2017 Honda CR-V vs. 2017 Subaru Forester: Which is Best?

2017 Honda CR V vs 2017 Subaru Forester exterior on road ・ Photo by Subaru / Honda

The Honda CR-V is one of the best-known compact SUVs on the market; in fact, it helped define the segment when it was introduced back in 1997. But the Subaru Forester is a worthy challenger: Thanks to cars known for their foul-weather ability and last-forever build quality, Subaru has a buyer base that is among the most loyal in the industry. So which is best, the Honda CR-V or the Subaru Forester?

Pricing and Trim Levels

Honda sells the CR-V in four trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L and Touring. Prices start at $24,985 (including destination charge) for the two-wheel drive LX and increase to $33,435 for the Touring model. All CR-Vs are well equipped, but all-wheel-drive costs extra — $1,300. Keep in mind that Honda offers no factory options, so the prices may seem higher than some competing SUVs.

Subaru's model spread is a bit wider, comprising 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, 2.5i Touring, 2.0XT Premium and 2.0XT Limited models. Prices range from $23,710 to $37,005. The Forester does offer some extra-cost options, but it also comes with all-wheel drive as standard, though the base model comes with a manual transmission; CR-Vs get an automatic as standard.

With its lower base price, standard all-wheel-drive, and broad model spread, the Forester takes it.

Photo by Subaru

Available Options

Back in the 1980s, Honda's ad slogan was “We make it simple.” That holds true for the company's options policy: There are none. The trim level (LX, EX, etc.) determines the equipment the car comes with, and that's that. Want rain-sensing wipers, but don't want navigation? Sorry, Charlie. This simplifies inventory for dealers and makes the cars less expensive to build, but it provides less choice for consumers.

Things aren't all that different for Subaru; like most of the industry, it's moving towards Honda's sales model, but there are a few options for some trim levels.

Subaru — barely.

Photo by Subaru

Powertrain Choices

The Honda CR-V offers two engines. LX models get a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that produces 184 horsepower, other models have a 1.5 turbocharged four with 190 hp. Small turbo engines are meant to deliver big-engine power with small-engine fuel economy, and Honda's is one of the best we've driven; power delivery is strong and smooth and there's barely any turbo lag. EPA fuel economy estimates are stellar, ranging from a low of 27 mpg combined (the 2.4-liter version with all-wheel drive) up to 30 mpg combined (the front-wheel drive 1.5-liter).

The Forester's engine lineup is older: A 170-hp 2.5-liter engine for 2.5i models and a 250-hp 2.0-liter turbo engine for the 2.0XT models. The 2.5 is a competent performer and the 2.0T (intended for performance rather than economy like the Honda's turbo engine) is a real cracker, accelerating the Forester like a muscle car. Fuel economy ratings aren't quite as good as the Honda, though the 2.5i automatic comes close at 28 mpg. Turbocharged Foresters are rated at 25 mpg.

A tie. Honda's 1.5T is a high-tech wonder, but the Forester's 2.5 works just fine and the 2.0T makes us grin like idiots.

Photo by Honda

Stand-Out Features

What strikes us most about the Honda is how well-thought-out it feels. The cargo bay is commodious, the back seat is generous, the controls are easy to use, and there's plenty of storage space. The CR-V reminds us that the “U” in SUV stands for "utility"; it's one of the most sensible SUVs you can buy.

But the Forester is no shrinking violet. Subarus are wildly popular in the rust belt because of their excellent foul-weather traction, and the fact that the Forester comes standard with all-wheel drive (and for less money than the Honda!) is a big plus. The Forester also has better off-road abilities, even though it's hardly a Land Rover.

Tough to pick; the Subaru is a specialist, and the Honda is a general practitioner. We'll give this one to the CR-V.

