Compare the2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In HybridVS 2025 Subaru Solterra

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Subaru Solterra has not been tested.

Both the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid and the Solterra 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, 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Solterra’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Subaru covers the Solterra. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Solterra ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Solterra’s (7 vs. 5 years).

There are over 32 percent more Hyundai dealers than there are Subaru dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s warranty.

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 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s reliability 14 points higher than the Solterra.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 11th.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 53 more horsepower (268 vs. 215) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (271 vs. 249) than the Solterra’s electric motors.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 421 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Solterra’s range is only 222 to 227 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 35 minutes for only an 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge using a conventional 110-volt outlet can take up to 50 hours.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid stops shorter than the Solterra:

The Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 pounds less than the Subaru Solterra.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has 10.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Solterra (105.9 vs. 95.7).

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has 1.3 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front hip room, 1.5 inches more rear headroom, 4.2 inches more rear legroom and 9.1 inches more rear hip room than the Solterra.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Solterra with its rear seat up (31.9 vs. 23.8 cubic feet). The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Solterra with its rear seat folded (66.3 vs. 63.5 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Solterra doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Solterra doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The Solterra has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Solterra doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a higher standard payload capacity than the Solterra (1132 vs. 1045 lbs.).

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Limited has a standard heads-up display that projects speed in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Solterra doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Solterra’s power window (except driver window) and power lock switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has a standard rear wiper. The Solterra doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Limited’s Remote Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Park Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Solterra Limited/Touring/Onyx’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Subaru Solterra isn't recommended.

The Hyundai Tucson outsold the Subaru Solterra by over 16 to one during 2024.