Here’s Why The 2023 Honda CR-V Is A Better Crossover Than The Subaru Outback

Here’s Why The 2023 Honda CR-V Is A Better Crossover Than The Subaru Outback. Honda’s popular compact SUV, the CR-V, has recently received a significant generation update for the model year 2023.

With this, it now comes with a new exterior design, a better interior, improved technology, and a new set of powerful and efficient powertrains.

Besides this, with an optional all-wheel drive system, just like its previous generation, it continues to offer mild of-the-tarmac capability.

However, as with the last generation of the CR-V, the new one also faces tough competition from the plethora of other options available in the compact SUV segment.

Chief among these is the Subaru Outback, a popular choice for those looking for a reliable, practical, and capable crossover.

Can the 2023 Honda CR-V, with its updated credentials, take on the 2023 Subaru Outback? Let’s find out!

2023 Honda CR-V Vs. 2023 Subaru Outback: Performance And Capability

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With this sixth-generation update, Honda has completely revised the engine line-up of the CR-V. It now comes with two powertrains, a hybrid and a non-hybrid.

While the former is exclusive to the base EX and EX-L trims, the latter can only be had with the Sport and Sport Touring models.

The non-hybrid powertrain of this compact SUV features a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged engine, which produces 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque.

On the other hand, the hybrid powertrain of the new CR-V comes with a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine paired to two electric motors and has a combined system output of 2024 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque.

Both engines are available with a CVT automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available as an option across the range.

However, the Sport Touring trim comes as standard with it. With the new hybrid engine, the CR-V can tow up to 1000 pounds.

The engine line-up of the 2023 Outback also consists of two options. First, a 2.5-liter, naturally-aspirated motor produces 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque.

In addition, there is also a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine, which churns out 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque.

Both these engines are available as standard with a CVT automatic transmission. Not only this, but the Outback also comes as standard with Subaru’s Symmetrical all-wheel-drive system and X-Mode.

The 2.4-liter engine is only available on higher grades of this crossover wagon. One of the unique features of Outback is its Wilderness trim which comes with raised ride height, front skid plate, off-road specific suspension, and all-terrain tires.

This is enough to take you on for some light off-roading but definitely more capable than any grade of the CR-V.

Not only this, but the Outback can also tow higher weights than the CR-V. The 2.5-liter engine can tow up to 2,700 pounds, while the 2.4-liter motor can tow up to an impressive 3,500 pounds.

2023 Honda CR-V Vs. 2023 Subaru Outback: Fuel-Economy

EPA hasn’t rated the new engine line-up of the 2023 CR-V. However, for reference, its previous generation model was rated to deliver a combined fuel economy figure of 30 MPG with the non-hybrid motor and 38 MPG with the hybrid one. We expect these figures to improve further with this compact SUV’s new generation.

In comparison, the 2.5-liter engine of the Outback is rated to deliver 26 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway, with a combined figure of 29 MPG.

Similarly, the 2.4-liter engine of this crossover is rated by EPA to deliver a fuel economy of 23 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway, with a combined figure of 26 MPG.

2023 Honda CR-V Vs. 2023 Subaru Outback: Interior And Features

Honda has completely revamped the interior of the 2023 CR-V. It features a layout similar to what we see on Honda’s latest cars, like the 2022 Civic and the 2023 HR-V.

High in quality, it has several premium features, depending on the chosen trim. For instance, the higher grades come with a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system which is complimented by a 7-inch digital instrument cluster.

In addition, the infotainment unit offers wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. Furthermore, Honda is known to offer practical and spacious cabins, and the same continues with the new CR-V.

As standard, there is 36.3 cu-ft of cargo capacity on offer, which can be increased to 76.5 cu-ft with the rear seats folded down.

The 2023 Subaru Outback also comes with a spacious and practical cabin. Though its design is slightly less exciting than the one on the CR-V, it has all the features you would expect from a vehicle at this price point.

Where the Outback trumps over the CR-V is its massive 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment display.

However, it does miss out on a digital instrument cluster. Nevertheless, it still comes with all the connectivity options, such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

In addition, this compact crossover offers a luggage capacity of 32.6 cu-ft which can be increased to 75.6 cu-ft with the rear seats folded down.

2023 Honda CR-V Vs. 2023 Subaru Outback: Prices

Honda hasn’t yet revealed the pricing of the sixth-generation CR-V. However, considering the prices of the previous generation model, we expect it to have a sticker price somewhere between the $29,000 and $40,000 mark. In comparison, the 2023 Subaru Outback starts from $28,395 and goes up to $42,295.