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2026 Honda CR-V vs 2026 Subaru Forester

Price, size, cabin, cargo, towing, safety and ownership side by side. Every value comes from the cited sources in each model-year profile, and gaps stay labeled instead of guessed.

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Key differences

Where the published numbers differ

No overall winner: each line is one source-backed figure. Decide which ones matter for how you will use the SUV.

ACR-V has

  • Overall lengthlonger by 1.5 in
  • Wheelbaselonger wheelbase by 1.2 in
  • Overall widthwider by 1.5 in
  • Rear legroommore rear legroom by 1.6 in
  • Cargo behind rear seatmore cargo behind the rear seat by 9.7 cu ft
  • Maximum cargomore maximum cargo by 2.1 cu ft

BForester has

  • Starting pricelower starting price by $925

=Same figure

  • Maximum towing

Head-to-head

The numbers, side by side

Bars share one scale starting at zero, so small real differences are not exaggerated. Where a profile lists several figures, the highest published one is used.

CR-VForester
Starting price2026 Subaru Forester: lower starting price by $925
$30,920
$29,995
Overall length2026 Honda CR-V: longer by 1.5 in
184.8 in
183.3 in
Wheelbase2026 Honda CR-V: longer wheelbase by 1.2 in
106.3 in
105.1 in
Overall width2026 Honda CR-V: wider by 1.5 in
73.5 in
72.0 in
Ground clearanceVaries by trim or option; compare the exact configuration
7.8 in FWD; 8.2 in AWD
8.7 in
Rear legroom2026 Honda CR-V: more rear legroom by 1.6 in
41.0 in
39.4 in
Front headroomVaries by trim or option; compare the exact configuration
40.0 in LX; 38.2 in moonroof-equipped trims
Up to 41.2 in
Cargo behind rear seat2026 Honda CR-V: more cargo behind the rear seat by 9.7 cu ft
39.3 cu ft
29.6 cu ft
Maximum cargo2026 Honda CR-V: more maximum cargo by 2.1 cu ft
76.5 cu ft
74.4 cu ft
Maximum towingSame published figure
1,500 lb gas; 1,000 lb hybrid
1,500 lb

Decision snapshot

Six buyer questions, without an overall winner.

Each card compares one documented criterion. A lead is shown only when both source-backed values use a compatible measurement; otherwise the raw facts stay visible and the criterion stays unresolved.

Starting priceStarting MSRP
ACR-V$30,920LX, before destination
BForester$29,995Base gas Forester

2026 Subaru Forester has lower published starting MSRP by $925.

EfficiencyGas / base fuel economy
ACR-VUp to about 28 city / 33 highway mpgHonda published trim/drivetrain figures
BForesterUp to 26 city / 33 highway mpgSubaru published estimates

The current profiles do not provide two normalized values that can be compared safely.

Maximum cargoMaximum cargo volume
ACR-V76.5 cu ftHonda published figure
BForester74.4 cu ftBase / roomiest published configuration

2026 Honda CR-V has more published maximum cargo volume by 2.1 cu ft.

Rear-seat roomRear legroom
ACR-V41.0 inHonda U.S. specification
BForester39.4 inSubaru U.S. specification

2026 Honda CR-V has more published rear/second-row legroom by 1.6 in.

Maximum towingMaximum towing
ACR-V1,500 lb gas; 1,000 lb hybridHonda 2026 CR-V specification by powertrain
BForester1,500 lbProperly equipped

The normalized published values are tied for this criterion.

Basic warrantyNew-vehicle / basic warranty
ACR-V3 years / 36,000 milesHonda U.S. warranty
BForesterConfirm current Subaru warranty bookletCoverage is tied to in-service date and mileage

The current profiles do not provide two normalized values that can be compared safely.

Table view

At a glance

Key specifications

7 of 8 differ
Research fieldA2026 Honda CR-VB2026 Subaru Forester
Starting MSRPDifferent$30,920LX, before destination$29,995Base gas Forester
Primary engine / systemDifferent1.5L turbocharged four-cylinderHonda U.S. specification2.5L SUBARU BOXER four-cylinderSubaru U.S. specification
Primary outputDifferent190 hp1.5L turbo180 hp2.5L BOXER
DrivetrainDifferentFWD or Real Time AWDAvailability depends on trimSymmetrical AWDStandard across the lineup
Seating5Honda U.S. specification5Subaru U.S. specification
Cargo behind rear seatDifferent39.3 cu ftHonda published figure29.6 cu ftBase / roomiest published configuration
Maximum cargoDifferent76.5 cu ftHonda published figure74.4 cu ftBase / roomiest published configuration
Maximum towingDifferent1,500 lb gas; 1,000 lb hybridHonda 2026 CR-V specification by powertrain1,500 lbProperly equipped

