Compare the2023 Subaru OutbackVS 2022 Honda CR-V

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

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Outback have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Honda CR-V doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Outback are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The CR-V doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Subaru Outback has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The CR-V doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Outback (except Base/Premium) offers optional Reverse Automatic Braking that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The CR-V doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

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 Premium/Limited/Wilderness/Touring/Onyx has standard STARLINK Safety and Security, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The CR-V doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Outback and the CR-V have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru Outback is safer than the Honda CR-V:

	Outback	CR-V
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	26%	27%
Neck Compression	57 lbs.	70 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	241	309
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Stress	147 lbs.	160 lbs.
Neck Compression	51 lbs.	96 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	161/137 lbs.	276/243 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Subaru Outback is safer than the Honda CR-V:

	Outback	CR-V
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	28	71
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.6 inches
Abdominal Force	101 lbs.	142 lbs.
Hip Force	247 lbs.	310 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	116	143
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	146	386

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

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 4180-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	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	69	151
Neck Tension	156 lbs.	290 lbs.
Neck Compression	45 lbs.	67 lbs.
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	1.81 in	1.85 in
Torso Max Deflection	1.42 in	1.69 in
Torso Deflection Rate	9 MPH	11 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	848 lbs.	1004 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Outback its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The CR-V was last a “Top Safety Pick Plus” in 2019 but no longer qualifies.

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.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Honda With 4 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher than Honda.

Engine

The Outback XT/Wilderness’ standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 70 more horsepower (260 vs. 190) and 98 lbs.-ft. more torque (277 vs. 179) than the CR-V’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Outback XT/Wilderness 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Honda CR-V:

	Outback	CR-V
Zero to 30 MPH	2.5 sec	3.1 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	5.9 sec	8.6 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	9.9 sec	14.7 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	2.8 sec	4.4 sec
Quarter Mile	14.6 sec	16.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	95.9 MPH	84.9 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

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Outback uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CR-V requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Outback has 4.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the CR-V (18.5 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.

Tires and Wheels

The Outback Wilderness/Onyx XT 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 limits mileage and speed before replacement.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Outback’s wheelbase is 3.4 inches longer than on the CR-V AWD (108.1 inches vs. 104.7 inches).

The Outback Wilderness executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the CR-V Touring (27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Outback’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the CR-V’s (36.1 feet vs. 37.4 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).

Passenger Space

The Outback has 3.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CR-V (109 vs. 105.9).

The Outback has 1.5 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front hip room, .2 inches more front shoulder room, 5.3 inches more rear hip room and 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the CR-V.

Cargo Capacity

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”/75”	37.5”/71”
Max Width	51”	54”
Min Width	43.3”	41.5”
Height	32.1”	41”

Towing

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

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.

Ergonomics

The Outback’s standard front power windows 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. The Outback Limited/Wilderness/Touring/Onyx Edition’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches. With the CR-V SE/EX/EX-L/Touring’s power windows, only the front windows 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 available exterior PIN entry system (not available on Outback Base). The CR-V doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Outback’s variable intermittent wipers have an adjustable delay to allow the driver to choose a setting that best clears the windshield during light rain or mist. The CR-V LX’s standard fixed intermittent wipers only have one fixed delay setting, so the driver will have to manually switch them between slow and intermittent.

The Outback’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the CR-V’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen.

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.

When the Outback Limited/Touring is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The CR-V’s mirrors don’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 Outback and the CR-V offer available heated front seats. The Outback Limited/Touring/Onyx XT/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.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Outback Touring 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.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Outback owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Outback with a number “5” insurance rate while the CR-V is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Outback is less expensive to operate than the CR-V because typical repairs cost much less on the Outback than the CR-V, including $128 less for a muffler, $172 less for a starter, $130 less for fuel injection, $49 less for a fuel pump and $276 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

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