The 2026 Hyundai Kona gets 26 to 31 miles per gallon combined, depending on the version. The best is the 2026 Kona FWD at 31 mpg.
In the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class for 2026, the Kona ranks 11th (tied with 4 others) of 31 for combined mileage (31 mpg), 10th (tied with 4 others) of 31 for yearly fuel cost ($2,000 for its cheapest version, cheapest first) and 11th of 31 for tailpipe CO2 (284 grams per mile for its lowest version, lowest first). The middle model of the class gets 30 mpg, costs $2,100 a year and puts out 297 grams per mile.
Across all 235 2026 models in the file that burn fuel, the middle best-version figure is 24 mpg and the highest is 57 mpg (Toyota Prius). Of the 234 other models, 41 get more miles per gallon than the 2026 Kona's best version, 8 other models get the same and 185 get less. The 2026 Kona's cheapest version costs $2,000 a year to fuel by the agency's figure; of the 225 other models with a cost figure, 36 cost less, 4 the same and 185 more.
Open the best-mileage list of this class for 2026. Cost and CO2 in the table are each model's lowest figure over its versions; plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell versions have no fuel cost and are left out of the cost column.
| Place | Model | Best version | mpg | Fuel a year, cheapest version | CO2 g/mi, lowest version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 2026 Nissan Rogue | 2026 Rogue FWD | 32 | $1,950 | 279 |
| 9 | 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross | 2026 Corolla Cross | 32 | $1,950 | 276 |
| 11 | 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer | 2026 Trailblazer FWD | 31 | $2,000 | 287 |
| 11 | 2026 Hyundai KonaThis car | 2026 Kona FWD | 31 | $2,000 | 284 |
| 11 | 2026 Hyundai Venue | 2026 Venue | 31 | $2,000 | 291 |
| 11 | 2026 Nissan Kicks | 2026 Kicks | 31 | $2,000 | 287 |
| 11 | 2026 Volkswagen Taos | 2026 Taos | 31 | $2,000 | 287 |
Pick a 2026 version, then set your miles and fuel price. Fuel price as of 2026-11-14, U.S. Department of Energy / EPA. The price box starts at the dated price of the fuel the picked version burns (regular, midgrade or premium gasoline, diesel, E85 or electricity) and sets the price of that fuel. Miles are limited to 1,000 to 60,000 a year and the price to $0.01 to $20.00; a value outside that is worked out at the nearest limit.
2026 Kona FWD, 4-cyl 2.0 L: 28 mpg city, 35 highway, 31 combined. The agency's own estimate for the 2026 Kona version is $2,000 a year (15,000 miles, the agency's fuel prices).
The 3 nearest rivals in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class for 2026, picked by closest combined mileage; only versions with a fuel-cost figure are listed. Same miles as on the left. The price box on the left is the price of the fuel of the version you picked: a rival that burns the same fuel uses that price, a rival that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. The 5-year line is 5 times the yearly gap.
Both cost the same to fuel.
Over 5 years both cost the same to fuel at these miles and these prices.
Dollar gaps use each car's best-mileage version.
| Rival in 2026 | Best version | Combined | Fuel a year, agency (15,000 miles) | Against the Kona (mileage) | Agency yearly fuel cost against the Kona | Side by side |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer | 2026 Trailblazer FWD | 31 mpg | $2,000 | same figure | same | Compare |
| 2026 Hyundai Venue | 2026 Venue | 31 mpg | $2,000 | same figure | same | Compare |
| 2026 Nissan Kicks | 2026 Kicks | 31 mpg | $2,000 | same figure | same | Compare |
EPA test figures for 2026; the last column is the yearly fuel cost against the cheapest version.
