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Subaru Forester vs. Honda Civic

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Subaru Forester and Honda Civic contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Subaru Forester and the Honda Civic.

When we compare the Subaru Forester's and the Honda Civic's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Forester has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. The Honda Civic has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, reliability, resale value and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the Subaru Forester's and the Honda Civic's specifications and ratings, the Honda Civic is a better car than the Subaru Forester.

Pricing: For a new model, the Subaru Forester's price is between $31,497 and $38,867, with the Honda Civic priced between $25,044 and $32,100.

Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Subaru Forester loses 34.5 percent of its value and the Honda Civic loses 23.5 percent of its value. This means the Honda Civic retains 11 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Subaru Forester.

Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Subaru Forester is 8.6 out of 10 while the Honda Civic's quality rating is 9.0 out of 10. This results in the Subaru Forester being ranked 6 out of 19 Best Small SUVs and the Honda Civic being ranked 5 out of 43 Best Small Cars.

Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Subaru Forester is 8.3 out of 10. For the Honda Civic the reliability rating is 8.8 out of 10. This gives the Honda Civic a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Subaru Forester.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Subaru Forester’s base engine makes 180 horsepower, and the Honda Civic base engine makes 158 horsepower.

Passenger Space Comparison: The Subaru Forester, a crossover/compact SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space.

Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Subaru Forester and the Honda Civic have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Honda Civic has the advantage with a Top Safety Pick award.

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Model & Pricing
Subaru Forester
Honda Civic

2025 Subaru Forester
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Subaru Forester for Sale

2024 Honda Civic Sedan
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Honda Civic for Sale

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

$31,497 - $38,867

Starting MSRP:

$29,695

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)

$29,563

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)

$28,895 - $30,100

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

$25,044 - $32,100

Starting MSRP:

$23,950

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)

$26,555

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)

$17,795 - $45,665

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

Price Range:

-

Category Avg Price:

N/A

Category Avg Price Range:

N/A

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

# Good or Great Deals:

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

$27,777

Price Range:

$24,951 - $32,094

Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)

$28,855

Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)

$19,171 - $47,673

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

1,600

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

7,826

# Good or Great Deals:

360

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

$10,410

Depreciation %:

35.1%

Resale Value $:

$19,285

Residual Value %:

64.9%

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact SUVs)

34.7%

Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact SUVs)

31.9% - 40.2%

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

$5,875

Depreciation %:

24.5%

Resale Value $:

$18,075

Residual Value %:

75.5%

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)

31.6%

Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)

24.4% - 40.1%

Subaru Forester Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.6 / 10

Reliability:

8.3 / 10

Retained Value:

8.4 / 10

Safety:

9.0 / 10

Honda Civic Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

9.0 / 10

Reliability:

8.8 / 10

Retained Value:

9.0 / 10

Safety:

9.0 / 10



iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru Forester

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

11.1

Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact SUVs)

11.1

Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact SUVs)

10.9 - 13.4

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

10.1%

iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Honda Civic

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

13

Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)

11.2

Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)

10.1 - 13.6

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

41.9%



Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

Typical Category Recalls:

N/A

Category Range for Recalls:

