A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance,
petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.
Includes an archived model
Current and archived cars are compared side by side. Archived models keep their verified historical specs, while price labels show last-listed context rather than current new-car availability.
X70 Plus starts ZAR 459900 cheaperKona from ZAR 459,900 · X70 Plus from ZAR 454,900
Key Specs Side by Side
The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.
Spec
Kona
X70 Plus
Engine Power
88 kW
115 kW
Torque
172 Nm
230 Nm
Engine Size
998 cc
1498 cc
Claimed Mileage
15.5 km/l
12.8 km/l
Ground Clearance
165 mm
200 mm
Boot / Load Bay
466 l
1680 l
Airbags
6
Front and front side airbags plus side curtain airbags
Kerb Weight
1460 kg
1527-1694 kg
Seating Capacity
5
7
Warranty
5
10-year/1,000,000 km engine warranty
= leads in this spec
Archived models stay fully comparable. Verified specs remain visible; historical fields that were not source-confirmed are marked Not confirmed instead of being guessed.
The Bottom Line
Both Kona and X70 Plus are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.
Where They Actually Differ
Performance
X70 Plus
+9 pts
Efficiency
Kona
+10 pts
Safety
Kona
+26 pts
Practicality
X70 Plus
+24 pts
Ownership
X70 Plus
+4 pts
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
🏆 Overall Winner
Kona
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger safety package
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Less practical in daily usage
Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to:Fuel Efficiency
X70 Plus
Strengths
More powerful engine output
More practical for daily use
Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Less comprehensive safety features
Best suited to:Highway DrivingFamily Usage
Which One's Right for You?
Kona
Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
X70 Plus
Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
Large families needing more practicality and usability
Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind
Full Specs, Side by Side
Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.
Spec
Kona
X70 Plus
Model Introduced Year
2018
-
Generation
Second generation Kona on Hyundai's K2 GEN platform; the design is more conservative than the first gen but better resolved
Current local listing
Facelift History
Second generation launched globally in 2023 and brought to SA; softened styling compared to the sharper first gen, improved interior quality and tech
Not listed by current South African source page.
Facelift Launched Since
2023
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Discontinued - exact end year not confirmed
Current
Body Style
Not confirmed
SUV
Model Year
Not confirmed
Current
Production Status
Not confirmed
Active
Segment
Not confirmed
SUV
Vehicle Type
Not confirmed
SUV
Spec
Kona
X70 Plus
Ground Clearance
165 mm
200 mm
Wheelbase
2660 mm
2720 mm
Length
4355 mm
4724 mm
Width
1825 mm
1900 mm
Height
1570 mm
1720 mm
Kerb Weight
1460 kg
1527-1694 kg
Seating Capacity
5
7
Boot Space
466 l
1680 l
Load Bed Length
466 l
1680 l
Load Bed Width
Not confirmed
-
Number of Doors
5
-
Boot Volume
466 l
1680 l
Doors
5
-
Seats
5
7
Fuel Tank Capacity
50 l
57 l
Ground Clearance Max
165 mm
