Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.There's no wrong choice hereIn the fiercely competitive compact crossover segment, the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester are competent alternatives to the best-selling Toyota RAV4. Both have been around for a long time, giving Honda and Subaru many years to refine their challengers. These two vehicles may fall into the same segment, but the Subaru leans more towards buyers with an adventurous, outdoorsy lifestyle, while the Honda excels as an everyday family vehicle. Here, we'll take a deeper dive into how these rivals are unique by highlighting five major differences between them.1. Subaru's Boxer Vs. Honda's Turbo-Four2026 Subaru ForesterSubaruView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementThe differences begin under the hoods of these crossovers. Both come with standard four-cylinder gas engines and have optional hybrids, but the Subaru employs a naturally-aspirated Boxer mill and the Honda uses a turbocharged four-pot for non-hybrid models. In Car and Driver testing, both non-hybrid versions of these SUVs were on the sluggish side, but the Honda is a bit quicker and it attains peak torque much lower down than the Subaru. In hybrid form, the Honda is much quicker, while the Forester Hybrid lags behind most electrified models to 60 mph.If you appreciate a more responsive vehicle, the Honda comes out on top.2. Forester Gets Standard All-Wheel Drive2026 Subaru Forester WildernessSubaru2026 Honda CR-VHondaEvery Forester gets the brand's Symmetrical AWD system equipped as standard, which has long been a feature of Subarus. Given the Forester's base price of just under $30,000, many buyers will appreciate not having to spend more than this to get AWD.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe CR-V comes with front-wheel drive as standard, with Honda's real-time AWD system costing another $1,500. The cheapest CR-V with AWD is almost $2,500 more than the equivalent Subaru. If you must have AWD, the Subaru is the better-value option between these two.3. CR-V Is More Economical2026 Honda TrailSport HybridHondaIn February, the EPA ranked Honda as the number 1 brand for fleet efficiency in its Automotive Trends Report. Looking at the CR-V's gas mileage figures, it's not hard to see why.The base CR-V Hybrid with FWD gets 43/36/40 mpg city/highway/combined, easily beating the Forester Hybrid's 35/34/35 mpg. Even when adding AWD, the CR-V Hybrid still beats the Forester, returning figures of 40/34/37 mpg.In non-hybrid form, the CR-V gets best gas mileage numbers of 28/33/30 mpg. The Forester isn't far behind, with its larger 2.5L engine getting best figures of 26/33/29 mpg. The Honda is also available in e-FCEV form, a fuel-cell hydrogen model that achieves 87 MPGe combined when running on a combination of hydrogen and electric power.AdvertisementAdvertisementOverall, the CR-V is the more economical vehicle, particularly in hybrid guise.4. Subaru Leads For Passenger Space, Honda Better For Cargo2026 Subaru Forester WildernessSubaru2026 Honda CR-VHondaBoth these vehicles are highly practical with airy, comfortable interiors. The Forester has more overall passenger space, but the CR-V vs Forester practicality debate tilts in favor of the Honda when you start using the trunk. Here's how they compare.The figures quoted here represent the most ideal configurations of each vehicle. Adding optional equipment like a sunroof or choosing a hybrid model can slightly reduce overall space, although the differences are negligible.2026 Honda CR-VKristen Brown2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness trunkSubaruAdvertisementAdvertisementDespite the Subaru having a bit more space for people, the Honda is far from cramped and we feel its larger trunk gives it the versatility advantage for everyday use.Related: The 2026 Subaru Forester Has Many Trims, but Only One Is the Smart Buy5. Subaru Leads For Off-Roading, Honda Excels On Normal Roads2026 Subaru Forester WildernessCole AttishaWhen you compare the Subaru Forester to the Honda CR-V, more distinct differences appear when driving them. We found the CR-V to have one of the best ride/handling balances in this segment. The ride is relaxing, steering is precise, and it doesn't lean through the corners excessively. The Forester gets close; it rides comparably smoothly, but stops just short of the CR-V's engaging nature when the road starts to turn. The CR-V Hybrid is especially good to drive on normal roads.The tables turn in the Subaru's favor if you want a mild off-roader, though. Both models come in rugged versions, those being the CR-V TrailSport and Forester Wilderness. The Subaru wins thanks to much better ground clearance (9.3 to 8.2 inches). Both have all-terrain tires and Snow driving modes, but the Forester Wilderness also comes with Low Speed/Low Ratio Gradient Control. Neither vehicle is a true off-roader, but the edge goes to the Wilderness if you'll often be heading to campsites or other locations where you'll have to navigate rough, uneven surfaces.AdvertisementAdvertisementRelated: Can You Daily Drive the Off-Road Ready 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness? Here's Why I Say, "Hell Yeah"Which Is More Reliable: Honda CR-V or Subaru Forester?2026 Honda CR-VKristen BrownAs a bonus, we decided to take a look at the reliability record of these two models over the last five model years. We've used JD Power's quality and reliability ratings for this purpose.Model yearHonda CR-VSubaru Forester202683/10081/100202583/10081/100202484/10083/100202380/10084/100202282/10084/100Both these vehicles have a solid reliability reputation, with consistent quality/reliability scores in the 80s. The Forester led in 2022 and 2023, but the CR-V has been on top for the last three model years. Still, this is close enough for us to declare it a tie.Related: 2026 Toyota RAV4 vs 2026 Honda CR-V Reliability: Which One Will Be More Reliable?Final ThoughtsThe depth in the packed compact crossover segment is seriously impressive. These two contenders demonstrate that much, but have slightly different strengths. For everyday commuting, school runs, and the weekly grocery shop, the CR-V's massive trunk, better performance, and superior economy stand out. If you need AWD at a low price, the Forester wins. It's also the better option in Wilderness guise if some moderate off-roading is necessary. As a range, the CR-V's spread of talents see it emerge as the better option for most people, but there's no shame in opting for the rugged Forester.AdvertisementAdvertisementRelated: Some Compact SUVs Are Posers. We Tell You Which OnesThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Jul 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
