Compare the2026 Honda CR-VVS 2026 Lexus UX

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Honda CR-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 CR-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, plastic fuel tanks, 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Honda CR-V is safer than the Lexus UX:

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 Honda CR-V is safer than the Lexus UX:

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

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 CR-V’s warranty.

The CR-V’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 27 lbs.-ft. more torque (179 vs. 152) than the UX’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The CR-V Hybrid’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 8 more horsepower (204 vs. 196) and 95 lbs.-ft. more torque (247 vs. 152) than the UX’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the CR-V Hybrid is faster than the Lexus UX:

Both the CR-V and UX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The CR-V (except CR-V Hybrid) has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

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

The CR-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.

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

The CR-V stops much shorter than the UX:

For better traction, the CR-V has larger tires than the UX (235/60R18 vs. 225/50R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid has standard 19-inch wheels. The UX’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The CR-V 1.5T has a standard space-saver spare (not available on Hybrid) 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 a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CR-V’s wheelbase is 2.4 inches longer than on the UX (106.3 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the CR-V is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the UX.

The CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid handles at .85 G’s, while the UX 300h F Sport Handling pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CR-V EX-L AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the UX AWD (27.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the CR-V has a 1.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the UX (8.2 vs. 6.3 inches), allowing the CR-V to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The front grille of the CR-V uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The UX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The CR-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 CR-V has 15.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the UX (106 vs. 90.4).

The CR-V has 2.8 inches more front headroom, 1.8 inches more front hip room, 2.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.9 inches more rear headroom, 7.9 inches more rear legroom, .3 inches more rear hip room and 3 inches more rear shoulder room than the UX.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the CR-V’s rear seats recline. The UX’s rear seats don’t recline.

The CR-V has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the UX (39.3 vs. 17.1 cubic feet).

The CR-V has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The UX has no towing capacity.

The CR-V uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The UX uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The CR-V’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The UX’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Honda CR-V has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the UX.

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

The CR-V was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “5Best Trucks/10Best” for 2025 and 5 more times in the last 25 years. The UX has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Honda CR-V outsold the Lexus UX by almost 48 to one during 2025.