Honda CR-V vs. Subaru Outback: What’s The Difference?
Honda CRV by EurovisionNim — CC-BY-SA-4.0
If you’ve been shopping for a crossover SUV for a while, you probably already know that Honda and Subaru have some of the best rides out there. The CR-V and Outback are no exception to this rule, both garnering heaps of praise from many customers and critics.
It isn’t always easy, however, to figure out exactly what it is that sets them apart if you don’t already know what to keep an eye out for. Thankfully, you don’t have to look any further! We’ve put together a comprehensive guide comparing Honda CR-V vs. Subaru Outback, so read on to learn all you need to know about the differences between the two.
A Brief Overview
The Honda CR-V and Subaru Outback are both exceptional vehicles that will see you and your family cruising through all sorts of terrain in comfort, but they do have their differences that make them unique cars. If you want maximum performance, top-of-the-line safety features, and more modern technology, you should probably go with the Outback.
The CR-V might be your best bet, though if you’d rather save a little money and get better gas mileage as well, which will save you even more money in the long run. No matter which of these vehicles you choose, you’ll be in good hands with a tested, reliable crossover.
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Specs
In terms of pure engine performance, the Honda CR-V can’t quite keep up with the Subaru Outback’s most powerful offerings. The CR-V has a 1.5 Liter, 190 horsepower engine, which is certainly nothing to sneeze at and is actually a bit stronger than the Outback’s base 2.5 Liter, 182 horsepower engine. The initial four trim levels in the Outback use this engine.
However, if you spring for the Outback’s highest quality trim levels, the XT trims, you can expect a turbocharged engine that gets up to 260 horsepower. This is much more powerful than the CR-V’s engine and offers extreme performance. The answer is therefore tricky as to which vehicle is stronger, but if we’re comparing the highest trim level Honda CR-V vs. Subaru Outback, the Outback wins handily.
Surprisingly, both the CR-V and Outback have about the exact same cargo space, so it’s a complete tie here. Both offer almost 76 cubic feet of cargo room when the seats are down, which is an excellent feature for the two vehicles, but there’s no difference between them in this regard.
Safety and Reliability
We should first clarify that both the Honda CR-V and Subaru Outback have been widely recognized as reliable vehicles that will keep you safe. Although each has gotten good safety ratings from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, however, the differences between them still need to be analyzed. Reliability is often a top priority for those looking to buy an SUV, so it’s important that you still consider what sets these two vehicles apart.
With that having been said, the Outback is definitely the safer vehicle between the two. Its 2019 model received a Top Safety Pick+ accolade from the IIHS, and the subsequent models have continued to fine-tune their safety features. The Honda CR-V can’t say the same. Even so, the CR-V is still a safe vehicle and one you should feel comfortable driving or riding in.
Looking at reliability, though, the CR-V and Outback are actually really close. They both have very solid track records and typically don’t require much maintenance beyond the routine care the manufacturers recommend.
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Gas Mileage
Gas mileage is a major area where the Honda CR-V wins out over the Subaru Outback. For the Front Wheel Drive models, you can look forward to an estimated 28 miles per gallon in the city and 34 miles per gallon on the highway. The models with All Wheel Drive return slightly worse gas mileage, getting an estimated 27 miles per gallon in the city and 32 miles per gallon on the highway.
The Outback’s base 2.5 Liter engine gets 26 miles per gallon in the city and 33 on the highway, while the more robust turbocharged engine returns 23 miles per gallon in the city and 30 on the highway. Depending on the engine you choose to get for your Outback, the CR-V is either a little better at fuel economy or a whole lot better.
It’s worth noting, however, that you’re not just getting worse gas mileage with the turbocharged Outback engine. You’re trading that fuel economy for an incredible enhancement in performance, so it’s up to you to decide what you’d rather have.
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Technology
Technology is a major battleground in the Honda CR-V vs. Subaru Outback comparison, with the Outback easily claiming victory. Base Outbacks include great additions like a high-quality infotainment system that has both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with multi-touch control to boot.
The base CR-V trim can’t really compete with this, only including a 5-inch touchscreen, without either of those smartphone features. You have the option of upgrading to a more sizable touchscreen and adding that software in the CR-V if you purchase a better trim level, but it still doesn’t compare to the Outback’s best offerings. Anyone prioritizing technological features should definitely buy an Outback over a CR-V.
Price
The Honda CR-V and Subaru Outback compete closely on price, but the CR-V is ultimately the cheaper option. The original Outback trim starts right around $29,000, coming equipped with a nice suite of infotainment features right off the bat. This is not the case with the CR-V with its middling set of base features, but it does start at $26,525, so you’ll save a few thousand dollars there.
If you want to have All Wheel Drive, though, you’ll have to pay at least $28,025, bringing the price a lot closer to the Outback’s. You can still expect to spend less on a CR-V even if it doesn’t come with as many features, lending it the victory in this category of the Honda CR-V vs. Subaru Outback battle.
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