Compare the2025 Subaru ForesterVS 2025 Honda HR-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 Forester 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 HR-V doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Subaru Forester achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Honda HR-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 Forester. But it costs extra on the HR-V.

The Forester Touring has a standard 360-Degree Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The HR-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.

Both the Forester and the HR-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, available blind spot warning systems, 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 Forester is safer than the Honda HR-V:

	Forester	HR-V
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	24.4%	30.8%
Leg Forces (l/r)	276/274 lbs.	279/312 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	211	278
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	33.1%	41.3%

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 Forester is safer than the Honda HR-V:

	Forester	HR-V
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	56	87
Chest Movement	.4 inches	.7 inches
Abdominal Force	84 lbs.	118 lbs.
Hip Force	349 lbs.	418 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	58 G’s	61 G’s
Hip Force	640 lbs.	910 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	167	292
Spine Acceleration	34 G’s	42 G’s

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 Forester is safer than the HR-V:

	Forester	HR-V
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	103	139
Neck Tension	201 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Torso Max Deflection	1.02 in	1.3 in
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	7 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	892 lbs.	937 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Compression	134 lbs.	156 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Torso Max Deflection	1.34 in	1.46 in
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	580 lbs.	625 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Reliability

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

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Forester’s reliability 26 points higher than the HR-V.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 8 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher than Honda.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. Honda is ranked fourth.

Engine

The Forester’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 22 more horsepower (180 vs. 158) and 40 lbs.-ft. more torque (178 vs. 138) than the HR-V’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Forester Wilderness’ standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 24 more horsepower (182 vs. 158) and 38 lbs.-ft. more torque (176 vs. 138) than the HR-V’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Forester’s optional 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 36 more horsepower (194 vs. 158) than the HR-V’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Subaru Forester 4 cyl. is faster than the Honda HR-V:

	Forester	HR-V
Zero to 30 MPH	3.7 sec	4.7 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	8.6 sec	11.1 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	6 sec	6.5 sec
Quarter Mile	16.8 sec	18.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	88 MPH	81 MPH

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Forester lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The HR-V doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Forester gets better mileage than the HR-V:

			MPG
Forester
	AWD	2.5 flat-4 Hybrid	35 city/34 hwy
		2.5 DOHC flat-4	26 city/33 hwy
		Sport/Touring 2.5 DOHC flat-4	25 city/32 hwy
HR-V
	FWD	2.0 4-cyl.	26 city/32 hwy
	AWD	2.0 4-cyl.	25 city/30 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Forester Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The HR-V doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Forester’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The HR-V doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Forester has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the HR-V (16.6 vs. 14 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Forester Hybrid’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the HR-V:

	Forester Wilderness	Forester Hybrid	HR-V
Front Rotors	12.4 inches	12.6 inches	12.3 inches

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

The Forester stops shorter than the HR-V:

	Forester	HR-V
70 to 0 MPH	170 feet	172 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	127 feet	130 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	138 feet	148 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Forester has larger standard tires than the HR-V (225/60R17 vs. 215/60R17). The Forester Sport/Touring’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the HR-V (235/50R19 vs. 225/55R18).

The Forester Sport/Touring’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the HR-V Sport’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Forester Sport/Touring has standard 19-inch wheels. The HR-V’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

Suspension and Handling

The Forester Sport handles at .82 G’s, while the HR-V EX-L AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Forester Sport executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the HR-V EX-L AWD (27.3 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.5 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Forester has a 1.7 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the HR-V LX/EX-L (8.7 vs. 7 inches), allowing the Forester to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Forester Wilderness’ minimum ground clearance is 1.9 inches higher than on the HR-V Sport (9.2 vs. 7.3 inches).

Chassis

The front grille of the Forester uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The HR-V doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Forester has 12.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the HR-V (110.8 vs. 98.7).

The Forester has 1.8 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more front hip room, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1.6 inches more rear headroom, 1.7 inches more rear legroom, 6.3 inches more rear hip room and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the HR-V.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Forester Premium/Sport/Wilderness/Limited/Touring’s rear seats recline. The HR-V’s rear seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the Forester is 2.9 inches lower than the HR-V (15.5” vs. 18.4”). The Forester’s rear step up height is .6 inches lower than the HR-V’s (17.25” vs. 17.9”).

Cargo Capacity

The Forester has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the HR-V with its rear seat up (29.6 vs. 24.4 cubic feet). The Forester has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the HR-V with its rear seat folded (74.4 vs. 55.1 cubic feet).

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

	Forester	HR-V
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	36.5”/70.7”	34.8”/68.3”
Max Width	51.2”	55.4”
Min Width	43.3”	39.8”
Height	34.9”	32.1”

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Forester Wilderness/Limited/Touring’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The HR-V doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Forester’s power liftgate can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The HR-V doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Towing

The Forester has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The HR-V has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Forester 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 HR-V doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Forester is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the HR-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

When two different drivers share the Forester Touring, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle and climate settings. The HR-V doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Forester Touring’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The HR-V doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Forester Premium/Sport/Limited/Touring’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 HR-V Sport/EX-L’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The Forester’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The HR-V’s power window (except driver window) and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Forester’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the HR-V’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

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

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

When the Forester Touring 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 HR-V’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Forester’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 HR-V offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Forester and the HR-V offer available heated front seats. The Forester Touring also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the HR-V.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Forester Touring keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The HR-V doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Forester Limited/Touring’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The HR-V doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Forester Premium/Sport/Wilderness/Limited/Touring has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The HR-V doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The Forester has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the HR-V EX-L.

Both the Forester and the HR-V offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Forester Premium/Sport/Wilderness/Limited/Touring has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The HR-V doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Compared to the Honda HR-V, the Subaru Forester 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 Forester’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 HR-V EX-L.

Recommendations

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Subaru Forester as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Subaru Forester outsold the Honda HR-V by 17% during 2024.

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