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Is the 2023 Honda CR-V the best new compact SUV? U.S. News picks the 2023 Subaru Forester over the CR-V, with a score of 8.2/10 as a better alternative. They also like the 2023 Subaru Outback with a U.S. News Score of 8.1/10.
U.S. News says you should cross-shop the CR-V against other models to ensure you get what you want while maximizing your budget. The CR-V is not the best choice for everyone.
The Subaru Forester is a better choice, says U.S. News.
Why do they give Forester a better score than the Honda CR-V? "Like the CR-V, the Subaru Forester has ample room for passengers and cargo. It's also fuel-efficient for an all-wheel-drive crossover. The best part is its reasonable base price; it will save you $2,000 over the CR-V."
"While the Forester isn't an off-roading star like the Ford Bronco or Jeep Wrangler, it does better than most classmates in hitting the trails. It offers good ground clearance, confident handling, and a pleasant ride."
What is the price of the Forester?
The 2023 Forester comes in six trim levels; The Base Forester starts at $27,620, Premium ($30,620), Sport ($32,190), Limited ($34,300), Wilderness ($35,245), and Touring ($37,720). Pricing includes dealer fees ($1,225).
U.S. News says, "This Subaru compact crossover earns good crash-test ratings and a solid predicted reliability score. Inside, it's well-built and equipped with an intuitive touch screen. Several safety features are also standard."
What is Subaru EyeSight?
The EyeSight suite of safety tech is upgraded on the Forester Premium trim with the option package and all higher trim levels. In addition, the next-generation EyeSight includes automatic emergency steering. Subaru says the feature works with pre-collision braking to assist with steering control to help avoid a collision at speeds less than 50 mph.
The new generation EyeSight includes forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with a complete stop, lane departure warning, lead vehicle start alert, rear vehicle detection, blind-spot detection, lane change assist, and a rear cross-traffic alert.
Cargo Volume
Among compact SUVs recommended by Consumer Reports, the Forester now ranks fifth best overall in cargo space. CR says, "Given its boxy shape, there should be no surprise that the cargo room is impressive: we measured 36.5 cubic feet of space."
What sets the Forester apart from the competition?
The significant difference between the Forester and the 2-Row SUV competition is that it comes standard with all-wheel-drive and X-Mode. As a result, you won't pay extra for the all-weather, all-terrain features on the Forester. In addition, Forester has 8.7 inches of ground clearance, gets the highest IIHS safety scores, it's fuel-efficient, and is fun to drive.
What is the Forester fuel mileage?
The 2023 Subaru Forester compact SUV has standard all-wheel drive and an EPA-estimated 29 combined mpg and 26/33 city/highway mpg. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder Boxer engine powers the Forester.
What are Forester's safety scores?
The Subaru Forester has been a safety leader in its segment. The Forester 2-Row compact SUV has been a Top Safety Pick+ winner for 16 consecutive years. In addition, all 2023 Forester trim levels come standard with the automaker's EyeSight driver-assist safety technology.
The Subaru Outback is a better choice, says U.S. News.
"The Subaru Outback wagon is one of only four vehicles on this list that's not a compact SUV, though it competes with them. Subaru's Outback has plenty of cargo room and stretch-out space for five passengers. It comes standard with all-wheel drive, delivers a supple ride, and can handle some light off-roading. The base engine isn't going to wow you, but there's a potent turbocharged option available."
"Inside, the Outback is rugged and well-built. The standard infotainment system has dual 7-inch touch screens, and you can upgrade to a setup whose touch screen measures 11.6 inches. In addition, this Subaru has several advanced driver-assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist."
What is the price of the Outback?
What is the price of the 2023 Subaru Outback with the 2.5-liter engine? The 2023 Outback comes in five trim levels for U.S. customers with the 2.5-liter engine. The base trim is priced from $29,620, Premium ($31,920), new Onyx Edition with a 2.5-liter engine ($34,720), Limited ($36,520), Touring ($41,070). Pricing includes $1,225 destination and delivery fees.
What is the price of the 2023 Subaru Outback with the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine?
The 2023 Outback comes in four trim levels for U.S. customers with the 2.4-liter turbocharged engine. The Outback Wilderness is priced from $39,670, Onyx Edition XT ($39,820), Limited XT ($40,920), and Touring XT ($43,520). Pricing includes $1,225 destination and delivery fees.
Should you wait for the 2024 Outback?
New SUV shoppers who can wait can get the upgraded 2024 Subaru Outback. For the 2024 Outback model change, the midsize SUV gets further improvements like upgraded LED dome and cargo lights; a 360-degree heated steering wheel is now standard on more trim levels, including Wilderness and other Onyx Edition trim upgrades. You can check out the 2024 Outback pricing and model guide here.
What is the price of the 2024 Subaru Outback?
The Base is priced at $30,190, Premium ($32,490), Onyx Edition ($37,400), Limited ($37,090), Touring ($41,640), Onyx Edition XT ($40,655), Wilderness ($41,255), Limited XT ($41,490), and Touring XT ($44,090). In addition, destination and delivery fees are included in the price above ($1,295).
What sets the Outback apart from the competition?
What sets the Outback apart from other midsize SUVs? All Outback midsize SUV trim levels ride higher with extra ground clearance than most family haulers. The Outback has 8.7 inches of ground clearance, Subaru's Symmetrical all-wheel-drive is standard on all trims, and X-Mode for all-terrain performance comes on all models. The Outback also gets the highest safety scores from the IIHS.
If you're shopping for a 2023 Honda CR-V, there are many other small SUVs you should consider. U.S. News says the 2023 Subaru Forester and 2023 Subaru Outback are among the best alternatives for new compact SUV shoppers this year.
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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report, where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Thank you for your helpful comments. I have been a Subaru Forester owner since 2005. As my current 2009 model, with 139,000 miles has been estimated to need $5,000. in repairs, I am opting to purchase a new car. It seems that there is not a Subaru Forester hybrid in the US, so I must choose between a Forester and a Honda CR-V hybrid. Can you tell me, if you were purchasing a new car, would you purchase a 2023 or 2024, and would it be a Subaru or a Honda, and, which year/model... and why.... and how much it should cost... I hope that I am not asking too much. If so, I apologize for any inconvenience, and I understand. I was caught off guard and am kind of scrambling to figure out what to do. Thank you very much for any advice that you might have.