Compare the2026 Hyundai KonaVS 2025 Mazda CX-30

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Kona’s standard Downhill Brake Control allows you to creep down safely. The CX-30 doesn’t offer Downhill Brake Control.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Kona has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the CX-30 Turbo Premium Plus offers Smart Braking Support - Rear Crossing.

Both the Kona and the CX-30 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

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 CX-30’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 Mazda covers the CX-30. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the CX-30 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Kona’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the CX-30’s (7 vs. 5 years).

There are over 57 percent more Hyundai dealers than there are Mazda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Kona’s warranty.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Kona has a standard 150-amp alternator. The CX-30’s standard 100-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

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 Mazda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 52 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mazda is ranked 26th, below the industry average.

The Kona SEL Premium/Limited’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder produces 9 lbs.-ft. more torque (195 vs. 186) than the CX-30’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Kona SEL Premium/Limited 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Mazda CX-30 4 cyl.:

On the EPA test cycle the Kona gets better mileage than the CX-30:

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 CX-30 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Hyundai Kona uses regular unleaded gasoline. The CX-30 with the 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Hyundai Kona higher (6 out of 10) than the Mazda CX-30 (4 to 6). This means the Kona produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CX-30 every 15,000 miles.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Hyundai Kona SEL Premium/Limited, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the CX-30.

The Kona SE/SEL Sport has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the Kona AWD/1.6T’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-30:

The Kona stops shorter than the CX-30:

For better traction, the Kona SEL Premium/Limited’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-30 (235/45R19 vs. 215/65R16).

The Kona SE’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-30 2.5 S’ standard 65 series tires. The Kona SEL Premium/Limited’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Kona SE has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the CX-30 2.5 S. The Kona SEL Premium/Limited’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium.

For superior ride and handling, the Kona HTRAC AWD has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda CX-30 has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The Kona has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The CX-30’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Kona HTRAC AWD has front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Kona HTRAC AWD flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-30’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Kona is 1 inch wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the CX-30.

The Kona’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (59% to 41%) than the CX-30’s (62% to 38%). This gives the Kona more stable handling and braking.

The Kona Limited HTRAC AWD handles at .83 G’s, while the CX-30 2.5 S Premium pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Kona Limited HTRAC AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the CX-30 2.5 S Premium (27.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Kona has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-30 (8.1 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Kona to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Kona SEL Premium/Limited’s minimum ground clearance is .3 inch higher than on the CX-30 (8.3 vs. 8 inches).

The Hyundai Kona may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 400 pounds less than the Mazda CX-30.

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 CX-30 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Kona has 7.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-30 (101.2 vs. 94.1).

The Kona has 1.8 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.9 inches more rear legroom and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-30.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Kona’s rear seats recline. The CX-30’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Kona has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the CX-30 with its rear seat up (25.5 vs. 20.2 cubic feet). The Kona has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the CX-30 with its rear seat folded (63.7 vs. 45.2 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Kona’s liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Kona uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The CX-30 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 CX-30 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 CX-30 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. Pushbutton Start standard on the CX-30 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the vehicle. Pushbutton Start is not available on the CX-30 Select/Preferred/Carbon/Premium.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Kona has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the CX-30 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

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 CX-30 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

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 CX-30 Premium.

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 CX-30 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Kona is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The CX-30 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Hyundai Kona and the Mazda CX-30, based on reliability, safety and performance.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its August 2024 issue and they ranked the Hyundai Kona Limited HTRAC AWD first. They ranked the Mazda CX-30 fifth.

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 CX-30 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 CX-30 has never been chosen.