2025 Hyundai Kona Electric vs 2026 Toyota bZ
Comparison Overview
Choosing between the 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric and the upcoming 2026 Toyota bZ often boils down to balancing initial cost versus roominess. If sticker price is your primary concern, the Kona Electric starts impressively at $32,975, which is $1,925 less than the anticipated $34,900 MSRP of the larger bZ. However, that extra investment in the bZ nets you a noticeably larger package, measuring 184.6 inches long compared to the Kona's 171.5 inches, translating directly to the slightly better cargo capacity of 27.7 cu ft versus 25.5 cu ft. While both are FWD crossovers, the Toyota also boasts a measurable performance edge, offering 165 horsepower against the Hyundai's 133 hp. Buyers need to weigh if saving upfront cash on the Kona is worth accepting less power and interior volume compared to the bigger, slightly punchier bZ offering.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Hyundai Kona Electric
The Kona Electric's lower starting MSRP of $32,975 makes it the more accessible and budget-friendly option for daily driving duties.
2026 Toyota bZ
The 2026 Toyota bZ is significantly larger, offering 184.6 inches in length and 27.7 cu ft of cargo capacity for hauling passengers and gear.
2026 Toyota bZ
The Toyota bZ provides 32 more horsepower (165 hp vs 133 hp) and more torque (198 lb-ft vs 188 lb-ft), offering a more dynamic driving experience.
2025 Hyundai Kona Electric
The Kona Electric offers a lower entry price point, providing a functional EV crossover experience for less initial outlay.
Choose the Hyundai Kona Electric if...
- Your budget is tight, as the Kona Electric has an MSRP starting $1,925 lower than the bZ.
- You prefer a more compact footprint for easier urban parking, given its shorter length of 171.5 inches.
- You are prioritizing lower horsepower and torque for predictable, everyday city driving.
Choose the Toyota bZ if...
- You require maximum utility, benefiting from the bZ's larger 27.7 cu ft cargo capacity.
- You want quicker acceleration potential provided by the 165 horsepower engine.
- The extra vehicle size is desirable, as the bZ is notably taller at 65.0 inches compared to the Kona's 62.0 inches.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Hyundai Kona Electric | Toyota bZ |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 171.5" | 184.6" |
| Width | 71.9" | 73.2" |
| Height | 62.0" | 65.0" |
| Wheelbase | 104.7" | 111.2" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | ✓ | — |
| 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 Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | — |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Headrests | 3 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Type | electric | electric |
| Horsepower | 133 hp | 165 hp |
| Torque | 188 lb-ft | 198 lb-ft |
Drive Train
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | 1-speed direct drive | 1-speed direct drive |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | electric | electric |
| EPA Efficiency (City/Highway MPGe) | 131/105 MPGe | — |
| EPA Efficiency (Combined MPGe) | 118 MPGe | — |
| EPA Electric Driving Range | 200 mi. | — |
| EPA Energy Consumption (kWh/100 mi) | 29 | — |
| Charging Time (240V) | 5.1 hr. | — |
| Battery Capacity | 48.6 kWh | 57.7 kWh |
| DC Fast Charging Port Type | SAE Combo | NACS |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | — | ✓ |
| Wireless Charging Pad | — | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | — | ✓ |
| Leather Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Heated Steering Wheel | — | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilation Ducts | — | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 12.3 in | 14.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | — | 3 months |
Power Feature
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 1 | 4 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.0 in. | 38.6 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.7 in. | 42.1 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 56.5 in. | 57.8 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.3 in. | 54.4 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | — |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | — |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Passenger Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seat Material: Leatherette/Cloth | — | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Power Adjustments | — | 8-way |
| Driver Seat Lumbar Support | — | Power |
| Driver Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
| Passenger Seat Heating | — | Multi-level |
Rearseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 38.3 in. | 37.1 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 36.4 in. | 35.3 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.2 in. | 56.0 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 52.4 in. | 44.8 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reclining Rear Seats | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Size | 17 x 7.0 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 215/60R17 | 235/60R18 |
| Wheel Material | — | Alloy |
| Wheel Cover Type | — | ✓ |
| Wheel Diameter | — | 18 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | — | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Hyundai | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| EV Battery Warranty | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. | 8 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 7 yr./ unlimited mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. | 3 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 2 yr./ 25000 mi. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric and 2026 Toyota bZ.
Is the 200-mile range on the 2025 Kona Electric sufficient for most users?
The Kona Electric offers an estimated 200 miles of range, which is generally adequate for most commuters handling daily errands and typical driving cycles. However, the 2026 Toyota bZ may offer an improvement, though its specific range figures were not provided for direct comparison.
How significant is the power difference between these two crossovers?
The difference is noticeable; the 2026 Toyota bZ packs 165 horsepower and 198 lb-ft of torque, significantly outperforming the 2025 Kona Electric’s 133 horsepower and 188 lb-ft of torque.
Which vehicle offers more usable space for passengers and luggage?
The 2026 Toyota bZ is the larger vehicle overall, being 13.1 inches longer and 3 inches taller than the Kona. This results in the bZ offering a slightly greater cargo capacity of 27.7 cu ft versus the Kona’s 25.5 cu ft.
If I am worried about the initial purchase price, should I choose the Kona?
Yes, based on current figures, the 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric starts at $32,975, giving it a definite advantage over the expected $34,900 starting price of the 2026 Toyota bZ.
Do either of these models come with All-Wheel Drive?
Based on the provided specifications, both the 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric and the 2026 Toyota bZ are equipped exclusively with Front Wheel Drive (FWD) configurations for this comparison.
Are there major differences in their exterior bulkiness?
The Toyota bZ is wider at 73.2 inches compared to the Kona's 71.9 inches, making the bZ marginally broader while also being significantly longer and taller overall.
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