200 mm
Ground Clearance Min
165 mm
200 mm
Ground Clearance Mm
165 mm
200 mm
Height Mm
1570 mm
1720 mm
Length Mm
4355 mm
4724 mm
Loadbox Length Mm
466 l
1680 l
Loadbox Width Mm
Not confirmed
-
Cargo Volume
466 l
1680 l
Tare Mass Kg
1460 kg
1527-1694 kg
Width Mm
1825 mm
1900 mm
Gross Vehicle Weight
Not confirmed
2076 kg
Towing Capacity
Not confirmed
-
Front Track Width
Not confirmed
-
Rear Track Width
Not confirmed
-
Turning Radius
Not confirmed
-
Front Legroom
Not confirmed
-
Rear Legroom
Not confirmed
-
Front Headroom
Not confirmed
-
Rear Headroom
Not confirmed
-
Front Shoulder Room
Not confirmed
-
Rear Shoulder Room
Not confirmed
-
Boot Space Seats Folded
Not confirmed
1680 l
Max Payload
Not confirmed
-
Gross Vehicle Mass Kg
Not confirmed
2076 kg
Payload Kg
Not confirmed
-
Turning Circle
Not confirmed
-
Turning Circle M
Not confirmed
-
Spec
Kona
X70 Plus
Engine
1.0 T-GDI Turbo
SQRE4T15C
Engine Type
Petrol
1.5-litre turbo petrol
Displacement
998 cc
1498 cc
Cylinders
3
-
Power
88 kW
115 kW
Power @ RPM
5500
5500
Torque
172 Nm
230 Nm
Torque @ RPM
1500
1750-4000
Fuel System
Direct Injection
-
Turbocharger
Yes
-
Top Speed
185 km/h
180 km/h
0-100 km/h
10.5 sec
-
Engine Position
Front
-
Fuel Grade Required
Petrol
Petrol
Variable Valve Timing
Yes
-
Engine Type Config
Inline
-
Engine Displacement
998 cc
1498 cc
Engine Cylinders
3
-
Engine Displacement Cc
998 cc
1498 cc
Engine Power kW
88 kW
115 kW
Engine Torque Nm
172 Nm
230 Nm
Max Power kW
88 kW
115 kW
Max Torque Nm
172 Nm
230 Nm
Torque Nm Rpm
1500
1750-4000
Valves per Cylinder
Not confirmed
-
Compression Ratio
Not confirmed
-
Cylinder Bore
Not confirmed
-
Piston Stroke
Not confirmed
-
Engine Code
Not confirmed
SQRE4T15C
Power
Not confirmed
154 bhp
Cylinder Layout
Not confirmed
-
Engine Aspiration
Not confirmed
-
0–100 km/h
10.5 sec
-
Engine Displacement Litres
998 cc
1498 cc
Acceleration 0 100
10.5 sec
-
Engine Config
Not confirmed
-
Engine Valves
Not confirmed
-
Induction
Not confirmed
-
Maximum Power
88 kW
115 kW
Maximum Torque
172 Nm
230 Nm
Power kW Rpm
5500
5500
Turbo Type
Not confirmed
-
Spec
Kona
X70 Plus
Transmission
Automatic
Automatic
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive
-
Drivetrain Layout
FWD
-
LSD Available
No
-
Paddle Shifters
Yes
-
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic
Automatic
Gearbox Type
Automatic
Automatic
Transfer Case
Not confirmed
-
Differential Lock
Not confirmed
-
Final Drive Ratio
Not confirmed
-
Number of Gears
Not confirmed
6 km/h
Clutch Type
Not confirmed
-
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
-
4WD Engagement
Not confirmed
-
4WD Hi Range
Not confirmed
-
4WD Lo Range
Not confirmed
-
4WD Selector
Not confirmed
-
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not confirmed
-
Front Differential Lock
Not confirmed
-
Low Range
Not confirmed
-
Axle Layout
Front-Wheel Drive
-
Rear Differential Lock
Not confirmed
-
Transmission Speeds
Not confirmed
6 km/h
Spec
Kona
X70 Plus
Claimed Mileage
15.5 km/l
12.8 km/l
City Mileage
12.5 km/l
10.5 km/l
Highway Mileage
19.0 km/l
14.7 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
50 l
57 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Euro V
Average Fuel Consumption
Yes
7.8 l/100km
Claimed Fuel Consumption
Yes
7.8 l/100km
Distance To Empty
