2026 Honda HR-V vs 2026 Subaru Forester

$26,200 · Crossover

$29,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant initial difference between the 2026 Honda HR-V and the 2026 Subaru Forester is the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), with the Forester costing $3,795 more at $29,995 compared to the HR-V's $26,200. This price gap buys the Forester 22 more horsepower (180 hp vs. 158 hp) and significantly more utility, boasting 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space versus the HR-V's 24.4 cu ft. While the Forester is slightly taller at 68.1 inches, aiding visibility, the HR-V maintains a marginal edge in highway fuel economy (32 MPG vs. 33 MPG for the Forester). Both vehicles utilize a continuously variable automatic transmission, but the Forester includes standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD) against the HR-V's standard Front-Wheel Drive (FWD). Performance metrics favor the Forester, which offers 178 lb-ft of torque compared to the HR-V's 138 lb-ft.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Honda HR-V

The HR-V (car1) is the preferred choice for daily commuting due to its lower $26,200 MSRP and lower operational costs associated with FWD.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester (car2) offers superior family utility with substantially more cargo capacity at 29.6 cubic feet and standard AWD capability.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Subaru Forester

Enthusiasts will favor the Forester (car2) because it provides 180 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque, significantly outperforming the HR-V's power figures.

💰 Best Value

2026 Honda HR-V

The Honda HR-V (car1) provides a lower entry price point, costing $3,795 less than the Forester for a segment-competitive package.

Choose the Honda HR-V if...

Your primary concern is minimizing the initial purchase price, as the HR-V starts at $26,200.
You prioritize maximizing highway fuel efficiency, achieving 32 MPG compared to the Forester's 33 MPG (noting the HR-V offers 26 MPG city vs 26 MPG city for the Forester, but the difference is marginal).
Standard FWD configuration is sufficient for your driving requirements, negating the need for AWD.

Choose the Subaru Forester if...

You require superior load-carrying capability, evidenced by the Forester's 29.6 cu ft cargo volume.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) is a mandatory feature for handling varied or inclement road conditions.
Higher power output (180 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque) is necessary for better acceleration response.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Honda HR-V	Subaru Forester
Length	179.8"	183.3"
Width	72.4"	72.0"
Height	63.4"	68.1"
Wheelbase	104.5"	105.1"

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	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Honda	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	flat 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	158 hp @ 6500 rpm	180 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	138 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm	178 lb-ft @ 3700 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)	26/32 MPG	26/33 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	28 MPG	29 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	364.0/448.0 mi.	431.6/547.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.0 gal.	16.6 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	✓	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	✓	—
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Honda	Subaru
Infotainment Display	9.0 in	7.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	180W	—
Speaker System	4	4
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Length	—	4 months

Power Feature

Feature	Honda	Subaru
One-Touch Power Windows	1	1
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Honda	Subaru
Front Head Room	39.4 in.	41.2 in.
Front Leg Room	41.9 in.	43.3 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.6 in.	57.7 in.
Front Hip Room	54.0 in.	54.7 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	Honda	Subaru
Rear Head Room	38.0 in.	39.6 in.
Rear Leg Room	37.7 in.	39.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.2 in.	56.7 in.
Rear Hip Room	47.4 in.	53.7 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Honda	Subaru
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	Painted Alloy
Wheel Diameter	17 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	215/60R H	225/60R H
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Size	—	17 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.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	1 yr./ 12000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2026 Honda HR-V and 2026 Subaru Forester.

What is the real-world difference in power output between the 2026 HR-V and Forester?

The 2026 Subaru Forester generates 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. Conversely, the 2026 Honda HR-V produces 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque, resulting in a 22 hp and 40 lb-ft difference favoring the Forester.

How much more cargo space does the Forester offer over the HR-V?

The Subaru Forester provides 29.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity. This is a substantial advantage over the Honda HR-V's 24.4 cubic feet, offering nearly 5 extra cubic feet for gear.

Does the $3,795 MSRP difference reflect significant drivetrain advantages?

Yes, the $3,795 higher price for the Forester includes standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD), whereas the base HR-V is equipped with Front-Wheel Drive (FWD), a major functional differentiator.

Are there notable differences in exterior dimensions between these crossovers?

The Forester is visibly larger, measuring 183.3 inches in length versus the HR-V's 179.8 inches, and it is significantly taller at 68.1 inches compared to the HR-V's 63.4 inches.

How do the fuel economy figures compare for these two small crossovers?

Fuel economy is nearly identical, with the Forester achieving 29 combined MPG (26/33) and the HR-V achieving 28 combined MPG (26/32), both running on regular unleaded gasoline.