Compare the2025 Subaru SolterraVS 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6

The Subaru Solterra has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Ioniq 6 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Solterra has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Ioniq 6 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the Solterra. But it costs extra on the Ioniq 6.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Solterra’s standard Downhill Assist Control allows you to creep down safely. The Ioniq 6 doesn’t offer Downhill Assist Control.

Both the Solterra and the Ioniq 6 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, 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru Solterra is safer than the Hyundai Ioniq 6:

	Solterra	Ioniq 6
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	152	207
Neck Stress	240 lbs.	246 lbs.
Neck Compression	10 lbs.	60 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.6 inches
Neck Stress	130 lbs.	143 lbs.
Neck Compression	25 lbs.	82 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	223/195 lbs.	442/446 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Subaru Solterra is safer than the Hyundai Ioniq 6:

	Solterra	Ioniq 6
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.4 inches	.7 inches
Abdominal Force	86 lbs.	133 lbs.
Hip Force	237 lbs.	242 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	9 inches	10 inches
HIC	315	327
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	47 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 10th.

The Solterra’s electric motors produces 66 more horsepower (215 vs. 149) than the Ioniq 6 Standard Range’s standard electric motor.

As tested in Car and Driver the Subaru Solterra is faster than the Ioniq 6 Long Range electric motor:

	Solterra	Ioniq 6
Zero to 60 MPH	6.1 sec	6.2 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.1 sec	6.3 sec
Quarter Mile	14.7 sec	14.8 sec

On the EPA test cycle the Solterra Premium gets better mileage than the Ioniq 6 SEL/Limited AWD (114 city/94 hwy vs. 111 city/94 hwy MPGe).

The Solterra’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Ioniq 6 are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Solterra has larger tires than the Ioniq 6 (235/60R18 vs. 225/55R18).

For better maneuverability, the Solterra’s turning circle is 2.1 feet tighter than the Ioniq 6’s (36.7 feet vs. 38.8 feet).

The Solterra is 6.5 inches shorter than the Ioniq 6, making the Solterra easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Solterra has 1.1 inches more rear headroom and .6 inches more rear legroom than the Ioniq 6.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Solterra’s rear seats recline. The Ioniq 6’s rear seats don’t recline.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 66% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 30th.

The Solterra’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Ioniq 6’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Ioniq 6 SEL/Limited’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

The Solterra’s standard power window controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Ioniq 6’s available power window controls are spread out on the center console where they can’t be seen without the driver completely removing his eyes from the road.

If the windows are left open on the Solterra the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Subaru service department.) The driver of the Ioniq 6 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Consumer Reports rated the Solterra’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Ioniq 6’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Solterra’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Ioniq 6’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Solterra Limited/Touring has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Ioniq 6 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Solterra’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Ioniq 6’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

Both the Solterra and the Ioniq 6 have standard heated front seats. The Solterra Limited/Touring/Onyx also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Ioniq 6.

The Subaru Solterra outsold the Hyundai Ioniq 6 by 140 units during 2024.