Compare the2023 Hyundai KonaVS 2023 Kia Sportage PHEV

Both the Kona and the Sportage PHEV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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 rear parking sensors.

The Kona’s corrosion warranty is 2 years and unlimited miles longer than the Sportage PHEV’s (7/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Kona for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Sportage PHEV.

The Kona has 2.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sportage PHEV (13.2 vs. 11.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

A seven-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Hyundai Kona N Line/Limited, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Sportage PHEV.

The Kona 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 Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Kona offers an available sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Sportage PHEV doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

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 Sportage PHEV’s 55 series tires.

The Kona has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Sportage PHEV; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Kona SEL AWD handles at .88 G’s, while the Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Kona’s turning circle is 3.8 feet tighter than the Sportage PHEV’s (34.8 feet vs. 38.6 feet).

The Hyundai Kona may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 900 to 1300 pounds less than the Kia Sportage PHEV.

The Kona is 1 foot, 5.9 inches shorter than the Sportage PHEV, making the Kona easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Kona has 1.8 inches more front headroom and .1 inches more front legroom than the Sportage PHEV.

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 Sportage PHEV’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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

Insurance will cost less for the Kona owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Kona will cost $1205 to $2935 less than the Sportage PHEV over a five-year period.

The Kona will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Kona will retain 47.55% to 51.42% of its original price after five years, while the Sportage PHEV only retains 45.04% to 45.21%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Hyundai Kona will be $9013 to $21250 less than for the Kia Sportage PHEV.

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