Hyundai vs. Subaru
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of cars from Hyundai and Subaru contrasts the two brands across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which one is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of vehicle models, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and projected lifetime recalls based on recall history. This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which brand represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both Hyundai and Subaru cars.
When comparing the Hyundai brand to the Subaru brand, Hyundai has the advantage in the areas of new car pricing, horsepower and fuel efficiency. Subaru has the advantage in the areas of depreciation, towing capacity, overall quality, reliability, safety, retained value and vehicle rankings.
Hyundai versus Subaru: Pricing and Value: Analyzing Hyundai versus Subaru pricing we see a lower new vehicle starting price for Hyundai in 5 out of 9 vehicle comparisons. Hyundai and Subaru both also have lower used vehicle starting prices in 4 out of 8 comparisons. Subaru models depreciate at a lower (better) rate in 8 out of 10 comparisons.
Hyundai versus Subaru: Horsepower, Fuel Efficiency and Towing Capacity: Hyundai vehicles offer higher maximum horsepower numbers in their base trim in 7 out of 10 model comparisons, with Subaru offering more horsepower in 3 comparisons. Hyundai offers higher MPG for its vehicles in their base trim in 2 out of 4 comparisons. Subaru vehicles have higher MPG in 1 comparisons, and both Hyundai and Subaru vehicles have the same MPG in 1 comparisons. Hyundai offers a longer driving range in 1 out of 1 model comparisons. Subaru offers a greater towing capacity in 5 out of 6 comparisons. In 1 comparisons, Hyundai and Subaru have the same towing capacity.
Hyundai versus Subaru: Quality, Reliability, Safety, and Value Retention Ratings: A comparison of Hyundai versus Subaru overall quality ratings shows Subaru with higher quality ratings in 3 out of 4 model comparisons. In terms of reliability ratings, Subaru has the advantage in 4 out of 4 comparisons. Subaru has better safety ratings in 5 out of 10 comparisons while Hyundai has better safety ratings in 3 out of 10 comparisons. Hyundai and Subaru tie for safety in 2 comparisons. Subaru shows higher ratings for retained value in 8 out of 10 comparisons.
Best Car Rankings: Subaru has better car rankings in 7 categories: Subaru Crosstrek in Best 5-seater SUVs, Subaru WRX in Best Compact Cars, Subaru BRZ in Best Coupes, Subaru Crosstrek in Best Crossover SUVs, Subaru Legacy in Best Midsize Cars, Subaru WRX in Best Small Cars, and Subaru Forester in Best Small SUVs.
Most Reliable Car Rankings: Subaru has better car rankings in 4 categories: Subaru Crosstrek in Most Reliable Crossover SUVs, Subaru Legacy in Most Reliable Midsize Cars, Subaru Impreza in Most Reliable Small Cars, and Subaru Forester in Most Reliable Small SUVs.
Safest Car Rankings: Subaru has better car rankings in 7 categories: Subaru Ascent in Safest Crossover SUVs, Subaru Solterra in Safest Electric SUVs, Subaru Forester (hybrid) in Safest Hybrid SUVs, Subaru Legacy in Safest Midsize Cars, Subaru Ascent in Safest Midsize SUVs, Subaru WRX in Safest Small Cars, and Subaru Ascent in Safest SUVs with 3 Rows.
Best Cars for the Money Rankings: Hyundai has the better car ranking in 1 category: ELANTRA in Best Small Cars for the Money. Subaru has better car rankings in 3 categories: Subaru Crosstrek in Best Crossover SUVs for the Money, Subaru Legacy in Best Midsize Cars for the Money, and Subaru Forester in Best Small SUVs for the Money.
Available Body Styles: Hyundai offers 11 SUVs and 6 sedans. In comparison, Subaru offers 7 SUVs, 1 wagon, 2 sedans, and 1 coupe.
Drivetrain Options: Hyundai offers 9 gasoline vehicles, 4 hybrids, 1 plug-in hybrid, and 4 electric vehicles. Subaru offers 8 gasoline vehicles, 2 hybrids, and 1 electric vehicle.
Hyundai offers 12 all-wheel-drive models, 13 front-wheel-drive models, and 3 rear-wheel-drive models. Subaru offers 8 all-wheel-drive models and 1 rear-wheel-drive model.
