2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2024 Subaru Outback

The 2024 Subaru Outback maintained its rugged yet refined appearance, with the Wilderness trim receiving a subtle update featuring a new front fascia and LED fog lights. The dark gray cladding contrasted beautifully with the Autumn Green Metallic color of the Touring XT model, offering a unique and appealing aesthetic. The Outback's various trims showcased different levels of black and chrome exterior fittings, with the Touring trim displaying the most chrome, which was tastefully executed. Wheel designs varied across trims, with the Wilderness trim featuring matte black 17-inch alloy wheels, while the Onyx Edition and higher trims sported larger, machine-finished wheels. Inside, the top-trim Touring XT impressed with its luxurious Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery, a step above the standard leather and synthetic options in other trims.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 retained its distinctive and retro-inspired design, reminiscent of the 1986-1991 Lancia Delta, with a few subtle updates in its mid-cycle refresh. The lower front fascia saw mild revisions, but the iconic "Parametric Pixel" headlights and taillights, round wheel arches, and high rear spoiler remained unchanged. The new XRT trim stood out with red tow hooks and black plastic bumper cladding featuring a "digital camouflage" pattern, adding a touch of ruggedness. Exclusive colors like Ultimate Red and Cosmic Blue Pearl were introduced for the XRT, while the overall color palette expanded with Atlas White Matte and Ecotronic Gray Matte. The interior maintained its minimalistic and modern feel, with minor changes to the center console for improved functionality, while the XRT trim added a more rugged touch with its dark interior and all-weather floor mats.

The 2024 Subaru Outback was powered by a "Boxer" horizontally opposed engine, with the base model featuring a 2.5-liter flat-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. The XT trims, including the Wilderness, were equipped with a more powerful 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer four-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, increasing the towing capacity to 3,500 lbs. Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and a Lineartronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) were standard across the lineup. The turbocharged engine provided a better driving experience, managing the vehicle's weight more effectively, while the CVT mimicked the feel of eight distinct gears. The Outback offered a comfortable ride, with 8.7 inches of ground clearance, which increased to 9.2 inches in the Wilderness trim, along with all-terrain tires and an advanced X-Mode for off-road adventures.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT featured a Terrain Mode button on the steering wheel, allowing drivers to cycle through Snow, Mud, and Sand modes, adjusting throttle mapping, wheel slip, power distribution, and regenerative braking. The XRT handled off-road conditions well, with AWD as standard, while other trims offered RWD with optional AWD. The Ioniq 5's battery capacity increased for 2025, providing a range of up to 318 miles in RWD configuration, with AWD reducing the range slightly. Power output varied with the powertrain choice, with RWD models producing up to 225 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, while AWD models delivered 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque. Despite its weight, the Ioniq 5 offered an enjoyable driving experience, thanks to the instant torque of its electric motors.

The 2024 Subaru Outback offered ample interior space, with more headroom up front compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. It also provided more front-row legroom and competitive rear-seat legroom. The cargo area measured 32.6 cubic feet with all seats in place and 75.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Feature availability was a strong point, with dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver's seat standard on most trims. Higher trims added features like heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a hands-free power liftgate. The Outback's raised roof rails with retractable cross bars added practicality for outdoor enthusiasts.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 addressed previous complaints by adding a rear windshield wiper and revising the center console for improved functionality. Heated front seats were standard, with a heated steering wheel available on higher trims. The interior dimensions remained unchanged, offering generous headroom and legroom. Cargo space measured 26.3 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 58.5 cubic feet with them folded down, with an additional .85 cubic feet in the "frunk." The Ioniq 5's transition to the North American Charging System (NACS) allowed access to Tesla's Supercharger network, enhancing its charging capabilities.

The 2024 Subaru Outback featured a mix of old-school and modern technology, with a CD player available on the Touring trim and both USB-C and USB-A ports on most trims. The top-trim model boasted an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented infotainment screen, while the base trim retained a dual-7-inch-screen system. The Subaru Starlink multimedia platform offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, with wireless functionality starting at the Premium trim. The climate controls were integrated into the touchscreen, with hard buttons for essential functions. Wi-Fi capability, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and SiriusXM connectivity were standard, with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system available on most trims.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 retained its pair of 12.3-inch screens for the infotainment system and digital instrument cluster, with improved functionality and faster processing speeds. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the Bose Premium Audio system was available on higher trims. The SE and SEL trims featured a six-speaker sound system, with standard navigation, dynamic voice recognition, and Bluetooth connectivity supporting two devices simultaneously. The Ioniq 5 also offered a head-up display on the Limited trim and a wireless charging pad starting at the SEL trim level.

The 2024 Subaru Outback earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The EyeSight suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies was standard, including adaptive cruise control, lane-centering, automatic pre-collision braking, and more. Reverse automatic braking became standard on the Onyx trim, and the Touring trim added a wide-angle camera, digital rearview mirror, and driver-attention monitor.

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 maintained its Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. New standard safety features included an enhanced driver attention system, reverse and forward parking-distance warning, and more. The XRT and Limited trims offered a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor. Highway Driving Assist 1 and 2 were available, with the latter adding lane-changing capability and machine learning.