Yes, everyone has different opinions. Best thing to do is test drive them both. Our last family car purchase was in May. We looked at both Subarus and Volvo, although not the XC40 but the V60CC. To me, for the reasons I stated previously, there was no comparison. Although the Volvo was more expensive, due to good deals at the time after a few months of slow Covid related dealer sales, the price difference wasn’t a whole lot and we got much more value for our money in terms of amenities and performance. Again, in my opinion. 
I agree with @doschicos. Drive them and see what feels right for you. I helped a friend look and she drove some of the same cars you are looking at and she drove probably 10 models. She loved an Audi for the power but that one was used. She drove the Forrester but ended up with a brand new Crosstrek.
My other friend loves her Forrester yet another friend hated her Forrester and ended up passing it on to her D and buying a Volvo.
I refuse to buy a car from a dealer that does not allow me to keep the car at least for 24 hours. This allows me to drive it in the neighborhood as well as the highway, run errands and see how it is putting groceries in and out, parking in crowded lots, as well as day and night driving. I also let my husband drive while I sit in the passenger seat to check comfort as my car has always been the family car, so for trips, we switch drivers.
I love my 2011 Acura MDX; my DIL has the smaller RDX. My daughter has the Subaru Outback and very happy. My son is getting ready to also get an Outback as it has ventilated from seats; he is tired of getting into a sweltering hot car!
Just test drove the CRV and Forrester today, back to back. Toss up.
- CRV: slightly (very slightly) more comfortable front seats. Noticeably more comfortable rear seating. Slightly quieter ride. Taller cargo space (by several inches).
- Forrester: slightly better visibility sides and rear, but slightly lower glass at the top of front windshield (could be good for less glare, but felt like less ‘sky’ was showing). Longer and slightly wider cargo space between tightest projections. More headroom (or felt taller) with the moon roof level models. Nearly all models comes with luggage rail (important to us).
Equal (imho): power/acceleration, resale values, relative cost, handling,
Love to hear from other owners.
Long time Forester owner here. Super reliable. well designed to maximize storage, and great visibility. Previous car had been a sporty Saab which I loved but was not reliable at all.
Our last car purchase was a Crosstrek, about 6 years ago. Not as zippy as the Forester, but has a smaller footprint which is important for city parking, and meets all of our needs as empty nesters.
Highly recommend Subarus. We will more than likely buy another Crosstrek next year.
Surprised to learn that Volvo’s majority owner is a Chinese company.
Subaru owners seem to be very loyal.
When will auto manufacturers do headrests & armrests correctly ?
Volkswagon is an interesting choice.
OP: Have you considered the Subaru Outback ?
Best advice: Never buy a used car. Mark-ups are too high & the warranties are inferior. Also, if financing, much better financing deals for new cars than for used cars.
Geely purchased Volvo (car) from Ford about ten years ago.
What do you find incorrect about them?
One of the more unusual aspects of Subaru, Volkswagen, and Volvo is that they each offer a vehicle that is somewhat more like a traditional station wagon. These are the Outback, Golf Sportwagen, and V60. Buick also offers such a vehicle, the Regal TourX.
I tend to buy new but some manufacturers do offer good CPO programs, with warranties that can be better than new. Volvo is one of them.
Any Yea or Nays on the Infiniti QX60?
Other than the Nissan Pathfinder and the Hyundai Santa Fe, it’s the only one that doesn’t compromise cargo for leg space (or vice versa).
When I was looking 9 years ago, I really liked the Hyundai Santa Fe and almost got it. As we keep our cars until they truly die, the Santa Fe didn’t have an automatic rear gate, and I was afraid as I aged, I would not be able able to lift and close the gate, so went with the Acura MDX.
I would also look at a RAV4 hybrid. There is not much of a price difference compared to the conventional model and the mileage is excellent.
The Subaru has a few minor issues - shorter seat cushions (good for short, not as good for tall people, limited towing capacity, and no dual-zone auto climate control in the premium/base model (limited+above have it) , extra cost BSW, lame sound even in HK variant, not made in USA (Japan), limited towing capacity, higher service cost.
The Subaru AWD is the best of the bunch, important if you live in the snow belt, and it has a big infotainment screen.
Ultimately it may come down to which dealer is better and more convenient.
Do any of you who have these vehicles know which has the best clearance? I want something along this line for early years of retirement, to explore area of the west that are impassible with a regular car. I asked at Honda, and the HRV has an inch less than the CRV, 9 vs 10 inches more or less.
Thanks for the discussion as this is just the range of vehicles I have been thinking about, though have done no test drives. Yet.
Not the advice I’d give. In general, I’d let the first owner take the depreciation hit. And I don’t buy used cars from dealers. I buy them from private parties with low mileage and maintenance records. I have a paint gauge to detect any paint abnormalities and then if they pass my inspection I’ll then have them checked out by a shop on a lift.
There’s nothing wrong with buying new cars, but nowadays I’d rather save the money and get an almost new car. You get the manufacturers warranty plus sometimes you’ll find that the first owner bought the expensive extended warranty.
Most Subarus have 8.7 inches of ground clearance, which is above average.
Deals on new cars are attractive in the current market.
Used cars are selling at premium prices and background reports are often incorrect.
We just bought a certified used 2018 Audi Q5. I love it more than I should admit. I have driven larger cars for years (Suburban) but with the kids leaving the nest, I downsized. It’s a 4- cylinder, but super peppy and gas mileage is solid, close to 26 around town.
We just bought a 2021 Toyota RAV4 plug in hybrid. It’s amazing. The technology, safety, comfort, quiet, max towing and low gas usage. This year you also get a substantial federal tax credit, up to $7500, I believe. Possibly even a state credit, too.
This SUV has the same acceleration rate of a Porsche, but rides like a limo. Never had a car like this!
Nothing wrong with buying a new car. I love new cars. I just don’t buy them anymore. I’d rather spend money elsewhere or save it. New cars are more expensive and new car “deals” are dependent upon the brand. Higher demand cars and trucks mean less incentives. And typically, I want the higher demand cars.
In any case, the market for new and used cars ebbs and flows. IMO, most of the time, I’d rather the 1st owner take the depreciation hit, which is huge once you drive your new car off the dealer lot.
Personally I don’t rely solely on a CarFax, although not one of the CarFax reports that I’ve purchased over the years has ever been wrong. Not one. Also, paint gauges don’t lie. Factory paint is thinner than your local auto body/insurance shop. And once you have a car on a lift, you can easily tell if the car has been in an accident.
And we’re off topic. Apologies to the OP.
The VW Tiguan, Audi Q5 and Porsche Macan all share the same platform with obviously different price points
Same acceleration as a Porsche what? 911 GT3? ? The base 4-cylinder Macan? Sure. But not the Macan S, or Macan Turbo Models.