Anonymous wrote:OP. So:

Kona has a cramped back seat but seems be well-liked by owners. But might not hold its value as long as a Subaru. Peppy drive. Alot of the same safety features for a bit less. Can get a AWD version.

Folks like Subaru, back sear and cargo are bigger, but some think the cars are underpowered (unless you get the bigger engine for a few thousand more). Reliable, safe. May hold value longer?

May come down to what is available...

This is the sad truth.

I've been in both vehicles and the Crosstrek is noticeably larger in terms of seat width and storage space.

If you get the Crosstrek I'd do either the hybrid (which allows you to drive up to 17 miles in all-electric - that's enough for my family's daily commute purposes) or pay for the Sport or Limited so you get the upgraded engine with more horsepower.

FYI - the hybrid engine is built by Toyota, so you are getting Toyota reliability.

I think the Edmond's review is spot-on: https://www.edmunds.com/subaru/crosstrek/2022/plug-in-hybrid/

Anonymous wrote:OP. So:

Kona has a cramped back seat but seems be well-liked by owners. But might not hold its value as long as a Subaru. Peppy drive. Alot of the same safety features for a bit less. Can get a AWD version.

Folks like Subaru, back sear and cargo are bigger, but some think the cars are underpowered (unless you get the bigger engine for a few thousand more). Reliable, safe. May hold value longer?

May come down to what is available...

“Reliable” and “Subaru” are not synonymous anymore. Not for about 10 years now.

Anonymous wrote:Any thoughts on Subaru Impreza. Seems to be more available!

Same car as the CrossTrek, just with a lower suspension.

But all the associated problems endemic to the CrossTrek.

OP. So:

Kona has a cramped back seat but seems be well-liked by owners. But might not hold its value as long as a Subaru. Peppy drive. Alot of the same safety features for a bit less. Can get a AWD version.

Folks like Subaru, back sear and cargo are bigger, but some think the cars are underpowered (unless you get the bigger engine for a few thousand more). Reliable, safe. May hold value longer?

May come down to what is available...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kona comes in both hybrid and full EV versions.
Crosstrek has a plug-in hybrid engine available.

I'd get the PHEV Crosstrek. Those are some fun cars. They have quite a bit of power in such a small frame.

I owned a Crosstrek. It wouldn’t get out of its own way. That car needs AT LEAST 75 more hp to be considered “adequately powerful”. It was so underpowered that it was dangerous in certain situations. The awful transmission didn’t help, either. With a manual you could’ve altered shift points to keep the engine in the powerband longer and made up for the anemic engine, but combined with the continuously variable automatic, it was just horrible. Like driving a Volvo 240D diesel wagon.

What year was your Crosstrek ?

2018

Traded it last fall.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kona comes in both hybrid and full EV versions.
Crosstrek has a plug-in hybrid engine available.

I'd get the PHEV Crosstrek. Those are some fun cars. They have quite a bit of power in such a small frame.

I owned a Crosstrek. It wouldn’t get out of its own way. That car needs AT LEAST 75 more hp to be considered “adequately powerful”. It was so underpowered that it was dangerous in certain situations. The awful transmission didn’t help, either. With a manual you could’ve altered shift points to keep the engine in the powerband longer and made up for the anemic engine, but combined with the continuously variable automatic, it was just horrible. Like driving a Volvo 240D diesel wagon.

What year was your Crosstrek ?

I havea 2020 Kona. I like it. We only have 1 kid, so the back seat isn't cramped. 3 9 yo boys fit fine, but probably as they get older ony 2 will be able to be in the backseat comfortably. Sometimes I do have to put some groceries in the back seat if it doesn't all fit in the back.

No problems, no breakdowns. I have only had to take it in for regular maintenance.

Anonymous wrote:Kona comes in both hybrid and full EV versions.
Crosstrek has a plug-in hybrid engine available.

I'd get the PHEV Crosstrek. Those are some fun cars. They have quite a bit of power in such a small frame.

I owned a Crosstrek. It wouldn’t get out of its own way. That car needs AT LEAST 75 more hp to be considered “adequately powerful”. It was so underpowered that it was dangerous in certain situations. The awful transmission didn’t help, either. With a manual you could’ve altered shift points to keep the engine in the powerband longer and made up for the anemic engine, but combined with the continuously variable automatic, it was just horrible. Like driving a Volvo 240D diesel wagon.

If you hated having to take your VW in to the shop so often - then common sense should dictate not to purchase a Hyundai.

Sure, they likely are much better than two decades ago but for RELIABILITY purposes, you can never go wrong by choosing Japanese.

Any thoughts on Subaru Impreza. Seems to be more available!

Anonymous wrote:Agree that Honda Civic is worth a test drive. Common complaints about the Civic are road noise & tough entry/exit, however. Handles well & is reliable.

Never felt great merging with Civic due to slow pickup. Also never thought visibility was great.

Agree that Honda Civic is worth a test drive. Common complaints about the Civic are road noise & tough entry/exit, however. Handles well & is reliable.

Anonymous wrote:Why not Mazda CX-3 or CX-30? Mazdas have been great for me. I went with Honda HR-V and hate it.

Love my 2022 Mazda CX-30. I have the lowest model but it still feels like a really NICE car. Fun to drive. Not great gas mileage though. I got it to replace my 2007 Mazda 3. Great little car as well. Lasted 210k miles until transmission went out and it didn't pay to replace it.

i test drove the HRV (felt SUPER underpowered and boring), Civic (nice, but wanted SUV).

You might want to look into resale values. I had a Hyundai Veracruz for about 7 years, and its resale value was less than half of a honda pilot for basically the same style car. No used car lot wanted to purchase it since it was not a car anyone was looking for, despite being low miles and in good shape. My only option was to trade it in for a new car or sell to CarMax for well below its value.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Subaru over Kia any time. You can't be serious.

Are Kia and Hyundai the same company?

Yes--same ownership.

Subaru Crosstrek is the better value & offers a much quieter ride.