Tesla Model 3 vs. Hyundai KONA
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Tesla Model 3 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 Tesla Model 3 and the Hyundai KONA.
When we compare the Tesla Model 3's and the Hyundai KONA's specifications and ratings, the Tesla Model 3 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Hyundai KONA has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and resale value. Based on this comparison of the Tesla Model 3's and the Hyundai KONA's specifications and ratings, the Hyundai KONA is a better car than the Tesla Model 3.
Pricing: A used 2025 Tesla Model 3 ranges from $34,489 to $42,997 while a used 2026 Hyundai KONA is priced between $28,173 to $32,265.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Tesla Model 3 loses 57 percent of its value and the Hyundai KONA loses 42.2 percent of its value. This means the Hyundai KONA retains 14.7 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Tesla Model 3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Tesla Model 3’s base engine makes 425 horsepower, and the Hyundai KONA base engine makes 147 horsepower.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Tesla Model 3 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:
42490
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
53363
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
42490 - 64800
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:
38037
Price Range:
34489 - 42997
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
49176
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
38037 - 60314
# 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:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
24507
Depreciation %:
0.57676273
Resale Value $:
17983
Residual Value %:
0.42323727
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
0.57677703
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
0.57676273 - 0.68367001
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
10844
Depreciation %:
0.42777336
Resale Value $:
14506
Residual Value %:
0.57222664
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Subcompact SUVs)
0.42521964
Category Depreciation Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
0.34201311 - 0.47626721
Tesla Model 3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
7.3 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 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 Tesla Model 3
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
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:
167.42938742975846
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
6.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Electric Compact Cars)
6.4 - 167.4
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Tesla Model 3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 21Ranking
3 out of / 30Ranking
3 out of / 22Ranking
4 out of / 22Ranking
4 out of / 22Ranking
4 out of / 22Ranking
5 out of / 27Ranking
6 out of / 30Ranking
6 out of / 30Ranking
7 out of / 30Ranking
11 out of / 22Ranking
16 out of / 30Ranking
17 out of / 22Ranking
18 out of / 30Hyundai KONA Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 21Ranking
4 out of / 21Ranking
6 out of / 21Ranking
7 out of / 21Ranking
8 out of / 21Ranking
8 out of / 14Ranking
9 out of / 56Ranking
9 out of / 21Ranking
10 out of / 67Ranking
10 out of / 21Ranking
14 out of / 21Ranking
15 out of / 67Ranking
21 out of / 67Ranking
31 out of / 67Ranking
36 out of / 67Ranking
38 out of / 67Ranking
41 out of / 67Ranking
43 out of / 67Ranking
55 out of / 67Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Electric
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Tesla Model 3 Trim Levels
Long Range, Performance
Hyundai KONA Trim Levels
Limited, SE, SEL Premium, SEL Sport
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
8 years / 120000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 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:
425 hp
Torque:
475 foot-lbs
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.105 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:
Not Applicable
Engine Configuration:
Not Applicable
Number of Cylinders:
Not Applicable
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
Not applicable
MPGe:
127 / 127 / 127
Range (city/hwy):
363 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity
Battery Size/Capacity :
82 kWh
Maximum Charging Rate:
11.7 hours (240V)
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
MPGe:
Not applicable
Range (city/hwy):
Not yet available
Recommended Fuel Type:
Not yet available
Battery Size/Capacity:
Not applicable
Maximum Charging Rate:
Not applicable
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Roof Rack:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Quad Seats:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.2 inches
Cargo Space:
24.1 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
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:
4030 lbs
Width:
82.2 inches
Height:
56.7 inches
Length:
185.8 inches
Wheelbase:
113.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 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:
18.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/45R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/60R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Solid Black
Blue
Deep Blue Metallic
Gray
Stealth Gray
Red
Ultra Red
Silver
Quicksilver
White
Pearl White Multi-Coat
Green
Not available
Orange
Not available
Yellow
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Abyss Black Pearl
Blue
Denim Blue Pearl
Gray
Cyber Gray Metallic / Ecotronic Gray Pearl
Red
Ultimate Red Metallic
Silver
Not available
White
Atlas White
Green
Mirage Green
Orange
Soultronic Orange Pearl
Yellow
Neoteric Yellow
Interior Colors
Black
Black
White
Black and White
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
White
Not available
Gray
Gray
