Compare the2022 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In HybridVS 2022 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

Compared to metal, the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid has a metal gas tank.

Both the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid and the Crosstrek Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Subaru covers the Crosstrek Hybrid. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Crosstrek Hybrid ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Crosstrek Hybrid’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Subaru doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Crosstrek Hybrid.

There are over 30 percent more Hyundai dealers than there are Subaru dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 8th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 24th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 7th in reliability, above the industry average. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 17th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 2 places higher in reliability than Subaru.

On the EPA test cycle the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity gets better mileage than the Crosstrek Hybrid running on electricity (123 city/115 hwy vs. 99 city/80 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the Crosstrek Hybrid running its gasoline engine (52 city/51 hwy vs. 36 city/35 hwy).

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s maximum driving range in pure electric mode is 29 miles, 71% further than the Crosstrek Hybrid’s 17 mile range.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid higher (7 out of 10) than the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid (6 to 7). This means the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Crosstrek Hybrid every 15,000 miles.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s wheelbase is 1.4 inches longer than on the Crosstrek Hybrid (106.3 inches vs. 104.9 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Crosstrek Hybrid’s (34.8 feet vs. 35.4 feet).

The Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 pounds less than the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid.

The front step up height for the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid is 3 inches lower than the Crosstrek Hybrid (14.5” vs. 17.5”). The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s rear step up height is 3.5 inches lower than the Crosstrek Hybrid’s (14.5” vs. 18”).

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume than the Crosstrek Hybrid with its rear seat up (23 vs. 15.9 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid easier. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s trunk lift-over height is 28.8 inches, while the Crosstrek Hybrid’s liftover is 30.7 inches.

When different drivers share the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid, the optional memory seats make it convenient. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer memory seats.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Crosstrek Hybrid has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid and the Crosstrek Hybrid offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid offers optional rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid and the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.