In this video, I will show you the comparison of The all New Toyota C-HR vs 2024 Hyundai Kona vs 2023 Honda HRV.
- Exterior, Interior, Practicality, Spec, Test Drive!
- We will compare some important features and specifications of the both cars and at the end of the video, we will see that.

The Hyundai Kona and Toyota C-HR are two appealing stalwarts in this space, and historically place in the top three for sales in the small SUV segment – although Toyota has struggled for supply in recent months. In this comparison, we’ve grabbed SUVs with a sporting twist: Toyota’s C-HR in GR Sport trim, and Hyundai’s Kona N Line.

The Kona N Line’s chassis is also fettled for a sportier overall tune, and multi-link rear suspension replacing a more basic torsion beam set-up. Its 305mm ventilated front disc rotors are nine per cent larger than non-turbocharged Konas, matching the C-HR exactly.

The Kona N Line’s chassis is also fettled for a sportier overall tune, and multi-link rear suspension replacing a more basic torsion beam set-up. Its 305mm ventilated front disc rotors are nine per cent larger than non-turbocharged Konas, matching the C-HR exactly.

2021 Hyundai Kona N Line v Toyota C-HR GR Sport comparison70 imagesPhotoIcon
Toyota C-HR
The Toyota represents the most expensive variant in its range at $37,665 before on-road costs.

The GR Sport gets fetching 19-inch smoky chrome wheels with (mechanically unchanged) white GR-branded brake callipers behind. There’s also a stiffened chassis – via a floor brace – and retuned suspension components like springs, shocks and anti-roll bars. The C-HR also gets a variety of unique exterior touches and branding, but is missing out on a handful of gear that the similarly priced, non-GR Koba Hybrid gets.

And while the broader C-HR range is available with a mixture of hybrid, non-hybrid, all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive powertrains in different grades, the GR Sport is only available with one: a 1.8-litre naturally aspirated engine matched with a 6.5Ah nickel metal hydride battery and electric motor powering the front wheels only.

With 72kW/142Nm from the petrol engine and 53kW/163Nm from the electric motor, the hybrid powertrain delivers its combined total of 90kW through an e-CVT transmission.

The Hyundai Kona N Line is priced from $36,300 plus on-road costs, pitching it below the Kona Highlander ($38,000), N Line Premium ($42,400) and other more expensive electric Kona variants. This specification is set apart mostly by its more powerful turbocharged 1.6-litre engine that drives all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This powertrain produces 146kW at 6000rpm and 265Nm at 1600–4500rpm, making it more potent than the C-HR.

The Kona’s interior feels more conventional in terms of layout and design. It is comfortable, feels well-made and ergonomically pleasing. Elements that set it apart from regular Kona models include red stitching on the perforated pleather seats and leather steering wheel, and some accents around the vents and shifter.

The Kona has two cupholders and a USB outlet flanked by twin 12-volt sockets. There’s also a wireless charging pad in the generously sized central storage nook, plus a couple of extra storage nooks as well, making the Kona more practical overall for daily useage.

This comparison showed that looks can be deceiving sometimes. Before the comparison, and especially after sitting in the second row of the C-HR, I thought the Kona would have it beat for overall space. But I was wrong. There wasn’t much in it, but the Kona saw my knees grazing the front seat behind a typical driving position.

What there is more of, however, is outward visibility. The seating position is relatively high in the back, and there’s more glass on offer as well. Even with less knee room, I’d prefer to spend long periods of time in the Kona.

With most of the specifications mirroring a non-sporty Kona Elite, our Kona N Line picks up a larger 10.25-inch infotainment display. Thankfully, Hyundai has included some physical controls on this system with a line of buttons and dials below the display that allows for easy operation.

The boxes of Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, digital radio and native navigation are ticked with the Kona N Line's infotainment display, and the Kona’s Harman Kardon sound system carries more oomph: eight speakers (including a subwoofer) and an external amplifier beats the six-speaker system in the C-HR.

Interior comfort plays a little bit of second fiddle to exterior styling in the Toyota, especially from the second row. So, let’s start from there.

First impressions for the C-HR in the back seat is that it feels quite closed in, almost claustrophobic. This comes from the small windows, low seating position and huge C-pillar, as well as the sports-style front seats that partially obscure outward vision.