10 Competitors of the 2019 Hyundai Kona to Consider

2019 Hyundai Kona Grey Driving Front Quarter ・ Photo by Hyundai

Every major mainstream automaker now has a solid entry in the red-hot small crossover SUV class, and one of our favorites is the new hot-selling 2019 Hyundai Kona. It’s available in four trim levels and with two engines. The Kona SE and SEL models are powered by a smooth 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 146 hp and a six-speed automatic transmission, while Limited and Ultimate models get a 175 hp turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder and a slick-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Every Kona is offered with standard front-wheel drive, or optional all-wheel drive for an additional $1,300.

With prices starting right around $20,000 for the Hyundai Kona SE with front-wheel drive, the subcompact SUV delivers high value, strong performance, good fuel economy, and it's one of the best-looking vehicles in the segment. But there are plenty of other choices if you’re in the market for a small, cute and quick SUV. Here are 10 Hyundai Kona alternatives to consider when you’re shopping for a subcompact crossover.

2019 Kia Niro

Because the Kia Niro is a hybrid and it’s not available with all-wheel drive, some consumers will be hesitant to consider it a crossover suv. While that’s understandable, the Niro brings other unique qualities to this class, like a smooth ride, a well-built, comfortable interior, and exceptional fuel economy.

Powered by a hybrid system that includes a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, an electric motor and a battery pack, the 139 hp Niro is by far the most fuel efficient SUV on this list. The EPA estimated its fuel usage as high as 52 mpg city and 49 mpg on the highway for the FE model, which costs about $24,500. Kia also offers four other trim levels on the Niro, with prices topping out at around $33,000 for the Touring model.

Photo by Kia

2019 Ford EcoSport

All new just last year, the 2019 EcoSport is Ford’s smallest and least expensive SUV. Prices start right around $21,000 for the EcoSport S with front-wheel drive, but Ford offers three other trim levels as well, including the popular Titanium, which costs about $27,000.

Most models are front-wheel drive and powered by a tiny 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, which is the smallest in the class. It produces 123 hp and works with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Its fuel economy is estimated at 27 mpg city and 29 mpg on the highway. The EcoSport SES is the most expensive model because it’s powered by a stronger 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and it’s all-wheel drive. The engine is rated 166 hp and it's backed by the same 6-speed automatic. With this combination, fuel economy dips to 23 mpg city and 29 mpg on the highway.

Photo by Ford

2019 Chevrolet Trax

With a starting price just over $22,000, the 2019 Chevy Trax is Chevrolet’s most affordable SUV. Smaller than its popular Equinox model, the Trax also is Chevy’s most compact crossover and its most fuel-efficient. But don’t let the Chevy’s diminutive dimensions fool you. If you fold down its backseat, there’s 48.4 cubic feet of cargo space in this crossover and that’s plenty, even for the most reckless Costco members.

Chevy offers the Trax in three trim levels with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, which costs an additional $1,500. All Trax models are powered by a 1.4-liter four-cylinder with 138 hp and a 6-speed automatic transmission. Its city fuel economy rating is about average for the class at 25 mpg, but its estimated 33 mpg on the highway is a class standout.

Photo by Chevrolet

2019 Jeep Renegade

The award for the best name in this class goes to the 2019 Jeep Renegade. That sounds like a vehicle SUV buyers want. Jeep even gives the Renegade’s many trim levels cool names like Latitude, Altitude and Trailhawk. The Jeep also is one of the most affordable suvs on this list, with a starting price below $20,000.

All Renegades are available with front-wheel drive or all-wheels drive, but there are two engines offered. Most models are powered by a 160 hp turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder and a 6-speed automatic transmission. But the off-road rugged Trailhawk model, as well as the Renegade Limited, get a 180 hp 2.4-liter and a 9-speed automatic (this combination also is optional on the other models). Fuel economy is 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway.

Photo by Jeep

2019 Fiat 500X

Because Fiat and Jeep are owned by the same company, the 2019 FIAT 500X and the Jeep Renegade share many components including their chassis, engines and transmissions. But the two look nothing alike. Where the Jeep is squared off and has the rugged good looks worthy of a Jeep, the Fiat is more rounded and friendly, and looks more at home in trendy downtown Lake Tahoe than on the Rubicon Trail.

