Compare the2025 Toyota Rav4 Plug-In HybridVS 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric

The Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer knee airbags.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Hyundai Kona Electric has not been tested.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid and the Kona Electric have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

There are over 47 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s reliability 34 points higher than the Kona Electric.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 51 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 13th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 10th.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 169 more horsepower (302 vs. 133) than the Kona Electric SE’s standard electric motor. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 101 more horsepower (302 vs. 201) than the Kona Electric SEL/Limited/N-Line’s standard electric motor.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid is faster than the Kona Electric SEL/Limited/N-Line:

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 622 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Kona Electric’s range is only 200 to 261 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 43 minutes for only an 80% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a professionally installed 220-volt charging station can take up to 6 hours and 5 minutes.

For better stopping power the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Kona Electric:

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Kona Electric are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has larger standard tires than the Kona Electric (225/60R18 vs. 215/60R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid SE has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Kona Electric.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Kona Electric; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the Kona Electric (105.9 inches vs. 104.7 inches).

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE handles at .83 G’s, while the Kona Electric Limited pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Kona Electric Limited (27 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .64 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid SE has a 2.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Kona Electric (8 vs. 5.9 inches), allowing the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE’s minimum ground clearance is 2.3 inches higher than on the Kona Electric (8.2 vs. 5.9 inches).

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has 2.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Kona Electric (101.3 vs. 99).

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom, 1.4 inches more rear legroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Kona Electric.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has a much larger cargo volume than the Kona Electric with its rear seat up (33.5 vs. 25.5 cubic feet).

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has a 2500 lbs. towing capacity. The Kona Electric has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid uses the Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

When two different drivers share the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE, the optional memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer memory seats.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Kona Electric’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically. With the Kona Electric N-Line/Limited’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Kona Electric can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Kona Electric’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Kona Electric’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid XSE offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the Kona Electric SEL/N-Line/Limited. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Kona Electric.

Both the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid and the Kona Electric offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Kona Electric doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Rav4 outsold the Hyundai Kona by almost six to one during 2024.