2026 Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start: MPG and fuel economy
The 2026 Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start is rated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at 31 combined MPG, with 29 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway. That lands well below the average for cars in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class in the same model year.
This page collects every fuel-economy figure the EPA publishes for the 2026 Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start. Below you will find the headline combined, city, and highway MPG, the estimated annual fuel cost at three different driving levels, the tailpipe CO₂ emissions, and a full breakdown of the engine and drivetrain.
Key takeaways
- Returns 52% worse combined MPG than the average car in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class for the 2026 model year (64.8 MPG class average).
- The most efficient car in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class for the 2026 model year is the Tesla Model Y Standard RWD (18in Wheels) at 138 MPG.
Fuel economy at a glance
These are the EPA's official ratings for the 2026 Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start. The numbers come from a standardised laboratory test cycle and are the same figures that appear on the window sticker of every new car. Real-world mileage varies with driving style, weather, fuel quality, and how heavily loaded the car is.
Combined MPG is a 55/45 weighted blend of the city and highway test cycles. The EPA uses it as the single number you can compare across the entire dataset, including hybrids and EVs (which use the equivalent MPGe figure).
| Combined MPG | 31 MPG |
| City MPG | 29 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 34 MPG |
| Annual fuel cost | $1,950 |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 284 g/mi |
| Fuel type | Regular |
How the 2026 Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start compares
The 2026 Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start returns 31 combined MPG. Cars in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class for the same model year average 64.8 MPG, which puts this car behind the class average by about 52%.
The most efficient car in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class for the 2026 model year is the Tesla Model Y Standard RWD (18in Wheels) at 138 MPG. The bar chart below puts the Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start alongside the class best and the class average so you can see the full picture.
For broader context, the average new car of the 2026 model year (across all classes) returns 45.5 MPG. Larger vehicles pull the all-cars average down, so do not use that figure on its own to judge a small car or a hybrid. The full list of the most efficient cars of the 2026 model year is on its own page.
Annual fuel cost across driving patterns
The headline annual fuel cost the EPA publishes assumes 15,000 miles of driving per year and a fuel mix of 55% city and 45% highway. The dollar figure is calculated using the EPA's current reference price for regular gasoline, which is $3.99/gallon. EPA updates that reference periodically rather than tracking live pump prices, so treat it as a window-sticker estimate rather than today's pump number.
The table below scales the EPA's number to three common driving patterns. The combined MPG and the reference fuel price stay constant, only the annual mileage changes. To get a current-prices estimate, take your local gas price and multiply by 483.9 gallons (the car's annual consumption at the rated MPG).
| Driving pattern | Estimated annual fuel cost |
|---|---|
| Light driver, 7,500 miles per year | $975 |
| Average driver, 15,000 miles per year | $1,950 |
| Heavy driver, 25,000 miles per year | $3,250 |
Compare against other Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD for 2026
If you are cross-shopping the 2026 Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start, the most useful comparison is against the other cars in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class for the same model year. The list below shows the highest-MPG peers, ranked from most to least efficient. Click any of them to open its full page.
The Tesla Model Y Standard RWD (18in Wheels) leads this group at 138 MPG, 107 MPG ahead of the 2026 Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start.
Specifications
The 2026 Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start runs a 2-liter 4-cylinder engine paired with a automatic (av-s1), sending power through front-wheel drive.
Engine, transmission, and drivetrain together drive most of the variation in fuel economy across trims. A larger engine moves the car with less effort but burns more fuel. A turbo lets a small engine punch above its weight, often without much MPG penalty. All-wheel drive adds traction and weight, and usually costs a couple of MPG compared with two-wheel drive of the same engine.
- Vehicle class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Engine
- 2L 4-cylinder
- Transmission
- Automatic (AV-S1)
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel type
- Regular
- Annual petroleum use
- 9.6 barrels per year
- Start-stop system
- Yes
Common questions about the 2026 Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start
Quick answers to the questions people most often search for when looking up the 2026 Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start.
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Is the 2026 Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start fuel efficient?
Not particularly. The 2026 Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start returns 31 combined MPG, which trails the average car in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class for the same model year by about 52%. -
What MPG does the 2026 Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start get?
The EPA rates the 2026 Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start at 31 combined MPG, 29 MPG in city driving, and 34 MPG on the highway. Real-world numbers depend on your driving style, the weather, and how loaded the car is. -
How much does it cost to fuel a 2026 Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start per year?
The EPA estimates an annual fuel cost of $1,950 for the 2026 Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start. That figure assumes 15,000 miles of driving per year, a 55% city and 45% highway split, and the EPA's published average fuel price for the rated fuel grade. -
What fuel does the 2026 Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start use?
The EPA lists the 2026 Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start as running on regular gasoline. Using a different grade than the manufacturer specifies can affect fuel economy and engine longevity. -
How much CO₂ does the 2026 Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start emit?
Tailpipe CO₂ emissions are 284 g/mi. Multiplied across a typical year of driving (15,000 miles) that works out to about 4,260 kilograms of CO₂. -
What is the difference between the city and highway MPG of the 2026 Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start?
City driving returns 29 MPG and highway driving returns 34 MPG, a gap of 5 MPG. The two figures are close enough that the car will hold its rated efficiency well across most driving patterns. -
What engine is in the 2026 Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start?
The 2026 Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start has a 2-liter 4-cylinder engine. -
What transmission and drivetrain does the 2026 Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start have?
The 2026 Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start comes with a automatic (av-s1) transmission and front-wheel drive. -
How does the 2026 Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start compare to the best car in its class?
The most efficient car in the Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD class for the 2026 model year is the Tesla Model Y Standard RWD (18in Wheels) at 138 combined MPG. The Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start returns 31 MPG, a gap of 107 MPG. If you are comparing on fuel economy alone, the class leader is worth a look. -
How much does the 2026 Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start save on fuel compared to an average car?
The EPA estimates that over five years, the 2026 Hyundai Kona FWD w/Stop-Start will save you about $1,000 in fuel compared with an average new vehicle of the same model year. That figure uses the same 15,000 mile per year and EPA fuel-price assumption as the annual fuel cost.
Source: U.S. EPA fuel economy dataset. Annual fuel cost figures assume 15,000 miles of driving per year and a 55% city, 45% highway split. Real-world mileage varies with driving conditions, vehicle maintenance, fuel quality, and driver behaviour.