Kona vs Tucson: Which is right for you?

August 5th, 2024 by

The newly redesigned Kona and the boldly-designed Tucson are two exciting crossover choices from Hyundai. One is clearly larger than the other, but which is better for you? Dick Smith Hyundai offers this post to help you come to an answer.

The Glorious Grey Hyundai Tucson Driving On A Desert Road

The Tucson is a compact crossover, which is the best-selling vehicle category in the U.S. It is designed to comfortably carry five people and things across town or across the state and beyond. It is available in conventional gas, hybrid, and plug-in power trains. It has a starting MSRP of $27,600, with most models selling in the 30s. The hybrid starts at $32,575, and the plug-in hybrid model starts at $38,725. 

The Kona is one size class down from the Tucson, where it competes with models like the Honda HR-V and Toyota Corolla Cross, among others in the sub-compact SUV class. It comes in both gas and EV versions, and both were developed concurrently. The gas Kona has a starting MSRP of $24,250, while the EV starts at $32,675.

Size

Let’s cover the most apparent difference first. As mentioned, the Tucson is one class size above the Kona, but the Tucson is also large for its segment. Riding on a 108.5-inch wheelbase and at 182.7 inches long, the Tucson offers an extraordinary 41.3 inches of rear legroom, which is more than most mid-size sedans. Rear shoulder width is 56 inches, which is a few inches more than the average adult man’s shoulder width (17 inches), so you should be able to carry three adults in the back without complaint. Cargo space is one of the largest in the segment, with 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 80.3 with the seats folded.

At one size segment down, the Kona has a 104.7-inch wheelbase with an overall length of 171.9 inches. The Tucson has 10 inches on it. That said, the rear legroom is still up to 38.2 inches, which isn’t bad at all. At 55.2 inches, the shoulder room is down less than an inch from the Tucson, though it feels like more in real life. You can take five adults from one part of town to another, but cross-country trips are best for no more than four. That is just as well because there may not be room for a fifth adult’s luggage. With the rear seats occupied, there is 25.5 cubic feet of space, growing to 63.7 when the Kona becomes a two-seater. 

The Brilliant Yellow Electric Hyundai Kona Driving Towards Another Adventure

Performance

The gas-powered Kona is available with two engines. The SE and SEL are powered by a 2.0-liter inline-4 engine with the Atkinson cycle valve timing for improved fuel efficiency. Power is rated at 147 horsepower @ 6200 rpm and 132 lb-ft of torque peaking at 4500. It is paired with an Intelligent Variable Transmission and sends power to the front wheels (FWD) in standard form with HTRAC all-wheel drive available (AWD) on all trim levels. 

The Limited model is equipped with a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4 that produces 190 horsepower @ 6000 rpm with peak torque of 195 lb-ft hitting at just 1700 rpm. That is quite a bit of power for a vehicle of this size, and it is paired with an 8-speed transmission to make the most of it. 

Then, there is the Kona EV, which offers two powertrain choices. All Kona EVs are FWD. The SE has a power output of 99 kW, translating to 133 horsepower. 188 lb-ft of torque, which, as is the case with electric motors, is available at any rpm. Energy is stored in a 48.6 kWh lithium-ion battery. The range is estimated at 200 miles. 

SEL and Limited models have a more powerful 150 kW (201 hp) with the same 188 lb-ft torque level. The battery grows to 64.8 kWh, which provides an estimated range of 261 miles. 

On a Level II home charger, The Kona EV SE charges from 10-100% in just under 5 hours. (4 hours, 55 minutes). SEL and Limited models charge in just over 6 hours (6 hours, 5 minutes). Level III public charging for all Kona EV models has a maximum charge rate of 100kW, bringing the battery from a 10-80% state of charge in 43 minutes. 

The bigger Tucson naturally has a bigger engine. All conventionally-powered Tucsons have a 2.5-liter inline-4 engine producing horsepower of 187 @ 6100 and torque of 147 lb-ft @ 4000. This is connected to an 8-speed automatic with SHIFTRONIC®, and as with the gas Kona models, FWD is standard, with AWD available across the model line. 

The Tucson hybrid uses the same 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4 found in the upper Kona models. Combined with a 44.2 kW motor, fed from a 1.49 kWh battery and brake regeneration, the total system produces 226 horsepower. 

The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) uses the same engine as the hybrid but with a 66.9 kW motor and a 13.8 kWh battery for a combined system of 261 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The model can be plugged into a standard household socket overnight, enabling approximately 33 miles of EV-only driving. If this is enough to cover your commute or daily errands, the PHEV can essentially be an EV until you take a longer drive.

 

The Efficient Electric Hyundai Kona parked In View Of Sandy Mountains

Efficiency

 

EPA figures are a good estimate, but as they say, your mileage may vary. This is even more the case for EVs and Plug-in hybrids as they vary greatly depending on your city vs highway driving and, in the case of the Tucson PHEV, how often you drive past its 33-mile range. Costs are also an average estimate that varies by your annual mileage and the electricity vs fuel costs in your area. That said, here are the EPA estimates for both model lines. MPGe gives the miles per the estimated energy equivalent in cost to a gallon of gas. 