New Car Pricing
SUVs
Hyundai KONA
$27,435 - $36,425
Hyundai TUCSON
$29,625 - $41,574
Hyundai TUCSON
$29,625 - $41,574
Hyundai PALISADE
$45,374 - $58,844
Hyundai SANTA FE
$37,209 - $51,800
Cars
Hyundai ELANTRA
$22,559 - $28,651
Hyundai SONATA
$27,032 - $37,177
EVs
Hyundai IONIQ 5
$43,966 - $60,545
Other Comparisons
Hyundai TUCSON Hybrid
$34,821 - $43,917
Hyundai TUCSON Hybrid
$34,821 - $43,917
New Car Pricing
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
Not Yet Available
Subaru Forester
$31,888 - $43,559
Subaru Outback (suv)
$32,586 - $46,228
Subaru Ascent
$40,483 - $54,484
Subaru Ascent
$40,483 - $54,484
Cars
Subaru WRX
$37,369 - $50,192
Subaru Legacy
$28,193 - $40,533
EVs
Subaru Solterra
$36,889 - $47,885
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
$31,888 - $43,559
Subaru Outback (suv)
$32,586 - $46,228
Used Car Pricing
SUVs
Hyundai KONA
$28,173 - $32,265
Hyundai TUCSON
$25,000 - $36,745
Hyundai TUCSON
$25,000 - $36,745
Hyundai PALISADE
$47,010 - $58,713
Hyundai SANTA FE
Not Yet Available
Cars
Hyundai ELANTRA
$19,455 - $26,949
Hyundai SONATA
$22,497 - $32,850
EVs
Hyundai IONIQ 5
$46,623 - $67,895
Other Comparisons
Hyundai TUCSON Hybrid
$32,142 - $42,804
Hyundai TUCSON Hybrid
$32,142 - $42,804
Used Car Pricing
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
Not Yet Available
Subaru Forester
$28,888 - $38,988
Subaru Outback (suv)
$28,999 - $40,745
Subaru Ascent
$36,466 - $51,991
Subaru Ascent
$36,466 - $51,991
Cars
Subaru WRX
$34,130 - $47,543
Subaru Legacy
$24,999 - $34,318
EVs
Subaru Solterra
$27,864 - $46,950
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
$28,888 - $38,988
Subaru Outback (suv)
$28,999 - $40,745
5-Year Depreciation (Lower is better)
SUVs
Hyundai KONA
42.2%
Hyundai TUCSON
45.9%
Hyundai TUCSON
45.9%
Hyundai PALISADE
47.5%
Hyundai SANTA FE
48.3%
Cars
Hyundai ELANTRA
40.6%
Hyundai SONATA
46.2%
EVs
Hyundai IONIQ 5
59.1%
Other Comparisons
Hyundai TUCSON Hybrid
47.4%
Hyundai TUCSON Hybrid
47.4%
5-Year Depreciation (Lower is better)
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
33.6%
Subaru Forester
37.2%
Subaru Outback (suv)
43.3%
Subaru Ascent
49.7%
Subaru Ascent
49.7%
Cars
Subaru WRX
35.3%
Subaru Legacy
40.8%
EVs
Subaru Solterra
55.1%
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
37.2%
Subaru Outback (suv)
43.3%
Horsepower / Torque
SUVs
Hyundai KONA
147 hp / 132 foot-lbs
Hyundai TUCSON
187 hp / 178 foot-lbs
Hyundai TUCSON
187 hp / 178 foot-lbs
Hyundai PALISADE
287 hp / 260 foot-lbs
Hyundai SANTA FE
277 hp / 311 foot-lbs
Cars
Hyundai ELANTRA
147 hp / 132 foot-lbs
Hyundai SONATA
191 hp / 181 foot-lbs
EVs
Hyundai IONIQ 5
168 hp / 258 foot-lbs
Other Comparisons
Hyundai TUCSON Hybrid
231 hp / 258 foot-lbs
Hyundai TUCSON Hybrid
231 hp / 258 foot-lbs
Horsepower / Torque
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
180 hp / 178 foot-lbs
Subaru Forester
180 hp / 178 foot-lbs
Subaru Outback (suv)
182 hp / 176 foot-lbs
Subaru Ascent
260 hp / 277 foot-lbs
Subaru Ascent
260 hp / 277 foot-lbs
Cars
Subaru WRX
271 hp / 258 foot-lbs
Subaru Legacy
182 hp / 176 foot-lbs
EVs
Subaru Solterra
215 hp / 249 foot-lbs
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
180 hp / 178 foot-lbs
Subaru Outback (suv)
182 hp / 176 foot-lbs
MPG (city/highway/combined)
SUVs
Hyundai KONA
Not Yet Available
Hyundai TUCSON
25 / 33 / 28
Hyundai TUCSON
25 / 33 / 28
Hyundai PALISADE
Not Yet Available
Hyundai SANTA FE
Not Yet Available
Cars
Hyundai ELANTRA
Not Yet Available
Hyundai SONATA
Not Yet Available
