Honda CR-V Outsells Subaru Forester in October

Honda's compact SUV led its Subaru rival in October and year-to-date 2026 U.S. sales, while Subaru's Forester posted a sharper year-over-year gain.

Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Car Types

Two compact crossover SUVs parked side by side on an open asphalt lot under flat overcast daylight, with painted stall lines receding behind them. — Honda's CR-V sold 34,815 units in October, outpacing Subaru's Forester at 16,094, though the Forester's sales rose 26% year-over-year. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Honda CR-V sold 34,815 units in October 2026, outpacing the Subaru Forester at 16,094 units. Forester sales rose 26% year-over-year, compared with a 9.8% gain for the CR-V.

Why it matters

The sales gap comes as Toyota's RAV4 is out of production earlier in 2026, opening room for competing compact SUVs in the U.S. market. The result shows how rivals are positioned to capture buyers shifting away from the RAV4.

Honda CR-V sold 34,815 units in October 2026 and 371,659 units year-to-date, while the Subaru Forester sold 16,094 units in October and 172,570 year-to-date. The 2027 CR-V starts at $31,520 and the 2027 Forester at $29,995.

The players

Honda

Honda is a Japanese automaker whose CR-V is one of the best-selling compact SUVs in the United States.

Subaru

Subaru is a Japanese automaker known for all-wheel-drive vehicles, and its Forester is a core model in its U.S. lineup.

The details

Honda's CR-V and Subaru's Forester are both compact crossover SUVs competing in one of the highest-volume segments in the U.S. The Forester has been in its sixth generation since 2024, and Honda introduced a TrailSport Hybrid off-road trim for the 2026 model year.

2024: Sixth-generation Subaru Forester introduced.
Late 2025: Forester Wilderness edition reaches the market.
Earlier in 2026: Toyota RAV4 production ends.
October 2026: Monthly sales for the CR-V and Forester are reported.

Roadmap

The sales gap follows the Toyota RAV4's production stop earlier in 2026, which removed one of the segment's top sellers from showrooms. Honda and Subaru are now competing to absorb buyers who would have chosen the RAV4.

Shoppers comparing compact SUVs now face a $31,520 starting price for the 2027 CR-V and $29,995 for the 2027 Forester. Buyers weighing a RAV4 alternative can compare these base prices directly.

The takeaway

Strong year-over-year gains for both models show that compact SUV buyers are actively shopping alternatives. Comparing base prices and trim options is a practical first step for anyone considering this segment.