Michael SatterfieldThe Hyundai Kona is blurring the lines between hot-hatch and SUV, with a 175hp turbocharged engine, AWD, and nearly the same dimensions as a Ford Focus ST. Other than the elevated ride height, it would be hard to call the Kona an SUV, but that is where Hyundai has classified it.
Styling-wise, the Hyundai Kona didn’t really impress me; it is not as refined-looking as its less expensive sibling, the Hyundai Venue, and honestly, fairly dull compared to the forthcoming Hyundai Tucson. It’s not that the Kona is bad-looking; it just looks like a car you would get from the airport car rental on your family vacation to Florida. I will say the two-tone versions look more sporty, especially in the Surf Blue. Inside, there is a lot of plastic, but it has plenty of room for four adults, and the Limited trim level I was testing did include nice features like automatic climate control, fog lamps, sunroof, heated leather seats, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. The Limited trim also consists of the Infinity premium sound system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The Ultimate Hyundai Kona
Stepping up to the Ultimate trim level for an additional $1,850 yields smart cruise control, forward collision avoidance assist, Blue Link guidance, a 1-inch larger touch screen, auto-dimming headlamps, and the heads-up display.
The Kona is offered with two powertrains; the lower trim levels make do with the 147hp four-cylinder and a six-speed automatic. It is fine but uninspiring. Limited- and above-trim levels, like our tester, get the 175hp turbocharged four-cylinder with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive make the Kona a lot of fun to drive, both on the road and on the backcountry roads of rural Texas. This is where the hot-hatch personality of the Kona comes to life, offering surprisingly crisp handling, excellent stability, and great control even on loose surfaces. The only room for improvement, in my opinion, would be more responsive steering, but for an “SUV,” the Kona is a lot of fun to drive.
As a practical daily driver, the Hyundai Kona ticks all the boxes, especially in the Limited or Ultimate trim levels. It is comfortable enough, averaging over 30 mph, is easy to park, and offers enough room for most activities. For drivers coming from a hatchback or compact car, the interior and cargo space will seem generous, but if you are coming from a slightly larger SUV, it might feel a bit claustrophobic. Folding down the back seat and removing the package tray does offer a lot of room, and I was able to deliver a large chair to my parents’ house with room to spare.
The Kona we tested had an MSRP just under $29,000, putting it in the ballpark of the Ford EcoSport and Honda HR-V similarly equipped. Hyundai does offer a 10-year powertrain warranty and three years or 36,000 miles of factory-scheduled maintenance, which does stand out from other non-luxury carmakers. Hyundai also recently announced a Limited Production Kona Night Edition. This features a stylish blackout treatment based on the Ultimate trim level, and the Night Edition will be arriving at dealers in September 2021.
With a great warranty, practical design, and still managing to be fun to drive, the Koan is a great choice for a daily driver, offering a lot of content for under $30,000, for more, visit hyundaiusa.com.
