Honda CR-V vs. Subaru Forester: 5 Things That Set Them Apart

Abu Dhabi: In the fiercely competitive compact crossover segment, the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester are two compelling options for buyers in the UAE right now. Both are Japanese SUVs and have been around long enough to earn the trust of buyers across the UAE. Both are reasonably priced, making them accessible for the average family without stretching their budget.

But if you explore them both, it becomes rather easy to see that they are not trying to be the same car at all. The CR-V, distributed by Al-Futtaim Honda across the UAE, is built around the idea of the perfect family crossover: spacious, comfortable, and easy to live with every day. The Forester, available through Subaru's UAE dealer network in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, leans more toward buyers who want capability first, comfort second, and do not care about looking flashy. Here are five differences that explain why.

How They Compare 

Feature	Honda CR-V	Subaru Forester
Engine	1.5L Turbocharged Petrol	2.0L Naturally Aspirated Boxer
Power	190 hp / 243 Nm	156 hp / 196 Nm
Drivetrain	FWD (base) / AWD (EX, Touring)	AWD on all variants (standard)
Seating	7 seats	5 seats
Ground Clearance	198 mm (LX) / 208 mm (EX, Touring)	220 mm
Starting Price (AED)	119,000	125,000
Safety Suite	Honda Sensing (standard all trims)	EyeSight (standard on EyeSight trims)
Cargo Space	1,374 litres (seats folded)	1,779 litres (seats folded)

Difference 1: Seven Seats vs. Five Seats

This one alone determines which car is right for UAE buyers. The Honda CR-V in the UAE comes with seven seats across all variants. The third row is not the most spacious or luxurious, but nonetheless, it works for the extended family or a Friday gathering in Abu Dhabi, where the car doubles as transport for six or seven people; that matters.

The Subaru Forester seats five; you don't have any third-row option anywhere in the lineup. What the Forester does instead is use that same space to give five people a comfortable experience, with good legroom, wide seats, and an airy cabin thanks to the tall roofline and large glass area that Subaru has kept as a Forester signature across generations. The cargo area with all five seats in use is also more practical than the CR-V's because there is no third row occupying part of the luggage space.

Difference 2: Turbo Power vs. a Boxer Engine 

The engines in these two cars highlight their different characters very clearly.

The CR-V uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 190 hp and 243 Nm of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Low-end grunt is good, which makes overtaking smooth and unhurried.

The Subaru Forester sold in the UAE uses a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-four, what Subaru calls a Boxer engine, producing 156 hp and 196 Nm of torque, also paired with a CVT. The power figure is lower than the CR-V on paper, but on the road, the experience feels different.

In summary:

• CR-V is smoother, quieter, and more refined in everyday driving.
• Forester is more characterful, more mechanical in feel, and better when you use more of the engine's range.
• CR-V fuel economy is slightly better in city conditions.
• Forester is designed to run on RON 95 petrol.

Difference 3: AWD 

This is perhaps the most practically important difference for buyers who plan to take their car off the regular road.

Every single Subaru Forester sold in the UAE comes with Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive as standard. That AWD system has been at the core of every Subaru for decades, and it shows in how the Forester behaves on gravel, sand, and uneven tracks. The Forester sold in the UAE also features X-MODE on the EyeSight variants, a system that optimizes engine output, AWD torque distribution, and braking to maintain traction on slippery or loose surfaces.

The Honda CR-V's AWD is only available on the EX and Touring variants; the DX and LX trims are front-wheel drive only. The EX and Touring AWD system is capable in most real-world conditions, but it does not include anything equivalent to X-MODE. The ground clearance on AWD trims is 208 mm, decent but measurably less than the Forester's 220 mm.

AWD Feature	CR-V	Forester
Standard AWD	EX and Touring only	All variants
Off-road mode	Not available	X-MODE (EyeSight trims)
Ground Clearance	198 mm (LX) / 208 mm (EX, Touring)	220 mm
Hill Descent Control	Not available	Yes (with X-MODE)

Difference 4: Safety Technology

Both cars take safety seriously, with comprehensive driver assistance suites. But they approach it differently, and for UAE buyers, the details matter.

