When you are going to buy a SUV, you must get confused about which SUV is the real champ — Subaru Forester vs Honda CR-V. Here you can explore their full details of engine, performance, speed, and design of the two most amazing SUVs. Subaru Forester has unveiled its incredible redesign while Honda CR-V continues to ride high on its latest generation. This isn’t just a battle of features and specs but it’s about both car philosophies.
Both cars are giving utterly experience to their owners, Forester is made for adventurous-ready partners that are always ready for the rough roads and comes with all-wheel drive. On the other hand, Honda CR-V is smooth, fuel-efficient, and comfortable for running around the city with elegance. Let’s look deeper into the comparison of Subaru Forester vs Honda CR-V for making it easier to choose for you.
Performance: A Tale of Two Drivetrains
The biggest difference between these two SUVs lies right under the hood and in the wheels that put the power down.
Subaru Forester: If you are a person who likes to go on adventure trips or rough roads, the Forester is your champion. All new Forester’s provide AWD which is impressive if we look into the best SUV, Subaru’s legendary Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive as standard. It is ready for rain, snow, or on that gravel road to the trailhead. The powerful system is built on the 2.5-liter with 180 horsepower. It provides a four-cylinder to make it unstoppable but it won’t win many drag races, it’s smooth, capable, and gets the job done.
There is big news for Forester lovers — a Forester Hybrid is coming soon which offers the fuel efficiency that means buyers will get a well-performed SUV with no worries for fuel.
Honda CR-V: Honda CR-V powerful engine of 1.5-litre will give wonderful performance with its quick speed and extensive high brakes. The turbo engine with 190 horsepower, delivers incredible smooth running on road with its elegant look. The highlight is hybrid powertrain — CR-V Hybrid, stronger with 204 horsepower that can give you the thrill and deliver the purpose of fuel saving — we’re talking up to an EPA-estimated 40 MPG combined.
Who Wins? CR-V is good in saving fuel and sticking to city roads but for all-wheel drive, you have to pay extra. While Subaru gives you for free and supports you totally on your off-road adventure.
Performance Verdict: The Forester is the best choice if you want go-anywhere capabilities because it offers. The CR-V is an ideal SUV for those who want an SUV for daily on-road efficiency, especially in its hybrid form which is more powerful.
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Interior and Practicality: The Space Race
Both have amazing style but practically different in cargo space, windows, and door.
Honda CR-V: The wide interior view and well shaped design is delivering a cool experience to the families traveling or friends enjoying in the SUV. The CR-V is delivering not just a car but total flexibility to their passengers with cargo space of 76.5 cubic feet.
Honda CR-V Interior and Practicality
The space for the rear seat makes everyone comfortably sit and drive for long hours. Honda has already made the name in fancier cars all over the world.
Subaru Forester: The redesigned 2025 Forester offering a cargo space of 74.4 cubic feet with hands-free liftgate for making packing easy. It also offers a wide back opening, no problem with a trip ready mood.
Subaru Forester Interior and Practicality
You can have a fully functional and modernized interior in one SUV. It has great visibility from the upright windows and thin pillars which is fantastic for navigating tight parking lots or scenic byways.
Who Wins? Almost a tie because CR-V has a high-end functional and sleek design with more space whereas Forester gives great view and practicality.
Interior Verdict: If you want to feel classic era and a slightly more cargo space then CR-V is might be the best option but If you want good visibility, rugged, and user-friendly design then Forester is a good option. Both are marvelous companions in your driving with a slight difference which will give you incredible experience.
Tech and Infotainment: Screen Time
Subaru Forester: The Forester’s new 11.6-inch vertical touchscreen is best for perfect display of the infotainment. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto supported infotainment system helps you connect in quick with any device.
Subaru Forester Tech and Infotainment
This new tech used in the Forester made it more unique and modern through this upgraded system.
Honda CR-V: People who are comfortable with a 7-inch touchscreen, with a larger 9-inch screen available on higher trims, CR-V is delivering your desire.
Honda CR-V Tech and Infotainment
The system is simple and intuitive, but you only get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the larger 9-inch screen. Tech Verdict: The Forester takes a slight upscale in its tech with a modern big screen with high-end infotainment system for 2025.
Safety: A Clear Winner Emerges
The SUV will have an advanced tech system, high performance engine, and comfortable interior but safety concerns come first for many buyers. I think it’s important for every person because accidents can take your loved ones away and it’s the main point that makes them two apart from each other.
Honda CR-V: The CR-V offers a safety system like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking but it didn’t get IIHS safety ranking for this model. When it comes to safety there is no option in looking for an alternate choice.
Subaru Forester vs Honda CR-V
Subaru Forester: The Forester has a clean role in the Safety section, it delivers you the latest version of its EyeSight driver-assist technology, which now scans wider areas and reacts more quickly. The upgraded system is more advanced in the safety rules. A new Emergency Stop Assist feature can even be tested, bringing the car to halt for safety after a while it senses you become unresponsive.
Safety Verdict: It is clear that Foster is winning here because of its powerful safety measures for passengers and it also got IIHS ranking for its upgraded system.
The Final Verdict: Which Champion Is Yours?
Both have won on each stage with their powerful performance, design and features but there is a slight difference which makes you choose any one. If you want an SUV for long tour rides then the Forester is a winning trophy because it gives full support for the safety of the passenger. The cargo automatic features are easy to handle by anyone. If you value these things then buying the Forester is worth your money.
CR-V will give you reputation and efficiency for more fields, if you are satisfied with Honda cars before then this might be the best option. If you want an SUV then be sure to take a test-drive for both. And choose what will suit your life journey.
Choose the 2025 Subaru Forester if:
- You want full AWD in your SUV with all the weather security support.
- You want a top safety rated SUV because Safety is your number one priority.
- You value the best interior and outside view is one of the priorities.
- You travel more and most likely onto dirt roads, snowy paths, or always ready for adventures.
Choose the 2025 Honda CR-V if:
- You want a fuel efficient SUV which makes you not worry while spinning around the city.
- You want more cargo area than Forester to adjust more things, with a good interior look.
- Spinning around on paving roads is your thing.
- You believe in Honda’s reputation and flexibility of the quality features, and trust on history of delivering satisfaction.
Ultimately the Subaru Forester vs Honda CR-V, the Forester is the champion of SUV when it comes to adventure and safety, meanwhile the CR-V is the champion of efficiency and refinement. Test drive both, list what you can do with your SUV and which one will help you best in your life and you’ll find your perfect champion.
