Compare the2023 Subaru Crosstrek HybridVS 2022 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid

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 Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid 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 Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

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

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

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Crosstrek Hybrid has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid.

Both the Crosstrek Hybrid and the Ioniq Plug-In 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 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, its standard 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 Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 81 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has not been fully tested, yet.

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 32 points higher than the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid.

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 9 more horsepower (148 vs. 139) than the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

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 Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

The Crosstrek Hybrid has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid (13.2 vs. 11.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Crosstrek Hybrid has a standard 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 Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the Crosstrek Hybrid’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid:

For better traction, the Crosstrek Hybrid has larger tires than the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid (225/55R18 vs. 205/55R16).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Crosstrek Hybrid has standard 18-inch wheels. Only 16-inch wheels are available on the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid.

The Crosstrek Hybrid has 4.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid (100.8 vs. 96.2).

The Crosstrek Hybrid has .7 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front legroom, 1.3 inches more front hip room, .6 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 1 inch more rear legroom, 1.1 inches more rear hip room and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid.

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

The Crosstrek Hybrid has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid has no towing capacity.

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

The Crosstrek Hybrid has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s optional windows’ rear windows don’t close automatically.

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 Ioniq Plug-In 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.

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Crosstrek Hybrid has a standard rear wiper. The Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

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 Ioniq Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

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

The Subaru Crosstrek outsold the Hyundai Ioniq by over seven to one during the 2021 model year.