[Captain Blood]

We have decided to replace our totaled Pilot with something smaller. Does anyone have experience with either car mentioned above? They are our finalists so far

[bucketfoot]

I haven't owned either, but these were cars I looked at before getting my X1.

If off-road ability is a major factor I'd go with the Outback, otherwise the Honda will likely be better in pretty much every other aspect.

Personally I would also take a good look at the Mazda CX-5. Had I not gone with the X1, this would have been mine and my wife's choice.

[1MOREMOD]

Yeah neither unless wanna be off road some would look at cx5 like dude said.

[wdb]

The Outback has gotten enormous, and they're aiming them at the near-lux crowd. Stuff like rear heated seats. CRV is a size class smaller and aimed more towards value buyers. I like them both but I miss the old, small Outbacks.

I've owned Subies and Hondas and enjoyed them both, but the Hondas win for cost to drive. Two Hondas, 100K+ plus on each, only routine maintenance. They just don't break. One of the Subies (Legacy) had head gasket and other woes; Subaru covered them but still the hassle was ours to deal with. The other Subie (STi) was totally reliable, amazingly enough.

[obert]

The wife owned a crv and we loved it. We have been looking at the new crv touring. Has everything you could ever want. Honda will last forever. I also like the Honda look better than the Subaru.

[1MOREMOD]

Plus wife can shave legs and still drive the crv

[wdb]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

Plus wife can shave legs and still drive the crv

And pits.

[Captain Blood]

Originally Posted by wdb

And pits.

Your wives shave?

[overcoil]

Honda CR-V is great from personal experience, a few years back rodents liked eating the wiring harnesses 2016-ish so make sure that problem is solved.
I’d trade in my present Honda for a new cr-v as a car to use daily and snow - but I could never be passionate about it.
I think after u own Honda’s for awhile you see and feel all the ways they manufacturer them to be able to sell them at the price they do. At a base price of $25,000 i would think a lot of shortcuts in the design and makes me reluctant to buy loaded versions in the $30,000 range.

Subaru just freak me out a little, the engines and the looks, though I think the BRZ is great looking.

[tuco44]

Prefer Honda to Subaru generally. Personally, I would go CR-V.

[Tuxedo]

Originally Posted by bucketfoot

I haven't owned either, but these were cars I looked at before getting my X1.

If off-road ability is a major factor I'd go with the Outback, otherwise the Honda will likely be better in pretty much every other aspect.

Personally I would also take a good look at the Mazda CX-5. Had I not gone with the X1, this would have been mine and my wife's choice.

I sell Mazda for a living and the best value in the biz is a CX-5 Touring w/ preferred package. MSRP depending on color $29,600-30,300 best prices sell for $500-700 below invoice if supply and demand and negotiation all come together

[IrvineTim]

did not look at the honda. However, gave up my M4 for a 17 outback limited 3.6r. I love the car! No regrets at all!!

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Real Dodger

We have decided to replace our totaled Pilot with something smaller. Does anyone have experience with either car mentioned above? They are our finalists so far

Curious, why not the new 2019 Forester? Should be a winner and it’s Subaru’s CR-V competitor.

[Mingwan]

Between the two, the CRV. I think it has a nicer interior.

Other people mentioned the CX5. It’s definitely worth a look.

[ShocknAwe]

As an owner of an old "small" outback, I can't recommend the new ones. Theyre soft, huge, and entirely out of segment with their pseudo-lux focus these days.

Are you looking for something that's more car, or more truck?

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by Real Dodger

Your wives shave?

Just one does others dont, main bitch vs side

[Mr Carrots]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Curious, why not the new 2019 Forester? Should be a winner and it’s Subaru’s CR-V competitor.

Base is trash, XT is ok but the CVT is awful and it cost almost as much as the X1 we replaced my wife's XT with

The x1 can be had for massive discounts and is far better than anything else in the sub 30k range for CUVs

[Captain Blood]

My wife has fallen in love with the outback. And I like the warranty a lot better, and it is somewhat bigger than the CRV. The CRV I just don't think will be big enough. I appreciate all the input though.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Mr Carrots

Base is trash, XT is ok but the CVT is awful and it cost almost as much as the X1 we replaced my wife's XT with

It’s a brand new product not even on dealer lots yet. It sounds like you are against all small SUVs that aren’t an X1. That’s fine - you’re entitled to your opinion, and I’m not going to debate that with you. However, since the OP mentioned the CR-V which is a small SUV and the Outback which is a Subaru product that isn’t in the same class as the CR-V, I figured the brand new Forester was worth bringing up.

Originally Posted by Real Dodger

My wife has fallen in love with the outback. And I like the warranty a lot better, and it is somewhat bigger than the CRV. The CRV I just don't think will be big enough. I appreciate all the input though.

Sounds like the choice is very clear.

In case such things matter to your wife, it’s good to be aware that the seventh generation Outback is rumored for launch next year (it would be consistent with its typical model cycle) and will most probably adopt the new 2.4L turbo four from the Ascent. I suspect the upgrade engine will be positioned slightly more accessibly than where the 3.6R model is today. I’ve test driven both the four cylinder and six cylinder Outback and the former is underpowered while the latter is priced into territory where it begins to compete with turbo four cylinder powered small SUVs that feel more sporty.

[Alfisti]

On paper the Outback is the best family car on the market. Affordable, great rear seat room, excellent cargo space, a little ride height but drives like a car.

In my experience, the inside is a little chintzy but not been in the new generation or the Limited trim. Engine options are terrible, that'd be my big concern.

The CRV, very well thought out but i suspect a good bit less boot (trunk) space than the Outback and question marks arising over the 1.5 turbo 4 banger.

[aaaaah]

Did they ever fix the issue with the CRV not being able to send more than 5-10% torque to the rear axle, thereby making the AWD system just posterity and not actually useful?

[Captain Blood]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

It’s a brand new product not even on dealer lots yet. It sounds like you are against all small SUVs that aren’t an X1. That’s fine - you’re entitled to your opinion, and I’m not going to debate that with you. However, since the OP mentioned the CR-V which is a small SUV and the Outback which is a Subaru product that isn’t in the same class as the CR-V, I figured the brand new Forester was worth bringing up.



Sounds like the choice is very clear.

In case such things matter to your wife, it’s good to be aware that the seventh generation Outback is rumored for launch next year (it would be consistent with its typical model cycle) and will most probably adopt the new 2.4L turbo four from the Ascent. I suspect the upgrade engine will be positioned slightly more accessibly than where the 3.6R model is today. I’ve test driven both the four cylinder and six cylinder Outback and the former is underpowered while the latter is priced into territory where it begins to compete with turbo four cylinder powered small SUVs that feel more sporty.

The CRV, MX-5, and several others are nice, but while we no longer need the 3rd row seats, we still need storage room for big road trips. After looking at the CRV, it just doesnt have the room. And I suspect the MX5 is the same way.