EPA Estimated MPG, MPGe, And Costs

Kona MPG Annual Fuel

Cost

City Highway Comb.
Kona 2.0 FWD 29 34 31 $1,650
Kona 2.0 AWD 27 32 28 $1,850
Kona 1.6T FWD 26 32 28 $1,900
Kona 1.6T AWD 26 29 27 $2,000
  MPGe Annual Energy

Cost

  City Highway Comb.
Kona EV SE 131 105 118 $650
Kona EV SEL, Limited 129 103 116 $650
Tucson MPG Annual Fuel

Cost

City Highway Comb.
Tucson 2.5 FWD 25 32 28 $1,850
Tucson 2.5 AWD 23 29 25 $2,050
Tucson 1.6T Hybrid AWD 37 36 37 $1,400
Tucson 1.6T Hybrid Blue AWD 38 38 38 $1,350
    Comb.

MPGe

Comb.

MPG

Annual Energy & Fuel Cost
Tucson PHEV AWD   80 35 $1,150

The 2025 Hyundai Tucson's Spacious And Sexy Interior

Design

 

Just as Kona, Hawaii, differs in appearance from Tucson, Arizona, the two crossovers look very different from one another. This is particularly the case in the front, where Tucson is dominated by its large multi-faceted trapezoid grille, from which four LED daytime running light elements emerge on each side. The side is very dynamic, where the large front and rear fender bulges are accompanied by multiple character lines. Above, the bright window molding expands at the rear quarter window as it drops to frame the upper tailgate. On each side of the full-width tail light, the lights drop like fangs both in and out of the tailgate. It is a look that stands out from the crowded compact crossover category.

By contrast, the Kona has no upper grille at all but rather a full-width LED daytime running light defining the hood’s leading edge. Fender flares are within black cladding that expands to the corners to encompass front and rear lighting elements. While the Kona shares the Tucson’s pointed rear quarter window, this time, the bright window trim rises from the bottom to seamlessly blend into an upper rear roof spoiler. At the rear, above the corner light clusters, is another LED light band to match the front. Overhangs are minimal at both the front and rear.

In the cabins, the dashboards each have a completely different design. The Kona dash is very driver-centric, with a single horizontal housing encompassing the 12.3-inch touchscreen and either the fully digital or driver’s gauge cluster. The silver generous complement of climate and other physical controls also appear as an extension of the driver’s cockpit. 

The Tucson shares Kona’s standard 12.3-inch touchscreen and choice of digital or analog gauge cluster. From there, things change with the climate vents extending from the steering wheel to the passenger door, dividing the dash with a black set of physical controls below. The transmission is controlled by a right steering wheel stalk, which frees up space in the center console for dual layers of storage. 

Both model interiors show a high degree of style and sophistication for their respective segments. Which looks the best is entirely up to you.

The Magnificent 2025 Tucson Driving On A Spectacular Journey

Safety

Both Kona and Tucson earned a TOP SAFETY PICK + designation from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), which is their highest award. From the NHTSA, the Tucson has the edge with a 5-star Overall rating, which is their highest. The Tucson PHEV has not yet been rated as of this writing. The Kona came in with a 4-star NHTSA rating. The Kona EV has yet to be tested.

With standard Hyundai SmartSense, both models come equipped with safety and driver assistance technologies, including:

  • Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Warning
  • Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
  • Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection and Cyclist Detection
  • Lane Following and Lane Keep Assist
  • Driver Attention Warning
  • Safe Exit Warning
  • High Beam Assist

The Kona EV and Tucson models add standard Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control (NSCC) with Stop & Go. Tucson also adds Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go. Models on both model lines with the digital gauge cluster also include a Blind-Spot Monitor, which gives a camera image of your blind spot when you use your turn signals on either side.

The Comfy Interior Of The Gorgeous Hyundai Kona

Conclusion

At its most simplistic, this can be a classic case of paying more for more space. If you plan on carrying three adults in your rear seat often, the Tucson is the better choice, but if such cases are infrequent, the Kona will neither cramp your style nor your passengers. When it comes to efficiency, the Konas have the edge, but the Tucsons are not far behind. Of course, the Tucson Hybrids are the big gas mileage winners, with highway figures in the mid to upper 30s, even with AWD. 

In terms of overall efficiency and low emissions, there are the plug-in options for each model. Choosing between the Tucson PHEV and Kona EV may have to do with how much long-distance driving you do. Plug them in at night, and the Kona EV will take you anywhere you need to be around town and then some. Taking it long distances is possible, too, but it takes planning around recharging. The Tucson PHEV can cover much, if not all, of the daily routine without using a drop of gas and then take you across the country with no worries and hybrid efficiency. 

You can’t go wrong with any of these products, and Dick Smith Hyundai welcomes you to try them all.