Subaru Forester vs. Honda CR-V: Which Compact SUV Is the Better Buy in 2024?

The compact SUV segment has increased as motorists seek more practical and fuel-efficient vehicles that thrive on city streets and off-road. While there are plenty of new players, the Subaru Forester and Honda CR-V are veterans who have stood the test of time for decades. In 2024, these vehicles will be more technologically advanced and appealing than ever. But which one is right for you? Our Forester vs. CR-V comparison can help you make the best decision for your household.

Off-Roading Capabilities

If you love fun off the beaten track, the 2024 Subaru Forester is your vehicle, as it’s the only one with an off-road trim at this stage. While Honda might make its off-road-ready TrailSport package an option for CR-V owners in the future, it’s not happening for the 2024 model year.

The Forester’s off-road Wilderness trim has an elevated suspension that raises the ground clearance from 8.7 inches to 9.2 inches to help you clear rocks and other off-road obstacles. The reprogrammed X-Mode all-wheel-drive system reduces tire slippage, even on uneven or wet terrain, while the shorter final drive ratio boosts low-end torque so you can keep control and clear obstacles at lower speeds. The 2024 Subaru Forester Wilderness also features large 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, a 180-degree front camera view, water-repellent interior upholstery, and signature interior and exterior accents.

Which Has a More Spacious Interior?

It’s a close call for interior space, with the Subaru SUV delivering more cabin space while the Honda SUV has more cargo room. The Honda’s flat roof delivers 38.2 inches of headroom for front and rear passengers. That’s less than the 41.2 inches the Subaru gives the driver and front passengers and the 39.6 inches it treats rear passengers to. While the Forester offers slightly less legroom to rear passengers, its generous 43.3 inches up front is two inches more than Honda delivers.

The Forester’s generously sized cabin does compromise cargo space a little, especially with all seats in an upright position. The Forester has 28.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat, compared to 39.3 cubic feet in the CR-V. Fold the seats down, though, and it’s 74.2 cubic feet of space is only marginally behind the 76.5 cubic feet that the Honda offers. We give the Forester the edge here because you’ll always appreciate that spacious front seat, no matter how much you carry in the trunk.

Performance on the Road

The 2024 Honda CR-V has a more powerful 1.5-liter I-4 engine as standard, which delivers 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. The base model Subaru Forester’s 2.5-liter flat-four motor isn’t as powerful, producing 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque. As all-wheel drive comes standard on the Forester, it’s a little quicker off the mark. It’ll go from zero to 60 mph in just 8.5 seconds, 0.2 seconds less than the CR-V. Choose the Wilderness trim, and you can shave that time down to 8.1 seconds.

The Honda CR-V’s alternative engine system has a 2.0-liter I-4 paired with a two-motor hybrid. While it’s very fuel-efficient, its 204 hp production may leave some motorists wanting a little more grunt.

Which Vehicle Has More Pulling Power?

While both SUVs have some pulling power, the 2024 Subaru Forester is much more capable of towing. With the base model, you can expect a towing capacity of around 1,500 pounds when properly equipped. If you opt for the more robust Wilderness trim, that figure doubles as this trim has a whopping 3,000-lb towing capacity. The Forester also comes standard with a trailer stability assist system.

The base model 2024 Honda CR-V has a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 pounds. It’s made for towing small boats and Jet Skis on the weekend rather than extended trips with a trailer exploring the country. Choose the hybrid CR-V model; the pulling power is just 1,000 pounds.

Which Vehicle Is Safer?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2024 Subaru Forester a five-star overall rating. While the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) hasn’t assessed the 2024 Forester yet, motoring publications expect it to hold its Top Safety Pick rating earned last year. Both trusted bodies are yet to rate the 2024 Honda CR-V, although the IIHS awarded the 2023 model a Top Safety Pick+ rating.

Both makers treat motorists to many standard safety features once reserved for luxury vehicles. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert aren’t available with the base trims of the Forester and CR-V, but they become optional or standard at higher trims. The Honda Sensing and Subaru EyeSight suites both include:

• Adaptive cruise control.
• Lane-keep assist.
• Front automatic emergency braking.

Smart Infotainment Systems

Regarding infotainment, Subaru proves that bigger isn’t necessarily better. Its standard 6.5-inch touch screen is 0.5 inches smaller than the CR-V’s, while its optional 8-inch upgrade is an inch smaller than the CR-V’s bigger screen. We’ll take the more user-friendly compact units any day. We also appreciate the extra 6.3-inch screen in most Forester trims, which brings the most essential information into the driver’s line of sight.

Which Vehicle Is More Affordable?

When faced with a choice between two great vehicles, price is often the deciding factor. The 2024 Subaru Forester is the clear winner here, with a starting MSRP of $27,095, which is substantially less than the $29,500 that Honda charges for its cheapest CR-V. Choose the 2024 Subaru Forester for lower monthly repayments, less interest over the life of your car loan, and less sales tax.

Upgrade Your Ride

If you’ve decided that the 2024 Subaru Forester is the right compact SUV for you, visit our dealership in Corinth, Texas. Our friendly sales team can organize your test drive and answer all your questions about one of Subaru’s newest vehicles. Talk to us about Subaru’s attractive customer incentives, which can help you save even more on your new SUV purchase. You’ll always get the VIP treatment when you visit us at Huffines Subaru Corinth.