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Hyundai Kona vs Nissan Qashqai comparison

Compare performance (204 HP vs 205 HP), boot space and price (23,600 £ vs 29,600 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Hyundai Kona or Nissan Qashqai?

Hyundai Kona vs Nissan Qashqai: Key differences

Hyundai Kona

4.5 (8 Reviews)
rate
  • visibly cheaper
  • very slightly lighter
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Nissan Qashqai

4.9 (4 Reviews)
rate
  • only slightly more power
  • barely more efficient
  • barely quicker 0–100 km/h
  • marginally more trunk space
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All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

Kona

Hyundai Kona VS Nissan Qashqai — the crossover showdown

Hyundai Kona VS Nissan Qashqai sets the scene for anyone hunting a compact crossover that needs to work every day and still look like it matters on the high street. The Hyundai Kona pitches itself as the cheeky, city-savvy option while the Nissan Qashqai plays the grown-up, family-friendly card, and that contrast is the story here. This comparison lays out the character and trade-offs you’ll live with every morning commute, school run and weekend escape. If you want a quick read to decide which personality fits your driveway, you’re in the right place.

Qashqai

City spark or suburban poise?

The Hyundai Kona feels like a compact with attitude — sharper styling, punchier inside-town manners and an image that leans youthful and eager to entertain. The Nissan Qashqai leans toward calm authority: more restrained looks, a composed ride and a sense that it was designed to be lived with rather than shown off. Driving each reveals that vibe instantly — the Kona gives you a sprightlier, more engaging steering feel, while the Qashqai rewards steady, unruffled progress and a quieter cabin presence. That difference in temperament is the single most useful filter for shoppers: do you want charisma or composure?

Kona

How they cope with day-to-day life

For city dwellers and tight-parking commuters, the Hyundai Kona often wins on agility and a lighter footprint that makes threading through traffic less of a chore. The Nissan Qashqai shows its strengths where space and flexibility matter: longer trips, family loads and when you need a bit more carrying capacity without feeling cramped. Both are user-friendly on the tech front, but the Kona’s urban-first packaging feels more convenience-focused for one- or two-person households, while the Qashqai’s layout is clearly thought-through for people carrying kids, shopping and luggage regularly. In real life that means the Kona is easier to live with in the city, the Qashqai feels more confident on the motorway and in the family garage.

Qashqai

The story you tell when you walk away from the car

Choose the Hyundai Kona and you’re buying a bit of personality — a car that looks youthful and gives you a few design flourishes to justify the Instagram post. Pick the Nissan Qashqai and you’re buying reassurance: measured styling, a more mature presence and the kind of practicality that doesn’t shout but quietly performs. Each choice is also a social signal: the Kona says “I value style and city smarts,” the Qashqai says “I value space, comfort and sensible refinement.” Neither is wrong, but they tell different stories to the neighbours and to yourself.

Kona

Who should seriously consider the Kona?

If you’re a value-minded urban driver who wants a lively small SUV with contemporary looks, the Hyundai Kona will likely sit near the top of your test-drive list; it suits commuters and tech-aware buyers who prize easy parking, nimble handling and a touch of flair. The Kona’s cabin layout and interface feel made for people who spend most of their miles in town and want a car that’s simple to live with day-to-day. It’s also an appealing pick for younger buyers or second-car owners who care about image without needing the largest boot in the class. Meanwhile, the Nissan Qashqai remains the safer bet if you’re prioritising family practicality over edgy styling.

Qashqai

Who should seriously consider the Qashqai (and where the Kona still tempts)

The Nissan Qashqai is the one to test-drive if you’re a family-first buyer or a long-distance commuter chasing comfort, cabin calm and a sensible, grown-up feel — it suits those who prefer relaxed motorway miles and extra utility to aggressive looks. It also appeals if you want a car that projects understated quality and doesn’t demand constant attention; that makes it a strong match for pragmatists and comfort-seekers who put usability ahead of flash. That said, the Hyundai Kona will still tempt buyers who value sharper urban handling and a livelier personality, so don’t skip the Kona if you’re torn. Read on into the technical breakdown below to see where those practical differences show up on paper.

