If you’re in the market for a refined and affordable small SUV, then feast your car-shopping eyes on the two vehicles we’re about to compare. The 2024 Hyundai Kona and Volkswagen Taos are subcompact SUVs with room for five and a surprising amount of space inside. This holds true whether your driving routine involves toting along a full complement of passengers or loading up the cargo hold with bags and boxes.
Want to see how they compare? Join us for a tour of highlights of the Hyundai Kona and Volkswagen Taos.
2024 Hyundai Kona
There is a whole lot that’s new with the 2024 Hyundai Kona. This model year ushers in a complete redesign that brings with it an attention-grabbing exterior and a sizable upgrade in onboard tech. Pricing begins at $25,625 for the entry-level model, including vehicle delivery fees. Four trims are offered: SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited. The Kona is also available as an all-electric vehicle.
Hyundai Kona Highlights
More legroom, extra cargo space: Because it’s 5.9 inches longer and rides on a wheelbase stretched by 2.3 inches, the updated Hyundai Kona has considerably more space inside than its predecessor. Compared to the first-gen Kona, there are 3 more inches of rear legroom and about 5 cubic feet more cargo volume.
Available turbo power: If you want to keep the price low, the standard 147-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder is perfectly capable. It’s standard in the SE and SEL. For those who like stronger acceleration and added passing power, we suggest trying the available 190-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine. It comes with the N Line and Limited trims.
Warranty coverage: The Hyundai Kona has one of the most comprehensive warranties among small SUVs. You get 5-year/60,000-mile basic coverage and 10 years/100,000 miles of powertrain coverage.
Upgraded interior tech touches: Sitting proudly atop the dashboard are available dual 12.3-inch screens. One serves as a digital instrument cluster; the other is the infotainment touchscreen. This sleek setup wouldn’t look out of place in a vehicle costing thousands more. Wireless smartphone connectivity, four USB-C ports, and automatic high-beam headlights are also newly standard.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Kona models near you.
2024 Volkswagen Taos
The 2024 Volkswagen Taos doesn’t get quite as comprehensive a makeover as the Kona, though there are some noteworthy updates this model year for VW’s smallest SUV. To start, the IQ.Drive suite of driver aids is now standard and includes functions such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. There is also the SE Black Edition trim, which, as you might have surmised, comes with Darth Vader-approved cosmetic touches like black alloy wheels, a black roof, and black exterior trim and badging.
The Taos is available in four trims: S, SE, SE Black, and SEL. Pricing starts at $25,420, including destination fee.
Volkswagen Taos Highlights
Peppy to drive: The Taos comes with a 158-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and, in front-wheel drive configuration, an 8-speed automatic transmission. That’s stronger than the base engine in the Hyundai Kona. All-wheel drive (AWD) is optional on the S, SE, and SE Black, while it’s standard on the SEL. Opting for AWD brings along a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. During miles of road tests we’ve found the Taos has the solidly buttoned-down, European-style driving dynamics expected from a VW.
Digital Cockpit: The Taos also comes with an attractive digital instrument display. It spans 8 inches in the S, SE, and SE Black trims and 10.25 inches in the SEL. Digital Cockpit puts driving information where it should be, directly ahead of the driver. This means less glancing away from the road ahead to check a centrally-mounted dashboard screen.
Free maintenance: True, the Hyundai Kona scores the overall warranty win. But it’s worth noting that Taos buyers get 2 years/20,000 miles of free maintenance, whichever comes first. Who doesn’t like not having to pay for an oil change, right?
Cargo space: The Taos continues to offer some of the most cargo volume you’ll find in a subcompact SUV. Behind the second row is 27.9 cubic feet of room. Fold the seat back down, and the space expands to 67.9 cubic feet. That’s a lot of room and slightly better than the Hyundai Kona.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Taos models near you.
Similarities
The Kona and Taos routinely surprise us with their practicality, versatility, and easy-going driving manners. Their recent round of improvements load in more tech items and we think each is worthy of a test drive if you’re in the market for a small SUV.
Conclusion
This wasn’t an easy decision, with both of these small SUVs scoring big points. We love the Taos’ agile handling and airy cabin. It’s simply enjoyable to drive and great for those times when you need lots of luggage space in a vehicle that isn’t XL-sized and cumbersome.
The Kona’s visual transformation alone is one of its most defining features. That makes it a little more polarizing, though there’s a lot of substance beneath this Hyundai’s sheet metal. They both have high-tech instrument displays, but the Kona has the advantage of having a more powerful engine option. Its increase in size also makes it equally capable of carrying people and all their stuff. The Kona’s unbeatable warranty also gives it an edge and helps make it our top-rated subcompact SUV and the winner of our Best Buy Award in its segment.
| 2024 Hyundai Kona | 2024 Volkswagen Taos | |
| Starting Price | $25,625 | $25,420 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | Turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 147 hp @ 6,200 rpm | 158 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 1,750 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT | 8-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy MPG | 28 city/35 highway/31 combined | 28 city/33 highway/31 combined |
| Also Available | Turbo 1.6-liter 4-cyl., AWD; EV | 7-speed automatic, AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | NA | 4 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 104.7 inches | 105.9 inches |
| Overall Length | 171.3 inches | 175.8 inches |
| Width | 71.9 inches | 72.5 inches |
| Height | 62.2 inches | 64.4 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 34.8 feet | 37.6 |
| Headroom, Front | 39.9 inches | 40.7 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.3 inches | 39.8 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 41.7 inches | 40.1 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 38.2 inches | 37.9 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 56.8 inches | 56.5 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 55.2 inches | 55.2 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 25.5 cubic feet | 27.9 cubic feet |
