Compare the2023 Subaru Crosstrek HybridVS 2023 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid

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

Both the Crosstrek Hybrid and the Tucson Plug-In 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.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 6 places higher in reliability than Hyundai.

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

On the EPA test cycle the Crosstrek Hybrid running on electricity gets better mileage than the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid running on electricity (99 city/80 hwy vs. 87 city/74 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the Crosstrek Hybrid running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid running its gasoline engine (36 city/35 hwy vs. 35 city/35 hwy).

The Crosstrek Hybrid has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid (13.2 vs. 11.1 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 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better maneuverability, the Crosstrek Hybrid’s turning circle is 3.2 feet tighter than the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.6 feet).

The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 450 pounds less than the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid.

The Crosstrek Hybrid is 5.8 inches shorter than the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, making the Crosstrek Hybrid easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Crosstrek Hybrid has 1.7 inches more front legroom, .6 inches more front hip room and .1 inches more rear hip room than the Tucson 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 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The engine in the Crosstrek Hybrid is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Tucson 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 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

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 Tucson 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.

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 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Insurance will cost less for the Crosstrek Hybrid owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Crosstrek Hybrid will cost $650 to $1770 less than the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid over a five-year period.

The Crosstrek Hybrid will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Crosstrek Hybrid will retain 51.71% of its original price after five years, while the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid only retains 47.28% to 48.24%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid will be $66 to $7213 less than for the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid.

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