Compare the2022 Subaru Crosstrek HybridVS 2021 Tesla Model Y

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Crosstrek Hybrid are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Model Y doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Crosstrek Hybrid has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Model Y doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Crosstrek Hybrid. But it costs extra on the Model Y.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Crosstrek Hybrid’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Model Y doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Crosstrek Hybrid’s standard rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Model Y doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Model Y doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The Crosstrek Hybrid has standard STARLINK Connected Services, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model Y doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Crosstrek Hybrid and the Model Y have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rearview cameras.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, with its optional vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Crosstrek Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 74 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Model Y has not been tested, yet.

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s corrosion warranty is 1 year and unlimited miles longer than the Model Y’s (5/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

There are almost 5 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Tesla dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Crosstrek Hybrid’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Crosstrek Hybrid’s reliability 77 points higher than the Model Y.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru 24th in initial quality. With 49 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is ranked 31st.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru 17th in reliability. With 51 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is ranked 30th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 17 places higher in reliability than Tesla.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Crosstrek Hybrid lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The Model Y doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s maximum EPA estimated driving range on a full tank of fuel and a full charge is 475.2 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Model Y’s range is only 326 miles, after which the minimum recharge time is 30 minutes for only a 50% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a conventional charging station can take up to 8 hours and 30 minutes.

For better maneuverability, the Crosstrek Hybrid’s turning circle is 4.4 feet tighter than the Model Y’s (35.4 feet vs. 39.8 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Crosstrek Hybrid has a 2.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Model Y (8.7 vs. 6.6 inches), allowing the Crosstrek Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 700 pounds less than the Tesla Model Y.

The Crosstrek Hybrid is 10.5 inches shorter than the Model Y, making the Crosstrek Hybrid easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Crosstrek Hybrid has 1.3 inches more front legroom, 1.3 inches more front hip room, .3 inches more front shoulder room, 3.4 inches more rear hip room and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Model Y.

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Model Y’s (1000 vs. 0 pounds).

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Crosstrek Hybrid to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes and tire rotation, vehicle inspection based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Tesla doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Model Y.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Crosstrek Hybrid’s exterior PIN entry system. The Model Y doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Crosstrek Hybrid has a standard rear wiper. The Model Y doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Crosstrek Hybrid has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Model Y doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The Model Y doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Crosstrek Hybrid has standard extendable sun visors. The Model Y doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Model Y’s power mirror controls are embedded in the infotainment system, seriously distracting drivers who have to adjust them while driving.

On extremely cold winter days, the Crosstrek Hybrid’s optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Model Y doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Insurance will cost less for the Crosstrek Hybrid owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Crosstrek Hybrid will cost $1415 to $3655 less than the Model Y over a five-year period.

The Crosstrek Hybrid will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Crosstrek Hybrid will retain 53.08% of its original price after five years, while the Model Y only retains 43.54% to 45.06%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid will be $8297 to $25308 less than for the Tesla Model Y.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Tesla Model Y isn't recommended.

The Subaru Crosstrek outsold the Tesla Model Y by 5059 units during the 2021 model year.