Subaru Forester vs Honda CR-V
Compact SUVs · head to head, 2010–2027
The Subaru Forester and Honda CR-V were both sold for 18 model years (2010–2027). Among the Forester's own years, its best bet is 2024; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025. Among the CR-V's own years, its best bet is 2020; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025.
Subaru Forester
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2024
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2017, 2019
Honda CR-V
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2020
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2017–2018, 2023–2024
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy Forester year says nothing about whether it beats a CR-V. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Subaru Forester | Honda CR-V | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2026 | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Side by side |
| 2025 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2024 | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly steering and collision avoidance | Side by side |
| 2023 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.2× usual, mostly steering and collision avoidance | Side by side |
| 2022 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2021 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | Side by side |
| 2020 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly engine and collision avoidance | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2019 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.6× usual, mostly engine and collision avoidance | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2018 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly engine and collision avoidance | Side by side |
| 2017 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly air bags and engine | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly engine and fuel system | Side by side |
| 2016 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.2× usual | Side by side |
| 2015 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | Side by side |
| 2014 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | Side by side |
| 2013 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | Side by side |
| 2012 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | Side by side |
| 2011 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | Side by side |
| 2010 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2026: the newest shared year with full data, at a glance
Newer years (up to 2027) have thinner price and equipment data for one or both models, so this table uses 2026. Use "Compare any year" above for the others.
| 2026 Subaru Forester | 2026 Honda CR-V | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | TOO NEW | TOO NEW |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | $29,995 to $41,595 base price by trim, 10 trims | — |
| Engines and horsepower | 2.5L 4-cyl, 162–180 hp 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid, 162–180 hp | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, 190 hp 2.0L 4-cyl, 145 hp |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 26–35 mpg | 29–40 mpg |
| Seats | 5 | — |
| Third row | No | — |
| Cargo behind last row | 27.5–29.6 cu ft | — |
| Max cargo | 69.1–74.4 cu ft | — |
| Max towing | 1,500–3,500 lb | — |
| NHTSA crash rating | 5 of 5 stars | 5 of 5 stars |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | 3 · 22 | 1 · 146 |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2026 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| Forester Base lowest price, $29,995 | Forester Touring highest price, $41,595 | CR-V LX first listed | CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid last listed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | Wired only | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Adaptive cruise control | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Blind-spot warning | — | Standard | No | Standard |
| Heated front seats | — | Standard | No | Standard |
| Ventilated front seats | — | Standard | No | No |
| Sunroof or moonroof | — | Standard | No | Standard |
| 360-degree camera | — | Standard | No | No |
| Power liftgate or tailgate | — | Standard | No | Standard |
| Remote start | — | — | No | Standard |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2026 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2026 page (Forester, CR-V).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Subaru Forester
14 manufacturer programs on file: 11 extended coverage, 3 repair programs.
- Extended coverage This bulletin announces a warranty extension information regarding 12 Volt vehicle batteries. (07-207-22, 2015–2020 models)
- Extended coverage This Warranty Extension will not cover any excessive engine oil consumption found to be a result of any condition(s) other than those specifically described in this bulletin 2013-14MY Legacy and Outback Models with 2.5L FB Engines,… (02-157-14, 2010–2015 models)
- Extended coverage If a customer experiences windshield damage, inspect the damage as per the guidelines supplied in this bulletin to confirm if the damage is covered under the Warranty Extension. Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car… (12-257-25, 2019–2022 models)
- Extended coverage Denso low pressure fuel pump warranty extension. (2017–2020 models)
Honda CR-V
8 manufacturer programs on file: 8 extended coverage, 0 repair programs.
- Extended coverage Due to a new North America regulation which introduces a new refrigerant and oil requirement the compressor shaft seal may leak. American Honda is extending the warranty on the A/C compressor shaft seal from the original 3 years to 10… (A23-040, 2017–2022 models)
- Extended coverage American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement driver's airbag inflator only. (A18-057, 2012–2014 models)
- Extended coverage Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's Airbag Inflator for 2010-12 Accord and Other Listed Years and Models (Expires September 30, 2028) (19-003-1, 2010–2011 models)
- Extended coverage Today, April 5, 2019, American Honda is announcing a warranty extension for certain 2016-18 Civic and 2017-18 CR-V vehicles due to drivability concerns. American Honda is extending the powertrain warranty on the camshafts and rocker arm… (ABOM04052019, 2017–2018 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2010–2016, 2020–2022, 2025. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Shopping around 2024: the Forester is rated best buy (serious complaints 0.4× usual), while the CR-V is rated careful (serious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly steering and collision avoidance). Each against its own other years.
- Years to skip: neither model has a year we rate avoid.
- Newest year rated a good buy: Forester 2025; CR-V 2025.
- Best EPA combined rating in 2026: CR-V at 40 mpg (Forester: 35), for the most efficient version of each.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.