Compare the2026 Toyota Corolla Cross VS 2027 Hyundai Kona

The Toyota Corolla Cross has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Kona doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Corolla Cross has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Kona doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Corolla Cross and the Kona have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available all-wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4189-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Toyota Corolla Cross is safer than the Kona:

	Corolla Cross	Kona
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	178 lbs.	201 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Torso Max Deflection	1.3 in	1.57 in
Torso Deflection Rate	6 MPH	9 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	892 lbs.	915 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	113	282
Neck Tension	45 lbs.	67 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.87 in	2.09 in
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	335 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.06 in	1.61 in
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	10 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Corolla Cross for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Hyundai doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Kona.

There are over 43 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Corolla Cross’ warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Corolla Cross’ reliability 40 points higher than the Kona.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 60 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 12th.

The Corolla Cross’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 22 more horsepower (169 vs. 147) and 19 lbs.-ft. more torque (151 vs. 132) than the Kona SE/SEL Sport’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Toyota Corolla Cross is faster than the Kona SE/SEL Sport 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder:

	Corolla Cross	Kona
Zero to 30 MPH	3.6 sec	3.8 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	9.3 sec	9.8 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	5.7 sec	6.2 sec
Quarter Mile	17.2 sec	17.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	85 MPH	82 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the Corolla Cross gets better mileage than the Kona:

			MPG
Corolla Cross
	FWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	31 city/33 hwy
	AWD	L 2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	29 city/32 hwy
		LE/XLE 2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	29 city/31 hwy
Kona
	FWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	28 city/35 hwy
		1.6 turbo 4-cyl.	26 city/32 hwy
	AWD	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/29 hwy
		1.6 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/29 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Corolla Cross’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Kona doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Corolla Cross has a tether attaching its gas cap to prevent its loss. The Kona’s gas cap isn’t tethered, so it can be left at a gas station if the driver forgets to screw the cap back in.

For better stopping power the Corolla Cross’ front brake rotors are larger than those on the Kona:

	Corolla Cross	Kona
Front Rotors	12 inches	11 inches

The Corolla Cross stops shorter than the Kona:

	Corolla Cross	Kona
60 to 0 MPH	120 feet	129 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	140 feet	141 feet	Consumer Reports

The Corolla Cross XLE AWD handles at .80 G’s, while the Kona SEL Premium HTRAC AWD pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Corolla Cross has 1.2 inches more front legroom and .7 inches more rear headroom than the Kona.

The Corolla Cross has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The Kona has no towing capacity.

The Corolla Cross’ front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Kona’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Kona SEL/Limited’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Corolla Cross the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Kona can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Corolla Cross XLE offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Kona doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Corolla Cross’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Hyundai only offers heated mirrors on the Kona SEL/Limited.

Both the Corolla Cross and the Kona offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Corolla Cross has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Kona doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

With standard voice command, the Corolla Cross offers the driver hands free control of the radio by simply speaking. The Kona doesn’t offer a voice control system.

The Toyota Corolla comes in sedan, four door hatchback and four door bodystyles; the Hyundai Kona isn’t available as a sedan or four door hatchback.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross retains 67.48% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 57.75% resale value of the 2026 Hyundai Kona after five years, which can save the Toyota’s owner up to $2523 in depreciation.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Corolla Cross, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Hyundai Kona isn't recommended.

The Toyota Corolla Cross outsold the Hyundai Kona by 33% during 2025.