Compare the2023 Hyundai Kona ElectricVS 2023 Toyota bZ4X

The Kona Electric has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The bZ4X doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Kona Electric and the bZ4X 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available rear parking sensors.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Kona Electric the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 220 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The bZ4X has not been tested, yet.

The Kona Electric comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The bZ4X’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Kona Electric 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the bZ4X. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the bZ4X ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Kona Electric’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the bZ4X’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Kona Electric for 1 year and 11000 miles longer than Toyota pays for maintenance for the bZ4X (3/36,000 vs. 2/25000).

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 Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked fifth.

The Kona Electric’s electric motor produces 95 lbs.-ft. more torque (291 vs. 196) than the bZ4X’s standard electric motor. The Kona Electric’s electric motor produces 43 lbs.-ft. more torque (291 vs. 248) than the bZ4X’s optional electric motors.

As tested in Car and Driver the Hyundai Kona Electric is faster than the Toyota bZ4X electric motors:

On the EPA test cycle the Kona Electric gets better mileage than the bZ4X:

The Kona Electric can travel longer on a full charge than the bZ4X on a full charge:

The Kona Electric Limited handles at .83 G’s, while the bZ4X Limited AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Kona Electric’s turning circle is 5.2 feet tighter than the bZ4X’s (34.8 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Hyundai Kona Electric may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 650 pounds less than the Toyota bZ4X.

The Kona Electric is 1 foot, 7 inches shorter than the bZ4X, making the Kona Electric easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Kona Electric uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The bZ4X doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Kona Electric has 1 inch more front headroom, .6 inches more rear headroom and 7.4 inches more rear hip room than the bZ4X.

The Kona Electric’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 bZ4X’s power window (except driver window) and power lock switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Kona Electric has a standard rear wiper. The bZ4X doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Hyundai Kona Electric, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Kona was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” in 2019. The bZ4X has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.