2021 Subaru Outback vs 2021 Honda CR-V
CarGurus highlights
According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Subaru Outback is 7.8 out of 10, while the 2021 Honda CR-V scores 7.8 out of 10. Based on these ratings, both vehicles offer strong performances in various aspects, but the deciding factor is often personal preference for specific features. If off-road capability and cargo space are your top priorities, the Subaru Outback stands out with its superior all-wheel-drive system and practical design. However, if you prioritize safety, modern technology, and a comfortable interior, the Honda CR-V holds a slight advantage with its comprehensive safety features and user-friendly infotainment systems. Ultimately, you can't go wrong with either vehicle, but your choice will depend on whether your lifestyle leans more towards rugged adventures or urban convenience.
Choose the 2021 Subaru Outback if:
Shop Now- You desire superior off-road capability with a rugged all-wheel-drive system.
- You need ample cargo space and interior versatility for outdoor adventures.
- You appreciate practical features like standard roof rails and crossbars.
Choose the 2021 Honda CR-V if:
Shop Now- Safety is a top priority and you appreciate advanced safety features in all trims.
- You seek a comfortable, spacious interior with modern infotainment options.
- You prefer consistent and predictable performance for daily commuting.
Overview | |
MSRP$26,795 | MSRP$25,350 |
Average price$26,792 | Average price$26,696 |
Listings2042 | Listings4076 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.8 out of 10 | Expert reviews7.8 out of 10 |
Pros
| Pros
|
2021 Subaru Outback Reviews SummaryThe Outback, like any Subaru, is an old soul in a young person’s body. It embraces a rosier past of automotive history, back when cars were just cars and drivers were concerned only with driving. It’s conservative, unhip to fashion, and slow. Yet the 2021 Outback—a raised, all-wheel drive (AWD) station wagon like the first 1995 model—has all of today’s essentials and extra technology. Subaru just skips the fripperies and focuses on what people really need: Generous space, go-anywhere capability, reliability, low cost, high resale, and safety. It’s not all that innovative or stylish, but a Subaru Outback tackles the everyday banalities of life as few other cars can. | |
2021 Honda CR-V Reviews SummaryEven in a grim year, Honda is selling a staggering number of CR-Vs. The CR-V is the best-selling Honda by far. It’s also the second best-selling compact SUV, just behind the Toyota RAV4. And it's the fifth best-selling vehicle in the U.S., and if you take out all the commercial sales of full-size pickups it’s one of the two best-selling vehicles year in and year out. So it’s hard to argue against the CR-V formula. Honda’s been at this almost as long as crossovers have been a thing, launching the CR-V in 1997—a year after the RAV4 debuted. The funny thing is, aside from sales volume, there’s only one thing the CR-V particularly excels at. Aesthetics are subjective, but it would be hard to argue the CR-V is the best looking vehicle in its class. It’s not the cheapest. It’s not the best equipped, especially at the middle to lower trim levels. It’s not the fastest, nor is it the quietest, or the most fuel efficient. It’s not even the most reliable, showing up nowhere in J.D. Power's Most Reliable list. So what makes it so appealing to American consumers? Let’s see if we can figure that out. | |
No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.5L 182 hp H4 | Engine1.5L 190 hp I4 |
Drive TrainAWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower182 hp @ 5800 rpm | Horsepower190 hp @ 5600 rpm |
MPG City26 | MPG City28 |
MPG Highway33 | MPG Highway34 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.5L 182 hp H4 | Engine Name1.5L 190 hp I4 |
Torque178 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm | Torque179 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm |
Horsepower182 hp @ 5800 rpm | Horsepower190 hp @ 5600 rpm |
DrivetrainAWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City26 | MPG City28 |
MPG Highway33 | MPG Highway34 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall5 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space32.5 cu ft | Cargo Space39.2 cu ft |
Curb Weight3634 lbs | Curb Weight3337 lbs |
Height66.1 in | Height66.1 in |
Length191.3 in | Length182.1 in |
Width82.0 in | Width73.0 in |
Wheelbase108.1 in | Wheelbase104.8 in |
Maximum Payload1071 lbs | Maximum Payload1358 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity2700 lbs | Maximum Towing Capacity1500 lbs |
CarGurus highlights
According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Subaru Outback is 7.8 out of 10, while the 2021 Honda CR-V scores 7.8 out of 10. Based on these ratings, both vehicles offer strong performances in various aspects, but the deciding factor is often personal preference for specific features. If off-road capability and cargo space are your top priorities, the Subaru Outback stands out with its superior all-wheel-drive system and practical design. However, if you prioritize safety, modern technology, and a comfortable interior, the Honda CR-V holds a slight advantage with its comprehensive safety features and user-friendly infotainment systems. Ultimately, you can't go wrong with either vehicle, but your choice will depend on whether your lifestyle leans more towards rugged adventures or urban convenience.
