2025 Ford Maverick vs 2026 Hyundai Kona
Comparison Overview
The 2025 Ford Maverick fires a shot across the bow of small crossovers with its distinctive utility, boasting 191 horsepower and an outstanding 38 MPG combined, inviting drivers to embrace an active lifestyle. In contrast, the sleeker 2026 Hyundai Kona captivates with its accessible $25,350 MSRP and nimble urban footprint, perfect for darting through tight cityscapes. While the Kona is highly efficient with 34 MPG highway, it trails the Maverick by a significant 44 horsepower deficit (147 hp vs. 191 hp). This power gap defines the driving character, as the Maverick pulls ahead where capability matters. The Kona counters with a lower entry price and 25.5 cu ft of cargo space, appealing to budget-conscious city dwellers, whereas the Maverick’s larger dimensions (199.8 inches long) provide a more substantial presence on the road, emphasizing its rugged appeal.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Ford Maverick
The 2025 Ford Maverick wins for commuters due to its superior 38 MPG combined fuel economy.
2026 Hyundai Kona
The 2026 Hyundai Kona offers more readily available utility with 25.5 cu ft of cargo capacity in a smaller footprint.
2025 Ford Maverick
With 191 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque, the Maverick offers significantly more spirited acceleration than the Kona's 147 hp.
2026 Hyundai Kona
The 2026 Hyundai Kona secures the value win by presenting a lower initial MSRP of $25,350.
Choose the Ford Maverick if...
- You prioritize fuel savings, benefiting from the Maverick's 38 MPG combined rating, which beats the Kona by 7 MPG.
- You need more driving energy, as the Maverick delivers 191 hp compared to the Kona's 147 hp.
- You prefer the commanding presence of a slightly larger vehicle, with the Maverick measuring 199.8 inches in length.
Choose the Hyundai Kona if...
- Your primary concern is upfront cost, with the Kona offering a lower entry price of $25,350.
- You require dedicated enclosed storage, as the Kona provides 25.5 cu ft of cargo capacity.
- You stick strictly to urban environments where the Kona's more compact dimensions (171.3 inches long) are advantageous.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Ford Maverick | Hyundai Kona |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 199.8" | 171.3" |
| Width | 72.6" | 71.9" |
| Height | 68.8" | 62.2" |
| Wheelbase | 121.1" | 104.7" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | ✓ | — |
| Brake Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | — |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blind Spot Monitor | — | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | — | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | — | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | — | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 2.5 L | 2.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | hybrid | gas |
| Horsepower | 191 hp @ 5600 rpm | 147 hp @ 6200 rpm |
| Torque | 155 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm | 132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
Drive Train
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | electrically variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Hill Descent Control | — | ✓ |
Fuel
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 42/35 MPG | 29/34 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 38 MPG | 31 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 579.6/483.0 mi. | 359.6/421.6 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 13.8 gal. | 12.4 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | — |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | — |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | — |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Push Button Start | — | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | — | ✓ |
| Driver Vanity Mirror | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 13.2 in | 12.3 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | — | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 1 |
| Remote Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.2 in. | 39.9 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 42.8 in. | 41.7 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.3 in. | 56.8 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 55.4 in. | 54.3 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | — |
Rearseats
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.6 in. | 38.3 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 35.9 in. | 38.2 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.6 in. | 55.2 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 54.1 in. | 52.4 in. |
| Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Steel | — |
| Wheel Diameter | 17 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 225/65R17 | 215/60R17 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Underbody Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Material | — | Alloy |
| Wheel Size | — | 17 x 7.0 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Front Suspension Type | Independent | Independent |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | — |
| Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Ford | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Ford Maverick and 2026 Hyundai Kona.
How significant is the performance difference between the 2025 Maverick and the 2026 Kona?
The difference is quite noticeable; the Maverick produces 191 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque, whereas the Kona manages only 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. This 44 hp gap means the Maverick will feel substantially punchier during passing maneuvers on the highway.
Which vehicle offers better long-term running costs based on fuel economy?
The 2025 Ford Maverick clearly leads in efficiency, achieving 38 MPG combined against the Kona's 31 MPG combined. This 7 MPG advantage translates directly into fewer stops at the pump for daily commuting.
Is the extra size of the Maverick worth the higher MSRP?
The Maverick has an MSRP of $28,145, making it about $2,800 more expensive than the Kona's $25,350. Whether it's worth it depends on whether you value the added size and extra power over immediate cost savings.
Which crossover is better suited for carrying cargo?
While cargo specs for the Maverick were not fully detailed, the 2026 Kona explicitly lists 25.5 cu ft of cargo capacity, giving it a measurable advantage in enclosed storage volume over the smaller-statured Kona.
Do either of these FWD crossovers offer AWD options?
Based on the provided specifications, both the 2025 Ford Maverick and the 2026 Hyundai Kona are listed exclusively with Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and utilize automatic transmissions (CVT/e-CVT).
How do their physical sizes compare for parking?
The Kona is substantially smaller at 171.3 inches long and 62.2 inches high, making it much easier to maneuver and park in tight city spots compared to the longer 199.8-inch Maverick.
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