The compact SUV has quickly become the do-it-all vehicle for the majority of shoppers. Comfortable, efficient, spacious, and safe, compact SUVs like the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester tick a lot of boxes for shoppers. If you’re in the market for a compact SUV that can be used for the daily commute and as a family hauler, choosing between these two may be more difficult than you think.
In this comparison, we’ll explore how the Forester compares to the CR-V in price, size, cargo space, off-roading capability, and engine performance. In the end, we’ll name a winner to help you find the right option for you.
Subaru Forester vs. Honda CR-V Price
The Subaru Forester has a large advantage over the Honda CR-V when it comes to pricing. The most affordable Subaru Forester is the base trim which costs $27,720 (pricing includes destination) and the most expensive trim is the Touring which starts at $38,020. The cheapest Honda CR-V is the LX trim which starts at $30,795, while the most expensive trim is the EX-L which has a starting price tag of $35,955.
These prices reveal that the cheapest Subaru Forester is $3,075 cheaper than the base Honda CR-V. At the top of the range, the Forster is $2,065 less than the CR-V.
While the Forester is far more affordable than the CR-V, Honda’s compact SUV tends to be available with more affordable lease deals. Honda and Subaru offer their respective compact SUVs with similar financing deals.
Subaru Forester vs. Honda CR-V Size
Both the Forester and CR-V are classified as compact SUVs and are similar in size. The CR-V, though, is slightly larger than the Forester. The Forester measures 182.7 inches in length, 71.5 inches in width, and is 67.5 inches tall. The CR-V is roughly two inches longer and two inches wider than the Forester.
While the CR-V is slightly larger than the Forester, the Subaru has a roomier cabin with approximately five more cubic feet of passenger space. Compared to the CR-V, the Forester has more front and rear headroom, front legroom, front and rear shoulder room, and rear hip room. The one area where the CR-V bests the Forester is when it comes to rear legroom. The CR-V has approximately two more inches of space in that metric.
Subaru Forester vs. Honda CR-V Cargo Space
While the Forester has a roomier cabin for passengers, the CR-V is the better option when it comes to cargo capacity. The CR-V has 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and a total of 76.5 cubic feet of total cargo space. The Forester falls behind with 28.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 74.2 cubic feet of total cargo space with the rear seats folded.
The Forester has above-average cargo capacity for the compact class, while the CR-V has one of the largest cargo areas in the segment.
Subaru Forester vs. Honda CR-V Off-Road
Unlike the Forester, Honda doesn’t offer the CR-V in a rugged trim that’s meant to go off-roading. The CR-V is an SUV that’s engineered to stay on the tarmac.
On the other hand, the Forester is highly capable for a compact SUV when it comes to off-roading. The rugged Wilderness trim boasts up to 9.2 inches of ground clearance, rugged all-terrain tires, a heavy-duty skid plate, a transmission oiler cooler, lower gearing, and extra drive modes to tackle rough terrain. The Wilderness trim also looks like a serious off-roader with large fender flares, unique bumpers, a special grille, and copper accents.
Subaru Forester vs. Honda CR-V Specs
Subaru offers the Forester with a single 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The engine is paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission that routes power to all four wheels as standard. When properly equipped, the Forester can tow up to 3,000 pounds.
The gas-powered CR-V comes with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that’s rated at 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. Honda fits the engine with a continuously variable automatic transmission. The CR-V comes with front-wheel drive as standard and is available with all-wheel drive. When properly equipped, the CR-V maxes out at 1,500 pounds of towing capacity.
For more performance and added fuel economy, Honda offers the CR-V with a hybrid powertrain. The CR-V Hybrid is covered separately, but it’s important to point out that Subaru doesn’t offer a hybrid version of the Forester.
Subaru Forester vs. Honda CR-V: Which SUV Is Better?
On paper, the Subaru Forester looks like it should win over the Honda CR-V. The Forester is more affordable, offers more towing capacity, has better off-roading capability, and features a roomier cabin with more passenger space. But in this comparison, the CR-V takes the win. The Forester lacks the same standard features, acceleration, comfortable ride, and upscale look as the CR-V. But it’s certainly close.
For most people, the CR-V will be the better option of the two. It may be more expensive than the Forester, but it comes with more features, has a larger cargo area, and comes with a more powerful engine. Drivers seeking more performance and better fuel economy have the option of going with the CR-V Hybrid, which is something that isn’t available with the Forester.