Verdict
The Honda HR-V costs RM115,900, RM3,988 less than the Hyundai Kona, and its RM120 annual road tax is far easier on the running budget than the Kona’s RM440. It is also 142 mm longer, with a 10 mm longer wheelbase, rear air vents and Honda Sensing with autonomous braking, lane-keeping steering correction and adaptive cruise control. The Kona answers with a much stronger 148 hp/180 Nm 2.0 litre, reaching 100 km/h in 9.7 seconds versus 12.1 seconds, plus a 361-litre boot. Safety assistance swings this one to Honda.
Pick the Honda HR-V if you want the lower purchase and road-tax bill, Honda Sensing, rear air vents and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
Pick the Hyundai Kona if you value its 148 hp and 180 Nm output, 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time, 361-litre boot and wireless smartphone connectivity.
Key differences
- Price and annual road tax: Honda HR-V RM115,900 and RM120; Hyundai Kona RM119,888 and RM440.
- Engine output and acceleration: Honda HR-V 119 hp/145 Nm and 12.1 seconds; Hyundai Kona 148 hp/180 Nm and 9.7 seconds.
- Length and wheelbase: Honda HR-V 4,347 mm and 2,610 mm; Hyundai Kona 4,205 mm and 2,600 mm.
- Fuel tank and boot space: Honda HR-V 40 litres and 335 litres; Hyundai Kona 50 litres and 361 litres.
- Driver assistance: Honda HR-V has autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control; Hyundai Kona has none, no lane-keeping assist and…
- Airbags and warranty mileage: Honda HR-V has four airbags and five-year unlimited mileage; Hyundai Kona has six airbags and five years/300,000 km.
HR-V
- RM3,988 lower purchase price and RM320 lower annual road tax.
- Honda Sensing includes autonomous braking, lane-keeping steering correction and low-speed-follow adaptive cruise control.
- Rear air vents, automatic climate control and ULTRA Seat flexibility.
- 119 hp and 145 Nm trail the Kona’s 148 hp and 180 Nm; 0-100 km/h takes 12.1 seconds.
- 335-litre boot and 40-litre tank are smaller than the Kona’s 361 litres and 50 litres.
- Four airbags versus the Kona’s six, with no curtain airbags listed.
Kona
- 148 hp, 180 Nm and a 9.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 361-litre boot and 50-litre fuel tank.
- Six airbags, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and remote start.
- Costs RM3,988 more and annual road tax is RM440 versus RM120.
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist, and only passive cruise control.
- No rear air vents; air-conditioning is manual single-zone.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM115,900✓ | RM119,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CKD | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120✓ | RM440 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated Atkinson Cycle with Dual Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | 1,498 cc | 1,999 cc |
| Horsepower | 119 hp | 148 hp✓ |
| Torque | 145 Nm | 180 Nm✓ |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 73 mm | 81 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.6 | 12.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | CVT Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | CVT | Intelligent Variable Transmission (iVT) |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Honda | Hyundai |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 12.1 seconds | 9.7 seconds✓ |
| Rated Economy | — | 6.2 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 186 km/h | 195 km/h✓ |
| Co2 | — | 148 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,347 mm | 4,205 mm |
| Width | 1,790 mm | 1,800 mm |
| Height | 1,591 mm | 1,550 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,610 mm | 2,600 mm |
| Weight | 1,274 kg | 1,315 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 40 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 335 litres | 361 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 225/50R18 | 215/55R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 225/50R18 | 215/55R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Space Saver | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental UltraContact UC6 | Nexen N'Fera SU1 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Malaysia (CKD) | Korea (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes, Honda Sensing | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector | Halogen Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | Manual Recline, 60:40 Split Folding, ULTRA Seat | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Single-zone |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB-A & USB-C Front | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 1 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 8" Touchscreen Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 4 Speakers | 8" Infotainment Touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto and 6 Speaker |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button with Remote Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Manual Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Multi-angle | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Electroluminescent Analogue | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Traction Control Mode (Snow, Mud, Sand) |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 300,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used HR-V & Kona for sale
HR-V vs Kona FAQ
Is the Honda HR-V or Hyundai Kona better?
The Honda HR-V is the better safety-and-running-cost choice, with Honda Sensing, adaptive cruise control, RM120 road tax and unlimited-mileage warranty. Choose the Hyundai Kona for its faster 148 hp performance, larger boot and six airbags.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Kona costs RM119,888, which is RM3,988 more than the Honda HR-V at RM115,900. Its annual road tax is also RM320 higher: RM440 versus RM120.
Which has better safety equipment?
The Honda HR-V has the stronger active-safety package: autonomous braking, lane-keeping steering correction and adaptive cruise control. The Hyundai Kona counters with six airbags including front and rear curtain airbags, against the HR-V’s four airbags.