Honda equips the CR-V with Honda Sensing across all four variants in the UAE, including the base DX. This is a significant advantage; Honda Sensing includes Collision Mitigation Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Lane Keeping Assist, and Auto High Beam.

Subaru's EyeSight system is similarly comprehensive and has earned strong global recognition for its effectiveness. In the UAE Forester lineup, EyeSight is standard on the 2.0i-S EyeSight and 2.0i Sport EyeSight variants. The base 2.0i variant does not include EyeSight. So, if you are buying the entry-level Forester at AED 125,000, you are not getting the full safety suite.

Safety system includes:

Honda Sensing (CR-V, all trims):

• Collision Mitigation Braking System
• Forward Collision Warning
• Road Departure Mitigation
• Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow
• Lane Keeping Assist System
• Auto High Beam

Subaru EyeSight (Forester EyeSight variants):

• Pre-Collision Braking
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Lane Departure and Lane Sway Warning
• Lead Vehicle Start Alert
• Emergency Lane Keep Assist
• Automatic Emergency Steering

Difference 5: Family Comfort vs. Adventure-Ready 

Inside the Honda CR-V, everything is designed to make family life easier. The cabin is wide and quiet, the second-row seats recline slightly for comfort on longer journeys, and the rear legroom is among the best in this class. The boot takes luggage, school bags, strollers, and grocery hauls from Carrefour with barely a struggle. The EX and Touring trims get a panoramic sunroof that families truly appreciate for the light and openness it brings to the cabin. The 9-inch touchscreen on the EX and higher variants gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto without any fuss. The dashboard layout is clean and logical, making it easy to operate without taking your eyes off the road.

The Forester's interior takes a different path. The first thing you notice is the visibility. The roofline is tall, the windows are large, and the generous glass area gives the cabin a brightness and sense of space that is almost unique in this class. The upright seating position feels natural and confidence-inspiring. The boot, with its nearly vertical rear door and wide opening, is built to load things regularly, like surfboards, camping gear, and a weekend's worth of luggage for Musandam. The infotainment system on UAE-spec models uses an 8-inch screen, smaller than the CR-V's 9-inch unit, and the technology list is more modest. Wireless Apple CarPlay is standard on the Sport EyeSight trim and above, but the overall cabin technology does not match the CR-V's EX or Touring for polish.

What each cabin does best:

CR-V interior strengths:

• Seven seats for families who need them
• Wider, quieter cabin for longer drives
• Rear seat recline for passenger comfort
• Power tailgate on Touring
• Active noise cancellation on upper trims

Forester interior strengths:

• Exceptional outward visibility, one of the best in this segment.
• More usable cargo space with five seats in place.
• Higher seating position, offering a better view of the road ahead.
• Roof rails are standard and practical for outdoor users.
• StarTex or leather upholstery on higher UAE trims (depending on specification).

So, Which One Should You Actually Buy?

Both are proven and genuinely good cars, and neither is a wrong choice. But they are clearly not the same choice. 

Buy the Honda CR-V if:

• You regularly carry more than five people.
• Refinement and cabin comfort are priorities.
• Your driving is primarily in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah.
• You want Honda Sensing safety features from the base variant without paying extra.

Buy the Subaru Forester if:

• AWD from the base variant matters to you, not as an upgrade.
• You regularly drive on gravel, sand, or mountain tracks around Hatta or Ras Al Khaimah.
• Five seats are enough, and you want greater cargo flexibility.
• You value capability and character over cabin polish.

Conclusion 

The biggest difference is simple. The CR-V is the SUV you buy because it fits seamlessly into everyday family life in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. The Forester is the SUV you buy if you want something that goes beyond everyday city driving.

If you are thinking of buying either of these SUVs, you should also consider after-sales service and resale value, not just the product itself. Subaru currently operates authorized dealerships in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, while Honda has showrooms and service centers spread across all seven emirates through Al-Futtaim. For buyers in Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, or Ras Al Khaimah who value convenient servicing, that is a practical consideration that can influence long-term ownership.

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