The Subaru Forester is cheaper and gets top marks for safety, but the Honda CR-V offers slightly better performance, a nicer interior, and is cheaper to insure over the long haul, even if its MSRP is higher.
Subaru and its fleet of vehicles are known for safety, practicality, and an outdoorsy demeanor. But its vehicles, including the highly regarded Forester, have competition. The Honda CR-V goes toe-to-toe with the Forester to see which SUV comes out on top.
Here to determine the tale-of-the-tape between the Forester and the CR-V is Jerry
, the trustworthy super app that makes finding great car insurance
at an affordable price a breeze. We’ll bring you an in-depth comparison between the Forester and the CR-V so you know which vehicle is right for you. Naturally, we’ll also provide Subaru Forester insurance costs
and Honda CR-V insurance costs
because—well, at Jerry, we are obsessed with car insurance! 
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers Forester vs. CR-V: which is more expensive?
The bottom line: You’ll likely pay between $1,000 and $3,000 more for a Honda CR-V, but you’ll get better performance and a more comfortable interior, along with a few more creature comforts.
Ownership costs
The MSRP you see slapped on a new car’s windshield is only part of the story—you’ll have to look at both the Subaru and the Honda’s true cost of ownership to see which car will cost you more in the long run. This means taking the whole picture into account—including maintenance, fuel costs, insurance costs, and financing.
According to Edmunds, the true cost of ownership of a Subaru Forester over a five-year period is $36,830, or nearly $6,000 more than its initial MSRP. Over the same time period, the true cost of ownership for a CR-V is over $4000 less—Edmunds estimates it will cost $32,133.
Why the difference in true ownership costs between the Forester and the CR-V? It likely comes down to Honda maintenance costs and Honda insurance costs
. The CR-V has a reliability rating of 4.5/5 according to RepairPal, and an annual average maintenance cost of $407. By contrast, the Forester’s reliability rating is just 3.5/5, and its average annual repair costs dwarf the CR-V’s, coming in at $632. Insurance costs
Regarding insurance, the CR-V is cheaper to insure, with an annual average insurance cost of $1,099, compared to the Forester, which costs $2,072 per year.
Winner: Honda CR-V
Even with its higher MSRP, the Honda CR-V comes out as the winner in a head-to-head ownership cost duel with the Subaru Forester. Lower long-run maintenance and insurance costs help seal the deal for the CR-V.
Still, the bottom line isn’t the only thing to consider when comparing two vehicles, which is why we have an in-depth comparison of the Forester and CR-V below.
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars 4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers Subaru Forester vs. Outback: In-depth comparison
Body style and size
The Subaru Forester has a very un-Subaru look—a boxy, truck-like body that resembles a typical SUV. And while there is a resemblance, we’d be stretching the truth if we said the Forester and CR-V actually could be mistaken for one another (they wouldn’t be).
The Honda CR-V also wouldn’t be mistaken as anything but the compact SUV it is, though it does have a slightly more aerodynamic look, with its lightly sloping roofline and less box-like body.
It’s a toss-up between interior space with the Forester and the CR-V. You’ll get a roomier ride in terms of head- and legroom and total passenger volume with the Forester, but the CR-V comes out on top in terms of cargo space.
Here’s a more granular look at the Subaru and CR-V’s dimensions to help you determine which vehicle is the right size for you:
| | |
|---|
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Cargo volume w/seats down | | |
| | |
| | |
Engine and performance
If you opt for the Forester, one engine covers the entire trim line—a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque.The Forester won’t intimidate any local ne’er-do-wells with its overwhelming speed, but it does come with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru’s all-wheel-drive system.
The Forester’s performance might not be swoon-worthy, but it's a capable rig that offers a smooth ride with easy handling. You'll be able to take the Forester on some light off-roading
, too. The Honda CR-V won’t earn you any Formula 1 comparisons on its own, though its turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 190 horsepower packs some pep into its performance. Like the Forester, the CR-V ride quality is refined, with pinpoint steering and strong brakes. On the base model, however, the engine can get very loud when flooring it (but you wouldn’t do that, now would you?).