Price & trims

Pricing and trim lineup

4 of 4 differ
Research fieldA2026 Honda CR-VB2026 Subaru Forester
Starting MSRPDifferent$30,920LX, before destination$29,995Base gas Forester
Entry trimDifferentLX · $30,920190-hp turbo; FWD standardBase · $29,995Gas
Highest listed trimDifferentSport Touring Hybrid · $42,550Hybrid with standard AWD and top technology packageTouring Hybrid · $41,545Hybrid
Trim lineupDifferentLX · EX · Sport Hybrid · EX-L · TrailSport Hybrid · Sport-L Hybrid · Sport Touring Hybrid7 researched trimsBase · Premium · Premium Hybrid · Sport · Wilderness · Sport Hybrid · Limited · Limited Hybrid · Touring · Touring Hybrid10 researched trims

Performance

Engine, output and drivetrain

5 of 6 differ
Research fieldA2026 Honda CR-VB2026 Subaru Forester
Engine / primary systemDifferent1.5L turbocharged four-cylinderHonda U.S. specification2.5L SUBARU BOXER four-cylinderSubaru U.S. specification
Primary outputDifferent190 hpHonda U.S. specification180 hp / 178 lb-ftSubaru U.S. specification
Hybrid outputDifferent204 hpHonda U.S. specification194 hpSubaru Hybrid System
TransmissionDifferentCVTHonda U.S. specificationLineartronic CVTSubaru U.S. specification
DrivetrainDifferentFWD or Real Time AWDAvailability depends on trimSymmetrical AWDStandard across the lineup
All-wheel driveData gapAvailable; standard on TrailSport and Sport Touring HybridHonda trim specification—No source-backed value verified yet

Fuel & efficiency

Fuel and efficiency details

3 of 7 differ
Research fieldA2026 Honda CR-VB2026 Subaru Forester
Fuel typeData gapRegular unleadedHonda 2026 CR-V specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Gas / base fuel economyDifferentUp to about 28 city / 33 highway mpgHonda published trim/drivetrain figuresUp to 26 city / 33 highway mpgSubaru published estimates
Hybrid fuel economyDifferentUp to 43 city / 36 highway mpgHonda published trim/drivetrain figures35 city / 34 highway mpgSubaru published estimates
Off-road trim fuel economyDifferent38 city / 33 highway mpgHonda published configuration figureAbout 24 city / 28 highway mpgSubaru published estimates
Fuel tankData gap14.0 galHonda 2026 CR-V specification—No source-backed value verified yet
AWD / alternate fuel economyData gap—No source-backed value verified yetAbout 25 city / 32 highway mpgSubaru published estimates
Driving rangeData gap—No source-backed value verified yetUp to 581 milesSubaru published estimate

Size & footprint

Exterior dimensions

4 of 6 differ
Research fieldA2026 Honda CR-VB2026 Subaru Forester
WheelbaseDifferent106.3 inHonda 2026 CR-V specification105.1 inSubaru U.S. specification
Overall lengthDifferent184.8 inHonda 2026 CR-V specification183.3 inMost trims
Overall widthDifferent73.5 inHonda 2026 CR-V specification72.0 inMost trims
Overall heightData gap66.2 in FWD; 66.5 in AWDHonda 2026 CR-V specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Ground clearanceDifferent7.8 in FWD; 8.2 in AWDHonda 2026 CR-V specification8.7 inMost trims
Off-road ground clearanceData gap—No source-backed value verified yet9.3 inSubaru Wilderness specification

Cabin

Interior space and seating

4 of 10 differ
Research fieldA2026 Honda CR-VB2026 Subaru Forester
Seating5Honda U.S. specification5Subaru U.S. specification
Front legroomDifferent41.3 inHonda U.S. specification43.3 inSubaru U.S. specification
Rear legroomDifferent41.0 inHonda U.S. specification39.4 inSubaru U.S. specification
Front headroomDifferent40.0 in LX; 38.2 in moonroof-equipped trimsHonda U.S. specificationUp to 41.2 inEquipment dependent
Rear headroomData gap38.2 inHonda U.S. specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Front shoulder roomData gap57.9 inHonda 2026 CR-V specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Rear shoulder roomData gap55.9 inHonda 2026 CR-V specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Front hip roomData gap55.6 inHonda 2026 CR-V specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Rear hip roomData gap52.6 inHonda 2026 CR-V specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Passenger volumeDifferent106.0 cu ft LX; 103.5 cu ft other trimsHonda 2026 CR-V specificationUp to 110.8 cu ftConfiguration dependent

Cargo

Cargo space and practical measurements

2 of 7 differ
Research fieldA2026 Honda CR-VB2026 Subaru Forester
Cargo behind rear seatDifferent39.3 cu ftHonda published figure29.6 cu ftBase / roomiest published configuration
Maximum cargo volumeDifferent76.5 cu ftHonda published figure74.4 cu ftBase / roomiest published configuration
Hybrid cargo behind rear seatData gap36.3 cu ftHonda published figure—No source-backed value verified yet
Hybrid maximum cargoData gap71.8 cu ftHonda published figure—No source-backed value verified yet
Width between wheel housingsData gapAbout 41 inThird-party/owner reference—No source-backed value verified yet
Hatch-opening heightData gapAbout 32 inThird-party/owner reference—No source-backed value verified yet
Rear seatData gap60/40 split-foldingHonda 2026 CR-V seating specification—No source-backed value verified yet

