Compare the2024 Toyota Corolla Cross HybridVS 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric

The Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid 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 Electric doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE has a standard Parking Support Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The Corolla Cross Hybrid has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the Corolla Cross Hybrid and the Kona Electric have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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 blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Corolla Cross Hybrid the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 98 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Kona Electric has not been fully tested, yet.

There are over 49 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Corolla Cross Hybrid’s warranty.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 11th.

The Corolla Cross Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 63 more horsepower (196 vs. 133) than the Kona Electric SE’s standard electric motor.

For better traction, the Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE/Nightshade’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Kona Electric (225/55R18 vs. 215/60R17).

The Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE/Nightshade’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Kona Electric’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Corolla Cross Hybrid XSE/Nightshade has standard 18-inch wheels. The Kona Electric’s largest wheels are only 17-inches.

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

The Corolla Cross Hybrid has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Corolla Cross Hybrid’s 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 Electric’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically. With the Kona Electric Limited’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Corolla Cross Hybrid the driver can close them all 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 Electric can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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

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

The Corolla Cross Hybrid has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.