Hyundai offers a compelling range of crossover vehicles, and the Kona and Tucson stand out as popular choices. While both originate from the same South Korean manufacturer and boast impressive warranties and fuel-efficient options, deciding between these two can be challenging. The subcompact Kona appeals with its city-friendly dimensions and available electric variant, while the compact Tucson offers a more spacious interior, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, and a focus on safety.
The competition is fierce in the crossover vehicle market. The Tucson goes head-to-head with established rivals like the Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue, while the Kona competes against the Kia Sportage and Honda HR-V. Even within the Hyundai family, the Kona and Tucson present a close contest. If you’re set on a Hyundai crossover and prioritizing affordability and a smaller footprint, let’s delve into a detailed comparison to help you make the best decision.
Alt text: Sleek 2024 Hyundai Kona N Line crossover vehicle in dynamic red color, showcasing sporty design and alloy wheels.
Crossover Vehicle Price and Feature Showdown: Hyundai Kona vs. Tucson
- Kona: Entry-level crossover starting in the mid-$20,000s
- Tucson: Compact crossover range from approximately $30,000 to the upper $40,000s
- Top Value Picks: Kona SEL, Tucson SEL Hybrid with Convenience Package
Hyundai Kona Crossover: Price Point and Comparable Models
If you are exploring subcompact crossover vehicles like the Honda HR-V or Mazda CX-30, the 2025 Hyundai Kona emerges as a strong contender, particularly for budget-conscious buyers. With a starting price around $25,500, the Kona delivers a surprisingly well-equipped package. Standard features include automatic emergency braking, cruise control, alloy wheels, power windows and locks, and a user-friendly 12.3-inch touchscreen featuring wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Hyundai further enhances the value proposition with an industry-leading 5-year/60,000-mile warranty and 3 years or 36,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance. For optimal value, we recommend the Kona SEL trim, which adds keyless start and blind-spot monitoring. The Convenience package further enhances comfort with heated front seats and wireless smartphone charging. For those seeking a performance-oriented subcompact crossover, the turbocharged Kona N-Line, priced around $32,000, or the Kona Limited, at approximately $35,000 with synthetic leather upholstery and a sunroof, offer compelling upgrades.
Notably, Hyundai also offers the Kona Electric, priced around $42,000, providing an all-electric crossover option within the Kona lineup, a feature not directly mirrored in the Tucson range.
Hyundai Tucson Crossover: Price Point and Comparable Models
The Hyundai Tucson, while positioned at a higher price point, justifies its cost with a more extensive list of standard features and available options compared to the Kona. It maintains the same excellent Hyundai warranty, solidifying its position as a value-driven compact crossover. The base Tucson SE, starting at $29,750, includes cloth upholstery, power features, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. Upgrading to the Tucson SEL with the Convenience package adds desirable features like wireless smartphone charging, a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a panoramic sunroof, a power liftgate, and synthetic leather seats. Opting for the hybrid powertrain with standard all-wheel drive in this trim level remains a smart value choice, priced around $35,000. The Tucson lineup also includes N-Line and Limited trims, as well as a Plug-In Hybrid variant, reaching the top end of the range at over $48,000.
Manufacturing Locations: Kona and Tucson Crossover Vehicles
The gasoline-powered Hyundai Kona models are manufactured in South Korea, while the Kona Electric is produced in Czechia. Tucson production is split, with some gasoline models originating from South Korea, but the majority of gas-powered Tucsons for the North American market are now assembled in Montgomery, Alabama.
Price and Features Advantage: Hyundai Kona Crossover – Superior Value at a Lower Cost.
Alt text: Sophisticated 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid crossover vehicle in a serene blue, highlighting its spacious design and modern headlights.
Crossover Vehicle Size, Seating, and Cargo Capacity: Hyundai Tucson vs. Kona
- Kona Crossover: Evolved beyond subcompact dimensions; Tucson Crossover: Solidly in the compact category
- Tucson Crossover: More spacious interior with a functional cockpit design
- Tucson Crossover: Dominates in rear passenger and cargo space
Size Comparison: Is the Tucson Crossover or Kona Crossover Bigger?
