The 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric is the kind of electric vehicle shoppers want: a tall-riding crossover that doesn’t attract too much attention.
Pros All-electric powertrain Impressive, 250-mile range Usable cargo space Standard 7.0-inch touchscreen Automatic emergency braking on all trims
Cons Limited availability Is it really a crossover? Just front-wheel drive Small-ish second row
The 2019 Hyundai Kona ranked #1 in Subcompact SUVs. Currently the Hyundai Kona has a score of 8.6 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 24 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Potent turbocharged engine option Agile handling Upmarket cabin Intuitive infotainment system
Cons Less cargo space than most rivals Some road bumps disrupt ride quality
All-new electric version of the Kona.Hyundai has given the Kona Electric plenty of range and satisfying performance, even improving over the standard Kona in some ways.
Pros Long driving range of 258 miles Quick acceleration and sharp handling make it fun to drive Comfortable and quiet cabin Plenty of standard tech features
Cons Tight rear legroom Availability limited to just a few states
The 2019 Buick Encore ranked #3 in Subcompact SUVs. Currently the Buick Encore has a score of 8.2 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 37 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Nice interior with lots of standard features User-friendly infotainment system Nimble handling
Cons Underpowered base engine Higher base price than rivals
The Encore's available trims have been downsized to the base and Preferred models for 2021. With the exception of adding Dark Moon Blue Metallic and Cinnabar Metallic exterior colors, Buick hasn't made any changes to its smallest SUV.
Pros Smooth ride, intuitive infotainment setup, surprisingly spacious cabin.
Cons Not as fuel efficient as key rivals, lacks standard safety tech, just plain slow.
Simplified trim lineup. Improved suite of driver safety aids.
Pros Hushed cabin at highway speeds Maneuverable size
Cons Tepid acceleration Limited feature availability Small cargo area Unimpressive fuel economy
