Budget Buy $15,000: Subaru Outback vs Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V and the Subaru Outback represent practical reliable everyday transportation so we’re going to find out which is the better buy for 15k.
The Do-It-All SUV Showdown
Pragmatic buyers across the nation are searching for a vehicle that can do it all. The Honda CR-V and the Subaru Outback both offer that practical go-anywhere spirit. With that in mind, we thought we’d compare the two with regard to specs, driving performance, interior comfort, trims, and features. Then, we’ll crown a winner but to make things a little harder we’re giving ourselves a budget of just $15,000. These are two of the best compact crossovers on the market. Let’s find out which is best.
A limited amount of cash on hand means that we have to play by the market’s rules. While used car prices are starting to cool off in some places, values are still very high. On top of that, both the Honda CR-V and the Subaru Outback hold their value quite well in any market. Due to those factors, we’ll be comparing the 2009 Honda CR-V to the 2014 Subaru Outback. Why such a disparity between year models?
Well, these are the newest year models that are most widely available across the nation for $15,000 or less. We found some outliers like this 2013 CR-V and this 2018 Subaru Outback and while we suggest checking outside of your local area, these cars aren’t representative of what’s out there for most buyers.
Subaru Outback vs Honda CR-V Specs
The 2009 Honda CR-V is a part of the model’s third generation that started in 2006. Keep in mind that the car is now in its sixth generation so it’s changed a lot since back then. Honda offered this car with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that was factory rated at 166 horsepower. A five-speed automatic and front-wheel drive are both standard features but AWD is available. The EPA estimates that the CR-V will get 20 mpg in the city, 27 on the highway, and 23 combined. That’s not bad for the class or the time period.
Subaru’s Outback was at the end of its fourth generation back in 2014 and it came with either a 2.5-liter four-cylinder or a 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine. Power for the 2.5 is rated at 173 horsepower while the 3.6 is good for 256. Both engines push power to all four wheels regardless of trim but the four-banger does so through a continuously variable transmission or a six-speed manual while the six does the job with a five-speed automatic only. The four-cylinder engine returns 22 mpg in the city, 29 on the highway, and 24 combined.
Driving and Performance
Honda’s CR-V drivetrain proves that sometimes less is more. While this isn’t a sporty vehicle in a traditional sense it handles exceptionally well. It’s sharp and reacts to inputs to the pedals and wheel quickly and directly with almost no numbness whatsoever. Pedal travel is linear and easy to modulate quickly. While we’d love a lot more power, this thing does 0-60 in 10 seconds, Honda does a lot with the power on offer here. The automatic transmission is smooth too which makes this compact SUV one of the most practical everyday cars on the road. Just don’t plan on overtaking anything quickly.
The Subaru Outback is slightly on the other side of the coin. The base 2.5-liter engine is similarly pokey as the CR-V but thanks to a bit more horsepower and more torque it feels quicker. Sadly, it doesn’t have the same athletic handling that the Honda offers. It’s not bad to drive by any means but it does have pronounced steering numbness on center and it’s not as quick to change direction. Once a driver is used to that slightly more ponderous movement, the Outback is inoffensive. The 3.6-liter flat-six engine is an interesting wildcard as it provides a lot more power than the CR-V and feels fantastic on the highway and taking off from a stop light.
Comfort and Interior
Honda has been innovating for more than 50 years and the CR-V demonstrates that in its cabin. Not only is it very comfortable and spacious but it’s impressive in other ways too. The build quality, even now, more than a decade after its release, looks fantastic. The buttons and switches work reliably and there’s no confusion about what features are where or how they work. The seats are supportive and perfectly positioned for great visibility.
Additionally, little touches like the bevy of storage spaces and the tiny “conversation mirror” in the sunglasses holder make this more than just a box on wheels. Behind the rear seats, you’ll find more than 35 cubic feet of storage. That figure jumps to 73 cubic feet when the seats are folded down.
The Outback feels even more spacious than the CR-V but doesn’t have the same sort of upright driving position. For those that enjoy sitting lower in a vehicle, the Subaru will feel better right away. Visibility is on par with the Honda if not slightly improved thanks to the long windows and the short C-pillar at the rear of the vehicle. The seating can feel more luxurious too. The dash is similarly laid out to the CR-V despite the age gap. Again, we like the general theme inside with its straightforward controls and upper-tier build quality.
Just like the CR-V, the Outback has a lot of cargo space, 34.3 cubic feet, behind the second-row seats. Fold those down and you’ll get up to 71.3 cubic feet. The roof rack has a cool trick, too, where the cross rails swing inward for stowing bikes, kayaks, and snowboards.
Trims and Features
The 2009 CR-V offers three trim levels, LX, EX, and EX-L.
The LX starts out with 17-inch steel wheels, cloth upholstery, power locks, power windows, cruise control, a small digital driver information display, a CD/MP3 player, and auxiliary audio jack, four speakers, and 40/20/40 folding rear seats.
The EX added 17-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, steering wheel mounted controls, tinted rear glass, a removable parcel shelf for the trunk, and an in-dash six-CD changer.
The EX-L featured leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power driver’s seat, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a center console, satellite radio, and a seven-speaker premium audio system.
The 2014 Subaru Outback was offered in four trim levels including 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, and 3.6R Limited. All 2.5 trims came with the 2.5-liter engine while the 3.6R got the flat-six.
The 2.5i’s standard equipment includes 16-inch steel wheels, fold-out roof rack crossbars, cruise control, air conditioning, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, power locks, power windows, a 6.5-inch infotainment screen, and a four-speaker sound system including Bluetooth, an auxiliary audio jack, and an iPod/USB port.
The 2.5i Premium added 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, a cargo cover, a six-speaker sound system, satellite radio, tinted rear windows, heated mirrors, and an eight-way power driver’s seat. Those who opt for the CVT will also have the chance to add a power moonroof package with a sunroof, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a rearview camera.
The 2.5i Premium trim also adds access to Subaru’s EyeSight advanced driver assistance system. It includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation, and lane-departure warning. Buyers can then add a 7-inch infotainment screen on top of those optional extras.
The 2.5i Limited gets an upgraded gauge cluster, a Harmon Kardon nine-speaker, dual-zone automatic climate control, real wood trim, a four-way powered passenger seat, and leather upholstery.
The 3.6R Limited comes with all of the same equipment as the 2.5i Limited but, of course, it gets the big engine.
The Verdict
These are very similar cars in terms of the way that you’ll live with them. If it came down to it for us we’d go with the Subaru for a few reasons. Firstly, it has full-time AWD no matter which trims you get. Secondly, it’s newer so there are a number of improvements that can only come with the advancements made between 2009 and 2014. That includes improved safety equipment along with better technology in the cabin. Finally, the Subaru is the only one to offer a more powerful engine for those that want it.
