We have experience with both the Subaru and the CRV in our family. As stated, the the Subaru drive system is superior if you encounter snow all of the time. It also helps the car handle better in the dry than comparable FWD cars; as well as being better for towing and high power applications. BTW, the engine braking on awd offers superior control in slippery conditions to fwd/rwd cars. So it does help braking in that respect.
The CRV tends to handle like FWD, which isn’t bad, until the wheels slip than you get additional traction of awd. IMO, the CRV is superior over the very good reliability of the Subaru, is march larger inside and offers very similar mileage to the FWD only models. If you feel the VW was reliable for you, either will be an improvement still. AWD offers a margin of safety in snow that FWD can’t approach when equipped the same. You have to decide if the added expense is worth it and how much you’ll actually need it.
The difference in mileage between a FWD CRV, RAV4 and an AWD model of each, is very little. The mileage difference occurs when you throw a FWD compact instead of an SUV into the mix. It’s the size, weight and gearing…
Larger interior dimensions is a reason to consider a CRV or new RAV4 over an Outback as well.