2019 Honda CR-V vs. 2019 Subaru Forester ― Small SUV Comparison & Review

Both the Subaru Forester and the Honda CR-V are competent family haulers with plenty of cargo space, high-tech safety features and available AWD for mild off-road driving. What makes them different, and which is the right one for you?

Why did we choose these two small SUVs? We recently did a three small SUV comparison, and the comments were all, "Hey, where's the Subaru Forester?" So we decided to take the winner of our compact SUV comparison and match it up against the Subaru.

There were no losers in this comparison, no obstacles that one crossover could handle while the other struggled. In the end, it came down more to the personality of each. We liked the Honda's responsive engine and well-tuned transmission. But the Subaru was a little less sterile and more adventure-ready with off-road features and a great infotainment system. Either way you go, you'll have lots of room and a safe machine to take you on your journey.

About the 2019 Honda CR-V

The 2019 CR-V checks virtually every box on car shoppers' lists in this increasingly popular vehicle segment. It makes family life easier with a cavernous cargo area, abundant backseat room, easily accessed car-seat anchors, and more clever storage solutions than an Ikea. It will also keep you safe. Crash test ratings are flawless, and accident avoidance technologies are standard on all but the base trim.

Behind the wheel, the Honda CR-V responds smartly to inputs and handles well, yet its comfortable ride and quiet cabin won't wake the kids. Under the hood, the turbocharged engine found in most trim levels provides best-in-class acceleration and fuel economy. Wrapping everything up is the CR-V's excellent reputation for resale value and reliability.

The 2019 Honda CR-V is offered in four trim levels with virtually no options. The base LX is decently equipped, but the EX comes with a substantial bump in desirability. It provides a better engine and an abundance of equipment, including more advanced driver safety aids. The EX-L really just adds leather and a few choice niceties, while the more luxury-oriented Touring piles on the features.

Infotainment features include a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Audio phone integration, satellite radio, an upgraded rearview camera, and second-row USB charging ports. Numerous advanced safety features are also standard on the EX, including automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

The top-of-the-line 2019 Honda CR-V Touring boasts LED headlights, dual chrome exhaust tips, roof rails, automatic wipers, hands-free functionality for the power liftgate, ambient interior lighting, the navigation system, and a subwoofer for the audio system.

2019 Subaru Forester Review

Thanks to its high stance, standard all-wheel drive and available turbocharged power, the Forester has long been a hit with buyers who live in snowy climes or drive off-the-beaten path. Now Subaru fans who enjoyed the previous model, as well as just about any other consumer shopping for a small crossover SUV, will find even more to love with the redesigned 2019 Subaru Forester.

The Forester has grown marginally since last year, giving its already inviting cabin an even greater sense of space. Subaru also reworked the dashboard, giving it a new touchscreen infotainment interface and, for the first time in a Forester, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

Safety has long been a Subaru staple, and that association is further solidified for 2019. The EyeSight suite of driving aids — lane departure and forward collision warning — is standard on every trim. And features such as blind-spot monitoring and automatic reverse braking are available on most versions. The DriverFocus system debuts on the Touring trim; it incorporates a head-tracking feature and sounds an alert if it senses the driver isn't paying attention to the road. It also uses facial recognition software to store memory settings for up to five drivers.

The 2019 Subaru Forester Sport trim includes automatic high-beam control, LED foglights, keyless entry, an upgraded driver information display, an additional driving mode, an additional traction setting for the X-Mode system and the All-Weather package.

The top-trim 2019 Subaru Forester Touring model includes all of the previously mentioned optional features, along with the LED foglights, a heated steering wheel with wheel-mounted shift paddles, driver-seat memory settings, an eight-way power passenger seat, heated rear seats with remote-folding levers, and the DriverFocus system.

#subaruforester #hondacrv #edmunds

[mistaparker]

A 2017 Subaru Forester saved my wife's life. A full size SUV crossed over a median and hit her head on going 60+. The guy in the full size SUV died and my wife was able to walk away with a fractured sternum and some scratches. I went out and bought her a 2019 Forester before getting the insurance check because she wouldn't drive anything else, the rental car company didn't have a Subaru. Safety should be the number 1 factor you guys look at. Subaru saves lives. Because of that and that alone they will always have my business.

