The Hyundai Kona does 67.3 mpg combined (70.9 city, 63.9 highway), which works out to about $571 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: Electric does 119.4 mpg while 1.6L 4-cyl does 30.7 — a difference of $929 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Hyundai Kona engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 132 / 106.9 | 2019–2025 | $322 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 28 / 35 | 2024–2027 | $1,239 | |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 28.3 / 33 | 2018–2023 | $1,251 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.048 |
| Fuel per year | $571 |
| Fuel over five years | $2,855 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$941 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $1,453 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 70.9 mpg | $542 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 63.9 mpg | $601 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +-7 mpg (-10%) | Narrow — equally happy either way |
How the Kona changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 28 / 35 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2026 | 28 / 35 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2025 | 79.5 / 70 | 2 | $515 | |
| 2024 | 79.5 / 70 | 2 | $515 | |
| 2023 | 81.5 / 70.5 | 2 | $505 | |
| 2022 | 80.5 / 71.5 | 2 | $505 | |
| 2021 | 80 / 70 | 2 | $512 | |
| 2020 | 80 / 70 | 2 | $512 | |
| 2019 | 80 / 70 | 2 | $512 | |
| 2018 | 28 / 32 | 1 | $1,280 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Hyundai Kona get?
67.3 mpg combined on average — 70.9 in the city and 63.9 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2018–2027.
How much does a Hyundai Kona cost in fuel per year?
About $571 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $2,855 over five years, or 0.048 dollars a mile.
Which Kona engine is the most economical?
The Electric at 119.4 mpg, against 30.7 for the 1.6L 4-cyl — a difference of about $929 a year.
Is the Kona good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.