Vehicle comparison
Honda CR-V vs Subaru Forester
Side-by-side fuel and ownership cost comparison. Estimates use 12,000 mi/year at average US gas prices.
- Updated for 2026
- EPA-style MPG
- US avg fuel prices
- US units
- Transparent assumptions
Lowest running cost
Honda CR-V wins on fuel cost
At 12,000 miles per year, the Honda CR-V costs about $1380 per year, roughly $48 less than the Subaru Forester. Over 5 years, that's about $238 in fuel savings.
Spec & cost comparison
MPG/MPGe figures are estimates based on typical recent model years.
| Spec | Honda CR-V | Subaru Forester |
|---|---|---|
| Type | SUV | SUV |
| Fuel | Regular gas | Regular gas |
| City MPG/MPGe | 28 | 26 |
| Highway MPG/MPGe | 34 | 33 |
| Combined MPG/MPGe | 30 | 29 |
| Tank / Battery | 14 gal | 16.6 gal |
| Energy cost | $3.45/gal | $3.45/gal |
| Cost per mile | $0.115 | $0.119 |
Annual cost at 8k / 12k / 15k miles
Estimated yearly fuel spend at common US mileage levels.
| Miles/year | Honda CR-V | Subaru Forester | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 | $920/yr · $77/mo | $952/yr · $79/mo | $32 (Honda CR-V) |
| 12,000 | $1380/yr · $115/mo | $1428/yr · $119/mo | $48 (Honda CR-V) |
| 15,000 | $1725/yr · $144/mo | $1784/yr · $149/mo | $59 (Honda CR-V) |
Estimates only. Real costs depend on driving style, terrain, local gas/electricity prices and weather.
Which one is best for…
Best for commuting
Honda CR-V
Highest combined MPG/MPGe and lowest cost per mile means cheaper daily driving.
See Honda CR-VBest for road trips
Honda CR-V
Better highway efficiency, larger tank/battery and longer range between stops.
See Honda CR-VBest for families
Honda CR-V
SUVs, minivans and three-row vehicles win on space and child-seat flexibility.
See Honda CR-VBest for lowest running cost
Honda CR-V
Cheaper energy use and lower cost per mile at every common mileage tier.
See Honda CR-VHow we compare these vehicles
- Annual mileage
- Modeled at 12,000 mi/yr unless a scenario specifies otherwise.
- Cost per mile
- $/gal ÷ MPG, or $/kWh ÷ (MPGe ÷ 33.7) for EVs.
- EV vs gas
- Compared at average US gas and residential electricity prices — fast-charging can be 2–3× higher.
- Maintenance
- Fuel cost only — EVs typically save another $400–$1,000/yr in service and brake wear.
Sources & assumptions
- EPA fuel economy data — City / highway / combined MPG and MPGe baselines.
- U.S. Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov) — Vehicle efficiency and EV range references.
- AAA gas price trends — Recent national and regional retail fuel averages.
- EIA electricity rates — Average residential per-kWh prices used for EV charging.
We summarize publicly available data — no scraping, no external API calls. Figures are calibrated periodically; use the calculators above for your exact inputs.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to drive, the Honda CR-V or Subaru Forester?
At 12,000 miles per year, the Honda CR-V costs about $1380 per year vs $1428 for the Subaru Forester — roughly $48 less per year.
What's the MPG difference between the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester?
The Honda CR-V is rated around 30 combined MPG versus 29 MPG for the Subaru Forester. Highway figures are 34 vs 33.
How much will I spend on fuel over 5 years?
Driving 12,000 miles a year for five years, expect about $6900 for the Honda CR-V and $7138 for the Subaru Forester, a difference of roughly $238.
Is the Honda CR-V or Subaru Forester better for commuting?
For pure cost per mile, the Honda CR-V wins. EVs charged at home typically deliver the lowest commuting cost, followed by hybrids and efficient compacts.
Which one is better for road trips?
Honda CR-V is generally the better road-trip choice — gas and hybrid vehicles win on long highway routes thanks to faster refueling, while EVs work best when charging stops fit your route.
Are these fuel cost numbers accurate for my driving?
They're estimates based on EPA-style combined MPG and average US gas prices. Real-world cost depends on local fuel prices, driving style, terrain, weather and how much city vs highway driving you do.