Hyundai Elantra vs. Hyundai Kona: What You Need to Know

If you compare the Hyundai Elantra vs. Hyundai Kona, it’s clear the Elantra comes out on top.
Written by Alexandra Maloney
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
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If you’re in the market for a Hyundai car this year, both the 2022 Hyundai Elantra and the
2022 Hyundai Kona
are viable options. Both fleets have electric or gas-powered options to choose from, while also providing solid engines, roomy interiors, impressive technology and more.
While these two
Hyundai
cars might look similar on the surface, doing a deeper dive proves the Elantra and the Kona have their own unique strengths and weaknesses, with one car proving to be a better option overall. 
Jerry
, the
car ownership super app
, looks at the Hyundai Elantra vs. Hyundai Kona, so you can make the best purchasing decision this year. 

What is the Hyundai Elantra? 

With a price range of $20,200 to $33,650, the Hyundai Elantra is a reasonably priced, fast, and roomy sedan. 
For the 2022 model, the Hyundai Elantra has six trim options: SE, SEL, Blue Hybrid, N Line, Limited and Limited Hybrid.
Consumer Reports
tested the
SEL model
with a 4-Cyl CVT engine and gave the Elantra an overall score of 74 (out of 100) and an overall road test score of 76 (out of 100).
On top of that, the tested model of the Hyundai Elantra earned a 4 out of 5 in owner satisfaction from Consumer Reports. While the car dropped in the reliability category, earning just a 3 out of 5 from the rating website, it still makes for a solid driving option this year. 
It shines in the fuel economy category, getting 21 mpg in the city and 49 mpg on the highway. On average, it costs $1,645 to fill up the Elantra per year which, compared to the Kona’s average cost of $2,095, is a great deal. 
Across all trims, the Hyundai Elantra is a green car. Consumer Reports scored it highly in greenhouse gas and smog ratings categories, despite not testing a hybrid model. Plus, it comes standard with a multitude of safety features. 
Overall, the 2022 Hyundai Elantra is a green, safe, vehicle with great fuel economy and plenty of options for drivers. 
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What is the Hyundai Kona?

The Hyundai Kona is a mid-sized sedan with a price range between $21,000 to $42,500 and all the classic Hyundai safety features. For 2022, the Hyundai Kona comes in four trims: SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited. There’s also an electric version of the 2022 Hyundai Kona that, according to
Motor1
, shines in connectivity and safety categories.
Consumer Reports tested the SEL 4-Cyl 6-Speed Automatic engine and gave it an overall rating of 66 (out of 100) and a road test score of 71 (out of 100). It tied with the Hyundai Elantra in reliability, and fell behind slightly with owner satisfaction, earning a 3 out of 5. 
The Kona struggles in acceleration, going from 0 to 60 mph in 11.1 seconds compared to the Elantra’s 7.9 seconds. It also lacks fuel economy, getting just 18 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. But, it does have most of the standard safety features Hyundai vehicles are known for, and an impressive interior.
Overall, the 2022 Hyundai Kona is a reasonably priced vehicle with a nice interior, but falls short in fuel economy and engine matchups. 

Hyundai Elantra vs. Hyundai Kona: Which should you choose? 

If you’re stuck between the Hyundai Elantra vs. Hyundai Kona this year, the Hyundai Elantra is the better option overall. While you’ll likely be paying a bit more if you opt for a more basic trim, the money pays off in the long run.
The Hyundai Elantra outshines the Hyundai Kona with its engine capabilities, fuel economy ratings, safety features, and overall owner satisfaction reports. For everyday driving, you’ll get more bang for your buck with the Elantra, while still enjoying a comfortable ride and saving on fuel costs. 
When it comes to the Hyundai Elantra vs. Hyundai Kona, if you compare the scores from Consumer Reports, the winner is clear.
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