| Version | Engine | Gearbox | Drive | City | Highway | Combined | Fuel a year | CO2 g/mi | Fuel vs cheapest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Kona FWD | 4-cyl 2.0 L | Automatic (AV-S1) | Front-wheel | 28 | 35 | 31 | $2,000 | 288 | cheapest |
| 2026 Kona FWD w/Stop-Start | 4-cyl 2.0 L | Automatic (AV-S1) | Front-wheel | 29 | 34 | 31 | $2,000 | 284 | cheapest |
| 2026 Kona AWD w/Stop-Start | 4-cyl 2.0 L | Automatic (AV-S1) | All-wheel | 27 | 29 | 28 | $2,200 | 319 | +$200 |
| 2026 Kona FWD SX2 1.6T 8AT FWD | 4-cyl 1.6 L | Automatic (S8) | Front-wheel | 26 | 31 | 28 | $2,200 | 320 | +$200 |
| 2026 Kona AWD | 4-cyl 2.0 L | Automatic (AV-S1) | All-wheel | 26 | 29 | 27 | $2,300 | 323 | +$300 |
| 2026 Kona AWD SX2 1.6T 8AT AWD | 4-cyl 1.6 L | Automatic (S8) | All-wheel | 25 | 28 | 26 | $2,400 | 340 | +$400 |
Enter the price difference you were quoted for the 2026 Kona; this page has no prices. Miles come from the calculator. The fuel price box there sets the price of the fuel of the version picked there; a version here that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. Versions with no fuel-cost figure are not listed.
Type the price difference you were quoted to see the payback.
Tailpipe CO2: the 2026 Kona FWD puts out 288 grams per mile; across the 6 tested versions the figure runs from 284 to 340.
EPA scores (1 to 10, 10 best) for the 2026 Kona FWD: fuel economy score 6 (5 to 6 across versions), greenhouse gas score 6 (5 to 6 across versions).
Best combined figure of the Kona gas version and electric version each model year since 2016, set against the 2026 model.
| Model year | Best gas version | Best electric (MPGe) | Versions tested | Against 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 30 mpg | none | 4 | 1 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2019 | 30 mpg | 120 MPGe | 5 | 1 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2020 | 30 mpg | 120 MPGe | 5 | 1 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2021 | 30 mpg | 120 MPGe | 5 | 1 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2022 | 32 mpg | 120 MPGe | 6 | 1 mpg higher than 2026 | |
| 2023 | 32 mpg | 120 MPGe | 6 | 1 mpg higher than 2026 | |
| 2024 | 31 mpg | 118 MPGe | 8 | same as 2026 | |
| 2025 | 31 mpg | 118 MPGe | 9 | same as 2026 | |
| 2026This page | 31 mpg | none | 6 | this page |
Compared with the 2025 model: 9 versions were tested then and 6 now; the best figure went from 31 to 31 mpg (no change).
| Version in 2026 | 2026 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Kona FWD, 4-cyl 2.0 L | 31 mpg | 31 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Kona FWD w/Stop-Start, 4-cyl 2.0 L | 31 mpg | 31 mpg (listed in 2025 as Kona FWD (4-cyl 2.0 L, Automatic (AV-S1)) #1) | no change |
| 2026 Kona AWD w/Stop-Start, 4-cyl 2.0 L | 28 mpg | 28 mpg (listed in 2025 as Kona AWD (4-cyl 2.0 L, Automatic (AV-S1)) #2) | no change |
| 2026 Kona FWD SX2 1.6T 8AT FWD, 4-cyl 1.6 L | 28 mpg | 28 mpg (listed in 2025 as Kona FWD (4-cyl 1.6 L, Automatic (S8)) #3) | no change |
| 2026 Kona AWD, 4-cyl 2.0 L | 27 mpg | 28 mpg | -1 mpg |
| 2026 Kona AWD SX2 1.6T 8AT AWD, 4-cyl 1.6 L | 26 mpg | 26 mpg (listed in 2025 as Kona AWD (4-cyl 1.6 L, Automatic (S8)) #3) | no change |
5 2025 versions have no match in 2026.
Crash-test stars from the U.S. safety agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings, checked 2026-11-14. 5 is the best.
| Vehicle | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 HYUNDAI KONA SUV N/A AWD | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| 2026 HYUNDAI KONA SUV N/A FWD | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
The agency lists 2 variants; all 2 are shown.
The agency's record for the first rated vehicle also lists 11 complaints, 3 recalls, 0 investigations.
Includes agency records filed under: KONA, KONA ELECTRIC. KONA ELECTRIC is a different vehicle line than the EPA versions on this page cover, so the list can include those variants.
