SUV Comparison: 2022 Hyundai Kona N Line vs Subaru Crosstrek Outdoor

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Elle Alder: Markets are cyclical, and after years of large-crossover dominance, Canadians are finally scaling sizes back to better match their needs. Despite their relatively small size, the vehicles parked before us are big players in the Canadian market: the fast-selling Hyundai Kona, and the Subaru Crosstrek.

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Appearing in mid-tier trims, the all-wheel drive crossovers before us both list for right around $30,000 before freight and fees. The Kona N Line takes a sporty, urban approach to the segment; the Crosstrek Outdoor a hardier adventuresome one. Despite answering different niches, however, both are shaped by similar expectations. 

The $30,155 Hyundai Kona N Line is the third of four trims, capping off the conventional lineup before stretching into the full-tilt Kona N. The $29,995 Subaru Crosstrek Outdoor, meanwhile, slots above the Convenience and Touring trims but below the Sport and Limited. Both bring upgraded powertrains and driver tech, along with respectable fuel economy for the everyday commute.

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The Kona N Line is powered by a turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder engine, producing 195 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, channelled through a snappy 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Crosstrek Outdoor equips a larger 2.5L flat-four, turning 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque through a mild-mannered but efficient continuously variable transmission. Those combinations favour the Kona off the line, but there’s plenty more at play here. 

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Brian Harper: That’s a very succinct and astute assessment, Elle. The subcompact crossover segment has become very crowded over the past half-dozen years or so. The Outdoor, a trim introduced last year by Subaru, and the N Line, new for the 2022 model year, are subtle attempts to move the Kona and Crosstrek from the scrum, albeit in different directions. While both models essentially target the same demographic, a Millennial audience, primarily singles or young marrieds, the N Line is looking for “enthusiast buyers,” hoping to impress them with the crossover’s “fun-to-drive character.” But while the N Line has overt styling cues that make it stand out — much like the legitimately hot-to-trot Kona N pocket rocket — it doesn’t get the N’s go-fast bits. It’s a case of a lot of show with only a little extra go.

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The Crosstrek Outdoor, on the other hand, is looking for adventuring types, those who drop their gaming consoles and actually head outside with their camping gear, bikes, canoes, etc. Maybe not as visually exciting as the Kona N Line, despite our model’s vibrant Plasma Yellow paint job, it nonetheless has legit credentials as the most off-road capable of the Crosstrek trim line — not as rugged looking as Subaru’s Outback and Forester Wilderness models, but a step in that direction. The crossover’s larger 2.5L boxer engine, a welcomed and long overdue upgrade, coupled with the dual-function X-Mode system — meant to tackle surfaces where the tires can become buried, such as deep snow or dry sand — significantly improve the Subie’s on-road and off-road dynamics.

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EA: I sure wish I had one of those gaming consoles to drop; all I have to fiddle with are three high-maintenance cars from the days of your youth! Perhaps I’m millennial-ing wrong? 

In any event, both hit their targets well — a fact demonstrated by their top-selling positions. They diverge in more than just target markets, however. Despite their similarities in price and profile, the Kona and Crosstrek deliver dramatically different feature content experiences against a modern backdrop. 

This is most obvious on the tech front, where the Crosstrek lags ten years behind the Kona. Basic interfaces such as infotainment are as clunky in the Subaru as they are smooth in the Hyundai. On more advanced systems, Subaru under-delivers as much as Hyundai over-delivers. 

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The complacent Crosstrek’s driver assists are laughably dated, seemingly frozen as they were a decade ago when such systems were more irritating than they were helpful. Adaptive cruise works acceptably, but disengages and releases the brakes immediately after bringing the vehicle to a stop in slow traffic. Likewise, constant disengagement of lane-keeping and a rudimentary monitoring interface renders the system unreliable by modern standards. Topping it all off, the system annoys drivers with loud, incessant beeps at any change in scene — often several per block. Quite simply, I would not consider Subaru’s EyeSight worth the cost of recalibration if I had to replace a windshield. It’s 2022, and this system would be better left at the dealer.

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In absolute contrast, the Kona equips one of the best and most reliable driver assistance suites available. Hyundai’s lane keeping and adaptive cruise functions are smooth, accurate, and unobtrusive, requiring minimal driver input and particularly reducing driver fatigue on highway commutes. Further perks, such as in-cluster blind-spot camera feeds when signalling, make the Kona a breeze of a runabout. It’s an easy-to-learn suite that experienced drivers may not think they’ll need, but that few would readily give up once accustomed to its conveniences. 

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BH: Whether on purpose or not, Elle, you captured the Kona N Line’s essence — it’s a runabout, albeit one that my wife, who normally dismisses most vehicles I bring home as mobile appliances, was quite taken with, starting with its bright red paint scheme. That means something in my household. Furthering its sporting vibe are its body-colour cladding and an aerodynamic lip with low corner fins. There are larger air intakes as well as a unique mesh design to the grille. But, while the 18-inch alloy wheels mounted on P235/45R18 tires look sharp and support the N Line’s streetwise agility, they, along with the Kona’s short wheelbase, also promote a very choppy ride over rougher surfaces. And, face it, given the Kona’s abbreviated length (4,215 mm), it’s compromised as a family vehicle, especially for anyone occupying the rear seats.

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The Crosstrek’s driver assists may not be state-of-the-art — though I didn’t find them as compromised as you — but, overall, it’s a far more serious family vehicle. And by serious, I’m saying capable. With an extra 270 mm of length, it actually has usable rear-seat room. It has a 680-kilogram towing capacity. The cargo area is substantially larger, especially with the rear seats folded (1,569 litres versus 1,296 for the Kona). Fuel economy is pretty much a wash; both are rated at 8.8 L/100 in the city, the Outdoor is actually slightly better in the city. The Outdoor is not cute or cuddly, but it ticks a lot of boxes.

EA: All considered, these budget-friendly rides cater to very different niches. As discussed in our video review, the Crosstrek is a better fit for our personal use cases, but in hindsight, I can’t leave that statement to stand alone.

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On the day we recorded our video, I yielded and conceded to grant the win to Subaru. The Crosstrek is a fine product for what it is, but on further consideration, its dated experience can’t be called an outright winner over the better-packaged Kona. Removing personal size preference from the consideration, the 2022 Hyundai Kona is simply a better-executed, more competitive and value-loaded product than the Subaru Crosstrek. 

I don’t doubt that the Subaru would be Brian’s preferred way of spending $30k, but I think we’d be overstepping to call it a winner. With that in mind, it seems this leaves us at a draw. 

BH: Clearly you didn’t read the fine print, Elle; there are no takebacks in our comparisons — you need to live with reviewer’s remorse. Still, I understand your hindsight dilemma. In car terms the Kona is the sport coupe of the two, the Crosstrek the family sedan. Who wouldn’t appreciate its more youthful vibe and sportier drive? And personally, as empty nesters, my wife and I don’t necessarily require the practicality of the Crosstrek, though over the long run it has more flexibility as day-to-day transportation. Plus, those buttoned-down testers at Consumer Reports have consistently rated the Subaru as one of its top choices in its segment. So, yes, in terms of which one I would prefer in my driveway, I’ll stick with the rugged-lite Crosstrek Outdoor. That said, I suspect the missus is in your corner.