2026 Hyundai Kona vs 2026 Subaru Forester
Comparison Overview
Choosing between the nimble 2026 Hyundai Kona and the sturdy 2026 Subaru Forester often boils down to balancing budget versus capability. If saving cash upfront is paramount, the Kona wins easily with an MSRP of $25,350, significantly undercutting the Forester's $29,995 price tag—a difference of $4,645. However, that extra investment in the Forester buys substantial mechanical upgrades, delivering 180 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque compared to the Kona's 147 hp and 132 lb-ft. For daily city driving, the Kona edges out the Forester slightly in fuel economy, achieving 31 MPG combined versus the Forester's 29 MPG combined. Despite this, the Forester offers superior utility with 29.6 cu ft of cargo space against the Kona's 25.5 cu ft, alongside the standard all-wheel drive for inclement weather.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Hyundai Kona
The Hyundai Kona is the better commuter due to its lower initial cost and slightly better fuel efficiency at 31 MPG combined.
2026 Subaru Forester
The Subaru Forester is the better family choice because it is taller, wider, and offers superior maximum cargo capacity at 29.6 cubic feet.
2026 Subaru Forester
Enthusiasts will prefer the Forester as it offers 33 more horsepower and 46 more lb-ft of torque.
2026 Hyundai Kona
The Kona provides excellent entry-level crossover utility for $4,645 less than its competitor.
Choose the Hyundai Kona if...
- You need the absolute lowest starting price, as the Kona begins at $25,350.
- Your primary driving environment is urban, where its slightly better 34 MPG highway rating will save on fuel costs.
- You prefer a slightly smaller footprint for easier city parking, measuring 171.3 inches long.
Choose the Subaru Forester if...
- You require confidence in slippery conditions thanks to the standard all-wheel drive system.
- You frequently haul large items, benefiting from the Forester's substantial 29.6 cu ft cargo capacity.
- You value performance, as the Forester produces a noticeable 180 horsepower.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Hyundai Kona | Subaru Forester |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 171.3" | 183.3" |
| Width | 71.9" | 72.0" |
| Height | 62.2" | 68.1" |
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | — | ✓ |
| Adaptive Headlights | — | ✓ |
| Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests | — | ✓ |
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 | ✓ | — |
| Rear Cupholders | — | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | — | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | — | ✓ |
| Dual Zone Climate Control | — | ✓ |
| 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 | 1 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remote Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Hyundai | Subaru |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 39.9 in. | 41.2 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 41.7 in. | 43.3 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 56.8 in. | 57.7 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.3 in. | 54.7 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. | 39.6 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 38.2 in. | 39.4 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.2 in. | 56.7 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 52.4 in. | 53.7 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 | 225/60R H |
| 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 Forester.
Is the Subaru Forester worth the extra $4,645 over the Hyundai Kona?
It depends on your needs. The extra cost gets you standard All-Wheel Drive, 33 more horsepower (180 hp vs. 147 hp), and significantly more space with 29.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Kona's 25.5 cu ft.
Which car is better for long highway road trips?
While both use a continuously variable automatic transmission, the Kona gets slightly better highway MPG at 34 MPG versus the Forester's 33 MPG. However, the Forester is physically larger (183.3 inches long) and offers more power for highway passing maneuvers.
Do either of these crossovers come with a more powerful engine option?
Based on the provided specifications, neither car shows an engine upgrade option; the Kona is capped at 147 hp and the Forester at 180 hp. Both vehicles run on regular unleaded fuel.
How much taller is the Subaru Forester?
The Subaru Forester has a significant height advantage, measuring 68.1 inches tall, whereas the Hyundai Kona is considerably lower at 62.2 inches. This difference of nearly 6 inches will be noticeable for ingress and cargo loading.
Are the drivetrains significantly different for poor weather?
Yes, the Forester comes standard with all-wheel drive, making it the superior choice for regular travel in snow or heavy rain. The Kona is strictly front-wheel drive based on the specs listed.
How does their size impact city driving ease?
The Kona is the smaller vehicle across the board—it is 12 inches shorter in length (171.3 vs 183.3 inches) and slightly narrower, which generally translates to easier maneuverability and parking in tight urban spots.
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