2026 Subaru Forester vs. Honda CR-V Engines & Performance

On your daily commute and family trips, the 2026 Subaru Forester and 2026 Honda CR-V deliver smooth, efficient power through a choice of gas and hybrid powertrains. The Subaru Forester starts with a 180-horsepower 2.5L SUBARU BOXER® four-cylinder engine, with higher trims receiving a hybrid powertrain that produces 194 total system net horsepower. Full-time symmetrical all-wheel drive (AWD) is standard, along with a 1,500-pound towing capacity, or 3,500 pounds with the Wilderness trim, when properly equipped.

The Honda CR-V uses a 190-horsepower 1.5L turbo four-cylinder engine with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and capable of towing up to 1,500 pounds. A 204 total-system-net-horsepower hybrid system is offered on select trims, and front-wheel-biased intelligent AWD is available across the lineup.

Compare the following engine specifications:

2026 Subaru Forester vs. Honda CR-V Exterior Design

The 2026 Subaru Forester and 2026 Honda CR-V combine functional exterior designs with polished touches. Both include LED daytime running lights as standard, while select higher trims add amenities such as rain-sensing windshield wipers and heated side mirrors. The Forester comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED steering-responsive headlights, and roof rails, giving you several useful exterior elements from the outset. The CR-V instead starts with 17-inch steel wheels and adds roof rails on higher trims, while both models can provide hands-free tailgate convenience.

Shared exterior features:

Standard:

• LED daytime running lights

Included on higher trims:

• 18- or 19-in. alloy wheels
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• Heated side mirrors

2026 Subaru Forester exterior differences:

Standard features:

• 17-in. alloy wheels
• LED steering-responsive headlights
• Manual-folding side mirrors
• Roof rails

Included on higher trims:

• LED fog lights
• Side mirror-integrated turn signals
• Hands-free, foot-activated tailgate with height memory

2026 Honda CR-V exterior differences:

Standard features:

• 17-in. steel wheels
• LED headlights and taillights
• Smart clear wipers
• Power side mirrors with integrated turn signals

Included on higher trims:

• Roof rails
• Power or hands-free tailgate with height memory

2026 Subaru Forester vs. Honda CR-V Interior Design

Comfort-focused amenities and flexible passenger space make the cabins of the 2026 Subaru Forester and 2026 Honda CR-V accommodating for errands and longer outings. Both start with cloth upholstery and 60/40-split folding rear seat backs, while higher trims can bring leather seat upholstery and heated front seats into the cabin. In the Subaru Forester, dual-zone automatic climate control is standard, and higher trims add ventilated front seats and heated rear outboard seats for another layer of comfort. The Honda CR-V offers dual-zone climate control higher in the lineup, along with soothing ambient lighting in white or amber depending on the trim.

Shared interior features:

Standard:

• Cloth seat upholstery
• Manually adjustable front seats
• 60/40-split folding rear seat backs

Included on higher trims:

• Leather seat upholstery
• Ten-way power driver's seat with power lumbar support
• Heated front seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Two-position driver's seat memory

2026 Subaru Forester interior differences:

Standard features:

• LED interior lights
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Cargo area under-floor storage

Included on higher trims:

• Panoramic power moonroof
• StarTex® seat upholstery
• Eight-way power front passenger's seat
• Ventilated front seats
• Heated, reclining rear outboard seats
• Keyless entry

Optional features:

• Auto-dimming rearview mirror

2026 Honda CR-V interior differences:

Standard features:

• Automatic climate control

Included on higher trims:

• Power, tilting moonroof with one-touch open
• Four-way power front passenger’s seat
• White or amber LED ambient lighting
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Remote engine start

2026 Subaru Forester vs. Honda CR-V Size & Cargo Space

Whether you are carrying your favorite travel companions, cargo, or a mix of both, the 2026 Subaru Forester and 2026 Honda CR-V provide seating for five within closely sized footprints. At 183.3 inches long, the Forester gives 43.3 inches of front legroom and 39.4 inches in the rear, while the 184.8-inch-long CR-V offers 41.3 inches up front and 41 inches in back. With the rear seats folded, both SUVs provide comparable cargo space, though the CR-V includes more maximum cargo volume behind the upright rear seats.

