2026 Hyundai Kona vs 2026 Nissan Rogue

$25,350 · Crossover

$29,090 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between the smaller, more affordable 2026 Hyundai Kona and the larger, more powerful 2026 Nissan Rogue often boils down to prioritizing budget versus size and power. The Kona greets buyers with a sharp MSRP of $25,350, significantly undercutting the Rogue's $29,090 tag—a difference of $3,740 right off the bat. While the Rogue boasts a substantial 201 horsepower compared to the Kona's 147 hp, the Kona offers efficiency, achieving 31 MPG combined. The Rogue leads in hauling, offering 31.6 cu ft of cargo space versus the Kona's 25.5 cu ft, making size a key trade-off. Both offer similar FWD efficiency in the city (29 MPG), but the Rogue's extra 54 horsepower makes highway passing much more assured, even if its slightly taller frame (66.5 inches vs. 62.2 inches) affects handling dynamics.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Hyundai Kona

The 2026 Hyundai Kona is the better choice for daily commuters due to its lower initial cost of $25,350.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Nissan Rogue

The 2026 Nissan Rogue provides superior family utility with its notably larger 31.6 cu ft of cargo capacity.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Nissan Rogue

Enthusiasts will appreciate the Rogue's significantly higher output of 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque.

💰 Best Value

2026 Hyundai Kona

The Kona offers compelling value by saving $3,740 upfront while still delivering a respectable 31 MPG combined.

Choose the Hyundai Kona if...

You need the lowest entry price, as the Kona starts at just $25,350.
You prefer a slightly smaller footprint for easier city parking (171.3 inches long).
You are fine with 147 horsepower for standard driving and want to save money on the purchase price.

Choose the Nissan Rogue if...

You require maximum cargo room, with the Rogue offering 31.6 cu ft.
You frequently drive on highways where the 54 extra horsepower (201 hp total) will be beneficial.
You desire a taller ride height, as the Rogue stands 66.5 inches tall versus the Kona's 62.2 inches.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Kona	Nissan Rogue
Length	171.3"	183.0"
Width	71.9"	72.4"
Height	62.2"	66.5"
Wheelbase	104.7"	106.5"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
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	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
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	✓	✓
Front Cross Traffic Alert	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	1.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 3
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	147 hp @ 6200 rpm	201 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque	132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm	225 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm
Number of Valves	16	12
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	—	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	29/34 MPG	29/36 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	31 MPG	32 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	359.6/421.6 mi.	420.5/522.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	12.4 gal.	14.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

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

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	4
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

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

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
Front Head Room	39.9 in.	41.1 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	41.5 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.8 in.	57.1 in.
Front Hip Room	54.3 in.	54.1 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	Hyundai	Nissan
Rear Head Room	38.3 in.	39.2 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.2 in.	38.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.2 in.	55.9 in.
Rear Hip Room	52.4 in.	53.4 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seat Feature	—	✓
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
Wheel Material	Alloy	Alloy
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	17 x 7.5 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	215/60R17	235/65R17
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Hyundai	Nissan
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	7 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ unlimited mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2026 Hyundai Kona and 2026 Nissan Rogue.

How much more powerful is the 2026 Nissan Rogue than the Kona?

The Rogue holds a significant advantage in power, delivering 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque, which is 54 more horsepower than the Kona’s 147 hp.

Is the fuel economy vastly different between these two crossovers?

No, the fuel economy is very similar; the Rogue gets 32 MPG combined, just one MPG better than the Kona’s 31 MPG combined, though both achieve 29 MPG in the city.

If I prioritize moving stuff, which crossover is better?

The 2026 Nissan Rogue is the clear winner for cargo, offering 31.6 cu ft, substantially more space than the 2026 Hyundai Kona's 25.5 cu ft.

What is the main financial difference when comparing the MSRPs?

The Rogue costs $29,090, meaning the Kona offers a direct savings of $3,740 upon purchase for the base FWD models.

Are the size differences between the Kona and Rogue noticeable for daily driving?

Yes, the Rogue is notably larger in every dimension, especially length (183.0 inches vs. 171.3 inches) and height (66.5 inches vs. 62.2 inches), making the Kona feel more compact.