When it comes to buying a compact SUV, you have a ton of options to choose from. These include the trusty Honda CR-V and the more rugged Subaru Forester, both excellent choices in this category. Let’s take a closer look at their strengths and find the SUV that’s right for you.

2022 Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V is a compact SUV that does almost everything well. It is safe, reliable, efficient and spacious. It may not stand out much from the crowd, but if you’re just looking for a practical SUV you can trust, it’s hard to find fault with the CR-V. If you prefer an SUV with great fuel economy, consider the CR-V hybrid. Pricing for the CR-V starts at $26,800.

Honda CR-V Highlights

Spacious interior: The Honda CR-V has one of the most spacious interiors in the compact SUV segment. It has two rows of seats suitable for adults with plenty of legroom in the back. The CR-V also has a large cargo hold that can carry a lot while your passengers enjoy plenty of space. The CR-V offers even more cargo space than the Forester, which itself is impressive in this regard.

Lively and efficient engine: The base turbocharged 4-cylinder engine under the hood of the Honda CR-V offers an excellent balance of performance and efficiency. It produces 190 horsepower and has a combined fuel consumption rating of up to 30 mpg. This makes it a bit more powerful and efficient than the Forester.

Standard Honda detection: The Honda Sensing suite of technical driver assistance features comes standard on every CR-V. Honda Sensing bundles a collision avoidance braking system, road departure mitigation system, adaptive cruise control with low-speed tracking and lane-keeping assist system.

2022 Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester is a strong contender in the compact SUV segment. On the practical side, it’s roomy, fuel-efficient and wins the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. However, it also has the quirkiness that the Subaru brand is famous for, which puts it a bit outside the mainstream. The starting price is $25,895.

Subaru Forester Highlights

Standard all-wheel drive: All-Wheel Drive (AWD) is a desirable feature for drivers in snowy climates and is standard on the Subaru Forester. This gives the Forester excellent all-weather traction and respectable off-road capabilities. On most of the Forester’s rivals, including the CR-V, all-wheel drive is a more expensive option.

Off-Road Ready Wilderness Trim: Every Subaru Forester is a decent off-roader, but the toughest version is the Wilderness version. The Forester Wilderness comes with plenty of off-road features in addition to the standard AWD system. It has 9.2 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, dual-function X-MODE with hill descent control, water-repellent seats and a rugged appearance package.

Unparalleled resale value: The Subaru Forester won the KBB award for 2022 Best Resale Value for Compact SUVs. We estimate it holds 47.2% of its value after five years, which is the best of any SUV in its class. It also offers a low starting price which further adds to its value proposition.

Similarities

Similar size, similar starting price, good resale value, roomy interior, excellent safety scores and continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Conclusion

The Honda CR-V and the Subaru Forester are two excellent compact SUVs with different strengths. The CR-V is a full-featured SUV that does almost everything right, while the Subaru Forester is a more capable, value-oriented off-roader with a lower starting price and better resale value. See Honda CR-V models for sale Where See Subaru Forester models for sale