Compare the2025 Honda HR-VVS 2025 Lexus UX

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Honda HR-V achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Lexus UX has not been tested.

Both the HR-V and the UX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger 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, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the HR-V is much safer than the UX:

The Honda HR-V has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The UX is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

There are over 4 times as many Honda dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the HR-V’s warranty.

The HR-V has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the UX (14 vs. 10.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The HR-V has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The UX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Honda HR-V higher (7 out of 10) than the Lexus UX (6). This means the HR-V produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the UX every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the HR-V’s brake rotors are larger than those on the UX:

The HR-V stops much shorter than the UX:

The HR-V has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the UX; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the HR-V is 1.7 inches wider in the front and 2.2 inches wider in the rear than on the UX.

The HR-V EX-L AWD handles at .80 G’s, while the UX 300h F Sport Handling pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the HR-V LX/EX-L has a greater minimum ground clearance than the UX (7 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the HR-V to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The HR-V Sport’s minimum ground clearance is 1 inch higher than on the UX (7.3 vs. 6.3 inches).

The Honda HR-V may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 300 pounds less than the Lexus UX.

The HR-V uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The UX doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The HR-V has 8.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the UX (98.7 vs. 90.4).

The HR-V has 2.2 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front hip room, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.7 inches more rear headroom, 4.6 inches more rear legroom and 2.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the UX.

The HR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the UX (24.4 vs. 17.1 cubic feet).

Insurance will cost less for the HR-V owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the HR-V will cost $540 to $2205 less than the UX over a five-year period.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Honda HR-V and the Lexus UX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Honda HR-V outsold the Lexus UX by over 16 to one during 2024.