Compare the2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In HybridVS 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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Both the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid and Crosstrek Hybrid have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid offers an optional Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Crosstrek Hybrid only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

Compared to metal, the Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid and the Crosstrek 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, 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 Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid weighs 670 to 798 pounds more than the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid is safer than the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid:

	Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid	Crosstrek Hybrid
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	16%	36%
Neck Stress	149 lbs.	304 lbs.
Neck Compression	13 lbs.	42 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	50/51 lbs.	252/363 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.7 inches
Neck Injury Risk	27%	44.6%
Neck Stress	99 lbs.	195 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	222/167 lbs.	230/427 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid is safer than the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid:

	Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid	Crosstrek Hybrid
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	61	138
Abdominal Force	164 lbs.	196 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	148	303
Spine Acceleration	54 G’s	58 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	44 G’s	49 G’s
Hip Force	576 lbs.	824 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck 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 Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. With 6 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Hyundai higher than Subaru.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 78 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 22nd.

Engine

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 113 more horsepower (261 vs. 148) than the Crosstrek Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 31 miles. The Crosstrek Hybrid has to start its internal combustion engine after only 17 miles.

Environmental Friendliness

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

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid	Crosstrek Hybrid
Front Rotors	12.8 inches	11.6 inches
Rear Rotors	12 inches	11.2 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has larger tires than the Crosstrek Hybrid (235/55R19 vs. 225/55R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has standard 19-inch wheels. Only 18-inch wheels are available on the Crosstrek Hybrid.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s wheelbase is 4 inches longer than on the Crosstrek Hybrid (108.9 inches vs. 104.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid is 3.8 inches wider in the front and 4 inches wider in the rear than on the Crosstrek Hybrid.

Passenger Space

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front legroom, 2.4 inches more front hip room, 2.4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 2.8 inches more rear legroom, 2.3 inches more rear hip room and 2.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the Crosstrek Hybrid.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s rear seats recline. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Crosstrek Hybrid with its rear seat up (36.4 vs. 15.9 cubic feet). The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Crosstrek Hybrid with its rear seat folded (72.1 vs. 43.1 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid easier. The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29 inches, while the Crosstrek Hybrid’s liftover is 30.7 inches.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s cargo area is larger than the Crosstrek Hybrid’s in every dimension:

	Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid	Crosstrek Hybrid
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	42.4”/77.4”	28.9”/63.1”
Max Width	54”	53”
Min Width	43.4”	43”
Height	31”	30”

Pressing a button automatically lowers the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s power liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s power liftgate can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Towing

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Crosstrek Hybrid’s (2000 vs. 1000 pounds).

Standard Trailer Sway Assist on the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Crosstrek Hybrid uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

When different drivers share the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid Limited, the memory system makes it convenient. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid Limited’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid Limited’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid Limited is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid and the Crosstrek Hybrid have standard heated front seats. The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid Limited also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Crosstrek Hybrid.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid Limited keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid and the Crosstrek Hybrid offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has standard 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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid Limited has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid Limited’s Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

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