Kona vs Tucson, Which Is Best For You

You will find both the Kona and Tucson in the Dick Smith Hyundai showroom. Both are crossovers with seating for five. Both are available in either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and both have 4-cylinder engines under the hood if they have an engine at all. As for which model is best for you, that can probably be wrapped up by the answer to the question: How much does size matter to you? 

Multiple Drivetrain Options on Each 

If you are fond of electrified drivetrains, there may be another consideration. While both the Kona and Tucson are available with conventional internal combustion engines, both have different alternative electrified drivetrains. The Kona is available as an EV. It is the same Kona as the gas model, with the same size, exterior styling, and interior styling. It is just powered by electricity, with an estimated range of 261 miles.  

All Tucson models will visit the gas station, but it is available in hybrid and plug-in hybrid forms. The latter will take you approximately 33 miles on electrons alone, courtesy of your standard household outlet. If that is more than your daily commute, your Tucson PHEV may not visit the filling station often.  

The Tucson is a compact crossover, which is the most popular vehicle segment in the industry. Consequently, it is Hyundai’s best-selling model and most of its competitors’ best-selling models. Examples include the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Nissan Rogue. They sell well because they hit the sweet spot of room in both the front and rear seats: room for adults and room for all their luggage if they pack relatively lightly. 

The Kona is one size smaller in the subcompact class, with the gas model – there are no electric versions of these models – competing with the Toyota Corolla Cross, Honda HR-V, Nissan Kicks, and Mazda CX3. All these models also seat five, but it is a close fit and best suited for four if you are driving a lengthy distance.  

In terms of pricing, the Kona model line has a starting MSRP of $24,350 and can reach the $30Ks. The Tucson starts at $28,605, and the Tucson PHEV is just under $40K. Their price ranges overlap, so choosing between these two models may be a matter of trading room for more features or vice versa. 

Sizing up the Two Model Lines 

The Tucson is rated as having 0.3 inches less front legroom than the Kona. However, it is relatively larger everywhere else. There is a little more headroom and shoulder room, though the difference is less than an inch. The big difference is rear legroom, where at 41.3 inches, the Tucson offers over three more inches than the Kona.    

The other big difference is in cargo space, where with all the seats up, the Tucson offers 38.7 cubic feet compared to 25.5 for the Kona. The difference diminishes slightly when the seats are down, with the Tucson providing a big-for-its-class of 74.8 cubic feet compared to 63.7 for the Kona. The Kona actually has a higher payload rating of 1224 pounds compared to 1185 for the Tucson. It is also worth noting that in the non-electrified form, the Tucson offers 2,000 pounds of towing capacity, while Hyundai offers no figure for the Kona. 

Power and Efficiency 

The Kona has a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter inline-4 that produces 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, and its power is controlled by a continuously variable transmission (CVT). N Line and Limited models upgrade to a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4 that produces 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque starting at a very accessible 1700 rpm.   

The turbocharged Kona actually has more power than the standard Tucson. It is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-4 producing 187 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired to the same 8-speed transmission as the turbocharged Kona. The Hybrid and PHEV models use a version of the Kona’s turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, which, when combined with the electric motor, results in 231 hp for the Hybrid and 268 hp for the PHEV. Both have a combined 271 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid drivetrain uses a 6-speed automatic transmission and sends power to all four wheels via a mechanical AWD system. 

That is a lot of drivetrains, and some mpg figures vary by trim, so in discussing fuel economy, let’s put all the figures in one table: 

* MPGe – the energy equivalent of MPG 

As evidenced above, the MPG stars are clearly the Tucson Hybrid models, and they do this while boasting standard all-wheel drive. Of course, the Kona Electric beats everything. This will be your most efficient choice if you can charge from home regularly. 

Safety and Driver Assistance 

Both models come standard with Hyundai’s suite of safety and driver assistance technologies, including front/rear emergency braking, active keeping and following assist, blind spot warning, Rear Occupant Alert, and Safe Exit Warning. Camera conveniences such as Blind-spot View Monitor and Surround-view monitor are available on the top Limited trims of both model lines. Both models have also been designated as a TOP SAFETY PICK by the IIHS. Under NHTSA testing, the Kona earned a 4-star overall rating, while the Tucson earned a 5-star overall rating.  

Appearance 

The eye of the beholder cliché applies here. With about an extra foot in length, the Tucson stretches out from Kona’s more compact profile. The front ends are entirely different, with the Tucson sporting a large grill in the front that takes in the large multiple LED daytime running lights (DRL) on each side. In contrast, the Kona has a lower intake, but no proper grill at all, and the front is topped by an EV-inspired light beam across the top that incorporates the DRLs and is matched by a broad, thin taillight in the rear. Most Kona models go big on side cladding that even stretches to take in lighting clusters in the front and rear. The cladding is absent on N Line and Electric models.  

The Tucson keeps its cladding around the fender edges. Plenty else is going on, including numerous character lines, making it arguably the most boldly styled model in its segment. 

Inside, both models have Hyundai’s signature single housing for the driver’s gauge cluster and the standard 12.3-inch center touchscreen. Both models come with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster on upper trim levels. The Tucson features haptic controls for the climate system, while the Kona sticks with physical buttons. Beyond that, the differences in dash design are a matter of taste.    

In summation, each model has strong points that go beyond the Kona being less expensive and the Tucson being larger. Of course, both are backed by Hyundai’s 5-year/60,000-mile warranty and 3 years or 36,000 miles of complimentary scheduled service. Dick Smith Hyundai invites you to test drive them both, secure in the confidence that you can’t go wrong either way.