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Alternatives to the Subaru ForesterBudget Buy: 2019 Nissan Kicks vs 2019 Hyundai Kona
In the market for a used subcompact SUV? We compare the Nissan Kicks vs the Hyundai Kona to help determine the best budget buy for you.
Which is the Better Value at $15,000: Hyundai Kona or the Nissan Kicks?
The subcompact SUV market has found its place for those that want more than a sedan without going too big or making a huge dent in their wallet. Opting for a certified pre-owned or used vehicle brings even more savings, but with so many options to choose from it can be hard to know where to start.
We’ve done our research and put two subcompact SUVs—the 2019 Nissan Kicks and the 2019 Hyundai Kona—side by side to determine which is the best budget buy under $15K. Mileage and age are important to consider when buying used, but we also factor in specs, performance, comfort, features and more to help you decide. Read on to see which used car comes out on top.
Nissan Kicks vs Hyundai Kona Specs
All 2019 Nissan Kicks are powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. This engine is paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission that drives the front wheels. All-wheel drive is not available. The Kicks saves at the pump getting an estimated 31 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.
The 2019 Hyundai Kona has two powertrains available. SE and SEL models are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. A turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine powers the Limited and Ultimate trims. This engine generates 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque and is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Front wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is available as an option on all models. AWD models come with a more sophisticated rear suspension design and a lockable center differential that increases traction at low speed in off-road or snowy conditions. With the more powerful engines comes less fuel efficiency than the Kicks. The 2.0-liter FWD gets 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, while the AWD gets 25/30 mpg. The turbo 1.6-liter, FWD gets 28/32 mpg while the AWD gets 26/29 mpg.
Thinking of buying a new Kona? Check out our New vs Used: Hyundai Kona article to see what our experts think.
Driving and Performance
Performance isn’t the Nissan Kicks’ strength, but it’s adequate for driving around town. Getting from zero to 60 mph takes nearly 10 seconds, so be prepared to really put in the effort to reach and maintain highway speeds. Its suspension provides a comfortable ride absorbing bumps in the road and steering is responsive and accurate. The continuously variable transmission shifts smoothly and quietly.
The Hyundai Kona’s standard powertrain gets the job done around town, but the available turbocharged engine is a better choice for highway driving. It provides quicker acceleration (zero to 60 mph in 7 seconds) and plenty of power for merging and passing on the highway.
The Kona’s dual clutch transmission can be a bit jerky and slow at low speeds. Upshifts are usually smooth, but downshifts are a little rough. The steering is surprisingly heavy in both Normal and Sport mode, but there is good feedback from the tires.
Comfort and Interior
The interior of the Nissan Kicks is made up of mostly premium materials, but there is a lot of plastic used on the door panels. While the cabin is roomy, the seats are some of the most uncomfortable in the segment.
The Nissan Kicks seat bottoms are short and narrow, lacking thigh and upper back support. The seatback of the rear bench sits too upright and is flat and hard making longer trips a chore for backseat passengers. Cargo space is generous in the Kicks with 25.3 cubic feet behind the second row and 53.1 cubic feet with the second row folded down.
The Hyundai Kona is also heavy on interior plastic. Aside from the steering wheel and shift knob that have been treated with soft-touch materials, you’ll be surrounded in hard plastic. The front is spacious, and seats are comfortable and supportive but could be on the stiff side for some.
Headroom in the rear is decent in the Kona, but taller passengers will need more legroom than the Kona offers. The rear seats are flat and broad, but don’t sit too upright. The Kona falls way behind the Kicks for storage space. With a small center console and glovebox, all other small items are delegated to the shallow pockets on all four doors. The trunk has a wide and flat floor that makes loading and unloading a breeze, but with only 19.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats you won’t be loading much. With the seats folded flat the space increases to 45.8 cubic feet.
Trims and Features
The 2019 Nissan Kicks is available in three trims: S, SV and SR. The base S trim comes standard with a height-adjustable driver seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, 60/40-split folding rear seats, 16-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, a rearview camera, cruise control, roof rails, automatic headlights, forward collision warning with automatic braking, hill start assist, a 7-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, three USB ports, a six-speaker audio system, and Siri Eyes Free integration.
The Nissan Kicks SV trim adds remote start, heated mirrors, keyless entry and ignition, 17-inch alloy wheels, body-painted mirrors and handles, a driver information display, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic climate control with rear heater ducts, interior chrome accents, padded front door armrests, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and a cargo cover.
The SR trim adds upgraded cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, black-painted mirrors, LED headlights, foglights, a rear roof spoiler, and a surround-view parking camera system. An optional SR Premium package adds simulated-leather upholstery, heated front seats, and an eight-speaker Bose audio system.
The 2019 Hyundai Kona is available in four trims: SE, SEL, Limited and Ultimate. The base SE trim comes standard with remote keyless entry, air conditioning, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, automatic headlights, 16-inch alloy wheels, 60/40-split folding rear seats, a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, Bluetooth, two USB ports, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, a six-speaker audio system, a rearview camera, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitor, and lane keeping assist.
The SEL trim adds heated front seats, keyless entry and ignition, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated side mirrors, 17-inch wheels, roof rails, a split-level cargo area, voice recognition, satellite and HD radio, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. An optional SEL Tech package adds a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a sunroof, foglights, an eight-speaker Infinity audio system, and Hyundai’s Blue Link communications system.
The Limited trim adds the turbocharged engine, leather upholstery, automatic climate control, upgraded exterior trim, 18-inch wheels, LED headlights and taillights, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a universal garage door opener. The range-topping Ultimate trim adds automatic high beams, automatic wipers, a head-up display, an 8-inch touchscreen, a wireless charging pad, navigation, rear parking sensors, and pedestrian detection for the forward collision mitigation system.
And the Winner Is…
While the Kicks’ cargo capacity is a big draw in the subcompact SUV market, its lack of power is enough for us to put it to the curb. We wish the Kona could haul a little more, but greater performance and powertrain options have won us over in this comparison.
More standard safety features are also a win for the Kona, making this budget buy a great value no matter what trim you’re able to snag. Check out our Must Have Used Car Checklist before you begin your search to ensure you’re not only getting a budget ride, but a quality one at that.
