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 $40,850 drive-away
SUV
1.5L Turbo Petrol
140kW
7.4L/100km
4★ ANCAP (2024)
589L
Subaru Forester AWD
From $43,490 (RRP)
SUV
2.5L Boxer Petrol
136kW
7.9L/100km
5★ ANCAP (2024)
496L
Price Breakdown
Check the basis before you compare these. The CR-V VTi L AWD is $40,850 drive-away, with rego, stamp duty and CTP included. The Forester AWD is $43,490 recommended retail before on-road costs, so add roughly $4,000 to get it on the road in VIC. Level those up and the Honda is around $6,650 cheaper registered. They share a five-year unlimited-kilometre warranty.
At 15,000km a year and $1.90 a litre: the CR-V costs about $41 a week in fuel ($2,109 a year), the Forester about $43 ($2,252). The Honda saves $143 a year, or $715 over five years. Small, but it points the same way as the purchase price.
5-Year Cost Estimate
| Cost | CR-V VTi L AWD | Forester AWD |
|---|---|---|
| Drive-away (VIC) | $40,850 (quoted) | ~$47,500 (est. from $43,490 RRP) |
| 5yr Fuel (est.) | $10,545 | $11,258 |
| 5yr Insurance (est.) | $7,800 | $7,500 |
| 5yr Servicing (est.) | $2,800 | $3,000 |
| Resale (est. 5yr, 48%/50%) | -$19,608 | -$21,745 |
| True 5yr Cost | $42,387 | $47,513 |
That is roughly a $5,100 advantage to the CR-V over five years, and almost all of it is the purchase price. This used to be a coin flip; it is not any more. Use our depreciation calculator to check against your own circumstances.
Estimates based on CarSorted calculations. Actual costs vary.
Safety Rundown
They are not level on published ratings, and it is the Subaru that comes out ahead. Both were assessed in 2024 under the same protocols: the Forester scored five stars, the CR-V four. If you have read that both are five-star cars, including in an earlier version of this page, that was wrong. On equipment both list AEB, blind-spot monitoring, lane keep and adaptive cruise; Honda adds a LaneWatch camera on some trims and Subaru uses its EyeSight dual-camera system. The Forester's large glass area is a visibility advantage ANCAP does not score. Compare them on CarSorted.
Feature Showdown
The CR-V VTi L gets a 9-inch screen, wireless Apple CarPlay, heated front seats and Honda's clean dash layout. The Forester AWD gets an 8-inch screen, wired Apple CarPlay at this grade, and Subaru's EyeSight dual-camera system. On paper the CR-V has more tech; the Forester has the larger glass area and the better view out.
CarSorted Data Insight
Based on CarSorted's database of Australian vehicles: the CR-V and Forester are two of a small group of non-luxury AWD SUVs available around $45,000. The CR-V's 589-litre boot is one of the largest of any AWD SUV at this money in our database. The Forester's 220mm ground clearance and 1,800kg tow rating are among the highest in the group.
Both brands offer a hybrid step up. The Forester AWD Hybrid at $46,490 RRP drops consumption from 7.9L to 6.2L/100km, saving about $485 a year, so at $3,000 over the base petrol it pays for itself in roughly six years. Honda's CR-V e:HEV RS is $51,400 drive-away and drops to 5.5L/100km, but it is a much bigger step up in price and is front-drive only.
The Verdict
Buy the CR-V if: you want the bigger boot (589L), more power (140kW), quicker acceleration (8.2s against 11.2s), better fuel economy, and roughly $6,650 less to pay once it is registered. The practical, cheaper choice.
Buy the Forester if: you want the five-star ANCAP rating rather than four, permanent symmetrical AWD, 1,800kg of braked towing, 220mm of ground clearance and the better view out. The outdoor-lifestyle choice, and the safer one on paper.
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
These are not the same price any more, and not for the reason you would guess. Honda quotes the CR-V VTi L AWD at $40,850 drive-away; Subaru quotes the Forester AWD at $43,490 before on-road costs, which lands somewhere near $47,500 registered. So the Honda is roughly $6,650 cheaper on the road, not $410. It also has 93 litres more boot (589L vs 496L), 4kW more power, better fuel economy and a three-second advantage on the claimed 0-100. The Forester's answer has got stronger too: it holds a five-star ANCAP rating from 2024 where the CR-V holds four, it tows 1,800kg braked against 1,500, it has 7Nm more torque, 12mm more ground clearance and permanently engaged symmetrical AWD rather than Honda's on-demand system. The CR-V is the better buy on cost and cargo. The Forester is the one to have if you tow, drive on dirt, or want the better crash rating.
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. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Published by CarSorted Editorial Team · 5 April 2026
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