Compare the2023 Subaru Crosstrek HybridVS 2022 Hyundai Nexo

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 Nexo doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid 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 Nexo doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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 Nexo 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 Nexo 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 Nexo doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the Crosstrek Hybrid and the Nexo 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

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 Nexo doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Crosstrek Hybrid running on electricity gets better mileage than the Nexo:

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 492 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Nexo’s range is only 354 to 380 miles, after which it can only refill at a pressurized hydrogen station, presently only available in 45 retail locations in the United States.

The Crosstrek Hybrid’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Nexo’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Crosstrek Hybrid has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Nexo.

For better maneuverability, the Crosstrek Hybrid’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Nexo’s (35.4 feet vs. 36.7 feet).

The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 400 pounds less than the Hyundai Nexo.

The Crosstrek Hybrid is 7.4 inches shorter than the Nexo, making the Crosstrek Hybrid easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Crosstrek Hybrid uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Nexo doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Crosstrek Hybrid has .4 inches more front headroom, 1.6 inches more front legroom, 1.1 inches more front hip room, .5 inches more rear hip room and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Nexo.

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

The Crosstrek Hybrid has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The Nexo has no towing capacity.

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 Nexo 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 Nexo’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 Nexo doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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

The Subaru Crosstrek outsold the Hyundai Nexo by almost 409 to one during the 2021 model year.