2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid-Sport-Touring vs Lexus RX, vs Subaru Outback Onyx edition
I come from 3 RX’s in a row, then the Outback. Then I inherited enough money to buy whatever I wanted. I ended up with the Honda because of a few factors as I mentally compared them to what I have had in the past. I’m not someone who’s ego demands a fancy car.
Comfort and quiet are my main two concerns. When I first drove this top spec CR-V, the first thing I was impressed with is the interior layout. I’m a professional artist and, well, it’s just beautiful.
Then I drove it. Good lord, it’s smoother than my RX’s.
As far as being quiet, I couldn’t really tell with that horrible pedestrian warning ‘angelic choir’ noise.
I figured I could get used to it. Not the case, so I learned how to stop it. (just search online). Now it’s like a smooth quiet dream car. You may not be aware that this model has acoustic glass in both front side windows and the main front window. (2 layers-like double pane). This helps a lot with interior noise. Sport Touring hybrid models feature additional insulators on the underside of the hood and cowl, inside the fenders, underneath the instrument panel and around the cargo opening.
The mileage isn’t too bad either. I’m getting 38mpg around town. The automatic rain sensing windshield wipers could use an update. The RX’s were much smarter. Plenty of physical buttons.
The gas pedal needs to be mentioned. It’s hard to describe how lux it feels, in Normal drive mode. Buttery smooth, with just enough oomph. And the adaptive cruise control is perfect with 1 mile increment adjustments.
Towing capacity is much lower than the other two cars, but I don’t use that feature any more myself.
Final conclusion: If quiet is a concern of yours, save up for this top spec model. Plus it’s the only model that you can get seats that are grey instead of boring black.
I come from 3 RX’s in a row, then the Outback. Then I inherited enough money to buy whatever I wanted. I ended up with the Honda because of a few factors as I mentally compared them to what I have had in the past. I’m not someone who’s ego demands a fancy car.
Comfort and quiet are my main two concerns. When I first drove this top spec CR-V, the first thing I was impressed with is the interior layout. I’m a professional artist and, well, it’s just beautiful.
Then I drove it. Good lord, it’s smoother than my RX’s.
As far as being quiet, I couldn’t really tell with that horrible pedestrian warning ‘angelic choir’ noise.
I figured I could get used to it. Not the case, so I learned how to stop it. (just search online). Now it’s like a smooth quiet dream car. You may not be aware that this model has acoustic glass in both front side windows and the main front window. (2 layers-like double pane). This helps a lot with interior noise. Sport Touring hybrid models feature additional insulators on the underside of the hood and cowl, inside the fenders, underneath the instrument panel and around the cargo opening.
The mileage isn’t too bad either. I’m getting 38mpg around town. The automatic rain sensing windshield wipers could use an update. The RX’s were much smarter. Plenty of physical buttons.
The gas pedal needs to be mentioned. It’s hard to describe how lux it feels, in Normal drive mode. Buttery smooth, with just enough oomph. And the adaptive cruise control is perfect with 1 mile increment adjustments.
Towing capacity is much lower than the other two cars, but I don’t use that feature any more myself.
Final conclusion: If quiet is a concern of yours, save up for this top spec model. Plus it’s the only model that you can get seats that are grey instead of boring black.