Compare the following size and capacity specifications:

2026 Subaru Forester vs. Honda CR-V Technology

Staying connected on the go is straightforward in the 2026 Subaru Forester and 2026 Honda CR-V, with infotainment features that support your everyday digital life. The Forester comes with dual 7-inch Subaru Multimedia displays and wired Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, while higher trims offer an 11.6-inch Subaru Multimedia Plus system with wireless smartphone integration. The CR-V is standard with a 9-inch multimedia touchscreen and wireless smartphone projection and charging as standard. Both SUVs provide premium sound systems and digital instrument cluster displays on select trims.

Shared tech features:

Standard:

• Four-speaker audio system
• Bluetooth®
• Front USB-A port

Included on higher trims:

• Six-speaker audio system
• Rear USB-C ports
• Wi-Fi® hotspot capability

2026 Subaru Forester tech differences:

Standard features:

• 4.2-in. instrument cluster display
• Dual 7-in. Subaru Multimedia displays
• HD Radio™
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• SiriusXM® Satellite Radio capability
• 3.5-mm auxiliary jack

Included on higher trims:

• 12.3-in. digital instrument cluster
• 11.6-in. Subaru Multimedia Plus system
• Navigation
• Harman Kardon® 11-speaker sound system
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Wireless device charger
• Front USB-C ports
• Near-field communication (NFC) technology

2026 Honda CR-V tech differences:

Standard features:

• 7-in. instrument cluster display
• 9-in. multimedia touchscreen
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Wireless device charger
• Front USB-C ports

Included on higher trims:

• 10.2-in. digital instrument cluster
• Eight-speaker or Bose® 12-speaker sound system
• HD Radio
• Google built-in

2026 Subaru Forester vs. Honda CR-V Driver Assistance & Safety Features

Through their respective safety suites, the 2026 Subaru Forester and 2026 Honda CR-V can help you stay alert, monitor changing traffic, and maintain your lane. Standard EyeSight® driver assist technology in the Forester supports functions such as adaptive cruise control with lane centering and pre-collision braking, while standard Honda Sensing® provides comparable forms of collision response, cruise assistance, and lane guidance in the CR-V. Both also expand surrounding-traffic awareness on higher trims with blind spot and rear cross-traffic monitoring capabilities. Higher Forester trims add a 360-degree surround view monitor for greater parking visibility, while higher CR-V trims include front and rear parking sensors.

2026 Subaru Forester driver assistance differences:

Standard features:

• EyeSight driver assist technology
  • Advanced adaptive cruise control with lane centering
  • Pre-collision braking
  • Lane departure warning with sway warning
  • Lane keep assist
  • Automatic emergency steering
• Rear vision camera
• High beam assist
• Brake assist
• Trailer stability assist
• Anti-theft security system

Included on higher trims:

• Blind spot detection with lane change assist and rear cross-traffic alert
• Hill descent control
• 180-degree front-view or 360-degree surround view monitor
• Reverse automatic braking
• DriverFocus® distraction mitigation system

2026 Honda CR-V driver assistance differences:

Standard features:

• Honda Sensing® driver assistance technology
  • Collision Mitigation Braking System™
  • Road departure mitigation system
  • Adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow
  • Lane keeping assist system
  • Forward collision warning
  • Lane departure warning
  • Traffic jam assist
  • Traffic sign recognition system
  • Driver attention monitor
• Rearview camera with dynamic guidelines
• Auto high beams
• Rear seat reminder
• Security system

Included on higher trims:

• Blind spot information system
• Cross-traffic monitor
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Low-speed braking control

New Subaru SUVs for Sale in Moline, IL

Find the Forester in a configuration that fits your needs by browsing our new inventory. Schedule a test drive to experience your favorite model in person, or stop by our Subaru dealership during business hours. Reach out to our team online or by phone at (309) 797-5654 for help with any questions.