Honda HR-V vs. Hyundai Kona

Subcompact SUVs have made subcompact cars obsolete. With good fuel economy, tall seating positions, and roomy cargo areas, subcompact SUVs have a lot of the same benefits as larger SUVs, but in a package that’s easy to drive and efficient. Shoppers looking for a subcompact SUV will find that the Honda HR-V and Hyundai Kona are two of the more popular and well-rounded options available.

Honda came out with a fully redesigned HR-V for 2023, while the Hyundai Kona still belongs to the first-gen model that came out in 2018, though it’s received quite a few updates since it originally came out. While the two SUVs are both classified as subcompact vehicles are similar in size, there are quite a few differences between the two models that make one option a better choice over the other. In this brief comparison, we’ll take a look at how the HR-V compares to the Kona to help you choose which option is the better choice.

Honda HR-V vs. Hyundai Kona Price

Hyundai is known for offering value-packed vehicles, and it’s no different from the Kona. Hyundai Kona prices start at $23,475, while the most expensive Hyundai Kona is the Kona N which costs $36,285. Hyundai also offers the Kona Electric, which is an all-electric version of the Kona that ranges from $34,885 to $42,885.

The cheapest Honda HR-V is the LX trim which starts at $25,395, while the most Honda HR-V is the EX-L which carries a starting price tag of $28,945. Comparing the two SUVs to one another, there’s a $1,920 difference in price between the base Kona and the base HR-V. At the top of the range, the HR-V is $7,340 more affordable than the Kona.

In addition to being more affordable than the Honda HR-V, the Hyundai Kona is available with more affordable lease deals than the Honda HR-V. Shoppers will also find better financing deals with the Kona than the ones that Honda offers with the HR-V.

Honda HR-V vs. Hyundai Kona Performance & Mileage

Honda offers the HR-V with a single engine. The subcompact SUV comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. The engine is paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission that routes power to the front wheels as standard. With FWD, the HR-V is rated to get up to 28 mpg combined.

The Hyundai Kona is available with four different powertrains. The standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is rated at 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. Just like the HR-V, the engine is paired with a CVT. The sporty N Line and Limited trims come with a 195-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. For even more performance, there’s the Kona N that comes with a turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with up to 286 hp. The high-performance Kona N has a unique eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The base Kona with the 2.0-liter engine is the most efficient of the gas-powered models. With FWD, the Kona can get up to 32 mpg combined. For added fuel economy, Hyundai also offers the all-electric Kona Electric. It comes with a 150-kW electric motor that makes 201 horsepower, a 64-kWh battery pack, and FWD. The Kona Electric can travel up to 258 miles on a single charge and has a combined fuel economy rating of up to 120 MPGe.

Honda HR-V vs. Hyundai Kona Seating & Cargo Space

While the HR-V and Kona are both classified as subcompact SUVs, they differ when it comes to size. The HR-V is 179.8 inches long, 72.4 inches wide, and 63.4 inches tall. Compared to the Kona, the HR-V is 14.2 inches longer.

Thanks to its larger body, the HR-V offers more interior space than the Kona. The HR-V has more front and rear shoulder room, front and rear legroom, rear headroom, and front hip room. For passengers, they’ll notice the HR-V’s extra size in the back.

Cargo capacity is more impressive in the HR-V than it is in the Kona. The HR-V offers up to 24.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and a total of 55.1 cubic feet of cargo space. The Kona is much smaller, offering 19.2 cubic feet of space with the rear seats in place and 45.8 cubic feet of total space.

Honda HR-V vs. Hyundai Kona Reliability

The Honda HR-V is more reliable than the Hyundai Kona based on Consumer Reports’ data. The HR-V finished in fourth place in Consumer Reports’ ranking of 11 subcompact SUVs. Consumer Reports gave the HR-V a predicted reliability score of four out of five and a predicted owner satisfaction score of three out of five.

The Kona finished in eighth place in the organization’s ranking of subcompact SUVs with scores of two out of five for predicted reliability and three out of five for owner satisfaction.

Which Crossover SUV Is Better: Honda HR-V or Hyundai Kona?

If you’re looking for a subcompact SUV with a generous amount of passenger space and cargo capacity, the Honda HR-V is the better option of the two. It’s larger than the HR-V, which translates to more interior space, especially for passengers in the back and in the cargo area.

With that being said, the Hyundai Kona is the better option of the two SUVs. It’s available with more powerful engines, is offered in an all-electric model, is more fuel-efficient, and is more affordable than the HR-V. The Kona’s well-rounded lineup, enjoyable handling, and a lengthy list of high-tech features make it the better option over the HR-V, even if it doesn’t have the same amount of interior space.

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