Photo by Honda

Exterior Design

Honda just redesigned the CR-V for the 2017 model year, and we love the new look: It's more aggressive and less matronly than the outgoing CR-V, though the family resemblance is unmistakable. We like its aggressive face, and the shape of the body proves that an SUV can be both practical and handsome.

The Forester has been with us since 2014; it was a bit stodgy then, and it hasn't improved with age. The Forester isn't an ugly car, but nor is it a particularly attractive one.

 CR-V.

Photo by Honda

Interior Design

The CR-V's interior design is fresh and new, its instrument panel a pleasant mix of digital and analog. Material quality is good and there's plenty of storage space. It's a very easy interior to use.

Still, the Forester isn't far behind. Though this is one of Subaru's older designs, we cannot fault the basics: simple controls, clear gauges, and decent (if not stellar) material quality. The design is dated compared to the Honda, and we must take that into consideration, but it's hard to criticize an interior that works so well.

Honda, but only by a slim margin.

Photo by Honda

Interior Space and Cargo Capacity

When it comes to utility, the CR-V is the champ. Its well-shaped cargo bay provides 39.2 cubic feet of space, compared to 34.4 for the Forester. We love the easy-to-lower rear seatbacks, which use a car-door handle in the cargo area. And when it comes to passenger space, few vehicles can beat the CR-V, either in terms of raw numbers or real-world comfort.

Again, while the Forester trails on paper, it works well in the real world. The back seat is spacious, and though the cargo bay is smaller than that of the CR-V, we love the durable all-weather cargo tray that protects the floor from wet and muddy stuff. Subaru says its customers are a bit more outdoorsy than average and designs its cars accordingly.

CR-V by a nose.

Photo by Honda

Safety Specifications

Honda's commitment to safety is impressive. It bundles active safety features (forward-collision detection with automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and correction, and blind-spot warning) in a suite called Honda Sensing. Furthermore, these features come standard on all but the base-model CR-V LX. Crash test ratings are excellent; the CR-V has a Top Safety Pick Plus award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The Forester also has a Top Safety Pick Plus rating, and it also has a similar suite of safety features, which Subaru calls EyeSight. Availability is good: Like the CR-V, the safety suite isn't available on the base model, but it is either optional or standard on Premium, Limited and Touring trims (though, for some reason, you can't get it on the 2.0XT Premium). However, the Forester has one advantage: All-wheel drive is standard, which gives the Forester better (and safer) footing on both wet and dry roads.

Nearly a tie, but standard all-wheel drive puts the Forester out front.

Photo by Subaru

The Driving Experience

The Honda CR-V is competent — comfortable, maneuverable, and very stable at high speeds. It feels light and agile, more like a small car than a family-friendly SUV. Still, it's a bit lacking in passion. We like driving it, but we don't love driving it.

The Subaru Forester has a split personality. The 2.5i models have great grip (thanks, all-wheel drive!) and while the CVT blunts performance a bit, we like that you can get the Forester with a manual transmission. But the 2.0XT turbo is a rocket ship, and it's hard not to grin when you hit the gas. For a good time, call your Subaru dealer and ask for a turbocharged Forester.

Forester.

Photo by Subaru

Final Thoughts

We set ourselves a challenging task by comparing two of the best compact SUVs on the market. While both the CR-V and the Forester have their stand-out categories, which one is best comes down, once again, to personal preference.

The Subaru Forester is the better value, with lower entry-level pricing and standard all-wheel drive. If you have an active lifestyle, the Forester is a great choice with its mild off-road abilities and weatherproof cargo area. It's also a great long-term investment; Subaru owners keep their cars longer than most, and they're engineered and built to last.

But for buyers looking for a family car, the Honda CR-V is likely to be a better pick. It's the hands-down winner for utility and capacity, which is what most SUV buyers are seeking. The CR-V is a handsome, contemporary, well-thought-out vehicle that delivers good performance and excellent efficiency. The Forester is a winner, but — by the slimmest of margins — the Honda CR-V is the winner.

Photo by Honda