If you hadn’t heard, Americans adore their small crossovers. And why wouldn’t we? Subcompact crossovers and SUVs are fuel-efficient, affordable, and versatile do-everything vehicles that have more than enough space to make weekend retreats to Miami feel like actual retreats.
With so much upside to them, it’s no wonder drivers are trading in their sedans for utes like the new Kona and Crosstrek. But which one’s right for you? Swiftly hop off that “Kona or Crosstrek” fence. Here’s why the 2021 Hyundai Kona is a better SUV than the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek.
Price: Kona Wins the Value Game
Bolstered by one of the lowest MSRPs in the subcompact SUV class, the 2021 Hyundai Kona is a value buy if we’ve ever seen one. The base ’21 Kona SE starts at just $20,400*, while the range-topping Kona Ultimate trim comes in at $28,050*.
Squished in the middle of the affordable, albeit crowded, small crossover pack is the moderately priced new Subaru Crosstrek. The 2021 Crosstrek features a starting price of $22,245 – that’s more than the Kona and other class rivals, including the Mazda CX-3, Nissan Kicks, and Honda HR-V. The $30,390 2021 Crosstrek Limited model is even pricier than comparable rivals.
Warranty & Other “Perks”
Subaru offers an industry-average warranty package with its Crosstrek (and all new models), which includes the following types of coverage:
- 3-year/36,000-mile New Car Limited Warranty
- 5-year/60,000-mile Powertrain Warranty
- 3-year/36,000-mile Wear Item Limited Warranty
- 5-year Rust Perforation Limited Warranty
Also offered with a new Subaru: Several financial programs and nice membership discounts for auto insurance, SiriusXM™ Radio, and others.
Hold the phone-a, ‘cause here comes the Kona. Choosing a new Hyundai provides more warranty coverage and manufacturer bonuses than Subaru, however. With the 2021 Kona, you get:
Hyundai Complimentary Maintenance*
This free routine maintenance package includes factory-scheduled oil change, oil filter changes and tire rotations for up to 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Shopper Assurance
Don’t like your new Kona – that seems unlikely – and wish you had opted for the larger Hyundai Tucson? Fret not, for you’re covered by Shopper Assurance. This perk includes a 3-day Worry-Free Exchange, so you can trade your new Kona for that Tucson. Also included with Shopper Assurance is transparent, up-front pricing and online trade-in value estimates.
Read more about Hyundai Shopper Assurance.
America’s Best Warranty
Hyundai undoubtedly has the best vehicle warranty in the country. With your ’21 Kona SUV, you receive the following coverage:
- 10-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty
- 5-year/60,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty
- 5-year/unlimited miles 24-hour Roadside Assistance
- 7-year/unlimited miles Anti-Perforation Warranty
Compared to Subaru, Hyundai’s warranties offer far greater peace of mind—a priceless commodity these days.
2020 Kona Electric vs. Crosstrek Hybrid
Both Hyundai and Subaru have “alternative fuel” versions of their popular Kona and Crosstrek SUVs.
The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), returns up to 90 MPGe and can travel 17 miles on its battery and 480 miles total before needing a refuel or recharge. It comes with a 148-hp engine and can also tow up to 1,000 pounds – just enough to haul around a pair of small toys.
There are 258 reasons why the Kona Electric was named the 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year: It can travel up to 258 miles* on a single charge. It features a 201-horsepower electric powerplant that makes a hair-raising 291 lb.-ft. of torque. Kona Electric also comes with an incredible 10-year/100,000-mile battery warranty. Perhaps the only advantage the Crosstrek Hybrid has is its towing capacity; the Hyundai Kona Electric is not rated for towing.
Gizmos, Gadgets & Thingamajigs
The Subaru Crosstrek is built to traverse hilly terrain and navigate those ominous gravel roads far from home; it’s not necessarily catered to everyday drivers who rely on pixels and non-human personal assistants to push through the nine-to-five grind.
For 2021, rather than tackling technology miscues, Subaru opted to pump up the power and refine the style of its Crosstrek. That means the Crosstrek comes without standard or optional features like a heads-up display (HUD), wireless device charging, and some critical driver-assist systems.
The new Hyundai Kona, on the other hand, offers those very features at a price that’s lower than any comparable Crosstrek trim.
Heads-Up Display
Hyundai’s HUD is standard fare on the Kona Ultimate trim, which costs $3,000 less than the top Crosstrek Limited model. The transparent pop-up display sits on the dashboard, right within your line of sight, and provides pertinent details like your current speed, turn-by-turn directions, Smart Cruise Control settings, and even more important safety information.
Wireless Device Charging
Cut the cord with Hyundai Kona’s available wireless Qi charging pad. This 21st-century feature, unavailable in the Crosstrek, is an affordable option on Kona SEL Plus and above models.
Driver Attention Warning
Hyundai’s DAW system keeps eyes on your eyes by monitoring for signs of drowsiness and inattentive driving. If it detects that your driving habits are a bit too quirky, you’ll be alerted with several audible and visual warnings.
Test Drive a 2021 Hyundai Kona in Miami
Whether you need more room for a new baby (congrats!) or want a versatile cargo area for your South Florida camping expeditions, a small SUV like the Kona should fit the bill. Contact our Miami Hyundai dealership at 786-623-6062 to schedule a test drive or ask about our new Hyundai SUV incentives.
Disclaimers:
*MSRP excludes freight charges, tax, title, and license fees. Freight charges and actual dealer prices may vary. Vehicles displayed may contain optional equipment at additional cost. Accessory item shown may vary according to model and illustration.
*Complimentary maintenance includes Hyundai approved oil and oil filter change (except for electric vehicles and fuel cell electric vehicles) plus tire rotation at normal factory scheduled intervals for 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. Offer valid only for new 2020-2021 Hyundai models purchased or leased on or after February 1, 2020. See your Hyundai dealer for further details and limitations.
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