2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek was a clever adaptation of the Impreza hatchback, designed to appeal to the growing market for crossovers. It featured rugged looks, standard all-wheel drive (AWD), and a higher driving position. The Crosstrek stood out visually with black body cladding, model-specific 17-inch wheels, and a taller ride height, offering 8.7 inches of ground clearance. This gave it a more SUV-like character compared to the Impreza, enhanced by vibrant color options like Plasma Yellow Pearl. Despite these changes, the interior remained largely unchanged from the Impreza, functional but somewhat plain, with some questionable design choices like clashing color accents and cheap-looking trim pieces.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was a bold step into the future of electrified mobility. It featured a minimalist yet striking exterior design, with a unique Parametric Pixel theme used extensively in its lighting elements. The Ioniq 5's design was both fascinating and frustrating, with an abundance of pixelated lights and aerodynamic wheels. Inside, the Ioniq 5 offered a serene "Living Space" theme with mellow color options and sustainable materials. The cabin was designed for comfort and relaxation, with features like a "Relaxation" mode for the driver's seat and a moveable center console. The interior was spacious and thoughtfully designed, providing a modern and comfortable environment for passengers.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered two gasoline powertrain options. The Sport and Limited trims came with a new 2.5-liter boxer-four engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The base and Premium trims continued with the 2.0-liter boxer-four engine, delivering 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission was standard on the Base and Premium trims, while a continuously variable transmission (CVT) was optional. The Sport and Limited trims were CVT-only. All trims featured standard AWD with torque vectoring and X-Mode for improved handling and off-road capability. Despite its SUV-like stance, the Crosstrek's higher center of gravity resulted in noticeable body roll, but it maintained a comfortable ride and low wind noise.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came in three trims (SE, SEL, and Limited) and offered both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. The base SE Standard Range featured a single 128-kW rear motor with 168 horsepower and a 220-mile range. The extended-range models had a 168-kW rear motor producing 225 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, with a 303-mile range. The AWD variants had a dual-motor system with a total output of 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, but the range dropped to 256 miles. The Ioniq 5 handled well, with four drive modes including Sport, which added excitement but reduced range. Paddle shifters allowed for adjusting regenerative braking levels, enhancing the driving experience. The Ioniq 5 was quiet and composed, thanks to features that reduced noise, vibration, and harshness.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered the same front and rear legroom as the Impreza hatchback, with slightly more rear headroom. It provided 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 55.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. While competitive in passenger space, the Crosstrek lagged behind some rivals in cargo capacity. It featured a rear-seat reminder system, a handy cubby hole for phones, and minimal storage space. The driving position was higher than the Impreza's, but visibility was good thanks to large side windows and a car-like front fascia.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5, built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), offered a spacious interior with a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Palisade. It provided 133.7 cubic feet of total interior volume, surpassing competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4. The Ioniq 5's passenger volume was 106.5 cubic feet, prioritizing passenger comfort over cargo space. The interior featured soft touch points, a moveable center console, and a modern take on the retro front bench seat. The leatherette seats were comfortable and supportive, making the Ioniq 5's cabin a pleasant place to be.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek used the Starlink infotainment system, with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. Premium and Sport trims added WiFi, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a single-disc CD player. The top Limited trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation. The Crosstrek also had a second screen above the main touchscreen for additional information. The 8-inch touchscreen was easy to navigate, and the vehicle included large analog knobs and buttons for essential functions, as well as chunky steering wheel buttons for EyeSight driver-assistance features.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 boasted advanced technology, including a high-voltage, energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80% battery capacity in 18 minutes, and could charge other devices or EVs. The Ioniq 5 featured a redesigned Blue Link app, digital key, enhanced smartphone pairing, and over-the-air updates. The interior had elegant 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment, finished with an anti-glare coating. The Ioniq 5 also offered a head-up display with augmented reality overlays, although it could be distracting in use.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in side crash tests and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The IIHS awarded the 2020 model a "Top Safety Pick" with the highest ratings in all crash tests and front-crash prevention tech, applicable to models with optional EyeSight features and Steering Responsive Headlights. EyeSight included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. The system had limitations, such as being blocked by windshield wipers or direct sunlight, but the cameras were well-protected.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) with standard features like blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and collision avoidance. Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I (HAD) was a Level 2 semi-autonomous system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. The Ioniq 5 also offered a head-up display with augmented reality overlays. While neither the NHTSA nor IIHS had released crash-safety ratings for the Ioniq 5, Hyundai's recent track record suggested high marks were likely.