Honda CR-V vs Subaru Forester
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Subaru Forester
Overview
| Spec | Honda CR-VLX | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | LX | Forester SUV |
| Body style | SUV | SUV |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | continuously variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2026 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Honda CR-VLX | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $30,920 | $29,995 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $7,995 (best) | $13,997 |
| Median listing price | $28,500 | $27,995 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $38,985 (best) | $42,263 |
| For sale now | 189 (best) | 89 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Honda CR-VLX | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 30 MPG (best) | 29 MPG |
| City MPG | 28 MPG (best) | 26 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 33 MPG | 33 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 14 gal | 16.6 gal (best) |
Performance
| Spec | Honda CR-VLX | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 190 hp (best) | 180 hp |
| Torque | 179 lb-ft (best) | 178 lb-ft |
| Engine size | 1.5 L | 2.5 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I4 | flat 4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Honda CR-VLX | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 76.5 cu ft (best) | 74.4 cu ft |
| Towing capacity | 1,500 lbs (best) | — |
| Curb weight | 3,472 lbs (best) | 3,510 lbs |
| Ground clearance | 7.8 in | 8.7 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in (best) | 105.1 in |
| Length | 184.8 in (best) | 183.3 in |
| Width | 73.5 in (best) | 72 in |
| Height | 66.2 in | 68.1 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Honda CR-VLX | Subaru ForesterForester SUV |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 4 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ (best) |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | None reported (best) | 3 |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Honda CR-V | Subaru Forester |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LX $30,920 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Forester SUV $29,995 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | LX $32,420 MSRP | Premium $33,385 MSRP |
| 3 | EX $33,150 MSRP | Premium Hybrid $34,730 MSRP |
| 4 | EX $34,650 MSRP | Sport $36,105 MSRP |
| 5 | EX-L $35,400 MSRP | Limited $37,695 MSRP |
| 6 | EX-L $36,900 MSRP | Sport Hybrid $37,930 MSRP |
| 7 | Sport Hybrid $35,630 MSRP | Wilderness $38,385 MSRP |
| 8 | Sport Hybrid $37,130 MSRP | Limited Hybrid $38,995 MSRP |
| 9 | Sport-L Hybrid $38,725 MSRP | Touring Hybrid $41,545 MSRP |
| 10 | Sport-L Hybrid $40,225 MSRP | Touring $41,595 MSRP |
| 11 | TrailSport Hybrid $38,800 MSRP | — |
| 12 | Sport Touring Hybrid $42,250 MSRP | — |
| 13 | CR-V e:FCEV SUV $50,000 MSRP | — |
Live inventory
Honda CR-V189 for sale
See all
Used2021 Honda CR-V
EX-L
Aegean Blue Metallic•Black51,970 mi$24,800Countryside Pre-Owned
Jackson, GA
Used2017 Honda CR-V
EX
Crystal Black Pearl•Black131,963 mi$16,853Drive Appeal
Eden Prairie, MN
Used2024 Honda CR-V
LX
Urban Gray•Black38,002 mi$27,800Jim Coleman Nissan Bethesda
Bethesda, MD
Certified2024 Honda CR-V
EX-L
Blue•Black25,808 mi$33,300Jim Coleman Nissan Bethesda
Bethesda, MD
Certified2025 Honda CR-V
EX-L
Crystal Black•Black25,653 mi$32,474Bob Boyte Honda Moss Point
Moss Point, MS
Used2025 Honda CR-V
EX-L
Gray•Black35,776 mi$29,980Kia on Atlantic
Jacksonville, FL
Subaru Forester89 for sale
See all
Used2020 Subaru Forester
Premium
Crystal White Pearl•Black95,634 mi$17,995Wholesale Direct Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
Used2019 Subaru Forester
Limited
Silver•black42,576 mi$21,000Kia of Clermont
Clermont, FL
Certified2026 Subaru Forester
Wilderness
Magnetite Gray Metallic•Gray2,648 mi$34,674Dulles Kia Leesburg
Leesburg, VA
Used2023 Subaru Forester
Wilderness
White•Gray16,392 mi$29,551Kia on Atlantic
Jacksonville, FL
Used2022 Subaru Forester
Limited
Blue•lighting37,321 mi$25,263Kia of Wesley Chapel
Wesley Chapel, FL
Used2024 Subaru Forester
Wilderness
Magnetite Gray Metallic•gray40,325 mi$30,265Classic Nissan Newport News
Newport News, VA
Honda CR-V vs Subaru Forester FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Honda CR-V or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Honda CR-V vs 2026 Subaru Forester on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2026 Honda CR-V or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Subaru Forester starts lower at $29,995. Live Honda CR-V listings start at $7,995. Live Subaru Forester listings start at $13,997.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Honda CR-V or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- The 2026 Subaru Forester leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (29,995).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Honda CR-V or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- The 2026 Honda CR-V leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (40).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Honda CR-V or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- The 2026 Honda CR-V leads on horsepower in this comparison (204).
- Which has better maxTowingLbs: 2026 Honda CR-V or 2026 Subaru Forester?
- The 2026 Subaru Forester leads on maxTowingLbs in this comparison (3,000).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Honda CR-V vs 2026 Subaru Forester?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Honda CR-V (5/5 NHTSA overall); Subaru Forester (5/5 NHTSA overall).