The Hyundai Kona is a subcompact crossover SUV that was first revealed back in 2017 and is soon to be replaced with a new model. Hyundai also introduced the Kona EV as a standalone electric model of the Kona back in 2018 which soon became the Kona model most people were interested in. Either way, we are going to tell you all the cars similar to Hyundai Kona and why you should go for one over the other.
The most obvious competitor to the Hyundai Kona is the Kia Niro as these two cars do share some parts with each other. The Volkswagen ID.4 is one of the most popular electric cars that compete with the Kona EV which is why we are going to mention it here as well.
The Toyota CH-R is also one of those cars as it’s priced really close to the Kona and because it shares a similar design, efficiency, and technology philosophy. All in all, there are many cars that are similar to the Hyundai Kona in some way, but these are the ones people are most likely to cross-shop when interested in buying the Kona.
Now it’s time to introduce all of these in a bit more detail and tell you what makes each and every one of them special. So, if you are in the market for a car that isn’t too expensive, offers modern looks and technology, and is hybrid/EV, be sure to stick around!
Hyundai Kona
The normal gasoline-powered Kona is going to set you back anywhere between $24,000 and $32,000 while the Kona EV is going to cost between $35,000 and $43,000. The entry-level Kona comes with a 147hp 4-cylinder engine while the top-spec gasoline engine is the N-Line 4-cylinder model with 195hp. The Kona EV offers a 64kWh battery, 201hp, and up to 260 miles of range on a full charge.
The best things about the Kona are strong engines, cool exterior, and interior styling, good road handling, a 10-year warranty on the Kona EV, and quite a bit of range for the price. The cons are the fact that all Kona models come with a relatively small trunk space and not too much space in the second row of seats and the fact that you can’t get AWD with the Kona EV.
Kia Niro
The Kia Niro is the most similar car to the Hyundai Kona as it also comes with combustion engine powertrains and a fully electric model. You can expect to pay around $27,000-$40,000 for hybrid models while EV models cost between $40,000 and $45,000. The hybrid model offers up to 180hp from its 1.6L 4-cylinder and a gasoline engine while the Niro EV offers the same 64kWh battery as in the Kona EV with 260 miles of range and 201hp.
Design-wise, the Kia Niro is brand-new which means that it looks cooler compared to the relatively dated Kona. It comes well equipped from the factory, has lots of technology, and a fair bit of space while handling is not on par with the Kona EV.
Volkswagen ID.4
The VW ID.4 starts at $38,000 while top-spec models go for $51,000 which is comparable with the Kona EV at the low end, but much more expensive at the top end. The smaller 58kWh battery can do around 208 miles of range while the more expensive ID.4 models with a larger 77kWh battery can do 280 miles of range which is a decent upgrade over the Kona EV.
The ID.4 offers much more space than both the Kona and the Niro, it also comes with a premium badge, a quieter ride, and lots of technology. However, some say that the ID.4 feels a bit cheap on the inside and that the infotainment system is too complicated to use.
Toyota CH-R
If you want to save a few bucks but you still want a car similar to the Hyundai Kona, you can consider buying the $25,000-$29,000 Toyota CH-R which is also a subcompact crossover SUV. The CH-R is considered by many as a really good-looking car both inside and out, and with Toyota’s reliability, it does feel like an enticing prospect.
The best CH-R engines are all hybrid-powered and it seems like the 2023 CH-R might even feature a fully electrified powertrain as well. However, the CH-R is known to offer lackluster rear seating space and it is not nearly the most fun to drive car here.
FAQ Section
Is the Hyundai Kona the best car in its segment?
With its quirky styling and nice interior, the Kona is surely interesting, but there are simply way too many cars in this segment for us to say that one is the best. The Kona isn’t as exciting to drive as many other cars here and it also isn’t the most modern or best looking. The maximum range of the Kona EV is not the best while gasoline variants aren’t the best in their class either.
The brand-new Kia Niro does seem like a cooler option than the Kona, but the new Kona is also going to roll out soon which means that waiting a bit more is a good idea.
Is the Hyundai Kona a luxury car?
The Hyundai Kona is a really well-equipped car with various features designed to make your life easy and comfortable, but it can’t be viewed as a luxury car. Luxury cars from this segment are the Audi Q3, the BMW X1, the Mercedes GLA, the Volvo XC40, and the Jaguar E Pace.
All of these cars cost a lot more money and come with more powerful and sophisticated engines. Also, a Hyundai badge is never going to be posh as an Audi, a BMW, or a Mercedes badge.
When is the new Hyundai Konda coming out?
The next-gen Hyundai Kona is going to come out in April 2023 as per the latest info from Hyundai. We can expect to see newer Kona models on the road by Q3 of 2023. Many were worried that Hyundai is going to discontinue the Kona, but that does not seem to be the case anymore.
