Compare the2024 Subaru SolterraVS 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The Subaru Solterra has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Ioniq 5 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

With its standard Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, the Subaru Solterra is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Hyundai Ioniq 5, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

The Solterra has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Ioniq 5 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the Solterra. But it costs extra on the Ioniq 5.

Both the Solterra and the Ioniq 5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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 around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Subaru Solterra is safer than the Ioniq 5:

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Solterra’s reliability 14 points higher than the Ioniq 5.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru above average in initial quality. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru 5 places higher in reliability than Hyundai.

The Solterra’s electric motors produces 47 more horsepower (215 vs. 168) than the Ioniq 5 Standard Range’s standard electric motor.

On the EPA test cycle the Solterra gets better mileage than the Ioniq 5:

The Solterra’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Ioniq 5 are solid, not vented.

For better maneuverability, the Solterra’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the Ioniq 5’s (36.7 feet vs. 39.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Solterra has a 2.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Ioniq 5 (8.3 vs. 6.1 inches), allowing the Solterra to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Solterra has .4 inches more front legroom, .5 inches more front hip room and .1 inches more front shoulder room than the Ioniq 5.

The Solterra has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Ioniq 5 with its rear seat folded (63.5 vs. 59.3 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Solterra easier. The Solterra’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28 inches, while the Ioniq 5’s liftover is 30.2 inches.

The Solterra has a higher standard payload capacity than the Ioniq 5 (1045 vs. 957 lbs.).

The Solterra’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Ioniq 5’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Ioniq 5 SEL/Limited’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Solterra the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Subaru service department.) The driver of the Ioniq 5 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Consumer Reports rated the Solterra’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Ioniq 5’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Solterra Limited/Touring has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Ioniq 5 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Both the Solterra and the Ioniq 5 have standard heated front seats. The Solterra Limited/Touring also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Ioniq 5.

The Solterra will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Solterra will retain 51.28% to 52.31% of its original price after five years, while the Ioniq 5 only retains 46.72% to 48.8%.