2026–27 Hyundai Kona vs Toyota Corolla Cross: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Corolla Cross — it leads our weighted scorecard 1.5–0 across 4 categories, winning on better fuel economy (42 mpg vs 31 mpg best EPA combined). The Kona doesn't win a category on our scorecard; it makes sense mainly if you find a meaningfully better deal on one locally.
Scorecard: Kona 0 pts · Corolla Cross 1.5 pts across 4 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 Kona | 2026 Corolla Cross | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $25,350 | $25,335 | Tie |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 51% | — | No data |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 31 mpg | 42 mpg | Corolla Cross |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 201 hp | 196 hp | Tie |
| Max towing (1) | — | 1,500 lb | No data |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | — | 24 cu ft | No data |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | — | 3.6% off MSRP | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 5 | — | No data |
| Weighted points | 0 | 1.5 | Corolla Cross |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the Corolla Cross — 42 mpg vs 31 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: it's a wash — Kona 5 vs Corolla Cross 5 (standard seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: it's a wash — Kona $25,350 vs Corolla Cross $25,335 (starting MSRP).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The Kona starts at $25,350 and tops out at $41,150; the Corolla Cross runs $25,335 to $33,830 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified Corolla Cross buyers paid a median 3.6% off MSRP across 5 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 5% off.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Kona: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Corolla Cross: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Corolla Cross 2023 (avoid), 2024 (solid), 2025 (solid).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 Kona | 2026 Corolla Cross | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $25,350 | $25,335 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $41,150 | $33,830 |
| Horsepower | 133–201 hp | 169–196 hp |
| Max torque | 195 lb-ft | 151 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 26–31 mpg | 30–42 mpg (hybrid avail.) |
| Max towing | — | 1,500 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | — | 24 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Kona lists for a median $15,750 — 51% of today's median new price of $30,896. There's no 5-year retention figure for the Corolla Cross yet.
Shop both
- See 17,805 new 2027 Hyundai Konas for sale →Median listed price $29,207 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See new 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross for sale →
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Hyundai Kona
More on the Toyota Corolla Cross
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Kona better than the Corolla Cross?
On our data, no — the Corolla Cross comes out ahead. Our pick: the Corolla Cross — it leads our weighted scorecard 1.5–0 across 4 categories, winning on better fuel economy (42 mpg vs 31 mpg best EPA combined). The Kona doesn't win a category on our scorecard; it makes sense mainly if you find a meaningfully better deal on one locally.
Which is more reliable, the Kona or the Corolla Cross?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet.
Which holds its value better, the Kona or the Corolla Cross?
We don't have a 5-year retention figure for both models.
Which is cheaper, the Kona or the Corolla Cross?
They start within 3% of each other: $25,350 vs $25,335.
Which has better gas mileage, the Kona or the Corolla Cross?
The Corolla Cross: up to 42 mpg combined vs 31 mpg for the Kona (best EPA rating across each lineup).
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Hyundai Kona vs Toyota Corolla Cross: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/hyundai-kona-vs-toyota-corolla-cross, updated November 8, 2026.