One thing the CR-V offers that the Forester doesn’t? A hybrid model at the EX, EX-L, and Touring trim levels. The hybrid CR-V gets even better performance, with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gas engine paired with two electric motors that deliver 212 horsepower.You’ll also get a much quieter ride than the CR-V’s gas-only model, with the hybrid’s sound-deadening materials and boosted audio system.
Fuel economy
The Subaru Forester has decent fuel economy, registering 26 mpg for city driving, 33 mpg for highway driving, and 29 mpg combined.
The Honda CR-V boasts similar ratings to the Forester, registering fuel efficiency ratings of 27 mpg for city driving, 32 mpg for highway driving, and 29 mpg overall.
Where the CR-V really shines is its hybrid option, which gets 40 mpg for city driving, 35 mpg for highway driving, and 37 mpg combined.
Safety
Both the Forester and CR-H are solid safety options, with both winning awards for their work keeping drivers and passengers safe. The Forester received 5 stars from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) while also being named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Forester was cited for a slight risk of rollover, but again, the risk is slight.
The CR-V also did well on safety, but didn’t score quite as highly as the Forester. While it also received 5 stars from the NHTSA, it was only named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, owing in part to its merely adequate protection observed in side impact testing.
Bottom line: The Subaru Forester is the better safety pick, but the CR-V is no safety slouch, either.
Tech
Both the Forester and CR-V are competitive when it comes to tech options, with both offering a bevy of goodies above the base trim. The Forester sports Subaru’s EyeSight Safety Suite, which equips the Forester with adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist,and forward collision mitigation.
Drivers get a 6.5-inch touchscreen,both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, USB ports in both front and back, and an onboard WiFi hotspot.The Forester’s infotainment system is also very user-friendly.
By contrast, the Honda CR-V’s tech offerings aren’t the easiest to navigate, even if they are plentiful. It can be slow to respond,there’s a distinct lack of handheld controls,and there is no auxiliary output.
The base CR-V gets you a 5-inch color radio screen,but not the kind of snazzy infotainment screen most drivers have come to expect. Once you upgrade beyond the LX trim, you’ll get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, Sirius Satellite radio,optional navigation, and an optional 9-speaker audio system.
Interior and comfort
Admittedly, the Forester’s interior on the base trim is utilitarian—it’s meant to get you to your outdoor adventure! If you want any kind of interior coddling from the Forester, you’ll have to skip the base trim—depending on the trim, you’ll have the options of leatherupholstery and a heated steering wheel, or they’ll be standard. Every Forester has a raised driving position and terrific visibility from the driver’s seat.
The Forester’s cabin is spacious, and it offers plenty of cargo space for hauling luggage, the kids’ sports equipment, or your own outdoor gear.
The Honda CR-V also offers plenty of cargo space and trunk space for all your paraphernalia. Its cabin is slightly more done-up from the base trim onwards, unlike the Forester. Inside a CR-V, you’ll find a chic and contemporary look, complete with chrome plastic, brushed satin finishes, and faux wood flourishes. The front seats are also wonderfully supportive.
Winner: Honda CR-V
Even if it's a bit more expensive initially, the Honda CR-V is the one to choose in this competition. It offers more power and better handling than the Forester, enough tech options to keep most drivers happy, and has a more refined interior. Also, it will cost you less over the long haul to insure and maintain your CR-V.
How to save on Subaru insurance costs
Whether you decide to insure a Forester or a CR-V, you’ll be able to find a robust car insurance
policy at an affordable price by using Jerry
! Sign-up takes just 45 seconds, and then Jerry gets to work, comparing quotes from over 50 top insurers to ensure you get the best policy at an even better price. Once you pick your new policy, our expert licensed broker
Jerry signs you up and helps you cancel your old one, just like that. Best of all? The average Jerry user saves more than $800 per year on car insurance!
“After signing up with Jerry
, I went from $199/month to $97/month for my car insurance. My 2019 Subaru Forester now has full coverage for a great price!” —Rhonda H.
RECOMMENDEDInstantly compare top insurance companies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
What insurance do you want to compare?