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

Kona

Costs and Efficiency:

Looking at overall running costs, both models reveal some interesting differences in everyday economy.

Hyundai Kona is visibly cheaper – starting at 23,600 £ , while the Nissan Qashqai costs 29,600 £ . That’s a price difference of around 6,034 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Nissan Qashqai uses 4.3 L/100km and is barely more efficient than the Hyundai Kona with 4.6 L/100km. The difference is about 0.3 L/100km.

Qashqai

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration say a lot about how a car feels on the road. This is where you see which model delivers more driving dynamics.

When it comes to engine power, the Nissan Qashqai offers only slightly more power – delivering 205 HP compared to 204 HP. That’s roughly 1 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Nissan Qashqai is barely quicker – completing the sprint in 7.6 s, while the Hyundai Kona takes 8.1 s. That’s about 0.5 s quicker.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Nissan Qashqai delivers slightly more torque with 330 Nm compared to 265 Nm. That’s about 65 Nm more.

Kona

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Hyundai Kona is very slightly lighter – 1,370 kg compared to 1,420 kg. The difference is around 50 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Nissan Qashqai offers marginally more boot space – 504 L compared to 466 L. That’s a difference of about 38 L.

When it comes to payload, the Nissan Qashqai carries barely more – 516 kg compared to 490 kg. That’s a difference of about 26 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Hyundai Kona is decisively ahead in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £23,600
Kona

Hyundai Kona

  • Engine Type Petrol, Full Hybrid, Electric
  • Transmission Manuel, Automatic
  • Drive Type Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP 115 - 204 HP
  • Consumption L/100km 4.6 - 7 L/100km
  • Consumption kWh/100km 14.6 - 16.1 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range 380 - 510 km
Hyundai Kona
Nissan Qashqai

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

Hyundai Kona

The Hyundai Kona is a compact crossover that pairs bold styling with practical everyday usability, offering a comfortable cabin and intuitive tech for modern drivers. Available in both conventional and electrified versions, Kona brings lively handling and strong value for buyers who want crossover versatility and standout character.

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Nissan Qashqai

The Nissan Qashqai is a compact crossover that blends everyday practicality with a comfortable, composed driving experience and a smart, well finished interior. It feels sensible and versatile for city life and longer trips, appealing to buyers who want a reliable, low fuss family car.

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Hyundai Kona
Nissan Qashqai

Costs and Consumption

Price
23,600 - 41,900 £
Price
29,600 - 39,900 £
Consumption L/100km
4.6 - 7 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
4.3 - 6.8 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
14.6 - 16.1 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
380 - 510 km
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
0 - 163 g/km
co2
98 - 152 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
-

Dimensions and Body

Body Type
SUV
Body Type
SUV
Seats
5
Seats
5
Doors
-
Doors
-
Curb weight
1,370 - 1,773 kg
Curb weight
1,420 - 1,624 kg
Trunk capacity
466 L
Trunk capacity
479 - 504 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,825 mm
Width
1,835 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
420 - 490 kg
Payload
446 - 516 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Petrol, Full Hybrid, Electric
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Full Hybrid
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic, Reduction Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, CVT, Reduction Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
115 - 204 HP
Power HP
158 - 205 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8.1 - 11.9 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
7.6 - 9.9 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
200 - 265 Nm
Torque
260 - 330 Nm
Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
Power kW
85 - 150 kW
Power kW
116 - 151 kW
Engine capacity
998 - 1,598 cm3
Engine capacity
1,332 - 1,498 cm3

General

Model Year
2025
Model Year
2,025 - 2,026
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, C, E, F, A
CO2 Efficiency Class
E, C
Brand
Hyundai
Brand
Nissan
DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.