Compare the2024 Ford Mustang Mach-EVS 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric

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

Safety

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Both the Mustang Mach-E and Kona Electric have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Mustang Mach-E has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Kona Electric’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E 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 Electric doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Mustang Mach-E has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Mustang Mach-E has a standard Reverse Brake Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The Mustang Mach-E offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Mustang Mach-E has a standard 360-Degree Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Kona Electric only offers a rear monitor and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the front or sides.

Both the Mustang Mach-E and the Kona Electric 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 and driver alert monitors.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E weighs 558 to 1247 pounds more than the Hyundai Kona Electric. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

There are over 3 times as many Ford dealers as there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Mustang Mach-E’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 Mustang Mach-E’s reliability 40 points higher than the Kona Electric.

Engine

The Mustang Mach-E’s standard electric motor produces 63 more horsepower (264 vs. 201) and 96 lbs.-ft. more torque (387 vs. 291) than the Kona Electric’s electric motor. The Mustang Mach-E ER’s standard electric motor produces 89 more horsepower (290 vs. 201) and 96 lbs.-ft. more torque (387 vs. 291) than the Kona Electric’s electric motor. The Mustang Mach-E eAWD’s standard electric motors produces 124 more horsepower (325 vs. 201) and 209 lbs.-ft. more torque (500 vs. 291) than the Kona Electric’s electric motor. The Mustang Mach-E ER eAWD’s standard electric motors produces 164 more horsepower (365 vs. 201) and 209 lbs.-ft. more torque (500 vs. 291) than the Kona Electric’s electric motor. The Mustang Mach-E GT Performance/Rally’s standard electric motors produces 279 more horsepower (480 vs. 201) and 409 lbs.-ft. more torque (700 vs. 291) than the Kona Electric’s electric motor.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mustang Mach-E ER electric motor is faster than the Hyundai Kona Electric:

	Mustang Mach-E	Kona Electric
Zero to 30 MPH	2.8 sec	2.9 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.3 sec	6.6 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	9.9 sec	10.6 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	2.6 sec	3 sec
Quarter Mile	14.8 sec	15.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	96.8 MPH	95.9 MPH

As tested in Consumer Reports the Mustang Mach-E ER eAWD electric motors is faster than the Hyundai Kona Electric (base engine):

	Mustang Mach-E	Kona Electric
Zero to 30 MPH	2.3 sec	2.9 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	5.3 sec	6.6 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	2.6 sec	3.4 sec
Quarter Mile	13.9 sec	15.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	101 MPH	95 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Mustang Mach-E can travel longer on a full charge than the Kona Electric on a full charge:

			Miles
Mustang Mach-E
	RWD	ER Electric Motor	320 miles
	AWD	ER Electric Motors	300 miles
		GT Performance/Rally Electric Motors	265 miles
		GT Electric Motors	280 miles
Kona Electric
	FWD	Electric Motor	258 miles

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Mustang Mach-E’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Kona Electric:

	Mustang Mach-E	Mustang Mach-E GT/Rally	Kona Electric
Front Rotors	14.2 inches	15.2 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	12.4 inches	12.4 inches	11.8 inches

The Mustang Mach-E stops much shorter than the Kona Electric:

	Mustang Mach-E	Kona Electric
70 to 0 MPH	158 feet	185 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	109 feet	138 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	142 feet	145 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Mustang Mach-E has larger standard tires than the Kona Electric (225/55R19 vs. 215/55R17). The Mustang Mach-E GT’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Kona Electric (245/45R20 vs. 215/55R17).

The Mustang Mach-E GT’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Kona Electric’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Mustang Mach-E has standard 19-inch wheels. Only 17-inch wheels are available on the Kona Electric. The Mustang Mach-E GT has standard 20-inch wheels.

Suspension and Handling

The Mustang Mach-E offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Kona Electric’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Mustang Mach-E’s wheelbase is 15.1 inches longer than on the Kona Electric (117.5 inches vs. 102.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Mustang Mach-E is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than on the Kona Electric.

The Mustang Mach-E’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (48.7% to 51.3%) than the Kona Electric’s (54% to 46%). This gives the Mustang Mach-E more stable handling and braking.

The Mustang Mach-E GT handles at .92 G’s, while the Kona Electric Limited pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Mustang Mach-E GT executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.9 seconds quicker than the Kona Electric Limited (25.9 seconds @ .7 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The Mustang Mach-E has 8.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kona Electric (101.1 vs. 92.4).

The Mustang Mach-E has 1.8 inches more front legroom, 2.1 inches more front hip room, 2.1 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 4.7 inches more rear legroom, 1 inch more rear hip room and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kona Electric.

Cargo Capacity

The Mustang Mach-E has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Kona Electric with its rear seat up (29.7 vs. 19.2 cubic feet). The Mustang Mach-E has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Kona Electric with its rear seat folded (59.7 vs. 45.8 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Mustang Mach-E Premium/GT/Rally has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Servicing Ease

The Mustang Mach-E uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Kona Electric uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the Mustang Mach-E, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Mustang Mach-E’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Mustang Mach-E’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 Electric’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the Mustang Mach-E the driver can close them all from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the Kona Electric can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Mustang Mach-E’s exterior PIN entry system. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Blue Link can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Mustang Mach-E’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Kona Electric’s passenger power window and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Mustang Mach-E’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Kona Electric’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Mustang Mach-E has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Kona Electric only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Mustang Mach-E’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Kona Electric SE/SEL’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

Consumer Reports rated the Mustang Mach-E’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Kona Electric’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

The Mustang Mach-E’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 Electric doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

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

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Ford Mustang Mach-E has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Kona Electric SEL/Limited offers wireless charging.

The Mustang Mach-E’s optional Active Park Assist 2.0 can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Ford Mustang Mach-E, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Hyundai Kona Electric isn't recommended.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Mustang Mach-E third among compact suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Kona Electric isn’t in the top three.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Mustang Mach-E as the 2021 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year. The Kona Electric has never been chosen.