2021 Hyundai Kona Review

　　

2021 Hyundai Kona Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　The 2021 Hyundai Kona is one of our favorite extra-small SUVs. It has an easy-to-use infotainment interface, smooth-operating driving aids and quick acceleration from its optional turbocharged engine. It's also pretty fun to drive thanks to its nimble handling and small size. Hyundai's long warranty and reasonable pricing are two other big draws.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Hyundai Kona SE 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$128/mo  for Kona SE

　　Kona SE

　　SE 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 6A) - $20,500 MSRPSE 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6A) - $21,900 MSRPSEL 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 6A) (Most Popular) - $22,300 MSRPSEL 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6A) - $23,700 MSRPSEL Plus 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 6A) - $24,150 MSRPSEL Plus 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6A) - $25,550 MSRPNIGHT 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) - $26,200 MSRPNIGHT 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) - $27,600 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) - $26,300 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) - $27,700 MSRPUltimate 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) - $28,150 MSRPUltimate 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) - $29,550 MSRP

　　vs

　　$166/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　There are a few minor downsides — you can read more about them in our Expert Rating below — but overall the Kona is a smart pick for a pint-size SUV. We recommend checking it out alongside other highly ranked models such as the upscale Mazda CX-30, roomier Kia Soul or outdoorsy Subaru Crosstrek.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the Kona drive? The Kona is a sporty subcompact SUV with above-average acceleration and handling. In zzdcar testing of a Kona Ultimate (with the turbocharged engine), we measured 0-60 mph in just 7.2 seconds, which is a very quick time for this class of car. The Kona is surprisingly composed and grippy through turns, too. It maintains control and doesn't exhibit excessive body roll.

　　However, the turbo engine's dual-clutch automatic transmission can be slow to engage when accelerating from a stop. Once the Kona gets going, upshifts are usually smooth, but downshifts are always a little rough. Maximum braking performance is also underwhelming.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Kona? The Kona's suspension irons out smaller imperfections and takes the edges off just about any bump. But over larger bumps, the Kona tends to be busy and bouncy. Road noise is a bit intrusive too, but that's not uncommon for the class. Overall, the Kona is quieter than competitors in city driving.

　　The Kona's front seats are well shaped and pretty supportive, with plenty of adjustability. The available leather upholstery is stiff, and the cushions are noticeably firm. In back, the seats are flat and broad but not too upright. The climate control struggles a bit to cool the entire cabin when it's sweltering outside. But the rest of the time it's effective at keeping you comfortable.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? It's hard to ignore the Kona's plasticky feel, but overall the interior is easy to live with. The buttons are grouped logically and clearly labeled, and Hyundai's infotainment interface has a logical menu structure. The relatively narrow roof pillars allow for good forward and side visibility. The backup camera's wide, clear picture fills in the gaps when reversing.

　　There is a suitable amount of space for the driver and front passenger. Rear-seat headroom is decent for the class — more than enough for average adults — but legroom is tight, especially behind a tall driver. Fortunately, there is generous space under the front seats for the rear passengers' feet. The relatively short doors can be opened wide even in tighter parking spaces, making for good access.

　　

Technology

8.5/10

　　How’s the tech? The Kona is a feature-rich vehicle, with lots of standard and available technology features that work well. We also like the optional Infinity stereo system that provides plenty of bass response and good sound quality. The navigation system gets the job done with an easy-to-read display and useful turn-by-turn prompts. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.

　　Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are fitted on all but the base trim, and a more extensive suite of features is available. The Kona's systems are consistently accurate, not triggering false alarms in our time with the vehicle.

　　

Storage

7.0/10

　　How’s the storage? The Kona really only falters in terms of utility when compared directly to class leaders. Thanks to a low liftover height and a wide load floor, the trunk is easy to use. But compared to similar SUVs such as the Honda HR-V, the Kona comes up short on maximum cargo space.

　　There are lots of water-bottle-size pockets, a diminutive cellphone tray, and a relatively small console box and glovebox. So while small-item storage is decent, it lacks variety. The car-seat anchor points are clearly marked and close to the surface, but they're tucked between firm cushions.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The 1.6-liter AWD Kona gets an EPA-estimated 27 mpg in combined driving. That's a few mpg behind AWD-equipped competitors, but this engine provides more power. On our evaluation loop of mixed driving, our test Kona averaged 28.3 mpg, so drivers should be able to match the EPA estimates in real-world driving.

　　

Value

8.5/10

　　Is the Kona a good value? The base car has a good set of features at an affordable price, but choosing the much more appealing 1.6-liter optional engine makes for a pricey subcompact SUV. Everything feels robustly built, but only the primary touch points, such as on the steering wheel and shifter, have been treated with soft-touch materials. The alternating textures break things up visually, but there's no hiding the dreary plastic.

　　Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty continues to be an industry standout, and the five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty is also better than the coverage for the other vehicles in this class that we'd buy.

　　

Wildcard

7.5/10

　　The Kona is easy to use, and it gives you a bit more of that SUV-style seating and view. Handling is better than you'd expect. In this class, it's hard to have more fun. In a lot of ways, the formula is right. But a handful of problems and polarizing styling keep the Kona from true greatness.

　　

Which Kona does zzdcar recommend?

The SEL offers a lot of bang for your buck. It costs more than the base model but gets you a lot of desirable extras such as heated seats, keyless entry and a blind-spot monitor. But the Kona is at its best with its available turbocharged engine. This year's new Night trim level is the cheapest way to get it. We also recommend all-wheel drive; in addition to the extra traction the system provides, the rear torsion beam is replaced by a multilink suspension that improves ride quality and handling.

　　

2021 Hyundai Kona models

The 2021 Hyundai Kona is a subcompact crossover SUV available in six trim levels: SE, SEL, SEL Plus, Night, Limited and Ultimate. The SE, SEL and SEL Plus models are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (147 horsepower, 132 lb-ft of torque) that is paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. The others use a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine (175 hp, 195 lb-ft) mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional across the lineup.

　　SE

　　The entry-level Kona SE starts you off with:

　　16-inch alloy wheels Height-adjustable driver's seat 7-inch touchscreen Six-speaker audio system Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)SEL

　　The SEL adds a few safety and convenience features, including:

　　17-inch wheels Heated mirrors Roof rails Keyless entry and ignition Leather-wrapped steering wheel Heated front seats HD and satellite radio Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while in reverse)SEL Plus

　　The SEL Plus includes a smattering of luxury upgrades, such as:

　　Sunroof Foglights Power-adjustable driver's seat Auto-dimming rearview mirror Eight-speaker Infinity audio system Wireless charging padNight

　　The new Kona Night is the least expensive trim to come with the turbocharged engine. It reverts back to the SEL's features and then adds on:

　　18-inch black-painted Rays wheels LED headlights Black exterior trim Power-adjustable driver's seat Eight-speaker Infinity audio systemLimited

　　The Limited starts with SEL Plus features and the turbocharged engine. From there, it adds:

　　18-inch wheels LED headlights Chrome exterior trim Automatic climate control Leather upholsteryUltimate

　　The top-trim Ultimate further adds:

　　Automatic wipers 8-inch touchscreen Integrated navigation system Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Hyundai and the car in front) Rear parking sensors (alerts you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking) Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)

　　

2021 Kona Highlights

Trim: SESELSEL PlusNIGHTLimitedUltimateSE

　　

Base MSRP	$20,500
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	30 MPG
Cost to Drive	$128/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	19.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles