Hyundai Kona vs Jeep Avenger

What's the difference?

The Hyundai Kona is the Korean car giant’s best-selling model in Australia, by a reasonably comfortable margin. And in 2025 it managed to battle its way to the top of the ludicrously competitive ‘Small SUV under $45K’ new-vehicle sales category.

Chery’s breakthrough Tiggo 4 Pro, GWM’s Haval Jolion, the MG ZS and close to 20 other well-credited segment rivals can all dream on because currently the Kona has their measure.

So, what’s all that about? Why are so many Aussie SUV buyers choosing to put a Kona in the driveway?

In an attempt to answer that question we slotted a Kona Hybrid into the CarsGuide garage, in this case a new mid-spec Elite version, to explore its relative strengths and weaknesses.

So, if you’re in the market for a compact SUV, with the Kona on your shortlist (and odds are it already is) stay with us for a detailed examination.

This Jeep isn’t a 4WD, it’s electric, front-wheel drive and built on the same platform as cars from France.

It’s not sounding very ‘Jeep’ so far, but the Avenger isn’t trying to be a traditional Jeep in that sense.

What it is trying to do is draw in a new kind of Jeep owner, and lead the brand into the electric era without being all ‘EV-ish’ - just a car that happens to be electric.

So can Jeep do it? We’re jumping in the light SUV as it hits our shores to find out.