Yes
-
Low Fuel Warning
Yes
-
Fuel Efficiency
Yes
7.8 l/100km
Combined Consumption
Yes
7.8 l/100km
Combined Consumption L 100km
Yes
7.8 l/100km
Fuel Economy Combined
Yes
7.8 l/100km
Fuel Tank Litres
50 l
57 l
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not confirmed
-
Auto Start Stop
Not confirmed
-
Real-world Mileage
15.5 km/l
12.8 km/l
AC Charging Power
Not confirmed
-
Charging Port Type
Not confirmed
-
Charging Time AC Full
Not confirmed
-
Charging Time DC Fast 80pct
Not confirmed
-
Charging Type
Not confirmed
-
DC Charging Power
Not confirmed
-
Fuel Type
Not confirmed
Petrol
Low Range Ratio
Not confirmed
-
Combined Driving Range
Not confirmed
-
Electric Consumption
Not confirmed
-
Range Real World Highway
Not confirmed
-
Range Real World Mixed
Not confirmed
-
Range Wltp
Not confirmed
-
Spec
Kona
X70 Plus
Airbags
6
Front and front side airbags plus side curtain airbags
ABS
Yes
Yes
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
-
Traction Control
Yes
Yes
Hill Descent Control
No
-
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Yes
Child Safety Lock
Yes
-
ISOFIX Mounts
Yes
Yes
Brake Assist
Yes
-
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Yes
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
-
Central Locking
Yes
-
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Yes
-
Speed Alert System
Yes
-
Safety Rating
Not Rated (SA)
-
BA
Yes
-
Driver Airbag
Yes
Yes
EBD
Yes
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
-
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
-
TCS
Yes
Yes
Front Parking Sensors
Not confirmed
-
AEB
No
-
Brake Override System
Not confirmed
-
Curtain Airbags
Not confirmed
Yes
Hill Hold
Yes
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Yes
Side Airbags
Not confirmed
Front and front side airbags plus side curtain airbags
Knee Airbag
Not confirmed
-
ABS EBD
Yes
Yes
Driver Passenger Airbags
Not confirmed
Yes
Front Seat Side Airbags
Not confirmed
Yes
Spec
Kona
X70 Plus
Cruise Control
Yes
-
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
-
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
-
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
-
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Yes
Parking Sensors
Front & Rear
Rear
Rear View Camera
Yes
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
No
-
Traffic Sign Recognition
No
-
Auto Lights
Yes
-
Auto Wipers
No
Yes
Drive Modes
Eco / Normal
-
Eco Mode
Yes
-
EV Mode
No
-
Sport Mode
No
-
Around View Monitor
Yes
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not confirmed
-
Auto Highbeam
Not confirmed
-
Rear Parking Sensors
Not confirmed
Rear
Reverse Camera
Yes
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
-
Park Assist
Not confirmed
-
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Not confirmed
-
Spec
Kona
X70 Plus
Seat Material
Leather
Black synthetic leather seats with red stitching
Seat Adjustment
Power Driver
Driver electric 6-way; passenger manual 4-way
Heated Seats
Front
-
Ventilated Seats
Front
-
Steering Type
Electric
-
Steering Adjustment
Tilt & Telescopic
-
Ambient Lighting
Yes
Blue
Folding Rear Seats
60/40 Split
-
Front Armrest
Yes
-
Rear Armrest
No
-
Cup Holders
4
-
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
-
Instrument Cluster Type
