2011 Subaru Forester vs. 2011 Honda CR-V

When it comes to choosing a compact SUV for you and your family  the 2011 Subaru Forester and 2011 Honda CR-V are excellent choices. The  Subaru Forester has a starting price of $20,495, while the CR-V starts at  $21,895. Both vehicles offer plenty of value for your money, but only one  offers symmetrical AWD and an efficient Boxer engine  as a standard feature.

Safety

Once you get past the fact that compact SUV competitors are offering 11-cup  holders and rear seat DVD players to entice new customers, you will realize  that your vehicles safety is the most important feature. Both the 2011 Forester  and 2011 Honda CR-V have good safety ratings, but the Forester offers symmetrical  AWD as a standard feature and has a good rating for roof crush tests, while  the CR-V scored marginal. Watch the video above and see just why Subaru's  AWD system is superior to Honda's. Did you notice the CR-V lose control  when shifting lanes quickly? That is because the part-time AWD system offered  as an option does not give the driver full control of the vehicle. What  vehicle would you rather drive your children in, the one that handles well  or the one that slides during a quick turn?

How Subaru Safety Compares to Competitors
Key: Good Good Acceptable Acceptable Marginal Marginal Poor Poor

Small SUVs

Midsized Moderately Priced Cars
Model Front Side Rollover Rear Model Front Side Rollover Rear
2011 Subaru Forester 2011 Subaru Legacy
2011 Toyota RAV4 2011 Subaru Outback
2011 Honda CR-V 2011Toyota Camry
2011 Nissan Rogue 2011 Nissan Altima
2011 Kia Sportage2011 Mazda 6

Small Cars

Midsize SUVs
Model Front Side Rollover Rear Model Front Side Rollover Rear
2011 Subaru Impreza sedan and wagon 2011 Subaru Tribeca
2011 Toyota Corolla 2011 Honda Pilot
2011 Honda Civic 2011 Nissan Murano
2011 Mazda 3 2011 Mazda CX-9
2011 Ford Focus 2011 Toyota Venza



Engine - Why Design Matters

You might be thinking the most important aspect of a new car is the design  and interior amenities, Subaru has you covered, but the most important feature  is the engine design. Subaru's flat style Boxer Engine works similar  to two boxers punching, the pistons cancel each other out. This creates  for greater torque (power sent to the wheels from the engine), reduced vibration  and reduced engine wear and tear for extended engine life. While the CR-V's  engine is fuel efficient, it does not transmit nearly the same amount of  torque, which reduces its ability to handle in tight situations and towing  capacity. The turning radius of the CR-V is also much more than the Forester,  which lets Forester drivers maneuver out of tight situations much easier  than CR-V drivers.

Cost and Pricing - Don't Pay Extra for Safety

The price of a new car is almost never, what the MSRP is on the retail site. You have to factor in destination charges, options and taxes. The Forester has a lower destination fee than the Honda CR-V and comes equipped with AWD as a standard feature. In order to get AWD on the CR-V you need to pay an additional $1,300. Why should you have to pay extra for a life saving safety feature? Did we mention that the Forester comes in at $1,300 less than the CR-V before the AWD option is added? That means if you want a similarly equipped CR-V you will pay almost $2,600 more than for the Forester.

Miscellaneous - Why Forester is the Better Choice


  • Forester offers free roadside assistance for 3 years 36,000 miles, which helps you if you run out of gas, need a jump start, lock your keys in your car, or need any form of assistance on the road. Honda does not offer this service
  • Forester offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, fuel economy and control, while the Honda CR-V does not
  • The Forester has a stopping distance of over 20 feet shorter than the CR-V
  • The Forester has a towing capacity of 2400 pounds vs. the CR-V's 1500 pounds
  • Forester was rated as a "Top Pick" by the Consumer Reports, based on the reliability, safety and performance, while the CR-V isn't recommended