Compare the2026 Subaru OutbackVS 2026 Honda CR-V

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Outback has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The CR-V doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

With its standard EyeSight, the Subaru Outback is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Honda CR-V, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Outback	CR-V
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	-10 MPH
25 MPH	AVOIDED	-18 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	No Slowing
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-17 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	-8 MPH	No Slowing
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-33 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	3.1 sec	2.4 sec
37 MPH Low beams	-11 MPH	No Slowing
Warning Issued-Low beams	3 sec	No Warning

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Subaru Outback achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Honda CR-V which scored only an “Acceptable” in these critical safety features.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Outback. But it costs extra on the CR-V.

The Outback (except Premium/Limited 2.5) offers an optional 360-Degree Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The CR-V only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The Subaru Outback’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Honda CR-V does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Outback has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the CR-V EX/Hybrid offers Cross Traffic Monitor.

Both the Outback and the CR-V have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and driver alert monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Outback is much safer than the CR-V:

	Outback	CR-V
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	MARGINAL
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	POOR

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4189-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Subaru Outback is safer than the CR-V:

	Outback	CR-V
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	87	138
Neck Tension	134 lbs.	178 lbs.
Neck Compression	22 lbs.	45 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.63 in	.91 in
Torso Max Deflection	.75 in	1.3 in
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	7 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	513 lbs.	1093 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Torso Max Deflection	.98 in	1.06 in
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	7 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	469 lbs.	759 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Subaru Outback has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2026 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test, and a “Good” score in the revised vehicle-to-vehicle crash prevention test. The CR-V is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2026.

Reliability

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Outback has a standard 620-amp battery. The CR-V’s 410-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru second in overall reliability. Honda is ranked fourth.

Engine

The Outback XT/Wilderness’ standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 56 more horsepower (260 vs. 204) and 30 lbs.-ft. more torque (277 vs. 247) than the CR-V Hybrid’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Outback XT/Wilderness 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the CR-V Hybrid 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid:

	Outback	CR-V
Zero to 60 MPH	6 sec	7.9 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	15.6 sec	24.7 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.8 sec	8 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	4.8 sec	5.2 sec
Quarter Mile	14.6 sec	16.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	97 MPH	85 MPH
Top Speed	116 MPH	111 MPH

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Outback lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability (That’s why Porsche uses boxer engines.). The CR-V doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

Both the Outback and the CR-V have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Outback’s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily. The CR-V Hybrid doesn’t offer a way to disable start/stop.

The Outback has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the CR-V (18 vs. 14 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

The Outback’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the CR-V are solid, not vented.

The Outback stops much shorter than the CR-V:

	Outback	CR-V
70 to 0 MPH	174 feet	182 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	114 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The Outback Wilderness has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the CR-V; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which has mileage and speed limitations, or roadside assistance and a tow-truck.

Suspension and Handling

The Outback offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The CR-V’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Outback’s wheelbase is 1.8 inches longer than on the CR-V (108.1 inches vs. 106.3 inches).

The Outback Touring XT handles at .82 G’s, while the CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Outback Touring XT executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.1 seconds quicker than the CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid (27.2 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 29.3 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Outback’s turning circle is .5 feet tighter than the CR-V Hybrid’s (36.5 feet vs. 37 feet). The Outback’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the CR-V 1.5T’s (36.5 feet vs. 37.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Outback has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CR-V (8.7 vs. 8.2 inches), allowing the Outback to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Outback Wilderness’ minimum ground clearance is 1.3 inches higher than on the CR-V (9.5 vs. 8.2 inches).

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Outback Touring XT is quieter than the CR-V EX-L AWD:

	Outback	CR-V
At idle	38 dB	38 dB
Full-Throttle	71 dB	74 dB
70 MPH Cruising	68 dB	69 dB

Passenger Space

The Outback has 6.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CR-V (112.3 vs. 106).

The Outback has 1 inch more front headroom, 1.7 inches more front legroom, 2.3 inches more rear headroom, 2.5 inches more rear hip room and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the CR-V.

Cargo Capacity

The Outback has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CR-V with its rear seat folded (80.5 vs. 76.5 cubic feet).

The Outback’s cargo area is larger than the CR-V’s in almost every dimension:

	Outback	CR-V
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	42.8”/75.9”	36.6”/74.7”
Min Width	43.3”	41.5”
Height	34.1”	36.5”

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Outback’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The CR-V doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The Outback’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the CR-V’s (2700 vs. 1000 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Honda CR-V is only 1500 pounds. The Outback offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Outback uses the Vehicle Dynamics Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The CR-V doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Outback is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the CR-V. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Honda. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 15% lower rating, Honda is ranked 7th.

Ergonomics

The Outback’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The CR-V’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Outback’s exterior PIN entry system. The CR-V doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Outback’s standard Keyless Access and Start allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the CR-V only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Pushbutton Start is not available on the CR-V EX/EX-L/Sport/TrailSport/Sport-L/Sport Touring.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Outback has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The CR-V doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Outback to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The CR-V doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Outback’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Honda only offers heated mirrors on the CR-V EX/EX-L/Sport/TrailSport/Sport-L/Sport Touring.

When the Outback with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The CR-V’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Outback’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The CR-V offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Subaru Outback and Honda CR-V offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Outback offers optional power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the CR-V’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The Outback has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the CR-V EX/Sport. The Outback Limited/Touring/Wilderness also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the CR-V.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Outback keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The CR-V doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Compared to the Honda CR-V, the Subaru Outback eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

Compared to traditional radio, the Subaru Outback’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the CR-V EX-L/Sport-L/Sport Touring.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Subaru Outback and the Honda CR-V, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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