Analogue + MID
-
Door Map Pockets
Yes
-
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
-
Adjustable Driver Seat
Manual
-
Adjustable Front Seat
Manual
-
Cooled Seats
No
-
Fabric Seats
Yes
-
Front Headrest
Yes
-
Leather Seats
No
-
Memory Seats
No
-
Rear Headrest
Yes
-
Driver Seat Adjustment
Not confirmed
Driver electric 6-way; passenger manual 4-way
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Not confirmed
Driver electric 6-way; passenger manual 4-way
Seat Trim
Not confirmed
Black synthetic leather seats with red stitching
Spec
Kona
X70 Plus
Climate Control
Dual Zone Auto Climate
-
Power Windows
All
-
Keyless Entry
Yes
-
Push Button Start
Yes
-
Wireless Charging
Yes
50W
Sunroof
Electric Panoramic Sunroof
Yes
Electric Tailgate
Yes
Yes
Rain Sensing Wipers
No
Yes
Auto Dimming Mirror
No
-
Rear Window Defroster
Yes
-
Follow Me Home Headlamps
Yes
Yes
12V Accessory Socket
12V
-
AC Type
Dual Zone Auto Climate
-
Boot Opener
Inside
-
Door Ajar Warning
Yes
-
Electric Folding Mirrors
Yes
-
Engine Check Warning
Yes
-
Engine Start Stop
Yes
-
Engine Start Stop Button
Yes
-
Front Armrest
Yes
-
Front Power Outlet
Yes
-
Fuel Lid Opener
Inside
-
Headlamp Height Adjust
Manual
-
Headlamp Washer
No
-
Power Mirrors
Yes
-
Push Button Start
Yes
-
Rear Reading Lamps
Yes
-
Service Plan
4
5-year/60,000 km service plan
Service Reminder
Yes
-
Spare Wheel
Steel
Non full-size
Stability Control
Yes
-
Tachometer
Yes
-
Telescopic Steering
No
-
Tilt Steering
Yes
-
Trip Computer
Yes
-
Vanity Mirror
Yes
-
Air Conditioning
Dual Zone Auto Climate
-
Rim Size
18-inch Alloy
19
Sound System
8 Bose Premium
6
Unlocking
Yes
-
Wireless Charger
Yes
50W
Automatic Headlamps
Not confirmed
Yes
Fuel Consumption Combined
Not confirmed
7.8
Gear Shift Type
Not confirmed
-
Seatbelt Reminder
Not confirmed
-
Valves Per Cylinder
Not confirmed
-
Spec
Kona
X70 Plus
Infotainment Screen
10.25-inch Touchscreen
Dual 10.25-inch instrument cluster and infotainment system
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Yes
Android Auto
Yes
Yes
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Yes
Number of Speakers
8 Bose Premium
6
Navigation System
Yes
-
Digital Instrument Cluster
10.25-inch Digital Cluster
-
USB Ports
2 USB-A + 1 USB-C
Front Type-A x2; rear USB ports listed
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Yes
Yes
FM Radio
Yes
-
Steering Wheel Audio Controls
Yes
-
Voice Recognition
Yes
-
AUX Input
Yes
-
Audio Controls On Steering
Yes
-
Infotainment Display
Touchscreen
-
Rear Usb
Yes
-
Audio Speakers
8 Bose Premium
6
Wireless Android Auto
Yes
Yes
Infotainment Screen
Not confirmed
10.25-inch
Touchscreen
Not confirmed
10.25-inch
Spec
Kona
X70 Plus
LED Headlamps
Full LED
Yes
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
Yes
Fog Lamps
LED
-
Roof Rails
Yes
-
Alloy Wheel Design
18-inch Alloy
-
Rear Spoiler
Yes
-
Wing Mirror Type
Power Adjustable
-
Rear Wiper
Yes
-
Door Handle Finish
Body Coloured
-
Body Type
SUV
-
DRL
LED
Yes
Fog Lights
Yes
-
Front Fog Lights
Yes
-
Led Headlights
Full LED
Yes
Daytime Running Lights
LED
Yes
Exterior Mirror Electric
Yes
-
Front Fog Lamps
LED
-
Headlamps
Full LED
Yes
Headlight Type
Full LED
Yes
Headlights
Full LED
Yes
Exterior Colour Options
Not confirmed
See OEM source page for colour availability.
