If your love of nature coincides with a desire to drive a greener SUV, our Subaru Forester Hybrid vs. Honda CR-V Hybrid comparison can help you find a dynamic off-road partner. While both vehicles are similarly powerful, we recommend that true adventurers focus on the new-for-2025 Subaru model, which helps you conquer unfamiliar terrain better with its superior ground clearance and Symmetrical AWD system. Several different Subaru Forester Hybrid trims can be found at Hughes Subaru.
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| 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid | 2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid | |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl w/ motor | Engine | 2.0L 4-cyl w/ motors |
| 194 | Horsepower | 204 |
| Symmetrical AWD | Drivetrain | FWD or AWD |
| Lineartronic® CVT w/ 6-speed hybrid-type manual mode | Transmission | e-CVT with B-Range Shift and Deceleration Selectors |
| 35 / 34 (Cty / Hwy)6 | MPG w/ AWD | 40 / 34 (Cty / Hwy)7 |
| 16.6 gal | Fuel Tank Size | 14 |
| 581 miles3 | Range w/ AWD | 518 miles3 |
| 1,500 lbs1 | Towing | 1,000 lbs2 |
| 5 | # of Seats | 5 |
| 183.3 / 72 / 68.1 in | Exterior Dimensions (L / W / H) | 184.8 / 73.5 / 66.2-66.5 in |
| 8.7 in | Ground Clearance | 7.8-8.2 in |
| 3873 - 3,946 lbs | Weight | 3,752 - 3,926 lbs |
| 69.1 cu ft | Max Cargo Space | 76.5 cu ft |
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Standard Exterior Features |
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Standard Interior Features |
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| 2025 Subaru Forester | Used Honda CR-V |
The Subaru Forester Hybrid is a cohesively designed vehicle that's built to handle a challenge. It's not quite as rugged as the Subaru Forester Wilderness, but it has some off-roading advantages over its other sibling vehicles, as you can see from our Subaru Forester vs. Outback review.
Most of all, it's versatile. Its perfected drivetrain, X-Mode for dealing with low-traction surfaces, and Active Torque Vectoring technology – which gives you higher cornering limits when turning – grants drivers incredible fuel efficiency on the highway and great grip on icy or steep ground.
The Honda CR-V Hybrid is a sporty SUV that enjoys road trips that stay firmly on the road and only occasionally wander onto trails. Its standard front-wheel-drive system is efficient and can handle Georgia's typically mild weather, but those who know how precarious driving in the state's occasional winter weather can be will likely want to pay the extra cost for AWD.
That being said, the Honda AWD drivetrain is built as an extension of the FWD system and doesn't provide the same take-charge performance as Subaru Symmetrical AWD.
These SUVs embrace hybrid technology to allow you to go further on less gas than traditional powertrains. Utilizing a hybrid system means your vehicle will release fewer emissions, and unlike plug-in hybrids, these Honda and Subaru models don't need to be plugged in to charge their battery systems.
Both AWD models have the same 34 MPG rating on the highway,6,7 where you can also make use of their standard Adaptive Cruise Control systems. While the Honda CR-V Hybrid wins a point for better city fuel efficiency, its much smaller gas tank requires you to stop to fill up more often, meaning steadier interruptions to your regular commute.
The slightly smaller Subaru Forester Hybrid is more maneuverable while at the same time offering a more spacious front row for drivers. It has 43.3 inches of front-seat legroom – 2 inches more than the competition – and nearly the same advantage when it comes to headroom.
The Honda CR-Hybrid advertises a larger amount of maximum cargo room. However, this evaluation takes into account the floor area between seats. The Subaru Forester Hybrid has an additional 500 pounds of maximum towing capacity1,2 and standard raised roof rails with integrated tie-down points allow you to load cargo on top of the SUV, too.
When you stop by Hughes Subaru, you can tour any of the following Subaru Forester Hybrid trims:
The Honda CR-V Hybrid has almost as many offerings:
Both of these vehicles prioritize driver comfort and convenience with standard heated front seats and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat. However, the Subaru model has a particular emphasis on technology, presenting you with a 12.3-inch configurable fully-digital instrument cluster and a SUBARU STARLINK 11.6-inch Multimedia Navigation display on all trims.
The Honda CR-V Hybrid has a much smaller standard 7-inch color touchscreen and 7-inch digital instrument cluster. While upper-level trims get upgraded to a 9-inch color touchscreen, the digital instrument cluster remains the same across all tiers.
The IIHS has given their stamp of approval to both the 2025 Subaru Forester for sale and the Honda CR-V by naming them Top Safety Picks for 2025.8 In addition, Subaru EyeSight and Honda Sensing driver-assistance technologies are comprehensive and intuitive. However, we recommend touring these vehicles for yourself to see which system makes the most sense for how you drive.
A large part of safety is reliability. In Predicted Reliability, the Honda CR-V Hybrid received a 55/100 from Consumer Reports.5 The brand-new Subaru Forester Hybrid has not received an evaluation yet, but non-hybrid options have, earning a stellar 98/100.9
Whether you're interested in a Subaru Forester lease or financing opportunity, we're excited to welcome you to our showroom. We can also help you compare this challenge-ready SUV against other hybrids or off-roaders so you can make sure you're getting the right road trip partner for you.
1Maximum towing capacity varies by trim level. Trailer brakes may be needed. See your retailer for details.
2Towing requires accessory towing equipment. Please see your Honda dealer for details.
3EPA estimate. For more information, please visit the official U.S. government source for all fuel economy at www.fueleconomy.gov
4Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, visit https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/subaru/forester-hybrid/2025/overview/#pagestop
5Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, visit https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/honda/cr-v-hybrid/2025/overview/
6EPA fuel economy estimates. Actual mileage will vary with driving conditions and your vehicle’s condition.
7Based on 2025 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, and other factors.
8Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this award, visit www.iihs.org
9Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, visit https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/subaru/forester-hybrid/2025/reliability/#pagestop
