Hyundai Kona vs Kia Sportage

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Hyundai Kona at 4 stars (2023) and the Kia Sportage at 5 stars (2022). ANCAP tested these in different years (2023 vs 2022). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 80% for the Hyundai Kona and 87% for the Kia Sportage, under different test years.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 6 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Hyundai Kona, against 5 on the Kia Sportage.

Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Hyundai Kona and 7 in the Kia Sportage.

Recalls on our record

A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

Feature Showdown

The Hyundai Kona features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 4.2-inch digital dash, while the Kia Sportage gets a 12.3-inch display and 4-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.

The Hyundai Kona stands out with Apple CarPlay and wireless charging — features our data doesn't list for the Kia Sportage. The Kia Sportage counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Hyundai Kona gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Kia Sportage offers cloth.

Drivetrain

The Hyundai Kona uses a Petrol producing 110kW and 180Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9.9 seconds.

The Kia Sportage responds with a Petrol making 115kW and 192Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels.

The Kia Sportage has the clear power advantage at 115kW vs 110kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Space & Comfort

The Hyundai Kona measures 4,350mm long on a 2,660mm wheelbase, 335mm shorter than the Kia Sportage at 4,685mm (2,755mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia Sportage generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 407L in the Hyundai Kona and 543L in the Kia Sportage, giving the Kia Sportage a 136L advantage.

For towing, the Kia Sportage leads with a 1,650kg braked capacity vs 1,300kg. That 350kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.

Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Hyundai Kona's turning circle is 0.8 m tighter, 10.6 m against 11.4 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.

Cost to own

At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Hyundai Kona costs about $1,881 a year (6.6 L/100km) and fuel for the Kia Sportage about $2,309 a year (8.1 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $428 a year less for the Hyundai Kona.

Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Hyundai Kona) and 7 years / Unlimited (Kia Sportage).

Where each one leads

The Hyundai Kona: the lower starting price ($33,950 against $38,490) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($1,881 a year against $2,309).

The Kia Sportage: more power (115kW against 110kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (543L against 407L), the longer warranty (7 years against 5) and the higher braked towing limit (1,650kg against 1,300kg).

The Verdict

Kia Sportage scores higher, 76 vs 71

The Kia Sportage scores 76 to the Hyundai Kona's 71 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 4 of the 6 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: technology (Kia Sportage ahead by 31 points), fuel economy (Hyundai Kona ahead by 13 points), safety (Kia Sportage ahead by 8 points). At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the Hyundai Kona costs about $428 less (6.6 L/100km against 8.1 L/100km, at $1.90 a litre). Boot space with the seats up: 407L in the Hyundai Kona, 543L in the Kia Sportage. Warranty: 5 years on the Hyundai Kona, 7 on the Kia Sportage.

Common questions