Honda CR-V vs Subaru Forester
$43,900 vs $43,490. $410 apart. Two very different approaches to the same job.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Honda CR-V VTi L AWD
From $43,900
SUV
1.5L Turbo Petrol
140kW
7.4L/100km
5★ ANCAP
561L
Subaru Forester AWD
From $43,490
SUV
2.5L Boxer Petrol
136kW
7.9L/100km
5★ ANCAP
520L
Price Breakdown
$410 apart. CR-V VTi L AWD at $43,900. Forester AWD at $43,490. Effectively the same price. Same warranty (5yr, unlimited km). Same towing (1,500kg).
At 15,000km/year and $1.90/L: CR-V costs $41/week in fuel ($2,109/year). Forester costs $43/week ($2,252/year). CR-V saves $143/year, $715 over 5 years.
5-Year Cost Estimate
| Cost | CR-V VTi L AWD | Forester AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Driveaway (est. VIC) | ~$48,500 | ~$48,000 |
| 5yr Fuel | $10,545 | $11,258 |
| 5yr Insurance | $7,800 | $7,500 |
| 5yr Servicing | $2,800 | $3,000 |
| Resale (est. 5yr, 48%/50%) | -$21,072 | -$21,745 |
| True 5yr Cost | $48,573 | $48,013 |
Near-identical 5-year cost. $560 difference. This is genuinely a coin flip on ownership economics. Use our depreciation calculator to check with your circumstances.
Estimates based on CarSorted calculations. Actual costs vary.
Safety Rundown
Both 5-star ANCAP. The CR-V was tested in 2023 under more recent protocols. Both have AEB, blind spot monitoring, lane keep, adaptive cruise. Honda adds LaneWatch camera on some trims. Subaru's EyeSight system is excellent for highway driving. The Forester's massive windows are a passive safety feature that ANCAP doesn't measure but drivers notice. Compare on CarSorted.
Feature Showdown
The CR-V VTi L gets a 9-inch screen, wireless Apple CarPlay, heated front seats, and Honda's clean interior design. The Forester AWD gets an 8-inch screen, Apple CarPlay (wired at base), and Subaru's EyeSight dual-camera system. The CR-V has more tech. The Forester has better outward visibility than any SUV on sale.
CarSorted Data Insight
Based on CarSorted's database of 1,041 Australian vehicles: the CR-V and Forester are two of only 11 non-luxury SUVs with AWD under $45,000. The CR-V's 561L boot is the largest of any AWD SUV under $45,000 in our database. The Forester's 220mm ground clearance is the highest in this group.
The Forester Hybrid variant ($46,490) drops fuel consumption from 7.9L to 6.2L/100km, saving $485/year. At $3,000 more than the base, it pays for itself in fuel within 6 years. The CR-V e:HEV Hybrid ($54,900) drops to 5.6L but costs $11,000 more, which takes much longer to recoup.
The Verdict
Buy the CR-V if: you want the biggest boot (561L), more power (140kW), quicker acceleration (8.2s vs 11.2s), and better fuel economy (7.4L). The practical choice.
Buy the Forester if: you value permanent AWD, class-leading visibility, 220mm ground clearance, and a dog-friendly low boot lip. The outdoor lifestyle choice.
Compare both on CarSorted. See also: Forester vs RAV4 and best AWD cars ranked.
Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices excluding on-road costs. Correct at time of publishing. Verify with your dealer.
The Verdict
Same price, but the CR-V wins on specs. More boot (561L vs 520L), more power (140kW vs 136kW), better fuel economy (7.4L vs 7.9L), and dramatically quicker (8.2s vs 11.2s to 100). The Forester wins on ground clearance (220mm vs 208mm), visibility (class-leading windows), and permanent AWD vs Honda's on-demand system. Buy the CR-V for more space and better performance. Buy the Forester for off-road confidence and the best visibility of any SUV.
Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (5 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. All opinions are editorial and independent. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Published by CarSorted Editorial Team · 5 April 2026
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