Volkswagen Golf GTI vs. Hyundai KONA N
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Hyundai KONA N 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 Volkswagen Golf GTI and the Hyundai KONA N.
When comparing the Volkswagen Golf GTI's and the Hyundai KONA N's specifications and ratings, the Volkswagen Golf GTI has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, fuel efficiency and resale value. The Hyundai KONA N has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Volkswagen Golf GTI's and the Hyundai KONA N's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI ranges from $25,385 to $33,586 while a used 2023 Hyundai KONA N is priced between $22,500 to $36,357. For a new model, the Volkswagen Golf GTI's price is between $33,888 and $41,636, with the Hyundai KONA N priced between $35,812 and $38,539.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Volkswagen Golf GTI loses 41.4 percent of its value and the Hyundai KONA N loses 42 percent of its value. This means the Volkswagen Golf GTI retains 0.6 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Hyundai KONA N.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Volkswagen Golf GTI’s base engine makes 241 horsepower, and the Hyundai KONA N base engine makes 276 horsepower. The Golf GTI is rated to deliver an average of 27 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 422 miles. The KONA N is rated to deliver an average of 23 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 356 miles. This gives the Volkswagen Golf GTI the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Hyundai KONA N. The Golf GTI uses regular unleaded, and the KONA N uses premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Hyundai KONA N, a crossover/subcompact SUV, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front leg room, rear shoulder room and rear leg room. The Volkswagen Golf GTI, a compact car, has the advantage in the areas of front shoulder room, rear head room and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: The Volkswagen Golf GTI has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
33888 - 41636
Starting MSRP:
30530
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
25502
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
17245 - 44740
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
35812 - 38539
Starting MSRP:
34950
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Subcompact SUVs)
25483
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
19650 - 34950
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
29391
Price Range:
25385 - 33586
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
24959
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
14608 - 41383
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
49
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
26965
# Good or Great Deals:
20
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
27529
Price Range:
22500 - 36357
Category Avg Price:
(Subcompact SUVs)
23866
Category Avg Price Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
19042 - 30187
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
29
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
34535
# Good or Great Deals:
14
Volkswagen Golf GTI Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.0 / 10
Reliability:
7.6 / 10
Retained Value:
8.4 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Hyundai KONA N Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.3 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Volkswagen Golf GTI
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
10.8
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
9.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
6.8 - 14.2
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.032
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Hyundai KONA N
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Subcompact SUVs)
9.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Subcompact SUVs)
7.1 - 11.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.3747527220961935
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
3.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.4 - 25.0
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.55776381490868
Typical Category Recalls:
(Subcompact SUVs)
2.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Subcompact SUVs)
1.2 - 14.0
Volkswagen Golf GTI Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
7 out of / 37Ranking
8 out of / 37Ranking
8 out of / 37Ranking
12 out of / 37Ranking
13 out of / 22Ranking
14 out of / 37Ranking
15 out of / 37Ranking
17 out of / 37Ranking
17 out of / 22Ranking
18 out of / 37Ranking
23 out of / 37Ranking
25 out of / 37Ranking
30 out of / 37Hyundai KONA N Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 21Ranking
8 out of / 21Ranking
10 out of / 21Ranking
13 out of / 21Ranking
13 out of / 21Ranking
14 out of / 67Ranking
15 out of / 21Ranking
21 out of / 67Ranking
46 out of / 67Ranking
47 out of / 67Ranking
57 out of / 67Ranking
60 out of / 67Available Body Styles
Hatchback
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Volkswagen Golf GTI Trim Levels
40th Anniversary Edition, Autobahn, S, SE
Hyundai KONA N Trim Levels
Base
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 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
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
241 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque:
273 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.077 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
276 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
289 foot-lbs @ 2100 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.083 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
23 / 32 / 27
Range (city/hwy):
304 / 422 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 27 / 23
Range (city/hwy):
264 / 356 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot 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
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot 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
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.2 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
53.9 inches
Cargo Space:
19.9 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
34.5 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
111.8 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.5 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.5 inches
Cargo Space:
19.2 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
45.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
113.3 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3133 lbs
Width:
70.4 inches
Height:
57.6 inches
Length:
168.8 inches
Wheelbase:
103.6 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.7 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3340 lbs
Width:
70.9 inches
Height:
61.6 inches
Length:
165.9 inches
Wheelbase:
102.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
6.8 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/40R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/40R19
Exterior Colors
Black
Deep Black Pearl
Blue
Atlantic Blue Metallic
Gray
Moonstone Gray
Red
Kings Red Metallic
Silver
Reflex Silver Metallic
White
Opal White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Black
Abyss Black Pearl / Ultra Black
Blue
Sonic Blue
Gray
Not available
Red
Racing Red
Silver
Not available
White
Lunar White
Interior Colors
Black
Titan Black/Scalepaper Plaid
Interior Colors
Black
Black
