2025 Subaru Forester vs 2026 Honda HR-V
Comparison Overview
The battle between the rugged, capable 2025 Subaru Forester and the agile, budget-conscious 2026 Honda HR-V ignites fierce debate in the crossover segment. The Forester captivates adventurers with its standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, 180 horsepower, and robust stance, ready for adverse conditions. Conversely, the HR-V lures drivers with its accessible starting MSRP of $26,200, significantly undercutting the Forester's $29,995 entry price. While the Subaru boasts 22 more horsepower (180 hp vs. 158 hp) and superior cargo volume at 29.6 cubic feet compared to the Honda's 24.4, the HR-V delivers competitive efficiency, achieving 28 MPG combined versus the Forester's 29 MPG combined. The Forester offers more substance in size, measuring 183.3 inches long, contrasting with the HR-V's smaller footprint, making the choice a direct tradeoff between Subaru’s dependable grit and Honda’s initial savings.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Honda HR-V
The 2026 Honda HR-V wins for commuters due to its lower initial cost of $26,200, saving $3,795 upfront.
2025 Subaru Forester
The 2025 Subaru Forester is better for families, offering a larger 29.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity for gear and luggage.
2025 Subaru Forester
The 2025 Subaru Forester appeals more to driving enthusiasts by providing 180 horsepower and standard All-Wheel Drive capability.
2026 Honda HR-V
The 2026 Honda HR-V offers superior immediate value because of its significantly lower starting MSRP.
Choose the Subaru Forester if...
- You require the confidence of standard All-Wheel Drive for challenging weather or terrain.
- You prioritize a more powerful engine, specifically the 180 horsepower output.
- You need maximum hauling capability, utilizing the Forester's substantial 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space.
Choose the Honda HR-V if...
- Sticking strictly to a budget is paramount, given the $26,200 starting MSRP.
- You prefer a slightly narrower vehicle, as the HR-V measures 72.4 inches wide versus the Forester's 72.0 inches.
- You prioritize the slightly higher highway fuel economy rating of 32 MPG when paired with FWD.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Subaru Forester | Honda HR-V |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 183.3" | 179.8" |
| Width | 72.0" | 72.4" |
| Height | 68.1" | 63.4" |
| Wheelbase | 105.1" | 104.5" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Subaru | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front 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 Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adaptive Headlights | ✓ | — |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags | — | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Subaru | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 2.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | flat 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 180 hp @ 5800 rpm | 158 hp @ 6500 rpm |
| Torque | 178 lb-ft @ 3700 rpm | 138 lb-ft @ 4200 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 | Subaru | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | all wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Center Differential Type | Limited Slip | — |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Subaru | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 26/33 MPG | 26/32 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 29 MPG | 28 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 431.6/547.8 mi. | 364.0/448.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 16.6 gal. | 14.0 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Subaru | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | — |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | — |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Push Button Start | — | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | — | ✓ |
| Single Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Subaru | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 7.0 in | 9.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 4 | 4 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | ✓ | — |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | — |
| Satellite Radio Trial Length | 4 months | — |
| Stereo Power | — | 180W |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Subaru | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 1 |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Subaru | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 41.2 in. | 39.4 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 43.3 in. | 41.9 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.7 in. | 56.6 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.7 in. | 54.0 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 4-way |
Rearseats
| Feature | Subaru | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.6 in. | 38.0 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.4 in. | 37.7 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 56.7 in. | 55.2 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 53.7 in. | 47.4 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Subaru | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Alloy |
| Wheel Size | 17 x 7.0 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 225/60R H | 215/60R H |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 17 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Subaru | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Subaru | Honda |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | — | 1 yr./ 12000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Subaru Forester and 2026 Honda HR-V.
How much more powerful is the 2025 Forester than the 2026 HR-V?
The 2025 Subaru Forester has a distinct advantage in power, delivering 180 horsepower compared to the 2026 Honda HR-V’s 158 horsepower. This 22 hp difference suggests the Forester will offer quicker acceleration when the driver demands performance.
Which crossover is better for saving money initially?
The 2026 Honda HR-V is the clear winner on initial outlay, boasting an MSRP of $26,200. This saves the buyer $3,795 compared to the Forester's starting price of $29,995.
Do both crossovers use the same type of transmission?
Yes, both vehicles utilize a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission for power delivery. However, the drivetrain is vastly different: the Forester features standard All-Wheel Drive, while the HR-V comes standard with Front Wheel Drive.
Is there a noticeable difference in cargo space between these two models?
Absolutely; the 2025 Forester provides significantly more utility with 29.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The 2026 HR-V is more constrained, offering 24.4 cubic feet for gear.
What are the overall fuel economy ratings for these AWD vs. FWD models?
The FWD 2026 HR-V achieves 28 MPG combined (26 City/32 Highway), while the AWD 2025 Forester is slightly more efficient overall at 29 MPG combined (26 City/33 Highway).
How do the exterior dimensions compare for parking or garaging?
The 2026 HR-V is slightly shorter in length at 179.8 inches and noticeably shorter in height at 63.4 inches. The Forester is longer at 183.3 inches and taller at 68.1 inches, suggesting a bulkier presence.
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