Utility

Towing, seating and capability

2 of 5 differ
Research fieldA2026 Honda CR-VB2026 Subaru Forester
Maximum towingDifferent1,500 lb gas; 1,000 lb hybridHonda 2026 CR-V specification by powertrain1,500 lbProperly equipped
All-wheel driveDifferentAvailable; standard on TrailSport and Sport Touring HybridHonda trim specificationSymmetrical AWDStandard across the lineup
Rear seatData gap60/40 split-foldingHonda 2026 CR-V seating specification—No source-backed value verified yet
Cargo behind rear seatData gap—No source-backed value verified yetUp to 29.6 cu ftRoomiest published configuration
Maximum cargoData gap—No source-backed value verified yetUp to 74.4 cu ftRoomiest published configuration

Safety

Published safety ratings

1 of 4 differ
Research fieldA2026 Honda CR-VB2026 Subaru Forester
IIHS small overlap frontGoodCurrent-generation applicable ratingGood2026 rating
IIHS updated moderate overlap frontDifferentPoorCurrent-generation applicable ratingGood2026 rating
IIHS updated sideGoodCurrent-generation applicable ratingGood2026 rating
IIHS headlightsGoodCurrent-generation applicable ratingGood2026 rating

Ownership

Warranty and service planning

1 of 3 differ
Research fieldA2026 Honda CR-VB2026 Subaru Forester
New-vehicle / basic warrantyDifferent3 years / 36,000 milesHonda U.S. warrantyConfirm current Subaru warranty bookletCoverage is tied to in-service date and mileage
Powertrain warrantyData gap5 years / 60,000 milesHonda U.S. warranty—No source-backed value verified yet
Hybrid coverageData gapSee the hybrid warranty booklet for battery/system termsCoverage terms vary by component and state—No source-backed value verified yet

Safety systems

Driver-assistance equipment and context

A2026 Honda

CR-V

Honda Sensing is standard across the 2026 CR-V lineup. IIHS current-generation results remain useful where IIHS explicitly carries the same test rating across model years; SUVLook does not transfer a rating where applicability is unclear.

  • Collision Mitigation Braking System
  • Road Departure Mitigation
  • Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow
  • Lane Keeping Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition
B2026 Subaru

Forester

The 2026 Forester earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and includes EyeSight driver-assistance technology. The hybrid also carries a published NHTSA 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score from Subaru’s U.S. materials.

  • EyeSight Driver Assist Technology
  • Automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise functions
  • Available blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert
  • DriverFocus available on upper trims

Cabin technology

Infotainment, connectivity and convenience

A2026 Honda

CR-V

  • Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available through the current infotainment system.
  • Wireless phone charging is available on equipped trims.
  • Sport Touring Hybrid adds Google built-in and a Bose premium audio system.
  • A 10.2-inch digital instrument display is included on selected upper trims, including TrailSport Hybrid.
B2026 Subaru

Forester

  • An 11.6-inch STARLINK Multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is available on higher trims.
  • DriverFocus distraction mitigation is included on selected upper trims.
  • Power rear gate and panoramic moonroof availability depend on trim and package.
  • Hybrid models integrate Subaru’s electrified power display and energy-management information.

Evidence ledger

Source links and research freshness

Buying context

What to check before choosing a trim

A2026 Honda

CR-V

  1. Gas models preserve more published cargo volume than the hybrids, so the more efficient powertrain comes with a packaging trade-off.
  2. The LX has substantially more published front headroom than moonroof-equipped trims.
  3. TrailSport Hybrid is the configuration to inspect when all-terrain tires and standard AWD matter more than the highest fuel-economy figure.
  4. The current generation has generous published rear legroom, but seat comfort and driving position still need an in-person fit check.
Research caveat

The approximately 41-inch wheel-housing width and 32-inch hatch-opening height are not presented as Honda factory dimensions. They are supporting physical references from the cargo guide.

Updated 2026-09-174 research sources
B2026 Subaru

Forester

  1. Forester is unusually easy to shortlist for tall drivers because Subaru publishes 43.3 inches of front legroom and up to 41.2 inches of headroom.
  2. The hybrid materially improves city fuel economy while keeping standard AWD, but its pricing and packaging differ from the gas lineup.
  3. Wilderness trades some fuel economy for extra ground clearance and a substantially higher published tow rating.
  4. Moonroof and equipment packaging can reduce published cargo volume, so compare the exact trim instead of relying on the maximum 74.4-cu-ft figure.
Research caveat

SUVLook does not carry the separate 2025 third-party linear cargo measurements forward as guaranteed 2026 dimensions. This profile uses 2026 data only where the existing research supports it.

Updated 2026-09-163 research sources

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