Vehicle comparison
Hyundai Kona vs Kia Soul
Side-by-side fuel and ownership cost comparison. Estimates use 12,000 mi/year at average US gas prices.
- Updated for 2026
- EPA-style MPG
- US avg fuel prices
- US units
- Transparent assumptions
Lowest running cost
Hyundai Kona wins on fuel cost
At 12,000 miles per year, the Hyundai Kona costs about $1294 per year, roughly $86 less than the Kia Soul. Over 5 years, that's about $431 in fuel savings.
Spec & cost comparison
MPG/MPGe figures are estimates based on typical recent model years.
| Spec | Hyundai Kona | Kia Soul |
|---|---|---|
| Type | SUV | SUV |
| Fuel | Regular gas | Regular gas |
| City MPG/MPGe | 29 | 28 |
| Highway MPG/MPGe | 35 | 33 |
| Combined MPG/MPGe | 32 | 30 |
| Tank / Battery | 13.2 gal | 14.3 gal |
| Energy cost | $3.45/gal | $3.45/gal |
| Cost per mile | $0.108 | $0.115 |
Annual cost at 8k / 12k / 15k miles
Estimated yearly fuel spend at common US mileage levels.
| Miles/year | Hyundai Kona | Kia Soul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 | $863/yr · $72/mo | $920/yr · $77/mo | $58 (Hyundai Kona) |
| 12,000 | $1294/yr · $108/mo | $1380/yr · $115/mo | $86 (Hyundai Kona) |
| 15,000 | $1617/yr · $135/mo | $1725/yr · $144/mo | $108 (Hyundai Kona) |
Estimates only. Real costs depend on driving style, terrain, local gas/electricity prices and weather.
Which one is best for…
Best for commuting
Hyundai Kona
Highest combined MPG/MPGe and lowest cost per mile means cheaper daily driving.
See Hyundai KonaBest for road trips
Hyundai Kona
Better highway efficiency, larger tank/battery and longer range between stops.
See Hyundai KonaBest for families
Hyundai Kona
SUVs, minivans and three-row vehicles win on space and child-seat flexibility.
See Hyundai KonaBest for lowest running cost
Hyundai Kona
Cheaper energy use and lower cost per mile at every common mileage tier.
See Hyundai KonaHow we compare these vehicles
- Annual mileage
- Modeled at 12,000 mi/yr unless a scenario specifies otherwise.
- Cost per mile
- $/gal ÷ MPG, or $/kWh ÷ (MPGe ÷ 33.7) for EVs.
- EV vs gas
- Compared at average US gas and residential electricity prices — fast-charging can be 2–3× higher.
- Maintenance
- Fuel cost only — EVs typically save another $400–$1,000/yr in service and brake wear.
Sources & assumptions
- EPA fuel economy data — City / highway / combined MPG and MPGe baselines.
- U.S. Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov) — Vehicle efficiency and EV range references.
- AAA gas price trends — Recent national and regional retail fuel averages.
- EIA electricity rates — Average residential per-kWh prices used for EV charging.
We summarize publicly available data — no scraping, no external API calls. Figures are calibrated periodically; use the calculators above for your exact inputs.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to drive, the Hyundai Kona or Kia Soul?
At 12,000 miles per year, the Hyundai Kona costs about $1294 per year vs $1380 for the Kia Soul — roughly $86 less per year.
What's the MPG difference between the Hyundai Kona and Kia Soul?
The Hyundai Kona is rated around 32 combined MPG versus 30 MPG for the Kia Soul. Highway figures are 35 vs 33.
How much will I spend on fuel over 5 years?
Driving 12,000 miles a year for five years, expect about $6469 for the Hyundai Kona and $6900 for the Kia Soul, a difference of roughly $431.
Is the Hyundai Kona or Kia Soul better for commuting?
For pure cost per mile, the Hyundai Kona wins. EVs charged at home typically deliver the lowest commuting cost, followed by hybrids and efficient compacts.
Which one is better for road trips?
Hyundai Kona is generally the better road-trip choice — gas and hybrid vehicles win on long highway routes thanks to faster refueling, while EVs work best when charging stops fit your route.
Are these fuel cost numbers accurate for my driving?
They're estimates based on EPA-style combined MPG and average US gas prices. Real-world cost depends on local fuel prices, driving style, terrain, weather and how much city vs highway driving you do.