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Honda CR-V vs Subaru Forester: fuel economy and fuel cost

In model year 2026 the Honda CR-V is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,620 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (CR-V, 40 MPG combined), against $1,890 for the Subaru Forester (Forester Hybrid, 35 MPG combined). That is $270 a year, or $1,350 over five years.

Both are classed as Small SUVs by the EPA. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.

The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.

Illustration: Small SUVs
  • Hybrid
  • Small SUVs

Honda CR-V

Lowest fuel cost configuration

CR-V

40 MPG
Combined
43 MPG
City
36 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$1,620

$10.80 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

6 configurations in MY2026

Illustration: Small SUVs
  • Hybrid
  • Small SUVs

Subaru Forester

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Forester Hybrid

35 MPG
Combined
35 MPG
City
34 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$1,890

$12.60 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

4 configurations in MY2026

What the fuel costs

Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration

  • Honda CR-V$1,620 a year · $10.80 per 100 mi
  • Subaru Forester$1,890 a year · $12.60 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$270

Honda CR-V costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$1,350

$270 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure Honda CR-V Subaru Forester
Lowest-cost configuration CR-VForester Hybrid
Powertrain HybridHybrid
Combined rating 40 MPG (better)35 MPG
City rating 43 MPG (better)35 MPG
Highway rating 36 MPG (better)34 MPG
Annual fuel cost $1,620/yr (better)$1,890/yr
Cost per 100 miles $10.80 (better)$12.60
Annual cost range, all configurations $1,620–$2,250$1,890–$2,540
Configurations in MY2026 64
EPA class Small SUVsSmall SUVs

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester
Powertrain Honda CR-V Subaru Forester
Gas 30 MPG · $2,150/yr CR-V 29 MPG · $2,280/yr Forester
Hybrid 40 MPG · $1,620/yr CR-V 35 MPG · $1,890/yr Forester Hybrid
Hydrogen 39 MPGe · no cost estimate CR-V e-FCEV Not offered in MY2026

Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.

Where each one comes out ahead

Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.

Honda CR-V

  • Lower annual fuel cost: $1,620 vs $1,890
  • Higher combined rating: 40 MPG vs 35 MPG
  • Higher city rating: 43 MPG vs 35 MPG
  • Higher highway rating: 36 MPG vs 34 MPG
  • Lower annual cost for the best gas configuration: $2,150 vs $2,280
  • Offers hydrogen configurations in MY2026; the Subaru Forester does not

Subaru Forester

Not ahead on any measure listed here.

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester
Model year Honda CR-V Subaru Forester
CombinedPer yearCombinedPer year
2026 29–40 MPG $1,620–$2,250 26–35 MPG $1,890–$2,540
2025 28–40 MPG $1,620–$2,310 26–35 MPG $1,890–$2,490
2024 29–40 MPG $1,620–$2,260 26–29 MPG $2,280–$2,490
2023 29–40 MPG $1,620–$2,260 26–29 MPG $2,280–$2,490
2022 29–38 MPG $1,710–$2,250 26–29 MPG $2,280–$2,490
2021 29–38 MPG $1,710–$2,250 29 MPG $2,280
2020 29–38 MPG $1,710–$2,250 29 MPG $2,280
2019 27–30 MPG $2,150–$2,420 29 MPG $2,280
2018 27–30 MPG $2,150–$2,420 24–28 MPG $2,320–$3,250
2017 27–30 MPG $2,150–$2,420 24–28 MPG $2,320–$3,250
2016 27–29 MPG $2,280–$2,410 25–27 MPG $2,430–$3,250
2015 28–29 MPG $2,250–$2,320 25–27 MPG $2,430–$3,250
2014 25–26 MPG $2,550–$2,630 24–27 MPG $2,430–$3,250
2013 25–26 MPG $2,550–$2,630 21–23 MPG $2,830–$3,880
2012 25–26 MPG $2,550–$2,630 21–23 MPG $2,830–$3,880
2011 23–24 MPG $2,770–$2,840 21–23 MPG $2,830–$3,880
2010 23–24 MPG $2,720–$2,840 21–22 MPG $2,970–$3,830
2009 22–23 MPG $2,840–$2,970 21–22 MPG $2,970–$3,830
2008 22–23 MPG $2,840–$2,970 20–22 MPG $2,970–$4,020
2007 22–23 MPG $2,840–$2,970 20–22 MPG $2,970–$4,020
2006 21–23 MPG $2,840–$3,110 20–22 MPG $2,970–$4,020
2005 21–23 MPG $2,840–$3,110 19–23 MPG $2,840–$4,230
2004 21–22 MPG $2,970–$3,110 18–21 MPG $3,110–$4,460
2003 21–22 MPG $2,970–$3,110 21 MPG $3,110
2002 21–23 MPG $2,840–$3,110 21 MPG $3,110
2001 21 MPG $3,110 21 MPG $3,110
2000 21 MPG $3,110 21 MPG $3,110

Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper to fuel, the Honda CR-V or the Subaru Forester?

The Honda CR-V is cheaper: about $1,620 a year against $1,890 for the Subaru Forester, a difference of $270 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.

How much would the Honda CR-V save over five years?

About $1,350 ($270 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.

Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Honda CR-V or the Subaru Forester?

The Honda CR-V is rated 40 MPG combined against 35 MPG for the Subaru Forester. City: 43 MPG vs 35 MPG. Highway: 36 MPG vs 34 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.

How is the annual fuel cost calculated?

Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.

Are the Honda CR-V and the Subaru Forester in the same class?

Yes. The EPA classes both as Small SUVs.

Explore these cars

More comparisons

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. avg, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. avg, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city, same prices for both vehicles