Compare the2026 Hyundai KonaVS 2026 Honda HR-V

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Hyundai Kona achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, outperforming the Honda HR-V which scored only an “Acceptable” in these critical safety features.

The Kona Limited has a standard Surround View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The HR-V only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

The Kona has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the HR-V Sport/EX-L offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Kona has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Only the HR-V Sport/EX-L offers Cross Traffic Monitor and the HR-V’s Cross Traffic Monitor does not include automatic braking.

Both the Kona and the HR-V have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

The Kona comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The HR-V’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Kona 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Honda covers the HR-V. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the HR-V ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Kona’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the HR-V’s (7 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 6th.

The Kona SEL Premium/Limited’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder produces 32 more horsepower (190 vs. 158) and 57 lbs.-ft. more torque (195 vs. 138) than the HR-V’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Kona SE/SEL Sport 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder is faster than the Honda HR-V:

On the EPA test cycle the Kona gets better mileage than the HR-V:

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Kona SE’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The HR-V doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Kona stops shorter than the HR-V:

For better traction, the Kona SEL Premium/Limited’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the HR-V (235/45R19 vs. 225/55R18).

The Kona SEL Premium/Limited’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the HR-V Sport/EX-L’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Kona SEL Premium/Limited has standard 19-inch wheels. The HR-V’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Kona has variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The HR-V doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Kona SEL Premium HTRAC AWD handles at .82 G’s, while the HR-V EX-L AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Kona Limited HTRAC AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the HR-V EX-L AWD (27.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.5 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Kona’s turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the HR-V’s (34.8 feet vs. 35.1 feet). The Kona’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the HR-V Sport’s (34.8 feet vs. 37.1 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Kona has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the HR-V LX/EX-L (8.1 vs. 7 inches), allowing the Kona to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Kona SEL Premium/Limited’s minimum ground clearance is 1 inch higher than on the HR-V Sport (8.3 vs. 7.3 inches).

The Kona is 8.5 inches shorter than the HR-V, making the Kona easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Kona uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The HR-V doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Kona SEL Premium HTRAC AWD is quieter than the HR-V EX-L AWD (73 vs. 76 dB).

The Kona has 2.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the HR-V (101.2 vs. 98.7).

The Kona has .5 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front hip room, .2 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, .5 inches more rear legroom and 5 inches more rear hip room than the HR-V.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Kona’s rear seats recline. The HR-V’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Kona has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the HR-V with its rear seat up (25.5 vs. 24.4 cubic feet). The Kona has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the HR-V with its rear seat folded (63.7 vs. 55.1 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Kona Limited’s power liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Kona’s power liftgate can also be opened or closed by pressing a button. The HR-V doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

The Kona uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The HR-V uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The power windows standard on both the Kona and the HR-V have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Kona is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The HR-V prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Kona’s standard Proximity Key allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Push Button Start standard on the HR-V only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Push Button Start is not available on the HR-V Sport/EX-L.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Kona Limited keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The HR-V doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Kona Limited’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The HR-V doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Kona has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The HR-V doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

Both the Kona and the HR-V offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Kona SEL/Limited has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The HR-V doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Compared to the Honda HR-V, the Hyundai Kona eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

Compared to traditional radio, the Hyundai Kona’s standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks. Satellite radio is only offered on the HR-V EX-L.

The Kona Limited’s Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The HR-V doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its August 2024 issue and they ranked the Hyundai Kona Limited HTRAC AWD first. They ranked the Honda HR-V EX-L AWD third.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Kona second among small suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The HR-V isn’t in the top three.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Kona as the 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The HR-V has never been chosen.