Compare the2023 Hyundai KonaVS 2023 Honda HR-V

The Kona has a standard blind spot warning system which 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 a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the HR-V Sport/EX-L has a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the Kona and the HR-V have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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, available all wheel drive and rear parking sensors.

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).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Kona for 1 year and 12000 miles longer than Honda pays for maintenance for the HR-V (3/36,000 vs. 2/24,000).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 82 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 24th.

The Kona N Line/Limited’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder produces 37 more horsepower (195 vs. 158) and 57 lbs.-ft. more torque (195 vs. 138) than the HR-V’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Kona N Line/Limited 1.6 turbo 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’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. 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 N Line/Limited’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the HR-V (235/45R18 vs. 225/55R18).

The Kona N Line/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’s 55 series tires.

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 AWD handles at .88 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 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the HR-V EX-L AWD (26.9 seconds @ .65 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 2.2 feet tighter than the HR-V Sport’s (34.8 feet vs. 37 feet).

The Hyundai Kona may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 250 pounds less than the Honda HR-V.

The Kona is 1 foot, 2.2 inches shorter than the HR-V, making the Kona easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Kona has .2 inches more front headroom and 4.8 inches more rear hip room than the HR-V.

The Kona has a much higher standard payload capacity than the HR-V (915 vs. 538 lbs.).

The Kona has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the HR-V (930 vs. 538 lbs.).

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 driver power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The HR-V’s power window (except driver window) switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Kona Limited’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The HR-V’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Kona’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Honda only offers heated mirrors on the HR-V Sport/EX-L.

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.

The Kona (except SE)’s available GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The HR-V’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

The Kona was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2019. The HR-V has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue, and the HR-V has only been chosen.

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.