Compare the2026 Subaru TrailseekerVS 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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The Subaru Trailseeker has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help 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 Trailseeker has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Ioniq 6 doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The Trailseeker 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 Trailseeker. But it costs extra on the Ioniq 6.

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

The Subaru Trailseeker’s rear backup camera has a standard washer for maintaining a clear view under various conditions. In contrast, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 does not offer a rear camera washer, meaning its effectiveness relies on manual cleaning by the user when necessary.

Both the Trailseeker 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.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai With 10 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher than Hyundai.

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.

Engine

The Trailseeker’s electric motors produces 226 more horsepower (375 vs. 149) than the Ioniq 6 Standard Range’s standard electric motor. The Trailseeker’s electric motors produces 150 more horsepower (375 vs. 225) than the Ioniq 6 Long Range’s optional electric motor. The Trailseeker’s electric motors produces 55 more horsepower (375 vs. 320) than the Ioniq 6’s optional electric motors.

Fuel Economy and Range

The Trailseeker can travel longer on a full charge than the Ioniq 6 on a full charge:

			Miles
Trailseeker
	AWD	Premium Electric Motors	281 miles
		Limited/Touring Electric Motors	274 miles
Ioniq 6
	RWD	Standard Range Electric Motor	240 miles
	AWD	SEL/Limited Electric Motors	270 miles

Brakes and Stopping

The Trailseeker’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.

Tires and Wheels

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

Suspension and Handling

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

Passenger Space

The Trailseeker 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 Trailseeker’s rear seats recline. The Ioniq 6’s rear seats don’t recline.

Towing

The Trailseeker has a 3500 lbs. towing capacity. The Ioniq 6 has no towing capacity.

Standard on the Trailseeker uses the Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Ioniq 6 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

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.

Ergonomics

The Trailseeker’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 Trailseeker’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 Trailseeker the driver can close all of them 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.

The Trailseeker’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Ioniq 6’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Trailseeker has a standard rear wiper. The Ioniq 6 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Trailseeker has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Ioniq 6 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Trailseeker’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.

The Subaru Trailseeker has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Ioniq 6 Limited.

Both the Trailseeker and the Ioniq 6 have standard heated front seats. The Trailseeker Limited/Touring 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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Subaru Trailseeker has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console for two separate devices. Only the Ioniq 6 SEL/Limited offers wireless charging, and only charges one device.

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