2020 Honda CR-V vs Subaru Forester

What's the difference?

The Honda CR-V range has been bolstered and renamed in recent times, and here we have our first interaction with the newly monikered CR-V VTi-L7.

It used to be called the VTi-L. But because it's a seven-seater, Honda decided it should show that in its name. The same is true for the VTi-E7, which is the more affordable version of a Honda seven seat CR-V.

This one is the plusher, more upmarket model. It comes in under forty grand, but there are some issues with the way this variant - and all CR-V models without all-wheel drive - are specced. Read on to find out more.

It’s exciting news that Subaru has released a hybrid version of its popular mid-size SUV, the Forester. With such a solid foundation, adding a hybrid option can only be a step forward, with the main benefits being fuel savings and lower carbon emissions.

Not all hybrids are created equal however, so it’s best to assess each car to make sure it matches your expectations. 

The Forester Hybrid S costs around $3000 more than a regular Forester, and this is the top-of-the-range car, so it comes in at $45,990, before on road costs.

It’s in a category with the Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V but if you’re comparing hybrids, you’ll be looking closely at the Toyota RAV4, too. 

Here’s how it performed over seven days for this week’s family review.