Panoramic Sunroof
Not confirmed
Yes
Spec
Kona
X70 Plus
Terrain Modes
Not confirmed
-
Locking Differential
No
-
Ramp Breakover Angle
20 deg
-
Hill Descent Control
No
-
Approach Angle
Not confirmed
-
Departure Angle
Not confirmed
-
Wading Depth
Not confirmed
-
4WD System Type
Front-Wheel Drive
-
Breakover Angle
Not confirmed
-
Spec
Kona
X70 Plus
Tyre Size
235/45 R18
235/55R19
Wheel Type
18-inch Alloy
-
Front Brake Type
Disc
Ventilated disc brake
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Solid disc brake
Spare Wheel Type
Steel
Non full-size
Parking Brake Type
Manual
-
Tyre Load Index
91
-
Tyre Speed Rating
H
-
Wheel Rim Size
18-inch Alloy
19
Brake Type Front
Disc (Ventilated)
Ventilated disc brake
Brake Type Rear
Disc
Solid disc brake
Spare Tyre
Steel
Non full-size
Tyre Type
Tubeless Radial
-
Wheel Diameter
18-inch Alloy
19
Wheelbase Mm
2660 mm
2720 mm
Wheels
18-inch Alloy
-
Handbrake Type
Not confirmed
-
Spec
Kona
X70 Plus
Front Suspension
MacPherson Strut
MacPherson strut suspension
Rear Suspension
Multi-Link
Multiple link independent suspension
Chassis Type
Monocoque
-
Power Steering
Electric
-
Steering Column
Tilt
-
Front Suspension Type
MacPherson Strut
MacPherson strut suspension
Rear Suspension Type
Multi-Link
Multiple link independent suspension
Spec
Kona
X70 Plus
Service Interval
15000 km / 12 months
-
Maintenance Plan
3 Years / 45000 km
-
First Service At
15000
-
Service Plan Duration
4
5-year/60,000 km service plan
Service Plan Distance
4
5-year/60,000 km service plan
Alternator
120A
-
Battery Type
Lead-acid
-
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
-
Service Intervals
15000 km / 12 months
-
Spec
Kona
X70 Plus
Warranty Years
5
10-year/1,000,000 km engine warranty
Warranty Kilometers
5
10-year/1,000,000 km engine warranty
Roadside Assistance
5 Years
-
Anti-Corrosion Warranty
5 Years
-
Basic Warranty
5
10-year/1,000,000 km engine warranty
Roadside Assistance
5 Years
-
Warranty
5
10-year/1,000,000 km engine warranty
Spec
Kona
X70 Plus
CO2 Emissions
120 g/km
179 g/km
Start Stop System
No
-
Fuel Octane Requirement
Unleaded 95
Petrol
Fuel Evaporation Control
Yes
-
Spec
Kona
X70 Plus
Ownership Role
Not confirmed
South Africa market model
Price Source
Not confirmed
https://jetour.co.za/models-x70-plus/
Price Zar
Not confirmed
484900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Not confirmed
top
Starting Price
Not confirmed
454900
Starting Price Zar
Not confirmed
454900
Overall Verdict Score
Decision-grade view of the winner, score gap and category strengths.
Weighted / 100
Verdict readout
Kona leads by 0 points
Both Kona and X70 Plus are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.
Performance
X70 Plus +9
Efficiency
Kona +10
Safety
Kona +26
Practicality
X70 Plus +24
Ownership
X70 Plus +4
Very close match. Final decision depends on buyer preference.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Overall Winner
Kona
Performance
40/100
Efficiency
60/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
67/100
Ownership
65/100
X70 Plus
Performance
49/100
Efficiency
50/100
Safety
66/100
Practicality
91/100
Ownership
69/100
So, Which One Should You Buy?
🏆Hyundai Kona
wins with 65 pts
vs 65 pts for X70 Plus
In structured scoring, Kona emerges as the stronger overall package. However, X70 Plus may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Other Comparisons Worth Checking
See how similar cars go head-to-head — you might find a better fit than you expected.
On our scoring the Kona edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.
Efficiency scores: Kona 60 vs X70 Plus 50. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.
Safety scores: Kona 92, X70 Plus 66. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.
Long-term ownership scores: Kona 65, X70 Plus 69. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.
Practicality scores: Kona 67, X70 Plus 91. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.
Performance scores: Kona 40, X70 Plus 49. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.
Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.
Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.
Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The Kona edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.
The Kona scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.
In Depth — Breaking It All Down
The comparison between Kona and X70 Plus in South Africa
evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.
Performance: Kona scores 40 vs 49.
Efficiency: Kona scores 60 vs 50.
Safety: Kona scores 92 vs 66.
Practicality: Kona scores 67 vs 91.
Ownership: Kona scores 65 vs 69.
Final structured scoring gives Kona
the advantage in this comparison.
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