Choose the 2021 Subaru Outback if:
Shop Now- You desire superior off-road capability with a rugged all-wheel-drive system.
- You need ample cargo space and interior versatility for outdoor adventures.
- You appreciate practical features like standard roof rails and crossbars.
Choose the 2021 Honda CR-V if:
Shop Now- Safety is a top priority and you appreciate advanced safety features in all trims.
- You seek a comfortable, spacious interior with modern infotainment options.
- You prefer consistent and predictable performance for daily commuting.
Overview | ||
MSRP | $26,795 | $25,350 |
Average price | $26,792 | $26,696 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.8 | 4.5 |
Expert reviews | 7.8 out of 10Read full review | 7.8 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| Pros
|
Summary | The Outback, like any Subaru, is an old soul in a young person’s body. It embraces a rosier past of automotive history, back when cars were just cars and drivers were concerned only with driving. It’s conservative, unhip to fashion, and slow. Yet the 2021 Outback—a raised, all-wheel drive (AWD) station wagon like the first 1995 model—has all of today’s essentials and extra technology. Subaru just skips the fripperies and focuses on what people really need: Generous space, go-anywhere capability, reliability, low cost, high resale, and safety. It’s not all that innovative or stylish, but a Subaru Outback tackles the everyday banalities of life as few other cars can. | Even in a grim year, Honda is selling a staggering number of CR-Vs. The CR-V is the best-selling Honda by far. It’s also the second best-selling compact SUV, just behind the Toyota RAV4. And it's the fifth best-selling vehicle in the U.S., and if you take out all the commercial sales of full-size pickups it’s one of the two best-selling vehicles year in and year out. So it’s hard to argue against the CR-V formula. Honda’s been at this almost as long as crossovers have been a thing, launching the CR-V in 1997—a year after the RAV4 debuted. The funny thing is, aside from sales volume, there’s only one thing the CR-V particularly excels at. Aesthetics are subjective, but it would be hard to argue the CR-V is the best looking vehicle in its class. It’s not the cheapest. It’s not the best equipped, especially at the middle to lower trim levels. It’s not the fastest, nor is it the quietest, or the most fuel efficient. It’s not even the most reliable, showing up nowhere in J.D. Power's Most Reliable list. So what makes it so appealing to American consumers? Let’s see if we can figure that out. |
Video | No video found | No video found |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.5L 182 hp H4 | 1.5L 190 hp I4 |
Drive Train | AWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 182 hp @ 5800 rpm | 190 hp @ 5600 rpm |
MPG City | 26 | 28 |
MPG Highway | 33 | 34 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.5L 182 hp H4 | 1.5L 190 hp I4 |
Torque | 178 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm | 179 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm |
Horsepower | 182 hp @ 5800 rpm | 190 hp @ 5600 rpm |
Drivetrain | AWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 26 | 28 |
MPG Highway | 33 | 34 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 32.5 cu ft | 39.2 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3634 lbs | 3337 lbs |
Height | 66.1 in | 66.1 in |
Length | 191.3 in | 182.1 in |
Width | 82.0 in | 73.0 in |
Wheelbase | 108.1 in | 104.8 in |
Maximum Payload | 1071 lbs | 1358 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | 2700 lbs | 1500 lbs |
By: CarGurus + AI
This car comparison has been created with using generative AI. It is based entirely on CarGurus expert review content, ratings and data, and leverages our extensive library of hands-on product tests to create thousands of unique comparisons to help shoppers choose the right car.