2025 Honda HR-V vs 2026 Hyundai Kona

$25,400 · Crossover

$25,350 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between two excellent small crossovers like the 2025 Honda HR-V and the 2026 Hyundai Kona can be tough when they cost nearly the same—the HR-V sits at $25,400 while the Kona is slightly cheaper at $25,350. If fuel economy is your top priority, the Kona pulls ahead, boasting a combined MPG of 31 compared to the HR-V's 28 MPG, and slightly better highway estimates at 34 MPG versus 32 MPG. However, if you need a bit more punch for merging onto the highway, the HR-V offers 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque, narrowly beating the Kona's 147 hp and 132 lb-ft. Dimensionally, the HR-V is the larger vehicle; it stretches 179.8 inches long, providing a slightly bigger footprint than the Kona's 171.3 inches, though both offer similar utility in their cargo areas.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Hyundai Kona

The 2026 Hyundai Kona wins for commuters due to its superior fuel efficiency, achieving 31 combined MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Hyundai Kona

Although closely matched, the Kona offers slightly more storage with 25.5 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the HR-V's 24.4 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Honda HR-V

The 2025 Honda HR-V is the pick for enthusiasts because it delivers slightly more power with 158 horsepower.

💰 Best Value

2026 Hyundai Kona

The 2026 Hyundai Kona offers better fuel economy for only $50 less than the Honda HR-V, giving it a marginal edge in upfront value.

Choose the Honda HR-V if...

You prioritize slightly more acceleration capability, as the HR-V offers 158 hp.
You prefer a larger physical presence on the road, given the HR-V's length of 179.8 inches.
You are loyal to the Honda brand's long-term reputation for durability.

Choose the Hyundai Kona if...

Saving a little at the pump is crucial, as the Kona achieves 34 MPG on the highway.
You need marginally more functional cargo space, rated at 25.5 cu ft.
You want the lower starting price, as the Kona MSRPs at $25,350 versus the HR-V's $25,400.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Honda HR-V	Hyundai Kona
Length	179.8"	171.3"
Width	72.4"	71.9"
Height	63.4"	62.2"
Wheelbase	104.5"	104.7"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Honda	Hyundai
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear 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 Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	—
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Blind Spot Monitor	—	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Honda	Hyundai
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.0 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	158 hp @ 6500 rpm	147 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque	138 lb-ft @ 4200 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	Honda	Hyundai
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓

Fuel

Feature	Honda	Hyundai
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	26/32 MPG	29/34 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	28 MPG	31 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	364.0/448.0 mi.	359.6/421.6 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	14.0 gal.	12.4 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Honda	Hyundai
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	—
Single Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	—
Rear Parking Sensors	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓
Driver Vanity Mirror	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Honda	Hyundai
Infotainment Display	7.0 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	180W	—
Speaker System	4	6
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	✓	—
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Honda	Hyundai
One-Touch Power Windows	1	1
Remote Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Keyless Entry	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Honda	Hyundai
Front Head Room	39.4 in.	39.9 in.
Front Leg Room	41.9 in.	41.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.6 in.	56.8 in.
Front Hip Room	54.0 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	Honda	Hyundai
Rear Head Room	38.0 in.	38.3 in.
Rear Leg Room	37.7 in.	38.2 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.2 in.	55.2 in.
Rear Hip Room	47.4 in.	52.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Honda	Hyundai
Wheel Material	Alloy	Alloy
Wheel Diameter	17 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	215/60R H	215/60R17
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Size	—	17 x 7.0 in

Suspension

Feature	Honda	Hyundai
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	—
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	—
Front Suspension Type	—	Independent
Stabilizer Bar	—	✓

Warranty

Feature	Honda	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	3 yr./ 36000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	2 yr./ 24000 mi.	—

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Honda HR-V and 2026 Hyundai Kona.

Which crossover is better on gas for daily driving?

The 2026 Hyundai Kona is noticeably better on fuel economy, reporting 31 combined MPG and hitting 34 MPG on the highway, compared to the 2025 Honda HR-V's 28 combined MPG.

Is there a significant difference in power between the two base models?

Yes, there's a small gap; the HR-V produces 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque, while the Kona offers 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque in their standard trims.

How do the overall sizes compare?

The Honda HR-V is the larger vehicle overall, measuring 179.8 inches in length and 63.4 inches in height. The Kona is slightly smaller and more compact at 171.3 inches long and 62.2 inches tall.

Are these vehicles similarly priced?

They are extremely close in MSRP for the base front-wheel-drive models, with the Kona starting at $25,350 and the HR-V starting at $25,400.

Does either vehicle offer more space for luggage?

The 2026 Hyundai Kona technically wins the cargo battle slightly, offering 25.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, just edging out the 2025 Honda HR-V's 24.4 cubic feet.