Subaru Forester compared with the Honda CRV

Safety

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All Wheel Drive is standard on the Forester. But it costs extra on the Honda CRV.

Both the Forester and the Honda CRV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) performs roof strength tests. In that test the Forester earned the top rating of "Good" because its roof supported over four times the Forester's weight before being crushed five inches. The Honda CRV was rated two rankings lower at "Marginal."

For its top level performance in frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard Vehicle Dynamics Control, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the Forester as a "Top Pick" for 2010, a rating only granted to 55 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Honda CRV was not a "Top Pick."

Warranty

The Forester comes with free roadside assistance for 3 years 36,000 miles. Subaru will send help if you run out of gas, need a jump start, lock your keys in or need any assistance on the road. Honda doesn't give free roadside assistance for the CRV.

Engine

The Forester's standard 2.5 SOHC 4 cyl. produces 13 lbs.-ft. more torque (174 vs. 161) than the Honda CRV's 2.4 DOHC 4 cyl. The Forester 2.5XT's standard 2.5 turbo 4 cyl. produces 44 more horsepower (224 vs. 180) and 65 lbs.-ft. more torque (226 vs. 161) than the Honda CRV's 2.4 DOHC 4 cyl.

As tested in Motor Trend the Forester 2.5XT is faster than the Honda CRV (automatics tested):

For more instantaneous acceleration and better engine flexibility in any gear, the Forester's engines produce their peak torque and horsepower at lower RPM's than the Honda CRV:

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Forester lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The Honda CRV doesn't offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

The Forester has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Honda CRV (16.9 vs. 15.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The Forester offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and fuel economy. The Honda CRV doesn't offer a manual transmission.

For more complete vehicle control the Forester offers optional Sportshift, with the available convenience of an automatic transmission and the complete gear control of a manual transmission without the inconvenience of a clutch. Sportshift allows the driver to eliminate unwanted shifts and maximize engine braking by down shifting while cornering. The Honda CRV doesn't offer a transmission that allows complete gear control.

Brakes and Stopping

The Forester stops much shorter than the Honda CRV:

Tires and Wheels

The Forester's optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Honda CRV's 65 series tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Forester 2.5X Premium handles at .81 G's, while the Honda CRV EX-L AWD pulls only .76 G's of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Forester 2.5XT Touring executes Motor Trend's "Figure Eight" maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the Honda CRV EX-L AWD (28.1 seconds @ .60 average G's vs. 29.5 seconds @ .53 average G's).

For better maneuverability, the Forester's turning circle is 3.4 feet tighter than the Honda CRV's (34.4 feet vs. 37.8 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Forester 2.5X has a 2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Honda CRV (8.7 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Forester to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Forester 2.5XT's minimum ground clearance is 2.2 inches higher than on the Honda CRV (8.9 vs. 6.7 inches).

Chassis

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Forester XT has a liquid-filled front engine mount. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The Honda CRV uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The design of the Subaru Forester amounts to more than styling. The Forester has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .37 Cd. That is significantly lower than the Honda CRV (.43). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Forester get better fuel mileage.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Forester 2.5XT Touring is quieter than the Honda CRV EX-L AWD:

Passenger Space

The Forester has 3.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Honda CRV (107.6 vs. 103.8).

The Forester has .7 inches more front headroom, 1.8 inches more front legroom and 1.8 inches more rear headroom than the Honda CRV.

Towing

The Forester's standard towing capacity is much higher than the Honda CRV's (2400 vs. 1500 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The Forester uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Honda CRV uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the Forester is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Honda CRV. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The Forester Automatic offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The Honda CRV doesn't offer a remote starting system.

Advanced Key System available on the Forester allows the driver to unlock the doors, cargo door and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the car in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Honda CRV doesn't offer an advanced key system.

The Forester's variable intermittent wipers have an adjustable delay to allow the driver to choose a setting that best clears the windshield during light rain or mist. The Honda CRV LX/SE's standard fixed intermittent wipers only have one fixed delay setting, so the driver will have to manually switch them between slow and intermittent.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Forester has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Honda CRV only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn't as good.

The Forester's optional rear view mirror has an automatic dimming feature. This mirror can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on it, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Honda CRV doesn't offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Forester owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Forester with a number "5" insurance rate while the Honda CRV is rated higher at a number "10" rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Forester is less expensive to operate than the Honda CRV because typical repairs cost much less on the Forester than the Honda CRV, including $363 less for a starter and $180 less for a timing belt/chain.

Recommendations

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports chose the Subaru Forester as its "Top Pick," the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Honda CRV isn't recommended.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its June 2008 issue and they ranked the Subaru Forester 2.5X Premium first. They ranked the Honda CRV EX third.

The Forester was chosen as one of Car and Driver's "Top Five Trucks" for 3 of the last 7 years. The Honda CRV hasn't been picked since 2003.

Motor Trend selected the Forester as their 2009 Sport Utility of the Year. The Honda CRV has never been chosen.