The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross is the next mini SUV taking the market by storm. This crossover comes with everything you’d expect from Toyota and is looking better than most crossovers. The 2022 Hyundai Kona is a great competitor. In fact, it’s a fantastic option and we don’t think it’s talked about enough. The Kona stands up to Toyota’s new mini SUV offering better than most in its class.

Powertrains? Fuel economy?

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing up to 169-horsepower. It comes with front-wheel drive standard, but all-wheel-drive is available as an option. There is a hybrid powertrain that will become available sometime in 2023. The Corolla Cross gets 31 city and 33 highway mpg with FWD, down to 29 and 32 with AWD.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona has two different gas-engine options as well as an electric motor. The weakest of the bunch is the 147-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that comes standard on the SE and SEL trim levels. The next step up is the 195-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder on the N Line and Limited models. Every gas engine gets 29 city and 35 highway mpg, and each Kona is standard FWD with an AWD option.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona is fully electric

The Kona has two other models with completely electric powertrains. Both the SEL and Limited electric trims get 258 miles of EPA-estimated electric range. The two share a 150-kW motor capable of producing up to 201-horsepower. These models get an average of 132 city and 108 highway MPGe.

Hyundai’s electric variant of the mini SUV gives it a slight edge up on the Corolla Cross. Those are the options drivers are always looking for, and stepping into the EV market sooner than later is a big advantage. Though with the Corolla Cross hybrid model coming in 2023, could there be an electric variant to follow?

Does the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross cost more than the 2022 Hyundai Kona?

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross has three trim levels titled L, LE, and XLE. The base L model starts at $22,195, followed by the LE at $24,545, and the top trim XLE caps it all of at $27,625. Toyota’s mini SUV is highly affordable, even the top trim level is reasonably priced. Competing with other vehicles in the segment, it really can’t afford to be expensive.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offers four different trim levels for its gas engine options. The base model SE starts off at $21,150 which is roughly $1,000 cheaper than the base Corolla Cross price. The SEL takes a small jump to $22,950, followed by the N Line at $25,700, and the Limited top trim which costs $28,450. The top trim ends up higher than every Corolla Cross model, but what kind of equipment will you get for the money?

What standard equipment do the Corolla Cross XLE and Kona Limited have?

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross XLE comes with AWD which can be removed for a slight cost reduction. It comes with 18-inch wheels, SofTex-trimmed seating, a 7-inch multi-information display, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Extra add-on features are also available like a premium audio system, moonroof, and more. The safety rating has not been confirmed yet by the NHTSA, though it is expected to perform well.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona Limited comes with FWD standard with available AWD. It also gets great standard equipment like heated seats, wireless device charging, a digital key, a power sunroof, and more. The 18-inch wheels are the biggest available on any Kona model, of the three total options. All safety features come standard on the Limited model, which is part of the reason it has a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona comes with loads of standard options and has the extras you need. Though the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross is a fantastic option for a small SUV in this segment, it just can’t keep up. The Kona’s electric option, standard features, and better value give it a slight edge.