2026 Hyundai Kona vs 2026 Subaru Crosstrek

$25,350 · Crossover

$26,995 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Deciding between the 2026 Hyundai Kona and the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek often boils down to balancing running costs against capability. If you prioritize squeezing every mile out of every gallon, the Kona stands out by achieving a 31 MPG combined rating compared to the Crosstrek's 29 MPG combined. However, if you often face less-than-perfect road conditions, the Crosstrek brings standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD) to the fight, something the Kona lacks with its FWD setup. Power delivery is another key factor: the Crosstrek offers 180 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque, a significant jump over the Kona's 147 hp and 132 lb-ft. While the Kona is slightly smaller at 171.3 inches long, giving it a nimbler feel, the Crosstrek provides more room for hauling larger gear with its 19.9 cu ft of cargo space, though the Kona offers a segment-leading 25.5 cu ft. The initial price point favors the Kona at $25,350 versus $26,995 for the Subaru.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2026 Hyundai Kona

The Hyundai Kona wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, netting 31 MPG combined versus the Crosstrek's 29 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Hyundai Kona

The Kona offers greater practicality for families needing to carry more gear, boasting 25.5 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Crosstrek's 19.9 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Subaru Crosstrek

The Subaru Crosstrek appeals more to driving enthusiasts with its healthier power output of 180 hp and standard All-Wheel Drive.

💰 Best Value

2026 Hyundai Kona

The Kona presents better upfront value starting at $25,350, making it $1,645 cheaper than the Crosstrek.

Choose the Hyundai Kona if...

You want the lowest possible running costs, benefiting from the Kona's 34 MPG highway rating.
Maximizing cargo volume is essential, as the Kona provides 25.5 cubic feet of space.
Your driving is almost exclusively on dry, paved roads, making the front-wheel-drive configuration sufficient.

Choose the Subaru Crosstrek if...

You regularly encounter snow, ice, or dirt roads that require the grip of standard All-Wheel Drive.
You prefer more authoritative passing power, thanks to the Crosstrek's 180 horsepower.
You value a slightly larger physical presence, as the Crosstrek is 176.4 inches long compared to the Kona's 171.3 inches.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Hyundai Kona	Subaru Crosstrek
Length	171.3"	176.4"
Width	71.9"	70.9"
Height	62.2"	62.8"
Wheelbase	104.7"	105.1"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
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	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	—	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓
Adaptive Headlights	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	flat 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	147 hp @ 6200 rpm	180 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque	132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm	178 lb-ft @ 3700 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	—	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Transmission Type	continuously variable-speed automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	all wheel drive
Hill Descent Control	✓	✓
Center Differential Type	—	Limited Slip

Fuel

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	29/34 MPG	26/33 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	31 MPG	29 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	359.6/421.6 mi.	431.6/547.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	12.4 gal.	16.6 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
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	—	✓
Rear Cupholders	—	✓
Front Seatback Storage	—	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	7.0 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)	—	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Length	—	4 months

Power Feature

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
One-Touch Power Windows	1	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Front Head Room	39.9 in.	39.8 in.
Front Leg Room	41.7 in.	42.9 in.
Front Shoulder Room	56.8 in.	56.8 in.
Front Hip Room	54.3 in.	55.1 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	Subaru
Rear Head Room	38.3 in.	38.0 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.2 in.	36.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	55.2 in.	55.3 in.
Rear Hip Room	52.4 in.	53.2 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	—

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	17 x 7.0 in	17 x 7.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	215/60R17	P225/60R17
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Hyundai	Subaru
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 Subaru Crosstrek.

How significant is the power difference between the 2026 Kona and Crosstrek?

The difference is quite noticeable; the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek produces 180 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque, while the 2026 Hyundai Kona delivers 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. That 33 hp gap means the Crosstrek will feel punchier when merging onto highways.

Is the standard AWD on the Crosstrek worth the higher price tag over the Kona?

If you live in an area with heavy snow or frequent foul weather, yes. The Crosstrek comes standard with AWD, giving you significantly better traction than the front-wheel-drive Kona. This capability justifies some of the $1,645 MSRP difference if security matters to you.

Which vehicle offers better gas mileage for my daily city commute?

The Kona is the clear winner for pure fuel efficiency, boasting 29 MPG city versus the Crosstrek's 26 MPG city rating. This small edge adds up over time, especially since both vehicles use regular unleaded fuel.

When comparing cargo space, which crossover is better for hauling gear?

Surprisingly, the smaller-looking Kona wins this specific metric, offering 25.5 cubic feet of cargo space compared to the Crosstrek's 19.9 cubic feet. If you are loading up groceries or luggage, the Kona utilizes its footprint more effectively for storage.

Are both vehicles similar in size and maneuverability?

They are close, but the Kona is slightly more compact, measuring 171.3 inches long compared to the Crosstrek's 176.4 inches. The Kona is also slightly wider at 71.9 inches, but both are similarly sized crossovers meant for city driving.

Do either of these crossovers require premium fuel?

No, that's good news for budget-minded owners; both the 2026 Hyundai Kona and the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek are specified to run perfectly fine on regular unleaded gasoline.