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Toyota Yaris Cross vs Hyundai Kona comparison

Compare performance (130 HP vs 204 HP), boot space and price (23,700 £ vs 23,600 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Toyota Yaris Cross or Hyundai Kona?

Toyota Yaris Cross vs Hyundai Kona: Key differences

Toyota Yaris Cross

4.2 (15 Reviews)
rate
  • marginally more efficient
  • moderately lighter
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Hyundai Kona

4.6 (9 Reviews)
rate
  • only slightly cheaper
  • visibly more power
  • markedly quicker 0–100 km/h
  • a bit more trunk space
details

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

Yaris Cross

Hyundai Kona vs Toyota Yaris Cross: real-world buyer guide

The Hyundai Kona and Toyota Yaris Cross target the same small-SUV sweet spot, but they go about daily life quite differently. This Hyundai Kona VS Toyota Yaris Cross comparison focuses on how each one feels to live with, not just on-paper bragging rights. The Kona comes across as the more grown-up all-rounder, while the Yaris Cross plays the effortless city specialist. Both are easy to drive and sensible, yet their priorities show clearly once you load them with people, tackle rough roads, or stretch a motorway stint.

Kona

Character and pace: calm efficiency or extra shove

The Kona feels noticeably stronger when you need to surge onto a motorway or breeze past slow traffic, delivering a more confident, settled stride. The Yaris Cross prefers an unhurried rhythm, gliding around town with frequent electric assistance and a smooth step-off that makes stop-start traffic less stressful. Under heavier throttle, Toyota’s three-cylinder hybrid and e‑CVT can sound busier, whereas the Kona’s setup is quieter at a cruise but can let you feel a gear change here and there. Neither is a back-road entertainer, yet the Kona is the one that shrugs off mixed journeys with more reserve, while the Yaris Cross rewards a gentler, efficiency-first driving style.

Yaris Cross

Ride and noise: maturity versus minimalism

On the kind of broken urban tarmac that defines real commutes, the Kona rides with more composure, especially on sensible wheel sizes. The Yaris Cross can feel fidgety over sharp edges and gets noticeably more abrupt on larger rims, though it stays tidy and controlled. At speed, Toyota’s hybrid can raise its voice when climbing or overtaking, while the Kona lets some wind noise through but generally feels the calmer long-distance companion. If you prize a soothing, less busy cabin on varied roads, the Kona has the edge; if your driving is mostly short hops where the powertrain rarely strains, the Yaris Cross remains in its element.

Kona

Space and practicality: family room or clever footprint

The Kona offers a roomier second row and a boot that swallows family life with less packing Tetris, and higher trims add a useful 40:20:40 fold for skis or flat-pack detours. The Yaris Cross counters with a neatly shaped load bay and a handy adjustable floor, but rear-seat space and door openings are tighter, and choosing AWD trims eats into luggage capacity. Around the cabin, the Kona’s storage solutions feel more generous and family-proof, while the Toyota keeps things simple and functional. Growing kids or frequent four-up trips point you toward the Kona; downsizing urbanites who haul more groceries than passengers may find the Yaris Cross perfectly matched to their footprint.

Yaris Cross

Cabin feel and tech: intuitive versus improved

The Kona’s twin-screen layout, clear menus and proper shortcut keys make it refreshingly easy to operate on the move, with a modern look that still feels grounded. Toyota’s latest update brings faster graphics and wireless phone mirroring, raising the Yaris Cross from adequate to genuinely pleasant, though not class-leading for slickness. Perceived quality splits them too: the Kona reads slightly more upscale in touchpoints, while the Toyota feels sturdy and long-wearing but more utilitarian. Driver-assistance is plentiful in both; the Kona’s systems can be a bit chatty, whereas the Yaris Cross tends to fade into the background once set up.

