Small SUVs offer plenty of stylish options, including the 2025 Hyundai Kona and 2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. Hyundai redesigned the Kona for 2024, while the Eclipse Cross received a refresh in 2022, but its athletic look has worn well and still looks current.
Let’s check out these two small SUVs and find the right one for you.
2025 Hyundai Kona
Redesigned for 2024, the Hyundai Kona is now in its second generation. It is bigger and more advanced than its predecessor. It snagged our KBB Small SUV Best Buy Award for 2024 and again for 2025. Hyundai also offers it as an all-electric vehicle.
The cabin is roomier than the previous edition, with better-than-average rear-seat legroom and cargo capacity. The base 147 horsepower 4-cylinder engine isn’t a tire squealer, but you may squeal with delight when you see it gets 31 mpg in combined city-and-highway driving. If you need more power, upgrade to the 190-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder. All-wheel drive (AWD) is optional.
The interior is clean and uncluttered, with an uber-large standard 12.3-inch touchscreen. Upgrade to the SEL Convenience Package, and the driver also gets a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. The two screens are housed under a single piece of glass, giving them a sleek, uncluttered feel. Pricing starts at $25,900, including the factory-to-dealer destination charge.
Hyundai Kona Highlights
Feeling connected: Hyundai provides a free lifetime subscription to its Bluelink+ connected services, including automatic collision notification, remote diagnostics, remote start/climate settings, stolen vehicle location/slowdown, SOS assistance, and more. This feature is standard on all trim levels.
Over-the-air updates: For the first time, Hyundai will provide over-the-air (OTA) updates for Kona software enhancements. No fussing around with USB sticks to keep your software current.
Top warranty: The Hyundai Kona has the industry’s longest warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile limited bumper-to-bumper warranty, and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. By the way, Mitsubishi boasts the same coverage length.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Kona models near you.
2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
2024 model shown
With a sporty look, a reasonable price, and a stellar warranty, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross makes a strong case for potential buyers. Add that it’s one of the bigger vehicles in its class, and the appeal further increases.
Powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder putting out 152 hp, the Eclipse Cross handles running errands and merging onto the freeway without event. Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control (all-wheel drive) is standard and provides added confidence when driving in foul weather.
Available in six trim levels, pricing starts at $28,110, including the destination charge, for the base ES model, but the most popular version is the SE model, coming in at about $31,000.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Highlights
Technology: The Eclipse Cross SEL Touring, the top model in the range, features a head-up display, heated rear seats, adaptive cruise control, upgraded forward collision mitigation, and an upgraded sound system.
Standard all-wheel drive: The Eclipse Cross comes with the brand’s version of all-wheel drive, dubbed Super All-Wheel Control, as standard equipment across its lineup — it’s a $1,500 upcharge on the Hyundai Kona. This system can help you maintain control of the vehicle in some challenging situations.
Class leader: It gets touted quite a bit when talking about Mitsubishi products because it should. The Eclipse Cross comes with an industry-best warranty set: five years or 60,000 miles overall and 10 years or 100,000 miles for the powertrain. Of note, that “industry-best” status is tied with the Hyundai Kona.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Eclipse Cross models near you.
Similarities
They’re small SUVs with attractive exterior styling, good fuel economy, and plenty of interior space — for the segment. They’re also tied for the best warranty in this class.
Pricing
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Hyundai Kona vehicles and New 2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Hyundai Kona | 2025 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 147 hp @ 6,200 rpm | 152 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT/FWD | CVT/AWD |
| Fuel Economy | 29 city/34 highway/31 combined mpg | 25 city/28 highway/26 combined mpg |
| Also Available | 1.6-liter turbo 4-cylinder, AWD | |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 10 years/100,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 4-Star | 5-Star |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 104.7 inches | 105.1 inches |
| Overall Length | 171.3 inches | 179 inches |
| Width | 71.9 inches | 71.1 inches |
| Height | 62.2 inches | 66.5 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 34.8 feet | 34.8 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.9 inches | 39.5 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.3 inches | 37.3 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.7 inches | 40.9 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 38.2 inches | 37.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 56.8 inches | 56.2 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 55.2 inches | 55.1 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 25.5 cubic feet | 23.4 cubic feet |
Conclusion
These two vehicles are highly competitive in many areas, especially because they have the same class-leading warranty. The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has the advantages of standard AWD and a turbo engine as standard equipment, but the Kona is roomier, more fuel-efficient, starts at a lower price, and is generally, a far better all-around SUV. Those are just a few of the reasons why the Kona is our highest-rated subcompact SUV.