Other Comparisons
Hyundai TUCSON Hybrid
38 / 38 / 38
Hyundai TUCSON Hybrid
38 / 38 / 38
MPG (city/highway/combined)
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
Not Yet Available
Subaru Forester
26 / 33 / 29
Subaru Outback (suv)
26 / 32 / 28
Subaru Ascent
20 / 26 / 22
Subaru Ascent
20 / 26 / 22
Cars
Subaru WRX
19 / 26 / 22
Subaru Legacy
27 / 35 / 30
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
26 / 33 / 29
Subaru Outback (suv)
26 / 32 / 28
EV Range
Hyundai IONIQ 5
245 miles
EV Range
Subaru Solterra
227 miles
Max Towing Capacity
SUVs
Hyundai KONA
Not yet available
Hyundai TUCSON
2000 lbs
Hyundai TUCSON
2000 lbs
Hyundai PALISADE
5000 lbs
Hyundai SANTA FE
4500 lbs
EVs
Hyundai IONIQ 5
2300 lbs
Other Comparisons
Hyundai TUCSON Hybrid
2000 lbs
Hyundai TUCSON Hybrid
2000 lbs
Max Towing Capacity
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
3500 lbs
Subaru Forester
3000 lbs
Subaru Outback (suv)
3500 lbs
Subaru Ascent
5000 lbs
Subaru Ascent
5000 lbs
EVs
Subaru Solterra
Not yet available
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
3000 lbs
Subaru Outback (suv)
3500 lbs
iSeeCars Overall Quality Ratings
SUVs
Hyundai KONA
Not available
Hyundai TUCSON
8.4 / 10
Hyundai TUCSON
8.4 / 10
Hyundai PALISADE
Not available
Hyundai SANTA FE
8.1 / 10
Cars
Hyundai ELANTRA
8.2 / 10
Hyundai SONATA
8.1 / 10
EVs
Hyundai IONIQ 5
Not available
Other Comparisons
Hyundai TUCSON Hybrid
Not available
Hyundai TUCSON Hybrid
Not available
iSeeCars Overall Quality Ratings
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
8.6 / 10
Subaru Forester
8.6 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
8.3 / 10
Subaru Ascent
Not available
Subaru Ascent
Not available
Cars
Subaru WRX
8.5 / 10
Subaru Legacy
8.4 / 10
EVs
Subaru Solterra
Not available
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
8.6 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
8.3 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Ratings
SUVs
Hyundai KONA
Not available
Hyundai TUCSON
7.4 / 10
Hyundai TUCSON
7.4 / 10
Hyundai PALISADE
Not available
Hyundai SANTA FE
7.7 / 10
Cars
Hyundai ELANTRA
7.5 / 10
Hyundai SONATA
7.1 / 10
EVs
Hyundai IONIQ 5
Not available
Other Comparisons
Hyundai TUCSON Hybrid
Not available
Hyundai TUCSON Hybrid
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Ratings
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
8.0 / 10
Subaru Forester
8.0 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
7.8 / 10
Subaru Ascent
Not available
Subaru Ascent
Not available
Cars
Subaru WRX
7.6 / 10
Subaru Legacy
7.7 / 10
EVs
Subaru Solterra
Not available
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
8.0 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
7.8 / 10
iSeeCars Safety Ratings
SUVs
Hyundai KONA
9.7 / 10
Hyundai TUCSON
9.7 / 10
Hyundai TUCSON
9.7 / 10
Hyundai PALISADE
9.0 / 10
Hyundai SANTA FE
8.7 / 10
Cars
Hyundai ELANTRA
8.8 / 10
Hyundai SONATA
9.0 / 10
EVs
Hyundai IONIQ 5
10 / 10
Other Comparisons
Hyundai TUCSON Hybrid
7.6 / 10
Hyundai TUCSON Hybrid
7.6 / 10
iSeeCars Safety Ratings
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
9.0 / 10
Subaru Forester
9.0 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
9.0 / 10
Subaru Ascent
10 / 10
Subaru Ascent
10 / 10
Cars
Subaru WRX
9.0 / 10
Subaru Legacy
9.0 / 10
EVs
Subaru Solterra
10 / 10
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
9.0 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Resale Value Ratings
SUVs
Hyundai KONA
8.3 / 10
