Compare the2023 Subaru CrosstrekVS 2022 Hyundai Kona N

The Subaru Crosstrek has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Kona N doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Crosstrek 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 Kona N doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Crosstrek Limited has standard Reverse Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Kona N doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Crosstrek has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Kona N doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Crosstrek offers optional parking sensors to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The Kona N doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

Both the Crosstrek and the Kona N have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

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 available headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Crosstrek the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 141 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Kona N has not been tested, yet.

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

On the EPA test cycle the Crosstrek gets better mileage than the Kona N:

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Crosstrek CVT’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Kona N doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Crosstrek uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Kona N requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Crosstrek has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Kona N (16.6 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Subaru Crosstrek higher (7 out of 10) than the Hyundai Kona N (3). This means the Crosstrek produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Kona N every 15,000 miles.

The Crosstrek offers an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Kona N doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Crosstrek has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Kona N; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Crosstrek’s wheelbase is 2.5 inches longer than on the Kona N (104.9 inches vs. 102.4 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Crosstrek’s turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the Kona N’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Crosstrek has a 1.9 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Kona N (8.7 vs. 6.8 inches), allowing the Crosstrek to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Subaru Crosstrek may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 50 to 200 pounds less than the Hyundai Kona N.

The Crosstrek has 6.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kona N (100.9 vs. 94.1).

The Crosstrek has .2 inches more front headroom, 1.6 inches more front legroom, 1.8 inches more front hip room, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, 1.3 inches more rear legroom, 3 inches more rear hip room and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kona N.

The Crosstrek has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Kona N with its rear seat up (20.8 vs. 19.2 cubic feet). The Crosstrek has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kona N with its rear seat folded (55.3 vs. 45.8 cubic feet).

The Crosstrek’s cargo area is larger than the Kona N’s in almost every dimension:

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Crosstrek. The Kona N doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Crosstrek has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Kona N has no towing capacity.

The engine in the Crosstrek is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Kona N. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Crosstrek’s available exterior PIN entry system (not available on Crosstrek Base). The Kona N doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Blue Link can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

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

The Crosstrek’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Kona N offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Crosstrek CVT has a standard Adaptive Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Kona N doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Subaru Crosstrek, based on reliability, safety and performance.