Subaru Forester vs. Hyundai KONA
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Subaru Forester and Hyundai KONA contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Subaru Forester and the Hyundai KONA.
When comparing the Subaru Forester's and the Hyundai KONA's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Forester has the advantage in the areas of resale value, interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Subaru Forester's and the Hyundai KONA's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Forester is a better car than the Hyundai KONA.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Subaru Forester loses 37.2 percent of its value and the Hyundai KONA loses 42.2 percent of its value. This means the Subaru Forester retains 5.1 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Hyundai KONA.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Subaru Forester’s base engine makes 180 horsepower, and the Hyundai KONA base engine makes 147 horsepower.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Subaru Forester, a crossover/compact SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Subaru Forester has higher safety ratings than the Hyundai KONA, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4.67 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
29995
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact SUVs)
29401
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact SUVs)
24635 - 34995
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
27435 - 36425
Starting MSRP:
25350
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact SUVs)
27500
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
21600 - 38900
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Compact SUVs)
33932
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact SUVs)
31731 - 35755
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
30057
Price Range:
28173 - 32265
Category Avg Price:
(Subcompact SUVs)
32681
Category Avg Price Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
28663 - 44719
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Subaru Forester Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.6 / 10
Reliability:
8.0 / 10
Retained Value:
8.7 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Hyundai KONA Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.3 / 10
Safety:
9.7 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru Forester
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
14.2
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact SUVs)
11.3
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact SUVs)
9.6 - 15.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.208
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Hyundai KONA
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Subcompact SUVs)
12.5
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
9.1 - 13.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Subaru Forester Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 12Ranking
2 out of / 66Ranking
2 out of / 20Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
2 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
3 out of / 12Ranking
3 out of / 4Ranking
4 out of / 20Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 66Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 18Ranking
5 out of / 7Ranking
7 out of / 19Ranking
8 out of / 66Ranking
8 out of / 66Ranking
9 out of / 66Ranking
9 out of / 66Ranking
9 out of / 54Ranking
11 out of / 66Ranking
11 out of / 18Ranking
13 out of / 66Ranking
13 out of / 19Ranking
13 out of / 19Ranking
17 out of / 66Ranking
23 out of / 66Ranking
23 out of / 54Ranking
25 out of / 66Ranking
26 out of / 66Ranking
46 out of / 66Hyundai KONA Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 21Ranking
3 out of / 21Ranking
5 out of / 21Ranking
5 out of / 21Ranking
6 out of / 21Ranking
6 out of / 21Ranking
7 out of / 66Ranking
8 out of / 14Ranking
9 out of / 54Ranking
9 out of / 21Ranking
12 out of / 21Ranking
13 out of / 66Ranking
16 out of / 21Ranking
22 out of / 66Ranking
32 out of / 66Ranking
35 out of / 66Ranking
39 out of / 66Ranking
41 out of / 66Ranking
41 out of / 66Ranking
58 out of / 66Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Subaru Forester Trim Levels
Base, Limited, Premium, Sport, Touring, Wilderness
Hyundai KONA Trim Levels
Limited, SE, SEL Premium, SEL Sport
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
10 years / 100000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
5 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
4.67 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
180 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
178 foot-lbs @ 3700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.051 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
147 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque:
132 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.049 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Flat/Horizontally Opposed
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not yet available
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Roof Rack:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
41.2 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Cargo Space:
29.6 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
74.4 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
140.4 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.9 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.2 inches
Cargo Space:
25.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
63.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
126.7 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3510 lbs
Width:
81.2 inches
Height:
68.1 inches
Length:
183.3 inches
Wheelbase:
105.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3005 lbs
Width:
71.9 inches
Height:
62.2 inches
Length:
171.3 inches
Wheelbase:
104.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/60R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/60R17
Exterior Colors
Blue
Daybreak Blue Pearl
Gray
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Red
Crimson Red Pearl
White
Crystal White Pearl
Black
Not available
Green
Not available
Orange
Not available
Yellow
Not available
Exterior Colors
Blue
Denim Blue Pearl
Gray
Cyber Gray Metallic / Ecotronic Gray Pearl
Red
Ultimate Red Metallic
White
Atlas White
Black
Abyss Black Pearl
Green
Mirage Green
Orange
Soultronic Orange Pearl
Yellow
Neoteric Yellow
Interior Colors
Gray
Gray
Black
Not available
Interior Colors
Gray
Gray
Black
Black
