Subaru Outback vs Honda CR-V

[senseamp]

Which one would you guys get?
2012 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited + Sunroof and rear view camera package
vs
2012 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD
Both are about same price $29K
Honda is freshly redesigned, Subaru is in it's 3rd year.

 

[MotF Bane]

Where do you live? As in, does AWD really matter, or not?

 

[senseamp]

Where do you live? As in, does AWD really matter, or not?

Both would be the AWD. I would use it a few times a year for ski trips.

 

[unokitty]

Before I bought my last car, I researched the previous generation of both of those cars.

I would expect the:
* CRV to have superior resale.
*Subaru to have superior 4 wheel drive.

I'd also expect the CRV to have a little better fit and finish. (I'm surprised at how many assembly complaints that I see about Subaru.)

If you are open to considering other vehicles in that class, you may want to look at the new Mazda CX-5.

Though, I don't think you would go wrong with either of the cars that you are considering.

Uno

 

[Jumpem]

Subaru has the superior AWD system, and better fuel economy. I wouldn't consider the CR-V.

 

[senseamp]

What are these assembly issues with the Outback? I read something about the leaky moonroofs, has that been resolved? Do they have rattles and squeaks?
This car would primarily be for my fiancee to drive. I do like the form factor of the Subaru more, but it's a 3 year old design at this point. How much better is the expected resale on the CR-V? I looked for used Outbacks and haven't found any good deals, so I figured their resale was decent too.

 

[Jumpem]

What are these assembly issues with the Outback? I read something about the leaky moonroofs, has that been resolved? Do they have rattles and squeaks?
This car would primarily be for my fiancee to drive. I do like the form factor of the Subaru more, but it's a 3 year old design at this point. How much better is the expected resale on the CR-V? I looked for used Outbacks and haven't found any good deals, so I figured their resale was decent too.

No problems in 78k miles with mine. No issues with the moonroof. I may have the occassional squeak or rattle, but nothing persistent.

 

[ballmode]

the new crv fwd gets good gas millage.

however since you need the 4wd

subaru > hondas front then all wheel drive. subaru has a better system where hondas doesnt kick in till slip

 

[alphatarget1]

Outback >>>>> CRV.

Actually I think a more valid comparison is Forester vs CRV. I'd still prefer the Forester to the CRV.

 

[Jumpem]

Outback >>>>> CRV.

Actually I think a more valid comparison is Forester vs CRV. I'd still prefer the Forester to the CRV.

I concur. The Forester will also have a better AWD system. It does lag in fuel economy though since it does not have the CVT.

 

[DVad3r]

CR-V all the way. Going to be more reliable, and the AWD is good enough.

 

[Jumpem]

CR-V all the way. Going to be more reliable, and the AWD is good enough.

http://www.insideline.com/subaru/im...unces-honda-in-consumer-reports-rankings.html

 

[ballmode]

only Honda products I would own in the year 2012 would be:

Fit Sport
Pilot/MDX
Odyssey


If you asked me 4 years ago:

S2000
Civic
TL
TSX
Fit
Pilot/MDX
Odyssey


in 2016 I might not even be able to recommend ANY Honda at this rate.

 

[LTC8K6]

http://www.insideline.com/subaru/im...unces-honda-in-consumer-reports-rankings.html

CR? I thought most people considered their rankings barely useful?

minibro77 says:

09:07 AM, 02/29/2012

I hate these survey's because the methods that they use to measure reliability are not all related to reliability. It makes for a false rating and inaccurate info that the consumer ultimately follows that doesn't know any better. It's not fair to the automakers who are genuinely making significantly better products that are overshadowed by these ratings.

 

[senseamp]

Talked to fiancee about what we need in the car. We are probably going to skip leather and sunroof, so we would be looking at base or premium Outback vs LX CR-V. Unfortunately with Outback, skipping sunroof also means skipping rear view camera. What aftermarket options are there for this?

 

[Doppel]

Depends how long keeping it. I have not run a big study on the matter but anecdotal I have seen so many rusted subarus that I believe there is a problem with the brand. A 5-8 year old one in a salt area has an incredibly high chance of rust around wheel wells or doors. This is just my observations, though...

What aftermarket options are there for this?

Autozone has something for a hundred bucks. Works, I imagine, but looks a bit weird. I wouldn't tbother.

 

[Jumpem]

Depends how long keeping it. I have not run a big study on the matter but anecdotal I have seen so many rusted subarus that I believe there is a problem with the brand. A 5-8 year old one in a salt area has an incredibly high chance of rust around wheel wells or doors.

This is hit or miss on most all car makes and models here in central NY. It is a very big reason that I won't keep a car longer than three years. Need to trade it before the rust starts, and resale value plummets.

 

[thomsbrain]

Good lord, people, get your info right.

The AWD system in the 2012 CR-V is a superior system to the Subaru system. The CR-V is NOT merely a reactionary system. It proactively sends power to the rear during acceleration even when there is perfect traction, with one benefit being reduced squat. It's also a limited-slip based system, meaning you can lift a wheel and continue driving. While not as advanced as the SH-AWD system in the Acura RL, MDX and previous-gen RDX, it is significantly more advanced than previous CR-Vs or the Outback.

Lift one wheel off the ground in a Subaru and you are completely stranded. Don't take steep driveways at an angle if you don't like pushing.

Subarus have fuel rails that can corrode and spray gasoline on the engine bay, even before 100K. It's a known issue but Subaru refuses to fix it or cover repairs. They have seal issues, they blow gaskets, et cetera. They aren't overall BAD cars, but they aren't anywhere near the Honda/Toyota level of long-term reliability

 

[senseamp]

This is going to be a California car. AWD is basically for trips to Tahoe maybe 3 times a year.

 

[ballmode]

I know this isn't the 2012 CRV, but these vids speak truth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_MXK2nzt2Y&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRniF4JQN2U

 

[Kroze]

Considering the fact that the CR-V is the benchmark car, I'd say get the Honda.

 

[Bignate603]

Lift one wheel off the ground in a Subaru and you are completely stranded. Don't take steep driveways at an angle if you don't like pushing.

Yeah, your information isn't quite correct.

Ramp test where 3 wheels are put on rollers, only one has traction. Guess which vehicle can make it up the ramp?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOmZIu_y1js

Edit: Just noticed that Ballmode has already posted this one.

 

[IdBuRnS]

The wife and I just bought a 2012 Outback 2.5i Limited w/ Moonroof last weekend.

So far we love it. :thumbsup:

 

[IdBuRnS]

Lift one wheel off the ground in a Subaru and you are completely stranded.

And you accuse other people of spreading misinformation?

The only way a Subaru is getting stuck is if you manage to chassis mount it.

 

[vshah]

I know this isn't the 2012 CRV, but these vids speak truth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_MXK2nzt2Y&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRniF4JQN2U

Yeah, your information isn't quite correct.

Ramp test where 3 wheels are put on rollers, only one has traction. Guess which vehicle can make it up the ramp?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOmZIu_y1js

Edit: Just noticed that Ballmode has already posted this one.

huh? he specifically stated that the awd system is all new for 2012...those videos don't mean anything.