The Hyundai Kona is a subcompact crossover SUV made by Hyundai in 2017. The Kona has been in continuous production ever since and it seems like it is still selling like crazy. It is available as either a regular combustion engine car, a hybrid, or even as a full-on EV. So, is Hyundai Kona a good car?
The Hyundai Kona is a really good car for what it is which means that if these types of cars interest you, you are going to enjoy the Kona. First of all, the fact that you can get the Kona as either a gasoline car, a hybrid car, or an EV tells you a lot about how well-rounded this car is. It looks really modern as well because it fits into the modern-day city car design language.
Reliability-wise, the Kona is really good, but there are better Hyundai models out there. The most common issues are associated with the car’s engine, the EV Kona battery, electrical issues with speed control and blind assist systems, and issues with the brakes. If you maintain the car, you should be more than happy with it.
The value aspect is likely one of the main reasons why the Kona sells so well. It simply gives you a lot of value for your money. Practicality is also really good for its class, but it isn’t anything special in general. All in all, the Kona is a really well-rounded car that has many things to offer to many prospective buyers lurking in this segment of the market.
Hyundai Kona – The powerplant
The Hyundai Kona engine lineup kicks off with a 1.0L inline 3-cylinder engine with 120hp and 126lb-ft of torque. This engine is mated to a 6-speed manual and permanent FWD and is able to return up to 45MPG combined. The next engine is the 1.6L inline 4-cylinder unit with 177hp and 195lb-ft of torque. This one comes with a 7-speed automatic, AWD, and a combined 35MPG max.
You can get the 1.6L as a hybrid as well which gets an electric motor that offers 141hp and 195lb-ft of torque as well, but the MPG is up to 50MPG combined. Lastly, you can also go for two electric models with battery sizes of 39kWh or 64kWh. The 64kWh battery comes with a 205hp engine while the 39kWh battery comes with a 135hp engine.
You can expect to get around 279 miles of range with the larger battery or 180 miles with the smaller battery. Both of these are FWD. All in all, the Kona comes in many different variations which means that it is rather easy to find a model that fits your personal usage scenario.
Hyundai Kona – Design and chassis
When it comes to design, we can easily say that the Kona fits into the modern world of hip crossovers, but that it also isn’t necessarily a looker. The car looks okay, but there isn’t anything special about it. It is more or less the same as the interior. If you want better-looking Hyundai models, you should focus your attention on the Ioniq range.
Driving-wise, the Kona drivers without a particular emphasis on anything. It is a reasonably comfortable car, but it isn’t a luxury car at all. It also isn’t particularly sporty either which means that you are not really going to fall in love with the Kona on a twisty road.
Hyundai Kona – Reliability and common issues
Reliability is fairly decent with the Kona as the car manages to stay clear of major unsolved issues at this point. The good news is that maintaining the Kona is not expensive nor difficult which is why most people should maintain it with ease. If you fail to do so, you are going to experience a bunch of issues, but that is to be expected.
The most common issues are associated with the car’s brakes, electrical systems, and sensors such as ones controlling the car’s blind spot and adaptive cruise control systems. The engine is prone to catching fire while the battery on the Kona EV is also known to sometimes burst into flames without an apparent reason.
Hyundai Kona – Value and practicality
You can expect to pay between $20,000 and $23,000 for the regular Kona while Kona EV models start upwards of $30,000, especially for the larger battery version. For this price, it makes sense to go for an ICE or a hybrid version of the Kona while the Kona EV is a bit too expensive to be easily recommended.
Practicality is as good as with all other cars from this segment which means that it can be better, but the car offers everything you need and is also a decent family car.
FAQ Section
Which cars rival the Hyundai Kona?
We already stated that this is one of the most popular car segments out there which means that many people are interested in buying cars like these. The most serious competitors the Kona faces are the Kia Seltos, the Ford EcoSport, the Chevy Trax, the Jeep Renegade, the Fiat 500X, the Toyota CH-R, Honda HR-V, and the Nissan Kicks.
All of these cars share the same market philosophy and are similar in many different ways which means that brand loyalty plays a huge role when it comes to deciding which one to buy.
Is the Hyundai Kona larger than the Kia Sportage?
No, the Kia Sportage is a larger SUV all-around which means that it is larger, wider, taller, longer, and heavier. It also offers more seating space and significantly larger trunk space. Some people compare these two head to head, but the reality is that the Kia Sportage is a car from a higher market segment when compared to the Kona.
What is the difference between Hyundai Kona SE and Hyundai Kona SEL?
The Hyundai Kona SE is the lower trim model because the SEL gets various safety features the SE models do not. Keyless start and proximity key functions are also standard with the SEL, but missing on the SE. You can also go with the Limited trim which is the very top-end trim level for the Kona. The Limited trim gets the larger engine and the sunroof as standard.
