I did not shop one (not a fan of Hyundai products). However, the ground clearance is 6.7 inches on the Tucson. That is 2 inches less than the Crosstrek. IMO if you are thinking you might like it, go drive one and find out. Unless you are absolutely set that the Crosstrek is the only thing you want the only thing you lose by checking your other options is time. Given the size of the purchase you are about to make, spending a little extra time figuring out what you want is probably worth it.

 

We have one of each. I was surprised that there wasn't as much room behind the rear seats of the Tucson as appears from outside. I'm also planning to get rid of it when it hits 5 years old and starts to have issues.

 

I was stuck between the Tucson and the Crosstrek. I work for an Auto dealer group that has several Hyundai Stores, but no Subaru stores, and the pricing on the Tucson was pretty compelling at employee level. I ended up ordering a crosstrek after driving a few 2-3 year old lease return Tucsons. Squeaks, rattles, interior stuff seemed flimsy and just a bit off center, like window switches kind of binding in their cut outs... things like that. I've owned several subarus, and my 05 outback sedan at 100K miles was in better condition than these Tucsons at 30K. I know a lot of that is due to the owner, but there was a consistent lack of build quality across those cars.

 

We have bought 3 new Subarus in 3 years, and have driven them about 70,000 miles total in that time with zero issues. Love the Subaru, didn't compare them to the Hyundai. I did compare to the Audi, Mercedes and BMW, though. Replaced a BMW, GMC and an Audi.

 

It's a decent looking car. But for the money I didn't want to go with something that didn't have a better reputation than Hyundai.

 

Take a look at the mileage figures for both. The Crosstrek is far better

 

We have a 2018 Crosstrek and my wife's 2016 Sonata Hybrid. Our first Hyundai and I am still nervous about going from the Camry...but at 50,000 miles the car seems tight as a drum, get's terrific mileage and every single bell and whistle seems to work perfectly. I'm old enough remember Hyundai Excels which didn't make good planters, much less cars. Of course I'm also old enough to remember the Subaru Justy which caused my teenage daughter to blanch and threaten to change her name. In any case the Hyundai has literally been, to date, perfect. I like the longer warranties on the Hyundai as well. I do enjoy my Subaru too. Seem like great cars, the both of them.

 

We put 3000km on a rental Tucson in two weeks this past summer...long and the short of it...would not buy one for love nor money.

 

That's a good way to be certain of a car. Last year a friend and I put 2 weeks trip on a Nissan Altima. And while my reaction to the car wasn't as negative as yours to the Tuscon, if the midsized sedan were the market I was looking in, I'd make sure all the competition got a good look before buying one.

Can you describe what it was about the Tuscon which lead you to that conclusion?

 

The Encore was on my short list. But the dealer here was not very responsive and to get one as well equipped as the Limited was more than I wanted to spend. I still think it is a good vehicle and has an impressive ride.

 

Actually i tested drive tucson, the tucson gdi turbo has one of the best engine for compact suv. The ones that made me choose crosstrek were AWD, price and long travel suspension. I find crosstrek is one of the best in cornering, even though toyota chr also handle well but lack of rear cabin space. Tucson is quite wide but interestingly the leg room not that great. The dsg seems problematic on long traffic jam but the acceleration is pure instant