Both the Accent and the Impreza have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes and daytime running lights.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Hyundai Accent is safer than the Subaru Impreza:

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 Hyundai Accent is safer than the Subaru Impreza:

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

The Accent comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Impreza's 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai's powertrain warranty covers the Accent 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Subaru covers the Impreza. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Impreza ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Accent's corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Impreza's (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Accent for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Subaru doesn't pay scheduled maintenance for the Impreza.

There are over 30 percent more Hyundai dealers than there are Subaru dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Accent's warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Accent has a standard 640-amp battery. The Impreza's 530-amp battery isn't as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Accent first among small cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The Impreza isn't in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 8th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 24th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates' 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 7th in reliability, above the industry average. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 17th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports' January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Subaru vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 2 places higher in reliability than Subaru.

The Hyundai Accent comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Impreza.

The Accent stops shorter than the Impreza:

For better maneuverability, the Accent's turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the Impreza's (33.5 feet vs. 35.4 feet).

The Hyundai Accent may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 450 pounds less than the Subaru Impreza.

The Accent is 10.1 inches shorter than the Impreza Sedan, making the Accent easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Accent has a much larger trunk than the Impreza Sedan (13.7 vs. 12.3 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Accent Limited's trunk can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Impreza doesn't offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The power windows standard on both the Accent and the Impreza have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Accent is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Impreza prevents the driver from operating the rear windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Accent's power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Impreza's power window switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Accent is less expensive to operate than the Impreza because it costs $145 less to do the manufacturer's suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Accent than the Impreza, including $139 less for a water pump, $26 less for a muffler, $30 less for front brake pads, $197 less for a starter, $11 less for a fuel pump, $261 less for front struts, $118 less for a timing belt/chain and $129 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Hyundai Accent will be $1681 to $3122 less than for the Subaru Impreza.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Hyundai Accent and the Subaru Impreza, based on reliability, safety and performance.