Compare the2023 Subaru CrosstrekVS 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

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 Tucson Hybrid 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 Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Crosstrek and the Tucson Hybrid 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, all wheel drive, 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 parking sensors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

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

Both the Crosstrek CVT and the Tucson Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Crosstrek CVTs have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Crosstrek has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Tucson Hybrid (16.6 vs. 13.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Crosstrek offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

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 Tucson Hybrid doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Crosstrek stops shorter than the Tucson Hybrid:

The Crosstrek’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Tucson Hybrid Blue’s standard 65 series tires.

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 Tucson Hybrid; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the Crosstrek’s turning circle is 3.4 feet tighter than the Tucson Hybrid’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Crosstrek has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Tucson Hybrid (8.7 vs. 8.3 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 450 to 550 pounds less than the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid.

The Crosstrek is 5.8 inches shorter than the Tucson Hybrid, making the Crosstrek easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Crosstrek has 1.7 inches more front legroom, .6 inches more front hip room and 1.3 inches more rear hip room than the Tucson Hybrid.

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

The engine in the Crosstrek is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Tucson Hybrid. 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 Tucson Hybrid 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 Tucson Hybrid 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 Tucson Hybrid offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.