Deciding to make an SUV your new family vehicle is exciting but that might wane a bit when you realize how much research goes into choosing your new daily driver. With what feels like every automobile manufacturer offering an SUV option, there's a lot out there to research and figure out which one fits the needs of your family. You have to consider size, performance, comfort, technology, and, most importantly, safety. That could take days, even weeks, to narrow your decision down to a handful. At Nate Wade Subaru, we believe the car-buying process should be fun and hassle-free, which is why we've done the hard work for you. Below, you'll find a concise, head-to-head comparison of the 2023 Subaru Outback and the 2023 Honda CR-V. We go deep into the specs and features so you can see exactly what each SUV offers and which one checks all your boxes. Once you've finished reading, feel free to contact us online or by phone or simply stop into our showroom at 1207 Main Street in Salt Lake City. Any one of our expert team members can answer any questions you may have, get you on the road with a test drive, and help hook you up with our professional finance team.
If you're looking for a compact SUV that can tackle both city streets and off-road terrain, the 2023 Outback is the perfect fit. Boasting a standard ground clearance of 8.7 inches, it easily clears obstacles that the 2023 Honda CR-V can't, with its standard ground clearance of only 7.8 inches. For even more adventurous excursions, the Outback Wilderness trim offers a ground clearance of 9.5 inches, giving you even more off-road options than the CR-V. The Outback comes standard with LED steering responsive headlights and LED fog lights, while the CR-V only offers LED headlights and does not offer the option of fog lights. Additionally, raised roof rails are standard fare on the Outback, whereas the CR-V only offers them on higher trim levels.
You'll find impressive space and luxurious comfort inside both the 2023 Subaru Outback and the 2023 Honda CR-V but when it comes to maximum cargo room, the CR-V just ekes out the win. It's not by much: 76.5 cubic feet in the CR-V as opposed to 75.6 cubic feet in the Outback, but the Subaru makes up for it in passenger volume and more head and legroom than the CR-V. You'll find 109 cubic feet of passenger volume inside the Outback and only 103.5 cubic feet in the CR-V. On every model of the Outback above the base, you'll find standard heated seats. THe CR-V may offer that particular feature as standard fare but you'll only find the more luxurious comfort features available on the Outback, such as a heated steering wheel, heated rear outboard seats and ventilated front seats.
When you're out exploring, it's always nice to know all you have to do is touch a button to be connected to the outside world. Inside the 2023 Outback, the STARLINK® multimedia system is standard and includes Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration as well as standard Bluetooth® for hands-free phone connectivity and text-messaging. Dual 7-inch touchscreen displays are standard inside the Outback with an 11.6-inch screen available on higher trim levels. The 2023 CR-V only offers a single 7-inch display and only upgrades the screen size by two inches on higher, more expensive trim levels.
If you're an avid off-roader or if you simply want an SUV that offers a better balanced ride with stunning traction while driving on wet, muddy, or icy city streets, you want a vehicle with all-wheel drive. The 2023 Outback offers Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive as standard fare across the board while if you want that feature on the 2023 CR-V, you'll have to pay an extra $1,500. The CR-V offers one powertrain option: an inline 4-cylinder that generates 190 horsepower. While that beats the standard 182-horsepower engine under the hood of the Outback, that's not your only choice. For extra zip, you can upgrade to the 2.4L BOXER® that makes a mighty 260 horsepower and 277 lb/ft of torque. Both the Outback and the CR-V are paired to a CVT automatic transmission.
If your biggest box to check has to do with safety, you've come to the right place; both the 2023 Outback and the 2023 CR-V offer only the best in safety features and driver assist technology. The EyeSight® suite is standard on the Outback and the CR-V offers the standard Honda Sensing® package. Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Pre-Collision Braking, and many more features are standard on both SUVs but the Outback continues to push the envelope. Exclusive to the Outback are reverse Automatic Braking, which will automatically apply the brakes if an obstacle is detected while in reverse, and the DriverFocus® Distraction Mitigation System, an innovative feature that will alert the driver if it detects you're operating the SUV while tired or distracted. It's because of advanced features like these that the 2023 Outback was awarded a perfect overall 5-star rating from the NHTSA.
The 2023 Subaru Outback offers quality standard features for less, including LED steering responsive headlights, standard all-wheel drive, two drivetrain options, and award-winning safety, all for a starting MSRP of only $28.345. While the 2023 Honda CR-V brings solid safety, performance, and technology to the table, it can't beat the Outback and with a starting MSRP of $31,610, you'll find the better value lies with the Outback. To schedule a test drive of the 2023 Outback, simply give Nate Wade Subaru a call, contact us online, or stop by our Salt Lake City showroom. We can't wait to get you behind the wheel of a new Subaru today!
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2023 Subaru Outback | 2023 Honda CR-V |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $28,345 | $31,610 |
| Standard Engine | 2.5-Liter Direct Injection BOXER 4-Cylinder | Inline Turbocharged 4-Cylinder |
| Standard Performance | 182 Horsepower w/ 176 lb-ft of Torque | 190 Horsepower w/ 179 lb-ft of Torque |
| All-Wheel Drive | Standard | Available |
| City/Highway MPG Rating | 26/32 MPG | 28/34 MPG |
| Standard Wheels | 17-Inch Aluminum Alloy | 18-Inch Alloy |
| Max. Cargo Space | 75.6 Cubic Feet | 76.5 Cubic Feet |
| Standard Multimedia System | Dual 7-Inch Touchscreen STARLINK System | 7-Inch Color Touchscreen |
| Maximum Tow Capacity | 3,500 Lbs | 1,500 Lbs |
| Hill Descent Control | Standard | Standard |
*Manufacturer's suggested retail price does not include destination and delivery charges, tax, title and registration fees. Destination and delivery includes handling and inland freight fees and may vary in some states. Prices, specifications, options, features and models subject to change without notice.