11 complaints for the 2026 Hyundai Kona are on file (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints are reports that owners sent to the safety agency. They are not proven defects, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
| Part named in the reports | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 3 | |
| Electrical System | 2 | |
| Service Brakes | 2 | |
| Structure | 2 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
1 of the 11 reports say the car was in a crash, 0 mention a fire and 1 mentions an injury. One report can name more than one part.
Includes agency records filed under: KONA, KONA ELECTRIC. KONA ELECTRIC is a different vehicle line than the EPA versions on this page cover, so the list can include those variants.
3 recalls are on file for the 2026 Hyundai Kona at the U.S. safety agency (checked 2026-11-14). A dealer does recall repairs free of charge.
Includes agency records filed under: KONA, KONA ELECTRIC. KONA ELECTRIC is a different vehicle line than the EPA versions on this page cover, so the list can include those variants.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Kona Electric and 2024-2026 Kona vehicles. The seat belt buckle in the rear center seat may fail to properly restrain an occupant during a crash.
Fix: Passengers are advised not to use the rear center seat until the recall remedy is performed. Dealers will replace the seat belt buckle assembly, free of charge.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2026 Kona vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the front steering knuckles may crack and break, which can result in a loss of vehicle steering control.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front steering knuckles, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 5, 2026.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 IONIQ 5, Santa Cruz, Kona, Palisade, Palisade Hybrid, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, and Tucson vehicles.
Fix: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 24, 2026.
Other 2026 models of the same agency class, each with its best combined figure. The Kona itself is at 31 mpg.
More Hyundai models that have a 2026 page here, with the class of each and its best combined figure.
The 2026 Kona FWD with 31 mpg combined (28 city, 35 highway).
The 2026 Hyundai Kona costs between $2,000 and $2,400 to fuel by the agency's estimate, which assumes 15,000 miles a year. The cheapest is the 2026 Kona FWD at $2,000; the dearest is the 2026 Kona AWD SX2 1.6T 8AT AWD at $2,400. Use the calculator above for your own miles and fuel price.
2026 Kona AWD w/Stop-Start: 28 mpg combined (27 city, 29 highway); 2026 Kona AWD: 27 mpg combined (26 city, 29 highway); 2026 Kona AWD SX2 1.6T 8AT AWD: 26 mpg combined (25 city, 28 highway).
The 2026 Hyundai Kona is 11th of 31 for combined mileage. The top of the class is the 2026 Kia Niro at 53 mpg, and the middle figure for the class is 30 mpg. In the list, the next one ahead is the 2026 Chevrolet Trailblazer at 31 mpg and the next one behind is the 2026 Hyundai Venue at 31 mpg.
The 2025 model had 9 tested versions and the 2026 model has 6. The best figure went from 31 to 31 mpg (no change).
In the agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14; 5 is the best), the stars are 2026 HYUNDAI KONA SUV N/A AWD: overall 4 of 5, front 4, side 5, rollover 4; 2026 HYUNDAI KONA SUV N/A FWD: overall 4 of 5, front 4, side 5, rollover 4. The agency lists 2 variants; all 2 are shown.
11 complaints for the 2026 Hyundai Kona are on file at the safety agency (checked 2026-11-14); the part named most often is Unknown Or Other (3 reports). Complaints are reports owners sent in, not proven defects.
The agency's database lists 3 recalls for the 2026 Hyundai Kona (checked 2026-11-14). They are listed above with the repair the maker offers.
For the 2026 Hyundai Kona: EPA file 2026-11-04; fuel price 2026-11-14; crash tests 2026-11-14; complaints 2026-11-14; recalls 2026-11-14. Not covered: purchase price, towing, reliability, repair and insurance costs.
Mileage and fuel cost for the 2026 Hyundai Kona: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fueleconomy.gov vehicle file (file dated 2026-11-04). Recalls for the 2026 Hyundai Kona: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (checked 2026-11-14). Crash-test ratings for the 2026 Hyundai Kona: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints for the 2026 Hyundai Kona: NHTSA (checked 2026-11-14). Fuel prices: U.S. Department of Energy / EPA (2026-11-14). Your own mileage depends on how and where you drive. Where our numbers come from.