2017 Honda CR-V vs 2017 Subaru Outback
Two compact SUVs, compared on what actually matters when you're buying used:
what breaks, when it breaks, and what it costs you.
2017 Honda
CR-V
6/10
Great packaging and Honda reliability reputation undercut by a genuinely flawed turbo engine that needed years to sort out.
VS
2017 Subaru
Outback
7/10
Buy the 2.5i, treat the CVT with respect, and this Outback will quietly outlast your car payment.
Milo scores the 2017 Subaru Outback higher — 7/10 against 6/10.
By the numbers
Green is the better number — higher on every score, lower on failures, complaints and recalls.
| Honda CR-V |
Subaru Outback |
| Known failure points | 6 | 7 |
| NHTSA complaints | 1754 | 917 |
| Safety recalls | 7 | 4 |
| Service bulletins | 12 | 12 |
| Reliability | 62 | 68 |
| Cheap to own | 68 | 62 |
| Fun factor | 40 | 48 |
| Holds value | 78 | 74 |
| Enthusiast cred | 25 | 41 |
The most expensive thing that goes wrong
2017 Honda CR-V
Oil dilution with gasoline in the 1.5L turbo (L15B7) engine, especially in cold climates with short trips — oil level rises, smells like fuel, milky dipstick
$0–$4,0000k–15k mi
2017 Subaru Outback
CVT chain and torque converter wear reaching critical stage without fluid changes
$3,500–$5,50080k–120k mi
If you buy one, buy this one
✅ 2017 Honda CR-V
A 2017 CR-V EX-L or Touring AWD with a confirmed, complete history of the fuel pipe recall, the seatbelt buckle recall, and the LATEST (2019-era) ECU reflash for oil dilution — ideally from a warmer climate where dilution was less severe.
✅ 2017 Subaru Outback
2017 Outback 2.5i Limited or Touring with the FB25 4-cylinder, dark exterior with cloth or leather (avoid heated seat wiring headaches in cloth-only base trims), full service records showing regular CVT fluid changes.
Narrowed it down? Get the full report
This comparison is model-level.
Milo's report goes car-level — the one you're actually looking at:
- A line-by-line negotiation script
- The pre-purchase inspection checklist
- VIN-specific open recalls
- What it's really worth right now
- Your next 15,000 miles, forecast
- Hidden features & money-savers
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Scores and findings blend documented NHTSA recalls and complaints with
patterns synthesized from owner communities. Always inspect the specific vehicle and
verify open recalls by VIN before buying.