Compare the2023 Toyota Corolla Cross HybridVS 2023 Hyundai Kona

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Hyundai Kona doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Kona doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE has a standard Parking Support Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Kona doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the Corolla Cross Hybrid. But it costs extra on the Kona.

The Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE has standard Front and Rear Parking Assist to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The Kona doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

Both the Corolla Cross Hybrid and the Kona have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

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

	Corolla Cross Hybrid	Kona
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	187	205
Neck Compression	50 lbs.	57 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	27%	37%
Neck Stress	165 lbs.	193 lbs.

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

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 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is safer than the Hyundai Kona:

	Corolla Cross Hybrid	Kona
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	92	109
Abdominal Force	129 lbs.	246 lbs.
Hip Force	330 lbs.	611 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	137	326
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	66 G’s
Hip Force	367 lbs.	638 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	13 inches
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	34 G’s
Hip Force	623 lbs.	744 lbs.

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

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Corolla Cross Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 127 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Kona has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

There are over 49 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Corolla Cross Hybrid’s warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Corolla Cross Hybrid’s reliability 58 points higher than the Kona.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 13th.

Engine

The Corolla Cross Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 49 more horsepower (196 vs. 147) than the Kona’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Corolla Cross Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 1 more horsepower (196 vs. 195) than the Kona N Line/Limited’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Corolla Cross Hybrid gets better mileage than the Kona:

			MPG
Corolla Cross Hybrid
	AWD	2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	45 city/38 hwy
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

Regenerative brakes improve the Corolla Cross Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Kona doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid higher (7 out of 10) than the Hyundai Kona (5 to 7). This means the Corolla Cross Hybrid produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Kona every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Corolla Cross Hybrid’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Kona:

	Corolla Cross Hybrid	Kona
Front Rotors	12 inches	11 inches
Rear Rotors	11.1 inches	10.3 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Corolla Cross Hybrid has larger standard tires than the Kona (215/65R17 vs. 205/60R16).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Corolla Cross Hybrid has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Kona SE.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Kona 4x2 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Corolla Cross Hybrid has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Corolla Cross Hybrid flat and controlled during cornering. The Kona 4x2 suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Corolla Cross Hybrid’s wheelbase is 1.5 inches longer than on the Kona (103.9 inches vs. 102.4 inches).

For greater off-road capability the Corolla Cross Hybrid has a 1.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Kona (8 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Corolla Cross Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The Corolla Cross Hybrid has 1.4 inches more front legroom and 1.2 inches more rear headroom than the Kona.

Cargo Capacity

The Corolla Cross Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume than the Kona with its rear seat up (21.5 vs. 19.2 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Kona doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The Corolla Cross Hybrid has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Kona has no towing capacity.

Ergonomics

The Corolla Cross Hybrid’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Kona has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The Corolla Cross Hybrid’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Kona’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically. With the Kona SEL/N Line/Limted’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Corolla Cross Hybrid the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Kona can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Corolla Cross Hybrid’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Kona’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Kona doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Kona doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

The Corolla Cross Hybrid’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Kona SE doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

Both the Corolla Cross Hybrid and the Kona offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Corolla Cross Hybrid has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Kona doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The Corolla Cross Hybrid has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Kona doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Hyundai Kona isn't recommended.