Like Jeep, Fiat gives its trim levels cool names including Pop, Trekking, Lounge and Blue Sky. Prices start right around $21,000 for the Pop with front-wheel drive and the 160 hp 1.4-liter also used in the Jeep. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard, but a 6-speed automatic transmission is available. Other models get the 180 hp 2.4-liter and the 9-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is offered.

Photo by FIAT

2019 Toyota C-HR

Toyota now makes eight different SUV models including the RAV4 Hybrid and the rugged 4-Runner. But the smallest and most affordable from Japan’s largest automaker is the C-HR, which Toyota says stands for Coupe High Rider. One of the most aggressively styled SUVs in this class, the Toyota C-HR looks like a cross between an SUV, a sports car and an angry insect. Unfortunately, it doesn’t back up those sporty good looks with extreme horsepower.

Under the Toyota’s hood is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 144 hp, and every C-HR gets a Continuously Variable (CVT) automatic transmission, which improves fuel economy but doesn’t do much for the crossover’s acceleration. Fuel economy is 27 mph city and 31 mpg highway. Prices start at right around $22,000, and three trim levels are available.

Photo by Toyota

2019 Honda HR-V

Don’t confuse the Honda HR-V for the larger CR-V, which is among America’s best-selling SUVs. The smaller HR-V also is very popular, and with prices starting just over $21,000, it hits in the heart of the small crossover class. Honda offers the HR-V in five trim levels, four of which are offered with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The top-of-the-line HR-V Touring gets all-wheel drive standard.

Every HR-V is powered by a 141 hp 1.8-liter four-cylinder backed by a Continuously Variable (CVT) automatic transmission. With front-wheel drive, the SUV is rated at 28 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, which is high for the class. With the optional all-wheel drive system, those numbers dip to 27 mpg city and 31 mpg highway.

Photo by Honda

2019 Nissan Kicks

All-new for 2018, the Nissan Kicks replaced the oddly styled Juke in the automaker’s lineup. The Kicks looks a little less funky than the Juke, but it’s also far from boring, with an aggressive stance, oversized headlamps, and an available blacked-out roof. With a starting price around $18,000, the Kicks also is the most affordable SUV on this list. But it’s also among the least powerful.

Nissan offers three Kicks models and they’re all powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder rated at just 125 hp. Every Kicks also gets a Continuously Variable (CVT) automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard on all models, and oddly, all-wheel drive is not offered. The fuel economy combination is rated at 31 mph city and 36 mpg highway, which is strong for the class.

Photo by Nissan

2019 Mazda CX-3

There’s an upscale flare to the exterior design for the 2019 Mazda CX-3, and it also carries over into the SUV's interior. This crossover looks and feels more expensive than it is and it’s one of the more fun-to-drive entrants in this class, with responsive handling and a well-tuned suspension. Base prices start just over $21,000 for the CX-3 Sport, and top out near $27,000 for the Touring trim level.

Front-wheel drive is standard across the board, but all-wheel drive is available. Every CX-3 packs a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 148 hp and uses a 6-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy is 29 mpg city and 34 mpg highway.

Photo by Mazda

2019 Subaru Crosstrek

Calling the Subaru Crosstrek an SUV is a bit of a stretch, as it’s really just a high-riding version of the company’s Impreza hatchback with a cool name glued to its glutimus. But all-wheel drive is standard and the popularity of the Crosstrek is the envy of many automakers. Young outdoorsy consumers with addictions to granola and sunlight love these five-doors, stuffing them full with surfboards, mountain bikes and cases of micro brews.

Subaru offers three trim levels for the Crosstrek, all powered by a unique horizontally opposed 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 152 hp. With its Continuously Variable (CVT) automatic transmission, the Crosstrek is rated 27 mpg city and 33 mpg on the highway. But buyers also can get the Subaru with a 6-speed manual transmission, which increases the hatchback’s fun factor but decreases its fuel economy to 23 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.

Photo by Subaru