[thebulge]

Owner of both here. CR-V for wife and Subaru Sport for me. Both are great SUV no doubt and both will make you happy. Just a couple of things I want to mention that the reviewer said nothing about and that is ride quality. Hands down and by a HUGE margin the Forester is the best and not only that, it beats all of my previous cars that I have owned in my life ( more than 10). The suspension is really a piece of art, you cannot make it more comfortable in any ways. The engine...ok, lots of complaints from many reviewers but at least for me I honestly love the power it delivers fo my personal use. Have taken many trips, many hills, and I like it a lot. It does not need 50 extra hp, that is not true unless you like a very spirited driving. The ONLY thing I do really hate about the Forester is that thing about the "start-stop" feature of the engine. There is not "off" button so every time you turn on the car I have to push a button to deactivate it. Ok, CR-V, it has a HUGE advantage in cargo, I mean the might seem on paper somewhat similar they are not. The CRV feels like it can carry 40% more cargo. The ride quality is definitely not as soft and beautiful as the Forester, it is somewhat "jittery" on bad roads. Yes, the engine is more powerful, it "feels" about 20% more powerful or so. I like the CVT much better of the Forester, but the CRV is not bad. So, what to buy ? Simple : Honda for long term reliability and cargo space. It is bland and boring and has a lack of sporty personality. Go with the Forester if you love ride quality, it is so so so good, feels like if you are driving a 90´s Licoln Town car without the yatch feeling. Also the Subaru has a nice personality, feels like you are not driving a masive produced car, more of a premium feel ( at least for me). Before I forget, if off-road is your thing don´t even try to compare, the Subaru wins hands down. I am happy with both, one has 8, 000 miles and my Forester 5, 000. We love them both and I think wife is happy with hers and I am happy with mine

[DogAndLinuxLover]

I had a 2019 CR-V EX-L AWD for two weeks. I now own a 2019 Forester Sport (AWD is standard). Here's a few of my observations.


1. The seats in the CR-V are the most uncomfortable of any car I've ever owned or driven. The seats were the deal breaker for me. I got rid of the car because of the seats. The Forester has among the most comfortable seats I've ever been in. The padding is just the right density and the support is in all the right places. An amazing difference!


2. Pretty much all the tech in the Forester is more advanced and more user friendly. The infotainment center in the CR-V was awkward to use and simply not very good. I have a Google Pixel XL and it was not supported for Android Auto. In fact, there were very few brands supported at all. The Forester, however, has a great, big, easy to use infotainment screen with physical buttons that make operation when driving so much simpler. The on-screen buttons and controls make more sense and are easier to use. Plus, my phone is supported! :-)


3. The CR-V may have a few feet more cargo space, but it seems the space in the Forester is wider whereas the CR-V seems a little taller. I don't pile things to the ceiling, so I found the wider storage in the Forester to be much more useful.


4. The Forester kicks the CR-V's butt on AWD. Don't take my word for it. Go look at videos on YouTube comparing the two - there's tons of them.


5. Yes, the CR-V may have more acceleration than the Forester, but the Forester has plenty for day-to-day. You will need a little more time to pass at higher speeds, however.


6. The CR-V was "dressed up" on the inside, the Forester Sport is not Subaru's "dressy" model, but it's beautiful on the inside. The colors and materials are amazing and wonderful. I love it. The Forester definitely feels more "me" with a very sporty look. (I'm 50-something.)


There's a lot of other things I could say about both. My bottom line is this: in my mind, the Forester is superior in pretty much every way to the CR-V. Due to the unfortunate problem with the seats, I got a rare opportunity to really experience both cars.


One important tip I would give to anyone car shopping is this. Do your homework on the internet. Look at specs, talk to people. Maybe take a couple for a quick spin. You know... all the normal things you would expect anyone to do when shopping for a car. Then, when you are pretty sure you've found the right car and you think you are ready to buy, spend about an hour in it. Sit in it on the lot for at least 10 or 15 minutes. Adjust things. Make sure it fits you. Then take it on a nice, long drive - not the typical 5 or 10 minute test drive most folks do. Spend at least 40 or 45 minutes driving. It is very revealing. You will know the car a lot better and make a more intelligent, informed decision. You will own this car for years to come. It will cost you a lot of money. Don't waste thousands on a car you really don't enjoy or even grow to hate because you were impatient or felt a little funny asking for an extended drive. If your salesman doesn't like you really checking out the car, then maybe you need a new salesman. I didn't do this in the CR-V because I didn't think I needed to and it cost me thousands of dollar in depreciation to drive it two weeks. Don't let that happen to you.

