Honda CR-V TrailSport vs. Toyota RAV4 Woodland vs. Subaru Forester Wilderness: Off-Road Comparison

Your testing really left a lot to be desired.

As a Subaru owner for more than 15 years, I would say it excels both on and off road with 4x4 traction. I don't think I will go to regular (!) brands again...

Honda's looks + Subaru's AWD would be a win. Also, for the best offroad performance of the CRV you should stay in NORMAL drive mode and turn traction control off.

Which of these do you think has the most actual off-road cred? Would you buy any of them? Let us know which down below!

So let me get this straight, you gave the rav4 a win even though you had to back up and try it again? So more speed and a different line is better than just making it up the first time? Snow mode is going to dull throttle response as much as possible. If anything run the Honda again in a different mode.

I have a 2009 CRV I bought new, and am going up in size for my ‘26 retirement (which is a great model, btw). I’m choosing between a Honda Passport TrailSport Elite and a Subaru Outback Wilderness, either of which I know I’ll be happy with. Honda really stepped up its off road game in the Passport TrailSport Elite, with the notable exception of ground clearance (8.3”, compared to 9.5” in the OB Wilderness). The ‘26 Outback has a better infotainment system and physical climate controls (which is a main reason I wouldn’t want the old one). The Honda has a lot more room for camping gear and tows 5000 lbs vs the Outback’s 3500 lbs capacity. I’ll be towing a teardrop trailer, so 3500 lbs would be plenty, but it would be comforting having more, I suppose. To bring it back to this comparison, the Passport also has several modes (like trail), a much improved AWD system, a much improved camera system, and a softer suspension, all of which are pluses for light off reading. I agree, the CRV TrailSport doesn’t look like it’s built for any off roading at all, and what are you going to tow that’s less than 100 lbs? Of these three, I’d go with the Subaru Forester Wilderness; however, I would save my money and go with the new Outback Wilderness, as it improves a lot on the Forester, imo, based solely on watching a lot of videos. Cheers!

I don’t love how high the cladding goes on the Subaru, but I would still get it. Actually currently considering buying it. I love that it has a full size spare. I wish the Forester Hybrid had a spare.

Awesome review! Next time, could you compare the protection, like the skid plates? They're a big deal for these kinds of things.

Used to sell Subarus, and I would always show videos like this to illustrate the difference between fake AWD systems and Symmetrical AWD. In real driving it’s so much more sure-footed and safe. Sold a lot of Foresters this way.

What was going on it the sky in the first few minutes ?