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Who doesn’t want a compact SUV that’s both comfortable and fuel-efficient? The rising popularity of hybrid and electric vehicles have made compact SUVs more fuel-efficient than ever. Yet not every SUV that’s great on gas is a hybrid or electric. In fact, there are two small SUVs that can take you the distance on fuel alone. This is why the 2022 Subaru Forester and 2022 Honda CR-V are great SUVs.

Front view of Aegean Blue Metallic 2022 Honda CR-V
Aegean Blue Metallic 2022 Honda CR-V | Honda

The 2022 Subaru Forester and 2022 Honda CR-V are fuel-efficient

Both the 2022 Subaru Forester and the 2022 Honda CR-V are two of the most fuel-efficient compact SUVs you can buy. The gas mileage for each is 28 mpg overall, according to Consumer Reports. The Forester has a 2.5-liter turbo-four-cylinder engine that makes 182 hp, 176 lb-ft of torque, and can go from 0 to 60 in 9.2 seconds. On the other hand, the 2022 Honda CR-V has a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque.

There’s also a hybrid CR-V that can get up to 35 mpg but Consumer Reports says that it is “slower and has more engine noise.” There is currently no hybrid Forester, though with the increase in hybrid and electric SUVs, it’s always possible that will change.

So what does this mean for your wallet? Both the CR-V and Forester are likely to save you about $500 a year in gas and cost you just $1,750 in fuel per year.

Is a Honda CR-V bigger than a Subaru Forester?

The 2022 Honda CR-V has a definite advantage when it comes to cargo space over the 2022 Subaru Forester. The Forester can hold just 28.9 cubic feet of cargo when the rear seats are up, according to MotorTrend. On the other hand, the CR-V can take up to 39.2 cubic feet.

If you don’t need those rear seats, the difference becomes practically negligible. With the second seats down, the Forester has room for 74.2 cubic feet in the base model and 69.1 in higher trim levels. The CR-V can fit 75.8 cubic feet, though the hybrid version has just enough room for 68.7 cubic feet of storage. In addition, the Honda CR-V has an inch more legroom.

How much does the 2022 Subaru Forester cost?

The 2022 Subaru Forester price starts at $25,195 but the Forester Touring will cost you $35,295. Both the base model Subaru Forester and the Premium come with the Key Features, which include driver assistance technology, a multimedia system that’s compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a rear-seat reminder system.

The 2022 Honda CR-V price, on the other hand, starts at $28,825. The base model Forester comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, climate control, and a four-speaker audio system. In addition, it has forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.

Both the 2022 Subaru Forester and 2022 Honda CR-V are great compact SUVs with exceptional fuel economy. Still, the Honda CR-V’s more powerful engine gives it a definite advantage over the Forester. Yet the price difference may be enough to convince some people to go for the Subaru Forester anyway, and they likely wouldn’t regret that decision. After all, the 2022 Subaru Forester is one of the best small SUVs that you can buy.