |
Feature lists reflect cumulative standard equipment for each trim, a trim includes everything from lower trims plus its own additions. The monthly figure is the trim price over 60 months at an assumed 7% markup with $0 down, an estimate for financing through the brand's own financial company. That markup is profit on a cost-plus sale, not the Loan Excess, because the financier owns the car it sells. The 7% is an assumption for illustration, not a rate anyone is quoted.
Buick · SUV
2026 Buick Encore GX
“Sophisticated dual-screen Virtual Cockpit technology”
See the full reviewFull Spec Sheet
Every detail side by side: pricing, power, efficiency, seating, where each car is built, safety recognition, and the honest verdict on each.
Pricing & Financing
Base MSRP
- Crosstrek$26,995
- Encore GX$26,295
- HR-V$26,200
Est. dealer invoice
- Crosstrek$24,835
- Encore GX$24,454
- HR-V$24,104
Destination fee
- Crosstrek$1,345
- Encore GX$1,195
- HR-V$1,395
Total base price (incl. dest.)
- Crosstrek$28,340
- Encore GX$27,490
- HR-V$27,595
Est. monthly, brand financing (60 mo)
- Crosstrek$561/mo
- Encore GX$544/mo
- HR-V$546/mo
Trims offered
- Crosstrek4 (from $26,995)
- Encore GX3 (from $26,295)
- HR-V3 (from $26,200)
Powertrain & Efficiency
Powertrain options
- Crosstrek2.5L SUBARU BOXER 4-cylinder, Series-Parallel Hybrid System
- Encore GX1.3L Turbocharged I3
- HR-V2.0L I-4
Horsepower
- Crosstrek180 hp
- Encore GX155 hp
- HR-V158 hp
Fuel economy
- Crosstrek26/33 city/hwy
- Encore GX29 City / 31 Highway
- HR-V26/32 city/hwy
Seating
- Crosstrek5 seats
- Encore GX5 seats
- HR-V5 seats
Build & Safety
Body type
- CrosstrekCompact Crossover SUV
- Encore GXSUV
- HR-VSubcompact SUV
Assembly location
- CrosstrekGunma, Japan
- Encore GXUlsan, South Korea
- HR-VCelaya, Guanajuato, Mexico
Safety awards & ratings
- CrosstrekIIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2026)
- Encore GXNHTSA 5-Star Overall Safety Rating (rating year unverified)
- HR-VIIHS Top Safety Pick (2026)
Honest Verdict
Recommended trim
- CrosstrekSport
- Encore GXSport Touring
- HR-VSport
Trim to skip
- CrosstrekBase
- Encore GXPreferred
- HR-VLX
Key rivals
- CrosstrekToyota Corolla Cross, Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-30
- Encore GXHonda HR-V, Subaru Crosstrek, Kia Seltos
- HR-VToyota Corolla Cross, Subaru Crosstrek, Mazda CX-30
| |  | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing & Financing | |||
| Base MSRP | $26,995 | $26,295 | $26,200 |
| Est. dealer invoice | $24,835 | $24,454 | $24,104 |
| Destination fee | $1,345 | $1,195 | $1,395 |
| Total base price (incl. dest.) | $28,340 | $27,490 | $27,595 |
| Est. monthly, brand financing (60 mo) | $561/mo | $544/mo | $546/mo |
| Trims offered | 4 (from $26,995) | 3 (from $26,295) | 3 (from $26,200) |
| Powertrain & Efficiency | |||
| Powertrain options | 2.5L SUBARU BOXER 4-cylinder, Series-Parallel Hybrid System | 1.3L Turbocharged I3 | 2.0L I-4 |
| Horsepower | 180 hp | 155 hp | 158 hp |
| Fuel economy | 26/33 city/hwy | 29 City / 31 Highway | 26/32 city/hwy |
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Build & Safety | |||
| Body type | Compact Crossover SUV | SUV | Subcompact SUV |
| Assembly location | Gunma, Japan | Ulsan, South Korea | Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico |
| Safety awards & ratings | IIHS Top Safety Pick+ (2026) | NHTSA 5-Star Overall Safety Rating (rating year unverified) | IIHS Top Safety Pick (2026) |
| Honest Verdict | |||
| Recommended trim | Sport | Sport Touring | Sport |
| Trim to skip | Base | Preferred | LX |
| Key rivals | Toyota Corolla Cross, Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-30 | Honda HR-V, Subaru Crosstrek, Kia Seltos | Toyota Corolla Cross, Subaru Crosstrek, Mazda CX-30 |
Dealer invoice is an estimate from MSRP minus typical brand holdback and advertising fees when the exact figure isn't published. Monthly is the total base price over 60 months at an assumed 7% markup, $0 down — an illustration for financing through the brand's own financial company, not a quoted rate.
Honda · Subcompact SUV
2026 Honda HR-V
“High-quality interior materials and design”
See the full reviewPros & Cons at a Glance
Honest verdicts side by side to help you decide.
Subaru Crosstrek
Compact Crossover SUV
Pros
- Standard class-leading all-wheel drive system
- Durability-focused interior materials
- Real-world off-road capability that rivals can't match
Cons
- Cargo space is less than some boxier competitors
- Base trim lacks many desired modern features
Buick Encore GX
SUV
Pros
- Sophisticated dual-screen Virtual Cockpit technology
- Excellent cabin noise insulation for its class
- Stylish and modern exterior design language
Cons
- Single engine option lacks variety for performance seekers
- Passenger and cargo space is tighter than some rivals
Honda HR-V
Subcompact SUV
Pros
- High-quality interior materials and design
- Generous standard safety features
- Predictable and composed road manners
Cons
- Lack of a hybrid engine option
- Mediocre highway passing power
How They Drive
Real driving impressions: what each car does well and where it falls short.
Subaru Crosstrek
Performance
- Symmetrical AWD provides exceptional grip in all conditions
- Hybrid system offers smoother low-speed power delivery
- Boxer engine keeps the center of gravity low for stability
- 180 hp provides only moderate acceleration
- CVT can drone during hard merging or climbs
Handling
- Light, accurate steering makes it easy to maneuver
- Excellent composure on unpaved surfaces
- Minimal body roll for a vehicle with high ground clearance
- Brake pedal feel can be slightly soft
- Wilderness trim sacrifices some on-road sharpness for trail capability
Comfort
- Outstanding ride quality over rough pavement and bumps
- Superb outward visibility in all directions
- Front seats are supportive for long-distance drives
- Rear seat legroom is tight for taller passengers
- Wind noise becomes noticeable at higher highway speeds
Buick Encore GX
Performance
- Punchy low-end torque for city maneuvers
- Refined power delivery for a three-cylinder engine
- Limited top-end power for high-speed highway passing
Handling
- Tight turning radius ideal for urban parking
- Light and communicative steering feel
- Noticeable body lean during more spirited cornering
Comfort
- QuietTuning tech effectively suppresses road noise
- Supportive and well-contoured front seating
- Rear seat legroom is tight for three tall adults
Honda HR-V
Performance
- Reliable naturally aspirated power delivery
- Smooth CVT operation with simulated shifts
- Acceleration feels sluggish when fully loaded
Handling
- Car-like agility thanks to Civic platform
- Precise and well-weighted steering
- Noticeable body roll in sharp high-speed turns
Comfort
- Generous front-seat support for long drives
- Excellent outward visibility
- Ride quality can be firm over broken pavement
Straight Answers
The questions everyone asks about these three — answered from the numbers, not the brochure.
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