Compare the2023 Hyundai Kona ElectricVS 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

Both the Kona Electric 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, 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, driver alert monitors and available rear parking sensors.

The Kona Electric 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 Kona Electric 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 Kona Electric’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Crosstrek Hybrid’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Kona Electric 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 Kona Electric’s warranty.

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.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 2 places higher in reliability than Subaru.

The Kona Electric’s standard electric motor produces 53 more horsepower (201 vs. 148) than the Crosstrek Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Hyundai Kona Electric is faster than the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid:

On the EPA test cycle the Kona Electric gets better mileage than the Crosstrek Hybrid running on electricity (134 city/106 hwy vs. 99 city/80 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the Kona Electric gets better mileage than the Crosstrek Hybrid running its gasoline engine (134 city/106 hwy MPGe vs. 36 city/35 hwy).

The Kona Electric can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 258 miles. The Crosstrek Hybrid has to start its internal combustion engine after only 17 miles.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Hyundai Kona Electric higher (10 out of 10) than the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid (6 to 7). This means the Kona Electric produces up to 12.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Crosstrek Hybrid every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Kona Electric’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Crosstrek Hybrid:

The Kona Electric has variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For better maneuverability, the Kona Electric’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the Crosstrek Hybrid’s (34.8 feet vs. 35.4 feet).

The Kona Electric is 10.9 inches shorter than the Crosstrek Hybrid, making the Kona Electric easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Kona Electric has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Crosstrek Hybrid with its rear seat up (19.2 vs. 15.9 cubic feet). The Kona Electric has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Crosstrek Hybrid with its rear seat folded (45.8 vs. 43.1 cubic feet).

The Kona Electric’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 Kona Electric 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.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Kona Electric 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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Kona Electric SEL/Limited has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Crosstrek Hybrid doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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

The Kona was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” in 2019. The Crosstrek Hybrid has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.