The Hyundai Tucson is significantly larger than the Kona. The Kona is classified as a subcompact SUV, offering comfortable seating for four adults. While it provides a manageable footprint for urban environments, its smaller size is undeniable. The Kona features supportive front and rear seats, with enhanced bolstering in the N-Line and Limited trims. Rear-seat legroom measures 38.2 inches, suitable for two average-sized adults. The Kona offers up to 63.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down and 25.5 cubic feet with the rear seats in their upright position.
Hyundai Tucson Crossover: Dimensions and Interior Space
The Tucson, categorized as a compact crossover, offers interior space that approaches mid-size dimensions. The 2022 redesign extended the Tucson’s wheelbase by 3.4 inches, now measuring 108.5 inches, a key factor in interior spaciousness. Overall length is 182.3 inches, placing it in the same size category as popular compact crossover vehicles like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V.
This increased size translates to a noticeably roomier interior. The Tucson provides supportive front seats, which gain synthetic leather upholstery and power adjustments at the SEL trim level. Rear-seat legroom in the Tucson is an impressive 41.3 inches, surpassing even some Hyundai sedans. It is also considerably wider than the Kona, although seating three adults across the rear bench might still be a bit tight for longer journeys.
The Tucson boasts 38.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and a generous 74.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, making it significantly more practical for families and those needing to haul larger items compared to the Kona crossover.
Size and Space Advantage: Hyundai Tucson Crossover – Significantly More Spacious, Especially in the Rear.
Alt text: Front view of a vibrant blue 2024 Hyundai Kona crossover vehicle, parked on a city street, highlighting its compact size and modern grille.
Alt text: Side profile of a stylish 2024 Hyundai Kona crossover vehicle in motion on a highway, showcasing its sleek lines and raised ride height.
Alt text: Rear angle of a sporty 2024 Hyundai Kona crossover vehicle, emphasizing its tail lights, rear spoiler, and compact hatchback design.
Alt text: Interior view of a 2024 Hyundai Kona crossover vehicle, showcasing the dashboard, touchscreen infotainment system, and comfortable front seats.
Crossover Vehicle Safety Ratings and Features: Hyundai Kona vs. Tucson
- Tucson Crossover: Mixed crash-test scores.
- Both Crossover Vehicles: Equipped with standard automatic emergency braking.
- Both Crossover Vehicles: Offer advanced accident avoidance technology.
Hyundai Kona Crossover: Safety Assessment
While NHTSA has not yet updated its safety rating for the redesigned Kona, the IIHS has awarded it a Top Safety Pick+ designation. All Kona models come standard with automatic emergency braking and active lane control. Higher trims offer additional safety features like a surround-view camera system and adaptive cruise control.
Alt text: A 2023 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid crossover vehicle charging at a station, emphasizing its eco-friendly technology and modern design.
Hyundai Tucson Crossover: Safety Assessment
The Hyundai Tucson also earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award. However, the NHTSA gave some Tucson configurations a four-star overall safety rating. Despite this, the Tucson comes standard with automatic emergency braking, active lane control, and rear occupant alerts. The SEL trim adds blind-spot monitors and adaptive cruise control, while the Limited trim further enhances safety with blind-spot cameras, rear automatic emergency braking, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system.
Safety Advantage: Hyundai Kona Crossover – Slight Edge in Top Safety Ratings.
Alt text: Close-up of the wheel and front fender of a 2024 Hyundai Kona crossover vehicle, highlighting its tire tread and stylish wheel design.
Crossover Vehicle Fuel Efficiency: Hyundai Kona vs. Tucson
- Tucson Crossover: Best fuel economy in plug-in hybrid form.
- Kona Crossover: Gas mileage is not class-leading.
- Kona Crossover: Offers an all-electric version for optimal efficiency.
The Hyundai Kona’s fuel economy in its gasoline versions is not a standout in the subcompact crossover segment. However, the Kona Electric offers a compelling alternative with an EPA-estimated 261 miles of all-electric range. Among gasoline Konas, the base front-wheel-drive model achieves the best fuel economy, with EPA ratings of 29 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined. Turbocharged Kona versions have lower fuel economy, reaching as low as 26 mpg combined.
The Tucson delivers acceptable fuel economy in its non-hybrid gasoline configurations. EPA ratings for base front-wheel-drive models are 25 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined, while all-wheel-drive versions are rated at 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined. The Tucson Hybrid models offer significantly improved fuel efficiency, achieving EPA ratings of 38 mpg city, 38 mpg highway, and 38 mpg combined in Blue trim, and 35 mpg across the board in SEL Convenience and Limited trims. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid provides 33 miles of electric driving range and achieves 35 mpg combined in hybrid mode after depleting the battery.
