Head To Head Honda CR-V Vs. Subaru Outback - One New SUV Falls Far Short

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Should you buy the 2023 Honda CR-V or the 2024 Subaru Outback? U.S. News says one new midsize Crossover/SUV falls short.

What is the best midsize SUV, the 2023 Honda CR-V or the 2024 Subaru Outback? A recent report from U.S. News says each vehicle offers the space and comfort you need for daily drives and highway trips. Still, the 2023 Honda CR-V edges out the Outback by providing better fuel economy, more cargo volume, and better interior feel and features. 

U.S. News puts Outback in the wagon category, not the SUV segment. They say, "Wagon aficionados will still find value in the 2024 Subaru Outback, however, especially if they opt for the more powerful turbocharged engine."

The Honda CR-V received a complete redesign in 2023. The Subaru Outback had refreshed styling following the 2023 model year and gets new upgrades for the 2024 models.

Related Stories: The 2024 Subaru Outback Pricing, Model Guide, And Its Most Significant New Upgrade

The All-New 2024 Subaru Outback Wilderness Trim, Pricing And Model Guide

Here are the ten categories where the Honda CR-V and Subaru Outback go head to head. The CR-V wins seven categories, they tie one, and the Outback only is the best in two. 

2023 Honda CR-V vs. 2024 Subaru Outback

Price: 2023 Honda CR-V

Reliability: 2023 Honda CR-V

Seat Comfort: Tie

Cargo Space: 2023 Honda CR-V

Interior Quality: 2023 Honda CR-V

Interior Features: 2023 Honda CR-V

Acceleration: 2023 Honda CR-V

Fuel Economy: 2023 Honda CR-V

Ride and Handling: 2024 Subaru Outback

Safety: 2024 Subaru Outback

Winner: 2023 Honda CR-V

The 2024 Subaru Outback wins in only two categories, Ride and Handling and Safety. 

Outback Ride and Handling

The Subaru Outback has more ground clearance than the CR-V (8.7 inches), but it rides on the same platform as the 2024 Subaru Legacy midsize sedan and has a car-like ride quality. The Outback Wilderness has even more trail-riding ground clearance (9.4 inches). 

Outback Safety

U.S. News says, "Regarding safety ratings and features, the 2024 Subaru Outback has a better resume, starting with a longer list of standard and optional safety features for the vehicle. Features like pedestrian detection and adaptive headlights are standard for the Outback and absent for the CR-V."

Check Out These Related Stories: 

The Subaru Outback Is The Best Midsize Car In New IIHS Side Crash Test

Subaru's Best Safety Value - 2022 Outback Outscores Forester, Ascent, Crosstrek

IIHS Says 2 Subaru Models Are The Safest SUVs You Can Buy - One Subaru Is Not

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has yet to crash-test the 2024 Subaru Outback at the time of writing. However, the 2023 CR-V (and the 2023 Outback) earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the 

IIHS. 

Our take on the 2024 Subaru Outback

The Outback is the best pick for active customers using the SUV for more than a commuter vehicle or grocery hauler. The Outback comes with all-wheel-drive on all trim levels, and it's not an expensive option.

All Outback trim levels come standard with Subaru's X-Mode for added all-weather capability. And some trims come with the new dual-function X-Mode for more extreme winter conditions. The 2024 Outback XT and Wilderness trim levels now offer a Deep Snow and Deep Mud function for additional severe weather capability for a winter road trip.

Should you buy the 2023 Honda CR-V or the 2024 Subaru Outback? U.S. News says the Outback falls short. If you need more than a grocery hauler, the Outback is far ahead of the CR-V. 

You Might Also Like: The Subaru Outback Wilderness Is Cold Now, New Models Will Get Hot This Fall

Denis Flierl brings over thirty years of combined auto industry and automotive journalism experience to Torque News readers. He is an accredited Rocky Mountain Automotive Press (RMAP) member. The last twelve years have been spent with Torque News, covering Subaru vehicles and the latest news. Check back daily for his expert Subaru analysis. You'll find the latest stories on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

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Photo credit: Subaru, Honda

Submitted by Donn (not verified) on July 28, 2023 - 9:36PM

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So, after having purchased an Outback, I couldn’t get rid of it quick enough. In two Years they replaced the computer 4 times. All safety features are tied into this. Lose your unit, you may as well be driving a Yugo on the Eisenhower expressway. My 2016 CRV has never had a problem. I will never purchase any Subaru product again. We are replacing the Subaru Yugo Outback with a second Honda CR-V.

I have owned 3 outback’s over the past 10 years and have never had one item that needed replaced under warranty or out of warranty. Only thing I have spent is regular maintenance. Sorry to hear about your issues but extremely rare situation.

Have a 23 CR-V and a 20 legacy. esentually a outback. Subaru can't match the crvs engine and transmission refinements. Seat bolsters are tearing after 3 years.
Interior looks upscale but it is cheaply made

Same story here. A good car made useless by poor electronics. Kept my Outback 11 months. What a disappointment. Safety systems kicking in on clear days with no traffic. Heating inoperable on winter days. Unresponsive touch screen. Voice controls never worked. It’s was my third and last Subaru.

I will not own another CRV if you gave it to me. Turbo went out and it burned to much oil. Ride was noisy and not very smooth. T he Mazda cx5 and the Subaru forester I felt rode better I also believe the Subaru have better wear and tear

Ditto above. Few people have owned more cars and trucks than me, going on #17 now. Have owned all makes and models including Subaru. It's turbocharger went after warranty expired. They wanted my first born child to replace it. Their service dept. is like Volvo: better have a fat wallet when you walk in. Last year I bought my first Honda, 2016 CR-V. 1 owner with 23,000 miles; it was like brand new. Hands down best car I have owned or driven. Nothing I've had so far measures up to it.

We purchased our first and last Subaru Outback Touring in 2022. The worst of the worst for us and I've owned so many cars and trucks in my 70+ years. The infotainment center is the worst of any vehicle we have owned, it's slow, loud, hate the car. We are picking up a 24
CRV hybrid touring this next week that was ordered. I can't wait to dump this wagon.

Submitted by Michael (not verified) on August 4, 2023 - 11:53PM

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I owned three CRVs before buying my current ‘21 Outback. I love the more useable cargo space of the OB and the ride is smoother. The glitches of the infotainment center are the problem. Worse, Subaru Corp. doesn’t seem to care about follow-up. If it gets fixed…fine, if not they may get back to you in a month. They seem non-responsive to consumer problems. Maybe Honda is the same; I just never had a reason to find out in more than 20 years of owning their cars. For me, the jury is still out on whether I buy another Subaru.