N/A

Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

14.7

Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2.9

Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2 - 18.8

Subaru Forester Rankings

Most Comfortable Small SUVs

1 / 19

Best Off-road Small SUVs

2 / 19

Best Small SUVs for Tall People

2 / 19

Best Crossover SUVs for Teens

2 / 7

Best Small SUVs for Teens

2 / 6

Best Off-road Crossover SUVs

3 / 67

Small SUVs with Best Resale Value

4 / 19

Most Reliable Small SUVs

4 / 19

Best Crossover SUVs Under $30k

5 / 20

Small SUVs with the Most Cargo Space

5 / 19

Best Small SUVs Under $30k

5 / 14

Most Comfortable Crossover SUVs

6 / 67

Best Small SUVs

6 / 19

Best Small SUVs for Towing

6 / 19

Best Gas Mileage Small SUVs

7 / 19

Best Family Small SUVs

7 / 19

Best Small SUVs for the Money

8 / 13

Best Crossover SUVs for Tall People

10 / 67

Best Crossover SUVs for the Money

10 / 30

Small SUVs with the Most Legroom

11 / 19

Crossover SUVs with Best Resale Value

12 / 67

Best Gas Mileage Crossover SUVs

12 / 67

Small SUVs with the Most Horsepower

14 / 19

Most Affordable Small SUVs

15 / 19

Best Crossover SUVs

17 / 67

Best Family Crossover SUVs

17 / 67

Most Reliable Crossover SUVs

19 / 67

Crossover SUVs with the Most Legroom

24 / 67

Crossover SUVs with the Most Cargo Space

26 / 67

Most Affordable Crossover SUVs

28 / 59

Best Crossover SUVs for Towing

32 / 67

Safest Crossover SUVs

33 / 67

Crossover SUVs with the Most Horsepower

49 / 67

Honda Civic Rankings

Most Reliable Small Cars

2 / 43

Best Gas Mileage Small Cars

3 / 43

Best Small Cars Under $25k

3 / 13

Best Small Cars for Teens

3 / 5

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

4 / 43

Best Manual Transmission Small Cars

4 / 21

Best Small Cars

5 / 43

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

5 / 43

Best Family Small Cars

6 / 43

Most Comfortable Small Cars

7 / 43

Best Small Cars for the Money

7 / 13

Best Small Cars for Tall People

12 / 43

Most Affordable Small Cars

14 / 24

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

17 / 43

Safest Small Cars

23 / 43

Available Body Styles

SUV

Available Body Styles

Hatchback, Sedan

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Subaru Forester Trim Levels

Base, Limited, Premium, Sport, Touring

Honda Civic Trim Levels

Not yet available

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

3 years / 36000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain:

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

3 years / 36000 miles

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

3 years / 36000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain:

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

3 years / 36000 miles

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

5 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:

Not yet available

2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

Not yet available

2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

Not yet available

2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:

Not yet available

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

5 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2024 NHTSA Rollover Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

TOP SAFETY PICK

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

180 hp @ 5800 rpm

Torque:

178 foot-lbs @ 3700 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.051 hp per pound

Towing capacity:

Not yet available

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

158 hp @ 6500 rpm

Torque:

138 foot-lbs @ 4200 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.055 hp per pound

Towing capacity:

Not yet available

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

2.5 liters

Engine Configuration:

Flat/Horizontally Opposed

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

AWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


Not yet available

Range (city/hwy):

Not yet available

Recommended Fuel Type:

Not yet available

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

2 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


31 / 40 / 35

Range (city/hwy):

384 / 496 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Regular Unleaded

Standard/Optional Features

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Standard

Alloy wheels:

Standard

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Internet Radio:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Navigation System:

Standard

Parking Sensors:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Roadside assistance:

Standard

Satellite radio:

Standard

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Available

Heated Seats

Available

Heated Steering Wheel:

Available

Keyless Ignition:

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Paddle Shifters:

Available

Power Lift Gate:

Available

Roof Rack:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Wifi:

Available

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Available

Air Suspension:

N/A

Automatic Parking:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Massage Seats:

N/A

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Quad Seats:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Standard/Optional Features

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Standard

Alloy wheels:

Available

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Internet Radio:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Navigation System:

Available

Parking Sensors:

Available

Power outlet:

Standard

Roadside assistance:

Standard

Satellite radio:

Available

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

N/A

Heated Seats

Available

Heated Steering Wheel:

N/A

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Paddle Shifters:

Available

Power Lift Gate:

Standard

Roof Rack:

N/A

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Wifi:

N/A

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Available

Air Suspension:

N/A

Automatic Parking:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Massage Seats:

N/A

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Quad Seats:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Rear Seat Reminder:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

Available

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Available

Driver Attention Monitoring:

Available

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Available

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Rear Seat Reminder:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Available

Driver Attention Monitoring:

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Available

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

41.2 inches

Front Leg Room:

43.3 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

57.7 inches

Rear Head Room:

39.6 inches

Rear Leg Room:

39.4 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

56.7 inches

Cargo Space:

29.6 cubic feet

Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:

74.4 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

140.4 cubic feet

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

39.3 inches

Front Leg Room:

42.3 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

57 inches

Rear Head Room:

37.1 inches

Rear Leg Room:

37.4 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

56 inches

Cargo Space:

14.8 cubic feet

Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:

Not yet available

Overall Interior Volume:

99.0 cubic feet

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

3510 lbs

Width:

81.2 inches

Height:

68.1 inches

Length:

183.3 inches

Wheelbase:

105.1 inches

Ground Clearance:

8.7 inches

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

2877 lbs

Width:

70.9 inches

Height:

55.7 inches

Length:

184 inches

Wheelbase:

107.7 inches

Ground Clearance:

Not yet available

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

17.0 inches

Wheel Type:

painted aluminum alloy

Tire Size:

225/60R17

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

16.0 x 7.0 inches

Wheel Type:

steel

Tire Size:

215/55R16

Exterior Colors

Blue

Horizon Blue Pearl

Gray

Magnetite Gray Metallic

Red

Crimson Red Pearl

White

Crystal White Pearl

Black

Not available

Silver

Not available

Exterior Colors

Blue

Aegean Blue Metallic

Gray

Meteorite Gray Metallic

Red

Rallye Red

White

Platinum White Pearl

Black

Crystal Black Pearl

Silver

Lunar Silver Metallic

Interior Colors

Gray

Gray

Black

Not available

Interior Colors

Gray

Gray

Black

Black

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