Compare the2023 Hyundai Kona Electric VS 2023 Subaru Solterra

Both the Kona Electric and the Solterra 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.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Kona Electric the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 220 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Solterra has not been tested, yet.

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 Solterra’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 Solterra. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Solterra ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Kona Electric’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Solterra’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 Solterra.

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 electric motor produces 42 lbs.-ft. more torque (291 vs. 249) than the Solterra’s electric motors.

On the EPA test cycle the Kona Electric gets better mileage than the Solterra:

			MPGe
Kona Electric
		Electric Motor	134 city/106 hwy
Solterra
		Premium Electric Motors	94 city/114 hwy
		Limited/Touring Electric Motors	93 city/111 hwy

The Kona Electric can travel longer on a full charge than the Solterra on a full charge:

			Miles
Kona Electric
		Electric Motor	258 miles
Solterra
		Premium Electric Motors	228 miles
		Limited/Touring Electric Motors	222 miles

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

For better maneuverability, the Kona Electric’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the Solterra’s (34.8 feet vs. 36.7 feet).

The Hyundai Kona Electric may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 pounds less than the Subaru Solterra.

The Kona Electric is 1 foot, 7 inches shorter than the Solterra, making the Kona Electric easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Kona Electric has .8 inches more front headroom and 7.4 inches more rear hip room than the Solterra.

The Kona Electric’s driver power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Solterra’s power window (except driver window) and power lock switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Kona Electric has a standard rear wiper. The Solterra doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

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

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