Compare the2023 Hyundai KonaVS 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Payload
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Kona are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

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

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 Outlander Sport SE/GT 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 Outlander Sport SE/GT has a rear cross-path warning system.

The Kona’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The Kona SEL/N Line/Limited has standard Blue Link, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions, remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Kona and the Outlander Sport 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, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Hyundai Kona is safer than the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport:

	Kona	Outlander Sport
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	205	208
Neck Injury Risk	20%	29%
Neck Stress	207 lbs.	412 lbs.
Neck Compression	57 lbs.	90 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	29/232 lbs.	334/511 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	217	251
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	37%	43%
Neck Stress	193 lbs.	221 lbs.
Neck Compression	70 lbs.	91 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	59/27 lbs.	394/494 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Hyundai Kona is safer than the Outlander Sport:

	Kona	Outlander Sport
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Restraints	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Max Chest Compression	28 cm	28 cm
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	1%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Tibia index R/L	.46/.55	.68/.36

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Hyundai Kona is safer than the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport:

	Kona	Outlander Sport
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	109	163
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	326	349
Hip Force	638 lbs.	794 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	17 inches
HIC	196	365
Spine Acceleration	34 G’s	41 G’s
Hip Force	744 lbs.	807 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Kona is 2.8% to 5.5% less likely to roll over than the Outlander Sport.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Kona the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 230 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Outlander Sport was not even a “Top Safety Pick” for 2016.

Warranty

The Kona’s 7 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Outlander Sport runs out after 100,000 miles.

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. Mitsubishi doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Outlander Sport.

There are almost 3 times as many Hyundai dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Kona’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Kona has a standard 150-amp alternator. The Outlander Sport’s 130-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Kona has a standard 640-amp battery. The Outlander Sport’s 530-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. With 41 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Hyundai higher than Mitsubishi.

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 Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 35 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is ranked 14th.

Engine

The Kona N Line/Limited’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder produces 27 more horsepower (195 vs. 168) and 28 lbs.-ft. more torque (195 vs. 167) than the Outlander Sport GT’s standard 2.4 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Kona N Line/Limited 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder:

	Kona	Outlander Sport
Zero to 60 MPH	7.3 sec	9.9 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	19.7 sec	32 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	7.6 sec	10.2 sec
Quarter Mile	15.7 sec	17.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90 MPH	79 MPH
Top Speed	130 MPH	113 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Kona gets better mileage than the Outlander Sport:

			MPG
Kona
	FWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	30 city/35 hwy
		1.6 turbo 4-cyl.	29 city/35 hwy
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	28 city/33 hwy
		1.6 turbo 4-cyl.	27 city/32 hwy
Outlander Sport
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	23 city/29 hwy
		2.4 DOHC 4-cyl.	23 city/28 hwy

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 Outlander Sport doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Environmental Friendliness

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies the Hyundai Kona as a “Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle” (PZEV). The Mitsubishi Outlander Sport is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Kona AWD/1.6T’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Outlander Sport:

	Kona AWD/1.6T	Outlander Sport
Front Rotors	12 inches	11.6 inches

The Kona stops much shorter than the Outlander Sport:

	Kona	Outlander Sport
70 to 0 MPH	171 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	129 feet	137 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	131 feet	143 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Kona N Line/Limited’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Outlander Sport (235/45R18 vs. 225/55R18).

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 Outlander Sport S’ standard 70 series tires. The Kona N Line/Limited’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Outlander Sport ES/LE/SE/GT’s 55 series tires.

Suspension and Handling

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 Outlander Sport.

The Kona SEL AWD handles at .88 G’s, while the Outlander Sport SE 4WD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Kona executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.1 seconds quicker than the Outlander Sport SE 4WD (26.9 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 29 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

Chassis

The Hyundai Kona may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 350 pounds less than the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.

The Kona is 6.3 inches shorter than the Outlander Sport, making the Kona easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The Kona has .2 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front hip room and .6 inches more rear hip room than the Outlander Sport.

Payload

The Kona has a higher standard payload capacity than the Outlander Sport (915 vs. 827 lbs.).

The Kona has a higher maximum payload capacity than the Outlander Sport (930 vs. 827 lbs.).

Ergonomics

The power windows standard on both the Kona and the Outlander Sport 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 Outlander Sport prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Kona SEL/N Line/Limted’s front power windows open fully with one touch of the switches, and the driver’s window also automatically closes, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Outlander Sport’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

The Outlander Sport’s standard power locks don’t automatically lock the doors. The Kona’s standard doors lock when the transmission is engaged. This is an important feature for occupant safety. Locked doors are proven to open less often in collisions, and they are also effective in preventing crime at traffic lights.

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 Outlander Sport only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Kona SEL/N Line/Limited has standard extendable sun visors. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer extendable visors.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Kona Limited has a standard Smart Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Kona (except SE) offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Outlander Sport doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Kona owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Kona will cost $625 to $3405 less than the Outlander Sport over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Kona is less expensive to operate than the Outlander Sport because typical repairs cost much less on the Kona than the Outlander Sport, including $101 less for a water pump, $45 less for front brake pads, $131 less for a starter, $213 less for fuel injection, $394 less for a fuel pump, $55 less for front struts, $56 less for a timing belt/chain and $470 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

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

The Hyundai Kona outsold the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport by almost four to one during 2022.