2026 Subaru Outback vs 2026 Honda CR-V: Family Utility, Cargo Smarts, and Winter Traction

You need one vehicle that does school dropoff on Monday and a ski run or beach run on Saturday. You are stuck between Subaru Outback and Honda CR-V. Both seat five, both haul gear, and both have loyal fans. Here is how they actually differ when you load them, drive them, and pay for them over time.

Traction and bad weather control

Outback: Standard Subaru Symmetrical All Wheel Drive and about 8.7 inches of ground clearance are built in on every trim. Subaru also bakes in X-MODE for slippery conditions and hill descent control on certain trims.

CR-V: Front wheel drive is standard. Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control is available, not guaranteed. Honda's AWD system can send power to the rear wheels when slip is detected.

If you spend winters on unplowed side streets, Outback removes the guess work. CR-V can match a lot of that grip if you spec AWD, but the base setup is aimed at mild weather.

Cargo space and cabin tricks

Outback can swallow up to about 75.6 cubic feet of cargo with the rear seats folded. The load floor sits low like a wagon, not high like a tall SUV, so heavy stuff slides in instead of being lifted in.

CR-V posts up to 76.5 cubic feet with the rear seats down and about 39.3 cubic feet behind the second row. Honda also gives you a wide hatch opening and an easy folding 60/40 second row.

So on paper CR-V wins by a hair for max cargo volume. In real life, Outback's lower liftover and long roof rails make loading skis, kayaks, and big coolers feel less like gym day. You pick which pain you hate more, lifting overhead or bending to slide gear in.


Ride comfort and drive feel

Outback behaves like a long distance wagon. Highway ride is calm, seats are wide, and wind noise is managed. Subaru positions Outback as a road trip tool that can also handle dirt roads, not just a mall crawler.

CR-V leans quiet and refined. Reviewers keep pointing out that the latest CR-V feels more upscale than past versions and that rear seat legroom is generous. Hybrid versions also pull smoothly and return strong mpg.

What to test in 10 minutes   

  • Hatch loading: Bring a stroller, a hockey bag, or a cooler. See which one loads without a fight. Numbers do not tell the whole story.   
  • Snow plan: Ask yourself if you will run winter tires and AWD or just hope. Outback gives AWD standard. CR-V makes it optional.   
  • Front seat comfort: Sit for 5 straight minutes with your normal winter coat on. Which seat digs less into your hips and shoulders after 5 minutes.

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