The Sub-$30K SUV That Makes Toyota Corolla Cross And Subaru Crosstrek Look Overrated

There’s kind of a knee-jerk response in small crossover land. Especially if you’re a loyal Subaru buyer. You just presume that only Subaru can offer you a small crossover with AWD. That’s not only incorrect, but there’s an option to add AWD for every crossover that competes with the Subaru Crosstrek.

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Now, the Crosstrek does have some specific advantages worth considering, especially when it comes to fuel economy and the capability of what it offers off-pavement. But the latter is a niche within a niche. If you’re serious about off-roading, you were likely in a gross minority of the nearly 200,000 Crosstrek buyers in 2025. And there’s one car that stands out as a legitimate competitor to the Crosstrek — and the Toyota Corolla Cross — that buyers really ought to consider, because it’s roomier, fun to drive, and has a few clear edges vs. either that Subaru or Toyota.

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Base Trim Engine

Nu PE ICE

Base Trim Transmission

Smartstream IVT CVT

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

147 HP @6200 RPM

Base Trim Torque

132 lb.-ft. @ 4500 RPM

Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)

29/34/31 MPG

Base Trim Battery Type

Lead acid battery

Make

Hyundai

Model

Kona

Do You Really Need AWD?

Hyundai

Let’s ask something from the outset. Do you “need” AWD or just “want” AWD? I ask that straight up, because the combination of stability and traction control, and the fact that most AWD is mostly not operational unless the front tires slip, should make you question your desire for this technology, since in all cases you’re paying more both for the sticker and in lost fuel economy.

Setting that aside, if you want AWD, you can still get the Hyundai Kona for nearly the same price as the Crosstrek. The base price of the Kona (all prices include destination) is $27,100. Adding AWD runs $28,600. The Crosstrek costs almost the same dough, $28,445.

The Hyundai Kona And Kia Seltos Are Way Roomier

TopSpeed | Michael Frank

TopSpeed | Michael Frank

All things being equal for the four most competitive models in this segment, what you’re getting for your dough isn’t identical. At least when it comes to how cramped your passengers will be and how much room you’ll have — or won’t have — for luggage.

Cargo Capacity And Second Row Legroom (All Models W/AWD)

The most obvious laggard is clearly the Toyota. Its 32 inches of rear legroom falls way behind the Kona. And the Seltos, which shares a platform with the Hyundai, and the duo have almost identical capacities. Both of these Korean models undercut the argument for choosing Subaru, with far roomier cabins. In fact, these legroom figures nearly match Toyota’s larger RAV4’s 37.8 inches (though that crossover’s 76.5 cubic feet of max cargo is superior to either the Kia or the Hyundai).

A Better Warranty

TopSpeed | Michael Frank

You may not shop for a car with repairs in mind, but these days, with the average car on the road — this is the average! — reaching 14.5 years in age, you really need to. And not only does the Kona come standard with a larger, 12.3-inch touchscreen, plus blind spot monitoring and stop-and-go assistive cruise control, it gets a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Toyota has crushed it for years with high resale values, but it’s hard to argue that their five-year/60,000-mile warranty, or Subaru’s (same terms), is better. Plus, those warranties generally transfer to anyone you sell the car to, provided you haven’t exhausted the mileage or years.

Fuel Economy vs. Speed

TopSpeed | Michael Frank

There’s an ace up the sleeve of all of these cars, which I’ll get to shortly, but if you’re sticking with the most fuel-efficient and price-competitive cars in this segment, you’re paying for frugality, not thrills.

As such, horsepower isn’t going to be mind-blowing. All of these cars get 2.0-liter fours, but not one approaches 200 horsepower. The Corolla Cross’s 169 horsepower is the most robust, but even so, Car and Driver says it can’t reach 60 MPH in under nine seconds. Ditto the base Crosstrek, the Seltos, and the Hyundai Kona.

At least combined fuel economy is decent across the board, with the Toyota getting 30 MPG combined, the Crosstrek and Seltos both managing 29 MPG, and the Kona coming in last at 28 MPG combined.

Muscle, At A Cost

Hyundai

There’s only one of these cars that manages both more power and better fuel economy when upgraded: the Toyota. That’s because rather than going with a bigger engine, you’re getting a hybrid, and that electric motor accounts for the bonus propulsion. The Toyota and Subaru also manage to stay under $30,000, while both the Kia and Hyundai’s stickers jump well above that threshold. Personally, I really think the added power of the Kona is worth it. Is it a deal-changer? You have to decide. All of these models’ CVTs are tuned to deliver decent around-town acceleration. But there’s no question that the turbocharged 1.6-liter in the Hyundai makes a big enough difference that I’d at least test drive both.

Power Output, Standard And With Optional Engines

Stats Aren’t Life

Hyundai

Having driven the Seltos for a week, I’ll say that data will only take you so far. While both the Kona and Seltos use a torsion beam rear suspension, which is less sophisticated than the Crosstrek’s double-wishbone setup, none of these cars are designed for cone courses or come shod with sticky, summer tires. They’re all sprightly enough, and it’s completely true that the Crosstrek’s greater ground clearance. Up to 9.3 inches of that if you get the Wilderness edition, makes it a much better off-road option. But eight inches of ground clearance is quite decent for a small crossover, and if you want the Subaru for that reason, you’re getting the right tool for the job. Every other buyer should be cross-shopping these four cars as well.

A Very Clever, Sharp Cabin

TopSpeed | Michael Frank

TopSpeed | Michael Frank

Kia and Hyundai used to seem like brands that were chasing their Japanese peers. No more. Take a look at that storage system in the Kona. It’s simple. It’s just a little removable bin beneath the armrest, a space beneath that for a few other items, and then two cupholders with retractable holders, to adapt to the size of the cup in question. It looks absurdly basic. It’s not. Someone, or more likely a whole squadron of someones, suffered, market-tested, and trouble-shot this design. Because it all works supremely well. The cupholders hold. The other stuff you toss in there, like your wallet, will, too, and anything you always want to carry with you can sit under that armrest. And that bin can also be emptied and cleaned in seconds. Now I look at all other carmakers’ under-armrest spaces and see their deficits. This is Hyundai showing its mettle. They’re no longer just “in the game” — they’re winning it.

TopSpeed’s Take

TopSpeed | Michael Frank

TopSpeed | Michael Frank

This last take isn’t about function; it’s about form. I do wish the Kona wasn’t so doughy-looking. The cladding doesn’t do much for me, and the weird gap-toothed non-grille that reveals a bit of radiator right behind a black bar made me think about all the bugs that would get trapped in there that would be hard to clean. There are worse sins. I don’t think any of the models in this comparison are fighting for sex appeal. They’re all pragmatic beasts meant to be daily’d and put away wet, likely not in a heated or air-conditioned garage. As such, I think the Kona is a genuinely strong option — a car that’s comfortable, roomier than all of its peers not on the same platform, and bristling with handy, thoughtful features. What more could you want?