Compared: 2024 Subaru Crosstrek vs. 2024 Hyundai Kona
Whether you are looking for off-road chops or on-road performance, these subcompact SUVs have you covered.
Hyundai (top) | Subaru
The Subaru Crosstrek and Hyundai Kona are subcompact SUVs redesigned for 2024. Both offer more refinement than previous models. Best of all, they start in base form at reasonable prices and still offer plenty of features.
Subaru
Crosstrek Is Geared Up for Adventure Seekers
The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek has a starting price of $27,000 and includes a 2.0-liter engine making 152 horsepower, continuously variable automatic transmission, 7.0-inch touchscreen, and all-wheel drive as standard throughout the lineup.
Adventure seekers will like the Crosstrek for its 8.7 inches of ground clearance for mild off-roading. The Crosstrek Premium starts at about $28,000 and includes Starlink Safety and Security, which is Subaru's enhanced emergency and roadside assistance system, and a larger display screen.
The Crosstrek Sport starts at around $31,000 with a 182-hp engine and continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Crosstrek Limited costs about $33,000, adding a leather interior and more technology. The top-shelf Wilderness model fetches around $34,000 and has 9.3 inches of ground clearance.
All Subaru Crosstrek pricing includes a $1,345 destination fee.
Hyundai
The Hyundai Kona SE starts at around $25,000. That brings a 147-hp 2.0-liter engine with a CVT and front-wheel drive. The Kona SEL begins at about $27,000, with 18-inch wheels and a power driver's seat.
All Kona prices include a $1,335 destination fee.
Step up to the Kona N-Line at $32,000, and you get a 190-hp turbocharged engine, eight-speed automatic transmission, N-Line trim, and sport seats. The premium Kona Limited starts at $33,000, bringing the 190-hp engine, ventilated front seats, adaptive cruise control, and a Bose audio system.
All front-wheel-drive Kona models have nearly 7.0 inches of ground clearance. All-wheel drive comes with 8.3 inches of clearance and is available on all Kona models for an extra $1,500.
Subaru
The Crosstrek Is Rugged, the Kona Is Futuristic
The Crosstrek is more conservative in appearance but adds cladding for protection against rocks and stones while off-roading. It also has a cargo capacity of about 20 cubic-feet.
Premium features are included with the Crosstrek Limited, such as leather and 18-inch dark-gray alloy wheels. The Wilderness model adds unique bumpers and 3,500 pounds of towing capacity.
Hyundai
The Kona includes cloth seating, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen to the Crosstrek's 11.6-inch screen. Though more futuristic looking than before, the 2024 Hyundai Kona uses the same platform as the 2023 model. For 2024, it's almost 6 inches longer and an inch wider.
The cargo hold accommodates 25.5 cu-ft rather than its previous 19.2 cu-ft. The sporty Kona N-Line includes sport seats, while the Limited includes a surround-view monitor, a leatherette interior, blind-spot monitor, and a smart liftgate.
Hyundai
The Kona SE Gets the Best Gas Mileage
The EPA reports that the Kona SE FWD gets 29/34/31 mpg city/highway/combined, while all-wheel-drive versions are estimated at 27/29/28 mpg. The Kona Limited with 1.6-liter turbo engine and FWD gets 26/32/28 mpg, while the AWD model gets 24/29/26 mpg.
Subaru
The EPA lists fuel economy for the 2.0-liter Crosstreks at 27/34/29 mpg, the 2.5-liter versions at 26/33/29 mpg, and the AWD Crosstrek Wilderness at 25/29/27 mpg.
All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication) and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.
Written by humans.
Edited by humans.
Mark EliasMark Elias is an award-winning automotive journalist and photographer who has covered the industry for the past 20 years. Along the way, he has photographed for news agencies, car manufacturers, and Fortune 500 companies. He loves playing and building guitars — but his wife will only let him have five at any one time.
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