2026 Subaru Forester vs. 2026 Honda HR-V Near Somerset, NJ
If you are comparing the 2026 Subaru Forester with the 2026 Honda HR-V, you have already narrowed things down to two practical SUVs. Good start. They just play slightly different games.
The HR-V is a capable compact crossover that is easy to maneuver and nicely equipped. The 2026 Forester answers with standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, a lot more cargo space, a roomier cabin, gas and hybrid choices and the adventure-ready Wilderness. For drivers around Franklin Township, Somerset, New Brunswick, North Brunswick, Piscataway and Hillsborough, the Forester gets our vote.
| Feature | 2026 Subaru Forester | 2026 Honda HR-V |
|---|---|---|
| Trims | Base, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited, Touring, plus Premium, Sport, Limited and Touring Hybrid | LX, Sport, EX-L |
| Drivetrain | Standard Symmetrical AWD | FWD or available AWD |
| Passenger volume | Up to 110.8 cu. ft. | Up to 98.7 cu. ft. |
| Maximum cargo volume | Up to 74.4 cu. ft. | 55.1 cu. ft. |
| Largest central touchscreen | 11.6 in. | 9 in. |
Figures vary by trim and powertrain and come from Subaru and Honda.
Meet the Trim Lineups
The 2026 Forester lineup includes the base Forester, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited and Touring, plus Premium Hybrid, Sport Hybrid, Limited Hybrid and Touring Hybrid. The 2026 HR-V keeps things simpler with LX, Sport and EX-L.
Honda's three trims cover the basics nicely, and Subaru gives you more ways to build a Forester. Want straightforward value? The base Forester or Premium. Something sportier? Sport. Better efficiency? Several hybrid trims. Premium comfort? Limited and Touring. Then there is Wilderness, which we will get to shortly.
Performance: Standard AWD Gives Forester the Edge
The HR-V uses a 158-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a CVT. Front-wheel drive is standard, and Honda's Real Time AWD is available. Gas Forester models use a 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER four-cylinder engine with a Lineartronic CVT, and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive comes standard across the entire Forester lineup, hybrids included.
On a sunny July afternoon, either SUV will be happy. On a February morning when your street looks like an ice rink, we will take the Subaru.
Interior: Forester Wins the Space Race
The HR-V provides 98.7 cubic feet of passenger volume in LX and Sport trims and up to 55.1 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The Forester offers up to 110.8 cubic feet of passenger room and up to 74.4 cubic feet of cargo space.
That is a big difference when you are loading groceries, luggage, sports equipment, the dog or everything someone insisted was necessary for an afternoon at Colonial Park. Available Forester features include StarTex or leather upholstery, heated seats, a panoramic power moonroof and a hands-free power rear gate. Touring adds heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear outboard seats.
Technology: Both Stay Connected
Honda equips the 2026 HR-V with a standard 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and wireless phone charging. The Forester offers an 11.6-inch touchscreen on Premium and above with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus available wireless charging, Harman Kardon audio and navigation. Touring adds a 360-degree Surround View Monitor, Smart Rear-View Mirror and DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System.
Safety: EyeSight vs. Honda Sensing
Every HR-V includes Honda Sensing, with Collision Mitigation Braking, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow and Lane Keeping Assist. Every Forester includes EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, and available features include Blind-Spot Detection, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Reverse Automatic Braking and the 360-degree Surround View Monitor depending on trim. We give the Forester the edge for the range of safety and visibility technology available across its lineup.
Forester Wilderness: The HR-V Has No Answer
The 2026 Forester Wilderness offers 9.3 inches of ground clearance, all-terrain tires, enhanced dual-function X-MODE, an engine skid plate, upgraded roof rails and up to 3,500 pounds of towing capacity. The HR-V offers available AWD and a Snow mode, which are useful, and Wilderness is built for weekends where the road stops looking like a road. Heading to Six Mile Run with gear, up to the Poconos or over a Route 27 pothole with its own ZIP code? Wilderness is ready.
Our Pick: 2026 Subaru Forester
Honda makes a respectable case with compact dimensions, solid standard tech and a simple lineup. The Forester brings more to Central Jersey life: standard AWD, more passenger space, far more cargo room, gas and hybrid choices, more trims and the Wilderness. Visit Victory Subaru at 1233 Highway 27 in Somerset to compare Forester models and take one for a drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 2026 Subaru Forester trims?
The lineup includes the base Forester, Premium, Sport, Wilderness, Limited and Touring, plus Premium Hybrid, Sport Hybrid, Limited Hybrid and Touring Hybrid.
What are the 2026 Honda HR-V trims?
The HR-V comes in LX, Sport and EX-L.
Does the 2026 Forester come standard with AWD?
Yes. Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive is standard on every 2026 Forester, including the hybrids.
Which has more cargo space, Forester or HR-V?
The Forester offers up to 74.4 cubic feet, compared with 55.1 cubic feet in the HR-V.
Where can I test-drive a 2026 Forester near Franklin Township?
Visit Victory Subaru at 1233 Highway 27 in Somerset, NJ.
