What To Know
- When it comes to choosing a vehicle that can handle the challenges of winter driving, the Honda CR-V and Subaru Outback are two of the top contenders.
- If you’re looking for a vehicle with good ground clearance, all-wheel drive, and a variety of winter-specific features, the Subaru Outback is the better choice.
- The CR-V gets an EPA-estimated 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, while the Outback gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway.
When it comes to choosing a vehicle that can handle the challenges of winter driving, the Honda CR-V and Subaru Outback are two of the top contenders. Both vehicles offer all-wheel drive, ground clearance, and a host of features designed to keep you safe and comfortable on snowy roads. But which one is the better choice for snow driving? In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll put the Honda CR-V and Subaru Outback head-to-head to see which one comes out on top.
Ground Clearance
Ground clearance is an important factor to consider when driving in snow. The higher the ground clearance, the less likely you are to get stuck. The Honda CR-V has a ground clearance of 8.2 inches, while the Subaru Outback has a ground clearance of 8.7 inches. While both vehicles offer plenty of ground clearance for most winter driving conditions, the Subaru Outback has a slight edge in this category.
All-Wheel Drive Systems
Both the Honda CR-V and Subaru Outback come standard with all-wheel drive. However, there are some key differences between the two systems. The Honda CR-V uses a real-time all-wheel drive system, which means that it can send power to all four wheels as needed. The Subaru Outback uses a symmetrical all-wheel drive system, which means that it sends power to all four wheels all the time. This gives the Subaru Outback a slight advantage in terms of traction and stability in slippery conditions.
Snow Handling
The Honda CR-V and Subaru Outback both handle well in snow. However, the Subaru Outback has a slight edge in this category. The Outback’s symmetrical all-wheel drive system and lower center of gravity give it better traction and stability in slippery conditions. The Outback also has a more sophisticated suspension system that helps to absorb bumps and jolts.
Winter Features
Both the Honda CR-V and Subaru Outback offer a variety of features that are designed to make winter driving safer and more comfortable. These features include heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and remote start. However, the Subaru Outback offers a few more winter-specific features than the Honda CR-V. These features include a heated windshield wiper de-icer and a rear-seat heater.
Fuel Efficiency
Fuel efficiency is an important consideration for any vehicle, especially in winter when gas mileage tends to drop. The Honda CR-V gets an EPA-estimated 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. The Subaru Outback gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. While both vehicles offer good fuel efficiency, the Honda CR-V has a slight edge in this category.
Price
The Honda CR-V and Subaru Outback are both priced similarly. The base price of the Honda CR-V is $26,400, while the base price of the Subaru Outback is $26,645. However, the Outback offers more standard features than the CR-V, so it may be a better value for the money.
Which One is Right for You?
Ultimately, the best vehicle for you in the snow will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a vehicle with good ground clearance, all-wheel drive, and a variety of winter-specific features, the Subaru Outback is the better choice. However, if you’re looking for a vehicle that’s more fuel-efficient and has a lower price tag, the Honda CR-V is the better choice.
The Verdict: Subaru Outback
In our opinion, the Subaru Outback is the better choice for snow driving. It has a slight edge in terms of ground clearance, all-wheel drive, snow handling, and winter features. While the Honda CR-V is a good choice for winter driving, the Outback is simply better equipped to handle the challenges of snowy roads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which vehicle has better fuel efficiency, the Honda CR-V or the Subaru Outback?
A: The Honda CR-V has slightly better fuel efficiency than the Subaru Outback. The CR-V gets an EPA-estimated 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, while the Outback gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway.
Q: Which vehicle has more cargo space, the Honda CR-V or the Subaru Outback?
A: The Subaru Outback has more cargo space than the Honda CR-V. The Outback has 32.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 75.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down. The CR-V has 24.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 68.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down.
Q: Which vehicle has a better warranty, the Honda CR-V or the Subaru Outback?
A: The Honda CR-V has a better warranty than the Subaru Outback. The CR-V comes with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Outback comes with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.