I am having difficulties choosing between a 2023 Honda CRV and Subaru Forester due to the effect of my driving habits on turbos engine reliability.
I average around 180 short (2.5 mi trips) per year taking my kayak back and forth to the ocean. Depending on the season, I can go multiple weeks without a long highway drive. This is my primary city driving.
After reading that turbo engines are more susceptible to damage from short trips, I am wondering if I should limit my choice to the Subaru, even though the CRV excels in every category but price
I prefer the CRV for the higher MPG for light footed drivers. I averaged 38 mpg, on the trip meter, during 26 miles of freeway driving at 60 mph for a car with 100 miles, greatly exceeding my Subaru test drive experience.
I also prefer the CRV’s more advanced electronics.
Repairpal also gives the CRV a reliability rating of 4.5 compared for 3.5 for the Forester.
Opinions from anyone knowledgeable about cars and engines would be greatly welcomed. While Scotty seems to have no problem with Honda 1.5 L turbo's am not sure if my driving style negates that position.
Thanks for your help.
Also, for a bit of history.
Honda is using now using the L-Series Honda Fit engine in the CRV. It used to use the K-Series Honda Civic engine in the CRV.
The L-Series has been around for more than 15+ years in a naturally aspirated form. And about 7 years with a turbo.
The K-Series engine is legendary for being resilient, time tested for almost 25 years, including naturally aspirated and turbo versions.
The L-Series isn’t too shabby either, but not as time tested in its turbo form. Only time will tell it’s resiliency. If it is anything like the K-Series, in theory, it will hold up well.
Good point about the unknown long term reliability. I'm not sure if Honda's latest changes to their turbo for 2023 adds additional risk.
Have you considered the Toyota Rav4? it's basically the same size category as the CRV but without the turbocharged engine and it's quality has been proven. Otherwise when it comes to turbocharged definitely Honda over any other brand.
The RAV4 lack the headroom I was looking for at 6 ft 6.
Hard to know, because the CRV is new. It’s certainly more refined than the Fozzy, but it will be a few years before we can confirm reliability.
Realistically, they’re both gonna be pretty reliable if you maintain them properly. Go with what you want, or maybe with the one with the more ethical dealer.
Good point about not knowing how reliable the CRV will be over the long term.
Would you consider the CRV hybrid version? It’s not a turbo engine, but it is a hybrid.
Since most of my miles are highway it would not make sense for me.