[jeffr]

After driving the CR-V, I bought the Forester. Yes if you floor it, it is slower, but the overall driving experience is worlds better. Plus, the all wheel drive system is superior.

[daviduhrin]

I own a 2019 Forester Sport....tiring seeing reviewers drone on and on about the speed/power of the Forester. It has plenty for what the vehicle is. Its an all wheel drive SUV. My daily commutes are 3/4 highway and i've had absolutely no issues getting up to highway speeds, passing, and drive quality feels fine on a winding roads through the parkway. In fact I often am surprised how easy it is to get up to speed....easy to look down and say "oh hey going 53 in a 35". Bottom drive stuff, build your own opinion, and get what you like! And if you buy an SUV for drag racing or enjoy comparing them to smaller or more performance type vehicles then prepare to be disappointed.

[danialk]

Honda CRV the best. I always tap my shoulders for buying CRV. Love it.

[raymondhachmishvili]

I'll take the forester any day of the week.

[rioterism]

Subaru Forester wins all day everyday in my opinion :)

[smugglerscoveconsulting]

Subaru Forester. I live in Alaska, love the ground clearance, the light within the vehicle, and the handling in ice and snow. Prefer the looks. Honda CRV - mini van. Test drove them both, Forester was much more fun to drive, do not find engine lag a problem at all. Car is plenty perky.

[metetuncay]

Thank you for upgrading to 4K. Picture quality is much improved!

[markmarino]

Just picked up my Forester sport 2 days ago. I would not even consider a CR-V or Rav4 since Subaru has so much of a better All Wheel Drive System.

[mckrfouroneseven]

This video is biased imho. Here in our side of Canada, where roadtrips tends to be longer and -30C winter prevails most of the year. Nothing beats an SUV that has AWD(this video didnt event highlighted that important thing), good ground clearance, ride comfort and of course safety. I bought the Forester Sport and it's like a home to me, engine is not as bad as many reviewers prey on but that's pretty much the only bad thing they can say about it. Other than that, Forester is great car! if you need a speedster I think it's more obvious to buy a sporty sedan/coupe instead, and not in an SUV.

[abby]

I test drove both, and personally I found the crv slow because the transmission has an incredible lag that even a Toyota Corolla will smoke it off the starting line. The forester is more than adequate in sport mode and the AWD is nearly jeep capable.

[sempernarc]

Off road the subaru wins, and in a head on collision the subaru wins again.

[Kenji]

This review is biased, the Honda crv is no where near the Forester. Get your facts straight!

[tsizzle]

I wish they compare the cars’ AWD capabilities off-road in various conditions.

[hachik]

I own a forester and I drive it pretty fast but it doesn’t really make too much noise. It actually accelerates really good and the infrastructure of the forester is better.

[wac]

I picked the 2019 Subaru Forester Sport over Honda CRV, because of costumer service and loyalty. Honda sucks when it comes to service. You have to wait in long lines for service. Subaru goes by appointment and no waiting time. Here in NYC time and excellent service is a plus. Honda sales people also think that they are better than anyone else. I don't go for that bull shit. Subaru sales people are more humble and considerate.
and don't push you around. Anyway, I saved almost $3000 on the MSRP. Honda didn't want to go down on the MSRP, because they say that somebody is waiting on line and dying to buy their CRV, so they don't need my business.

[superpac]

I love my 19 forester. Coming from a Honda Fit it has lots of power. The visibility is awesome, and the sunroof is huge. Plus I keep getting complete strangers asking me about my cool looking car. The CR-V was just yawn. Boring.

[kenwilson]

Funny as a former 2018 CRV owner I really like my 2019 Forester for its functionality and engine as then 1.5 T was a dog on the highway. Maybe turbo lag. We don’t buy a mid sized suv for performance, do we?