Kona

City ease, winter ability and ownership logic

For dense city use, the Yaris Cross is a star: compact dimensions, a high seating position, and skimpy real-world fuel bills make daily errands almost effortless. The Kona is hardly a handful, with a tight turning circle and excellent parking aids, but its advantage shows more on longer trips where the extra space and calmer gait pay off. Winter-region buyers should note Toyota’s rare small-SUV AWD option for added traction, while the Kona’s range breadth (including a full-electric version) appeals to tech-minded planners. Pricing often favors the Hyundai Kona on like-for-like trims, while the Toyota Yaris Cross leans on rock-solid efficiency and strong resale. If your life is urban, measured and occasionally snowy, the Yaris Cross fits neatly; if you want a more relaxed cruiser that also handles family growth, the Kona will feel like the right tool—now on to how their hardware underpins these differences.

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

Yaris Cross

Costs and Efficiency:

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

Hyundai Kona is only slightly cheaper – starting at 23,600 £ , while the Toyota Yaris Cross costs 23,700 £ . That’s a price difference of around 120 £.

Fuel consumption also shows a difference: the Toyota Yaris Cross uses 4.5 L/100km and is marginally more efficient than the Hyundai Kona with 4.6 L/100km. The difference is about 0.1 L/100km.

Kona

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the Hyundai Kona offers visibly more power – delivering 204 HP compared to 130 HP. That’s roughly 74 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Hyundai Kona is markedly quicker – completing the sprint in 8.1 s, while the Toyota Yaris Cross takes 10.7 s. That’s about 2.6 s quicker.

Yaris Cross

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, Toyota Yaris Cross is moderately lighter – 1,180 kg compared to 1,370 kg. The difference is around 190 kg.

Looking at boot space, the Hyundai Kona offers a bit more boot space – 466 L compared to 397 L. That’s a difference of about 69 L.

When it comes to payload, the Toyota Yaris Cross carries barely more – 510 kg compared to 490 kg. That’s a difference of about 20 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
Toyota Yaris Cross
Hyundai Kona

Costs and Consumption

View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance

View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body

View detailed analysis

Toyota Yaris Cross

The Toyota Yaris Cross blends the maneuverability of a small hatch with the higher driving position and practicality of a crossover, wrapped in Toyota's dependable build quality. It suits urban buyers who need easy parking, flexible cargo space and a comfortable, economical daily driver.

details

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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Toyota Yaris Cross
Hyundai Kona

Costs and Consumption

Price
23,700 - 34,300 £
Price
23,600 - 41,900 £
Consumption L/100km
4.5 - 4.8 L/100km
Consumption L/100km
4.6 - 7 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Consumption kWh/100km
14.6 - 16.1 kWh/100km
Electric Range
-
Electric Range
380 - 510 km
Battery Capacity
-
Battery Capacity
-
co2
101 - 108 g/km
co2
0 - 163 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
1,180 - 1,290 kg
Curb weight
1,370 - 1,773 kg
Trunk capacity
320 - 397 L
Trunk capacity
466 L
Length
-
Length
-
Width
1,765 mm
Width
1,825 mm
Height
-
Height
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Max trunk capacity
-
Payload
485 - 510 kg
Payload
420 - 490 kg

Engine and Performance

Engine Type
Full Hybrid
Engine Type
Petrol, Full Hybrid, Electric
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Manuel, Automatic
Transmission Detail
CVT
Transmission Detail
Manual Gearbox, Dual-Clutch Automatic, Reduction Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
116 - 130 HP
Power HP
115 - 204 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
10.7 - 11.3 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
8.1 - 11.9 s
Max Speed
-
Max Speed
-
Torque
-
Torque
200 - 265 Nm
Number of Cylinders
3
Number of Cylinders
3 - 4
Power kW
85 - 96 kW
Power kW
85 - 150 kW
Engine capacity
1,490 cm3
Engine capacity
998 - 1,598 cm3

General

Model Year
2026
Model Year
2025
CO2 Efficiency Class
C
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, C, E, F, A
Brand
Toyota
Brand
Hyundai
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.