Subaru SUVs are very popular in America, but Hyundai is well on its way to challenging that. Hyundai has SUVs in multiple segments, from the mid-size Palisade all the way to the subcompact Kona.

The Subaru Crosstrek is a decent competitor to the Kona however, and here’s a look at how these two small SUVs compare with one another.

The pros and cons of the Subaru Crosstrek

Like Car Buying Strategies said, one of the best things about the Crosstrek is its powertrain. While the standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is nothing to write home about, Car Buying Strategies especially liked the Crosstrek’s hybrid option. The Crosstrek’s hybrid option was “known for its quickness and mobility,” according to Car Buying Strategies. On top of all that, the Crosstrek also comes standard with all-wheel drive. 

Car Buying Strategies also praised the Crosstrek’s drivability. Not only does it drive well, but it’s also comfortable for passengers. In addition to that, the Crosstrek has plenty of cargo space.

U.S. News said that, with its rear seats folded down, the Crosstrek has 55.3 cu. ft. of cargo space, which is really good for an SUV of its size. And of course, since it’s a Subaru, the Crosstrek is extremely safe and reliable and it’s loaded with standard smart safety features.

That said, the Crosstrek isn’t perfect. The standard engine is slow, and it actually gets below average fuel economy, according to U.S. News. On top of that, with a price tag that starts at about $22,000, the Crosstrek isn’t the cheapest SUV in the segment, and its warranty is pretty average as well.

The pros and cons of the Hyundai Kona

Car Buying Strategies said that the Kona’s standard engine was again not very remarkable. That said, one of the best things about the Kona is its powertrain options. Not only does Hyundai offer a hybrid option for the Kona, but there’s also a fully electric version as well.

The Kona EV is obviously more fuel-efficient than any hybrids will be, but it’ll also cost more money. That said, the Kona’s 10 years/100,000 mile warranty is also a very good addition. 

Another great thing about the Kona is its price. It starts at about $20,000, and there are plenty of options. Furthermore, the standard Kona has a great interior design that uses “quality fabric and materials,” according to Car Buying Strategies. And of course, since it’s a Hyundai, it’s also extremely safe and reliable, and it has plenty of standard smart safety features to boot. 

But again, it’s not perfect. The Kona has front-wheel drive as standard, and its cargo capacity is also below average. U.S. News said that the Kona has 45.8 cu. ft. of cargo space with its rear seats folded down, and that’s not a good amount of room in the segment. 

Which one is better?

The Crosstrek and the Kona have a lot of similarities, as both are safe, reliable, and pretty good subcompact crossovers overall. But, these are not the same SUVs, and the differences paint a clear picture for which SUV is better. Like Car Buying Strategies wrote, the Kona is clearly better in many situations, while the Crosstrek is clearly better in others. 

Thanks to the Crosstrek’s standard all-wheel drive and bigger cargo capacity, the Crosstrek is better for people who are going to go outdoors often. But, due to the Kona’s better interior and options, the Kona will be a better SUV for the average person.

On top of that, since the Kona has an electric version while the Crosstrek only has a hybrid version, the Kona EV is clearly the better pick for the most environmentally concerned customers. In the end it will come down to preference.