Envista vs Kona
Cross-brand comparisons are where priorities show. Buick’s Envista and Hyundai’s Kona target the same subcompact suv space in different ways. Count the areas and a pattern appears. The Kona is ahead in 2 of 4, led by a clear margin in space & practicality.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Trade-off
- Fuel Economy & Range Tie
- Space & Practicality Kona wins
- Off-road & Towing Kona wins
- Engine & Performance1.8
- Space & Practicality2.3
- Engine & Performance1.3
- Space & Practicality7.6
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Kona has 23% more cargo space
On this line of the spec sheet, the Kona is in a different league: 25.5 cu ft, next to 20.7 cu ft for the Envista. The Kona’s larger cargo area makes family trips and big shopping runs easier.
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The Kona has 52% more maximum cargo space
For cargo (seats folded), the Kona leads by a wide margin: 63.7 cu ft versus 42 cu ft. The Kona can swallow more with the seats down, which makes it more versatile for occasional big loads.
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The Envista has 30 lb-ft more torque
This is a headline difference. With 162 lb-ft to the Kona’s 132 lb-ft, the Envista has a lead that’s easy to see on paper and in practice. Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
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The Kona has 10 hp more power
A modest but measurable lead goes to the Kona: 147 hp compared with 137 hp. The Kona’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
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The Envista has an 11.1 in longer body
The Kona sits lower on length at 171.5 in; the Envista lists 182.6 in. Think about which suits your habits. Neither is better in general; it’s a trade-off between space inside and ease of parking.
Design & Size
The Envista has the bigger footprint. That can mean more room to work with, but also more to carry, park or pocket.
Dimensions
| Spec | Envista | Kona |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 182.6 in | 171.5 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 71.9 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 62.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in | 104.7 in |
Engine & Performance
Trade-off
Each side wins something here. The Envista offers 30 lb-ft more torque; the Kona offers 10 hp more power. If you’re torn on engine & performance, the other sections may help break the tie.
Torque
Envista: 162 lb-ft Kona: 132 lb-ft More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
Total system output
Envista: 137 hp Kona: 147 hp Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
Fuel Economy & Range
Too close to call
In the fuel economy & range category, the Envista and the Kona land in almost the same place. Bottom line for fuel economy & range: it’s a wash.
Space & Practicality
Kona leads
Here the Kona opens up one of its biggest leads in the comparison. The Kona makes its case with 23% more cargo space. Cargo figures are measured in different ways by different makers, so small gaps may not show in practice. In short, the Kona is the better-equipped car for space & practicality.
Cargo (behind rear seats)
Envista: 20.7 cu ft Kona: 25.5 cu ft Cargo space behind the rear seats is what you use every day for groceries, strollers and luggage.
Cargo (seats folded)
Envista: 42 cu ft Kona: 63.7 cu ft Maximum cargo space with the seats folded matters when you move furniture, bikes or bulky gear.
Off-road & Towing
Kona leads
Slight edge to the Kona on off-road & towing. Most buyers could live happily with either. The Kona steps ahead thanks to available all-wheel drive. The Kona offers all-wheel drive; the Envista doesn’t, which matters if you face harsh winters. If off-road & towing is your priority, the Kona is the car to pick.
AWD / 4WD available
Envista: no Kona: yes All-wheel drive helps you get going on slippery roads, but good tires matter just as much for stopping and turning.
Safety & Tech
Names, not numbers: the safety & tech rows below show what each one is built with, and it’s worth reading them side by side.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Envista | Kona |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 1.2L turbo I3 | 2.0L I4 |
| Total system output | 137 hp | 147 hp (winner) |
| Torque | 162 lb-ft (winner) | 132 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic | IVT (CVT) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD (AWD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Envista | Kona |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 30 mpg | 31 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | 28 mpg | N/A (not specified) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 32 mpg | N/A (not specified) |
| Fuel tank | 13.2 gal | N/A (not specified) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Envista | Kona |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 20.7 cu ft | 25.5 cu ft (winner) |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 42 cu ft | 63.7 cu ft (winner) |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Envista | Kona |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | No | Yes (winner) |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Envista | Kona |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | N/A (not specified) | 12.3 in |
| Driver-assist suite | Buick Driver Confidence | Hyundai SmartSense |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Envista | Kona |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 182.6 in | 171.5 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 71.9 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 62.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in | 104.7 in |
Price
| Spec | Envista | Kona |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $23,800 | N/A (not specified) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Envista if…
- you want more pulling power from low speeds (162 lb-ft vs 132 lb-ft of torque)
- you like more of everything, size included
- you trust Buick and want to keep things familiar
Choose the Kona if…
- you haul strollers, luggage or sports gear every week (25.5 cu ft vs 20.7 cu ft)
- you want more room with the seats folded (63.7 cu ft vs 42 cu ft)
- you want more power (147 hp vs 137 hp)
- you want all-wheel drive available
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Envista or the Kona?
The Kona makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if you’d trade the rest for 30 lb-ft more torque.
Which is larger, the Envista or the Kona?
The larger model here is the Envista (182.6 in); the Kona is more compact at 171.5 × 71.9 × 62.4 in.
Executive Summary
If you’ve narrowed it down to the Envista and the Kona, you’ve already done the hard part. Let me help with the rest. In daily life, I think the first difference you’d notice is 23% more cargo space, and that goes to the Kona. Less flashy, but still real: the Kona brings 10 hp more power. To be fair, the Envista has 30 lb-ft more torque, and that’s not nothing.
For pulling power, the Envista fits better. For space & practicality, the Kona is the better match.
My pick: the Kona, though I’d happily point you to the Envista if having 30 lb-ft more torque matters more to you than the rest.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.