2025 Honda CR-V vs 2026 Subaru Outback
Comparison Overview
Deciding between the tried-and-true 2025 Honda CR-V and the rugged 2026 Subaru Outback often boils down to balancing upfront cost against standard capability. If your budget is tight, the CR-V starts strong at an MSRP of $30,100, significantly undercutting the Outback's $34,995 entry price. However, the Outback comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, a major differentiator. For city dwellers concerned with running costs, the CR-V pulls ahead with a better combined 30 MPG versus the Outback's 27 MPG. While both offer respectable power, the CR-V packs a slight edge with 190 hp compared to the Outback's 180 hp. Although the CR-V is physically shorter at 184.8 inches, it manages to offer more usable space with 39.3 cu ft of cargo room, surpassing the Outback's 34.6 cu ft, making the Honda the smarter choice for maximizing daily efficiency and cargo utility on a budget.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Honda CR-V
The CR-V wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, achieving 30 MPG combined versus the Outback's 27 MPG.
2025 Honda CR-V
Families will likely prefer the CR-V as it offers more overall cargo space at 39.3 cu ft compared to the Outback's 34.6 cu ft.
2026 Subaru Outback
Enthusiasts prioritizing varied terrain capability will choose the Outback because it includes standard All-Wheel Drive, unlike the standard Front Wheel Drive CR-V.
2025 Honda CR-V
The CR-V offers better base efficiency and a $4,895 lower starting MSRP, making it the better initial value proposition.
Choose the Honda CR-V if...
- You want to keep your initial purchase price lower, as the CR-V starts at $30,100.
- Your daily driving heavily favors fuel economy, where the CR-V delivers 30 combined MPG.
- You need maximum contained storage, as the CR-V provides 39.3 cu ft of cargo capacity.
Choose the Subaru Outback if...
- You regularly drive in snow or poor weather, thanks to the standard All-Wheel Drive system on the Outback.
- You need a slightly larger vehicle footprint for passenger space, as the Outback is longer at 191.7 inches.
- You prefer a marginally taller driving position, with the Outback measuring 67.5 inches high.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Honda CR-V | Subaru Outback |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 184.8" | 191.7" |
| Width | 73.5" | 74.0" |
| Height | 66.2" | 67.5" |
| Wheelbase | 106.3" | 108.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Honda | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | — |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blind Spot Monitor | — | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Adaptive Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Self-Leveling Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Front Fog Lights | — | ✓ |
| Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Honda | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 1.5 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | flat 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 190 hp @ 6000 rpm | 180 hp @ 5800 rpm |
| Torque | 179 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm | 178 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | ✓ |
Drive Train
| Feature | Honda | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Center Differential Type | — | Limited Slip |
Fuel
| Feature | Honda | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 28/34 MPG | 25/31 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 30 MPG | 27 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 392.0/476.0 mi. | 450.0/558.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14.0 gal. | 18.0 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Honda | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Cargo Floor Mats | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Honda | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 7.0 in | 12.1 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stereo Power | 160W | — |
| Speaker System | 4 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Length | — | 4 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Honda | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 2 | 2 |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Honda | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.0 in. | 40.2 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.3 in. | 43.0 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.9 in. | 57.9 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 55.6 in. | 55.5 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | — | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | — | 4-way |
| Driver Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
Rearseats
| Feature | Honda | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.2 in. | 40.5 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 41.0 in. | 39.5 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.9 in. | 57.4 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 52.6 in. | 55.1 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Honda | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Material | Steel | — |
| Wheel Cover Type | ✓ | — |
| Wheel Diameter | 17 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/65R | 225/60R H |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Finish | — | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | — | 18 x 7.0 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Honda | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Honda | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda CR-V and 2026 Subaru Outback.
How big is the price difference between the 2025 Honda CR-V and the 2026 Subaru Outback?
The 2026 Subaru Outback has a higher starting MSRP of $34,995, which is a gap of $4,895 more than the 2025 Honda CR-V's starting price of $30,100.
Which crossover is better for fuel savings on long commutes?
The 2025 Honda CR-V is the clear winner for fuel savings, achieving 30 MPG combined, while the 2026 Subaru Outback is rated lower at 27 MPG combined.
Does the standard drivetrain affect winter driving capability?
Yes, the 2026 Subaru Outback comes standard with All-Wheel Drive, making it inherently more capable in slippery conditions than the front-wheel-drive-based 2025 Honda CR-V.
Which car offers more space for hauling gear?
The 2025 Honda CR-V offers superior cargo capacity, measuring 39.3 cubic feet, compared to the 2026 Subaru Outback's 34.6 cubic feet.
Are the horsepower figures significantly different?
The horsepower difference is minor; the CR-V has 190 hp, while the Outback has 180 hp, though both use regular unleaded fuel.
Which vehicle is physically larger overall?
The 2026 Subaru Outback is the larger vehicle in length (191.7 inches vs 184.8 inches) and height (67.5 inches vs 66.2 inches) than the 2025 Honda CR-V.
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