Subcompact SUVs make up an extremely important part of the automotive marketplace. Early efforts included the funky Nissan Juke and the oversized-for-a-Mini Countryman, both of which hit the market for the 2011 model year. By 2018, when the Hyundai Kona was launched in the American market (the Nissan Kicks hit the scene the same year), the subcompact SUV segment included hot sellers such as the Chevrolet Trax, the Honda HR-V, the Jeep Renegade, and the Subaru Crosstrek.
With so many worthy competitors, Hyundai decided the Kona should stand out with unique (some may say polarizing) styling, a powerful turbocharged engine option mated to a high-tech dual-clutch automatic transmission, and a lot of kit for a reasonable starting price. Unlike some other subcompact SUVs, such as the Kia Soul, the first-generation Nissan Kicks, and the Toyota C-HR, all-wheel drive was and still is optional with the Kona.
The Hyundai Kona Electric showed up for the 2019 model year with front-wheel drive (AWD was not available with the electric powertrain) and the entire Kona lineup was refreshed for the 2024 model year. The sporty Kona N Line, with optional all-wheel drive and a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, was introduced that year alongside the high-performance Kona N that featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that sent 276 horsepower to the front wheels only.
A second-generation Hyundai Kona was launched for the 2024 model year with more room inside and greater cargo capacity. While the new Kona’s styling was updated, it’s still very recognizable as a Kona.
Hyundai Kona Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Hyundai Kona Pros and Cons
- Hyundai Kona Generations
- Hyundai Kona Second Generation (2024-Present)
- Hyundai Kona First Generation (2018-2023)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Hyundai Kona years are the best?
If you’re looking for the sportiest Kona you can buy, you’ll want a 2022 or 2023 Hyundai Kona N. If you need more of a balance between performance and usability, you may want to consider the Kona N Line, which, while not equipped with the fire-breathing Kona N’s 276-horsepower engine, was no slouch with a 195-hp turbocharged engine and optional all-wheel drive. The Kona N Line was also offered for the 2022 and 2023 model years.
Of course, not everyone cares about all-out performance. The second-generation Hyundai Kona that showed up for the 2024 model year is roomier than the version it replaced. We’d suggest a test drive that includes sitting in the back seats and comparing the cargo areas of both generations before making a decision.
What are the worst Hyundai Kona years?
As is so often the case, the first Hyundai Kona model year had more problems than any other. According to CarComplaints.com, the 2018 Hyundai Kona has the most complaints lodged against it, with the number reducing each and every year thereafter. Most 2018 Hyundai Kona models also lacked advanced safety tech that became standard in 2019.
Is a used Hyundai Kona a good deal?
Yes, a used Hyundai Kona represents solid value, and the 2022 and 2023 Kona model years stand out as the best bargains. Not only was the Kona refreshed in 2022, it also offered many desirable upgrades over earlier editions. With average prices hovering around the $20,000 mark for these two model years, a buyer looking for a reliable car that won’t break the bank ought to find plenty to like from a 2022-2023 example.
Hyundai Kona Pros and Cons
Pros
- Multiple powertrain options
- Impressive technology
- High-performance Kona N (for a few model years)
Cons
- Fairly pedestrian performance from base engine
- First-generation was cramped inside
- It was also short on cargo space
Hyundai Kona Generations
Hyundai Kona Second Generation (2024-Present)
The introduction of the Hyundai Venue for the 2020 model year meant the Korean automaker had two subcompact SUVs competing for sales. Not surprisingly, the Kona was nudged upmarket, gaining some cubic inches in the process and making it closer in size to the Tucson (which, like the even bigger Santa Fe, is on the large side for its segment). While the first-generation Kona had rear seats that were tight on space for adults, the new Kona gained some much-needed inches of legroom when it was redesigned for the 2024 model year. It also picked up about six additional cubic feet of cargo space for a total of 63.7 cu-ft with the back seat folded or up to 25.5 cu-ft with all seats upright.
As before, the 2024 Hyundai Kona was equipped with one of two four-cylinder engines. The base Kona SE and the Kona SEL had a 2.0-liter engine that spun out 147 horsepower through a continuously variable automatic transmission. The Kona N Line and Kona Limited featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine hooked to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard and all-wheel drive was optional with all trim levels. The Kona in FWD form with the base 2.0-liter engine delivered 29 miles per gallon in the city, 34 mpg on the highway, and 31 mpg combined. Opting for AWD saw those figures drop to 27 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined. The 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with FWD delivered 28 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined. With AWD, the turbocharged Kona delivered to 26 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined.
All 2024 Kona models came standard with driver-assist safety features such as forward collision warning with automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, a lane-centering system, and a rear seat reminder.
The 2024 Hyundai Kona SE came standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED lights, keyless entry, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. SEL trim swapped those wheels for 18-inch items and added dual-zone climate control and a power driver’s seat. The Kona SEL Convenience Package added a lot of content, including a digital instrument cluster, heated front seats, built-in navigation, voice recognition, and a digital key. Additional safety features with the Convenience Package included a Forward Collision Avoidance system that included Junction Turning (which helps to avoid accidents in intersections) and Adaptive Cruise Control.
The 2024 Hyundai Kona N Line got everything in the SEL Convenience Package and added sportier styling details, 19-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, fancy microsuede seat trim, and a Bose audio system. Top of the hill for 2024 was the Kona Limited, which had synthetic leather seats and added a heated steering wheel and ventilation to the heated front seats. The Kona Limited also got extra safety features such as a surround-view camera, a blind-spot camera, parking sensors, and an automated parking assistant.
Hyundai Kona trim levels grew in 2025 to include an N Line S trim level that lacked the full N Line’s sunroof, adaptive cruise control, