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Hyundai Santa Cruz Vs Subaru Outback: Which Compact Crossover Is Right For You?

Mike has spent over 15 years working in the automotive industry and is a lifelong Ford truck guy. He currently drives a 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat that he enjoys customizing on the weekends. As editor of wheelsgeeks.com, Mike focuses on sharing his passion for Blue Oval vehicles through reviews, how-to...

What To Know

  • The Santa Cruz has a slightly larger cargo area than the Outback, but the Outback has a more versatile cargo area with a lower load floor and a wider opening.
  • The Santa Cruz is a more affordable option with a more rugged design, while the Outback is a more versatile vehicle with a more advanced safety suite and a variety of other features.
  • The Santa Cruz is a great choice for those who want a more affordable and rugged vehicle, while the Outback is a great choice for those who want a more versatile vehicle with a variety of features.

The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Subaru Outback are two of the most popular compact SUVs on the market. Both vehicles offer a spacious interior, plenty of cargo space, and a variety of features. However, there are some key differences between the two vehicles that may make one a better choice for you than the other.

Design and Styling

The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Subaru Outback have very different designs. The Santa Cruz is a more rugged and aggressive-looking vehicle, with a bold front grille and sharp lines. The Outback is a more traditional SUV, with a more rounded and understated look.

Interior and Cargo Space

The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Subaru Outback both offer a spacious interior with plenty of room for passengers and cargo. The Santa Cruz has a slightly larger cargo area than the Outback, but the Outback has a more versatile cargo area with a lower load floor and a wider opening.

Performance and Fuel Efficiency

The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Subaru Outback both offer a variety of engine options. The Santa Cruz is available with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine or a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The Outback is available with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, or a 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine.

The Santa Cruz gets better fuel economy than the Outback, with an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway with the base engine. The Outback gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway with the base engine.

Features and Technology

The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Subaru Outback both offer a variety of features and technology. The Santa Cruz comes standard with a touchscreen infotainment system, a rearview camera, and a suite of safety features. The Outback comes standard with a larger touchscreen infotainment system, a more advanced safety suite, and a variety of other features.

Safety

The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Subaru Outback have both been rated as Top Safety Picks by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Santa Cruz received a slightly higher overall safety rating than the Outback, but the Outback received a slightly higher rating for front crash prevention.

Price

The Hyundai Santa Cruz has a starting price of $23,990, while the Subaru Outback has a starting price of $26,645. The Santa Cruz is a more affordable option, but the Outback offers more features and technology as standard.

Which One is Right for You?

The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Subaru Outback are both great compact SUVs. The Santa Cruz is a more affordable option with a more rugged design, while the Outback is a more versatile vehicle with a more advanced safety suite and a variety of other features. The best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

The Verdict: Hyundai Santa Cruz vs Subaru Outback

The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Subaru Outback are both excellent compact SUVs. The Santa Cruz is a great choice for those who want a more affordable and rugged vehicle, while the Outback is a great choice for those who want a more versatile vehicle with a variety of features. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

Q: Which vehicle has a more spacious interior?

A: The Hyundai Santa Cruz and Subaru Outback both offer a spacious interior with plenty of room for passengers and cargo. However, the Outback has a slightly larger cargo area than the Santa Cruz.

Q: Which vehicle gets better fuel economy?

A: The Hyundai Santa Cruz gets better fuel economy than the Subaru Outback, with an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway with the base engine. The Outback gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway with the base engine.

Q: Which vehicle has a more advanced safety suite?

A: The Subaru Outback has a more advanced safety suite than the Hyundai Santa Cruz. The Outback comes standard with a variety of safety features, including lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. The Santa Cruz only comes standard with a few of these features.

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Mike Sullivan

Mike has spent over 15 years working in the automotive industry and is a lifelong Ford truck guy. He currently drives a 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat that he enjoys customizing on the weekends. As editor of wheelsgeeks.com, Mike focuses on sharing his passion for Blue Oval vehicles through reviews, how-to guides and industry news updates. When he's not writing about Ford, you can find Mike cheering on his favorite NFL team at the local pub on game days.
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