Hyundai TUCSON
8.1 / 10
Hyundai TUCSON
8.1 / 10
Hyundai PALISADE
8.0 / 10
Hyundai SANTA FE
7.9 / 10
Cars
Hyundai ELANTRA
8.4 / 10
Hyundai SONATA
8.1 / 10
EVs
Hyundai IONIQ 5
7.2 / 10
Other Comparisons
Hyundai TUCSON Hybrid
8.0 / 10
Hyundai TUCSON Hybrid
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Resale Value Ratings
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
8.9 / 10
Subaru Forester
8.7 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
8.2 / 10
Subaru Ascent
7.8 / 10
Subaru Ascent
7.8 / 10
Cars
Subaru WRX
8.8 / 10
Subaru Legacy
8.4 / 10
EVs
Subaru Solterra
7.5 / 10
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
8.7 / 10
Subaru Outback (suv)
8.2 / 10
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings
SUVs
Hyundai TUCSON
#5 of 19 in
Best Small SUVs
Hyundai TUCSON
#5 of 19 in
Best Small SUVs
Cars
Hyundai ELANTRA
#9 of 24 in
Best Compact Cars
Hyundai SONATA
#4 of 13 in
Best Midsize Cars
iSeeCars Best Car Rankings
SUVs
Subaru Forester
#3 of 19 in
Best Small SUVs
Subaru Outback
#6 of 19 in
Best Small SUVs
Cars
Subaru WRX
#6 of 24 in
Best Compact Cars
Subaru Legacy
#3 of 13 in
Best Midsize Cars
iSeeCars Most Reliable Car Rankings
SUVs
Hyundai TUCSON
#14 of 19 in
Most Reliable Small SUVs
Hyundai TUCSON
#14 of 19 in
Most Reliable Small SUVs
Cars
Hyundai ELANTRA
#15 of 37 in
Most Reliable Small Cars
Hyundai SONATA
#10 of 13 in
Most Reliable Midsize Cars
iSeeCars Most Reliable Car Rankings
SUVs
Subaru Forester
#4 of 19 in
Most Reliable Small SUVs
Subaru Outback
#5 of 19 in
Most Reliable Small SUVs
Cars
Subaru WRX
#11 of 37 in
Most Reliable Small Cars
Subaru Legacy
#3 of 13 in
Most Reliable Midsize Cars
iSeeCars Safest Car Rankings
SUVs
Hyundai KONA
#10 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
Hyundai TUCSON
#9 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
Hyundai TUCSON
#9 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
Hyundai PALISADE
#8 of 34 in
Safest SUVs with 3 Rows
Hyundai SANTA FE
#11 of 34 in
Safest SUVs with 3 Rows
Cars
Hyundai ELANTRA
#7 of 37 in
Safest Small Cars
Hyundai SONATA
#4 of 13 in
Safest Midsize Cars
EVs
Hyundai IONIQ 5
#2 of 65 in
Safest Electric SUVs
Other Comparisons
Hyundai TUCSON Hybrid
#18 of 36 in
Safest Hybrid SUVs
Hyundai TUCSON Hybrid
#18 of 36 in
Safest Hybrid SUVs
iSeeCars Safest Car Rankings
SUVs
Subaru Crosstrek
#13 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
Subaru Forester
#14 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
Subaru Outback
#18 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
Subaru Ascent
#5 of 34 in
Safest SUVs with 3 Rows
Subaru Ascent
#5 of 34 in
Safest SUVs with 3 Rows
Cars
Subaru WRX
#5 of 37 in
Safest Small Cars
Subaru Legacy
#3 of 13 in
Safest Midsize Cars
EVs
Subaru Solterra
#1 of 65 in
Safest Electric SUVs
Other Comparisons
Subaru Forester
#14 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
Subaru Outback
#18 of 67 in
Safest Crossover SUVs
iSeeCars Best Cars for the Money Rankings
SUVs
Hyundai TUCSON
#13 of 18 in
Best Small SUVs for the Money
Hyundai TUCSON
#13 of 18 in
Best Small SUVs for the Money
Cars
Hyundai ELANTRA
#7 of 22 in
Best Small Cars for the Money
Hyundai SONATA
#6 of 7 in
Best Midsize Cars for the Money
iSeeCars Best Cars for the Money Rankings
SUVs
Subaru Forester
#4 of 18 in
Best Small SUVs for the Money
Subaru Outback
#9 of 18 in
Best Small SUVs for the Money
Cars
Subaru WRX
#14 of 22 in
Best Small Cars for the Money
Subaru Legacy
#4 of 7 in
Best Midsize Cars for the Money