Fuel Economy Advantage: Kona Electric Crossover for Pure EV Efficiency, Tucson Hybrid Crossover for Overall Efficiency and Range.
Alt text: Engine bay of a 2023 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid crossover vehicle, showcasing its hybrid powertrain and engine components.
Crossover Vehicle Performance and Driving Dynamics: Hyundai Kona vs. Tucson
- Kona Crossover: No longer offers the high-performance N edition.
- Tucson Crossover: Prioritizes ride comfort.
- Both Crossover Vehicles: Offer available all-wheel drive.
Performance takes a backseat in the Kona lineup now that the sporty Kona N is discontinued. The standard Kona engine provides adequate power for daily driving, while the turbocharged version offers a more responsive driving experience.
The Kona SE and SEL models are equipped with a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter inline-4 engine paired with a CVT. While not particularly exciting, the turbocharged 190-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine in the N-Line and Limited trims delivers improved acceleration and is matched with an upgraded 8-speed automatic transmission, replacing the previous 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Handling and ride composure are improved in the latest Kona, making it a competent and comfortable subcompact crossover for everyday commuting.
The Tucson’s base engine is a 187-horsepower 2.5-liter inline-4 paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, available with front- or all-wheel drive. Its acceleration is adequate but may feel somewhat underpowered for highway passing. The Tucson Hybrid, with a 226-horsepower 1.6-liter turbo-4 engine combined with an electric motor, offers significantly better low-speed responsiveness and torque, thanks to its hybrid powertrain and smooth 6-speed automatic transmission. The Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, with a larger battery pack, further refines the ride quality, especially over uneven surfaces, due to the added weight. All Tucson models offer a comfortable ride and light steering, and selecting the Sport driving mode enhances throttle response and driving engagement.
Ground Clearance: Hyundai Tucson and Kona Crossover Vehicles
The Kona crossover offers 6.7 inches of ground clearance, while the Tucson crossover provides a more substantial 8.3 inches of ground clearance, making the Tucson slightly better suited for light off-road conditions or driving in snowy climates.
Performance Advantage: Kona Crossover for City Commuting, Tucson Hybrid Crossover for Comfortable Highway Cruising.
Alt text: Angled front view of a 2024 Hyundai Kona crossover vehicle parked in a studio, showcasing its redesigned front fascia and modern lighting.
Crossover Vehicle Exterior and Interior Styling: Hyundai Kona vs. Tucson
- Tucson Crossover: Bold exterior design with a more conventional interior.
- Kona Crossover: More refined and mature styling in its latest generation.
- Both Crossover Vehicles: Could benefit from further interior refinement.
Hyundai is recognized for its adventurous styling, and both the Kona and Tucson crossovers showcase distinctive designs.
The redesigned 2024 Kona adopts a more mature and less polarizing design language compared to its predecessor. While still visually distinctive with its prominent light bars and pronounced wheel arches, the overall aesthetic is more cohesive and appealing. The interior features upgraded digital displays and improved trim materials, although the overall ambiance remains somewhat austere regardless of trim level.
The Tucson’s exterior styling is characterized by its sharp lines, sculpted surfaces, and distinctive diamond-shaped grille details with integrated LED daytime running lights. The interior has been updated with a widescreen touchscreen positioned above physical climate controls, offering improved ergonomics and a less cluttered appearance compared to previous iterations. The Tucson’s cabin now presents a more refined and less overtly digital aesthetic with its subtle metallic trim accents and streamlined air vents.
Styling Advantage: Hyundai Tucson Crossover – More Cohesive and Striking Exterior Design.
Alt text: Dynamic side view of a silver 2025 Hyundai Tucson crossover vehicle, parked against an urban backdrop, highlighting its bold body lines and modern silhouette.
Choosing the Right Crossover Vehicle: Hyundai Kona or Tucson?
Overall, the 2025 Hyundai Kona earns a TCC Rating of 6.2 out of 10. Turbocharged Kona models would likely score even higher, offering a compelling blend of performance and value in the subcompact crossover segment. However, for everyday versatility and practicality, the spacious and refined Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, with its TCC rating of 7.0 out of 10, emerges as the stronger choice.
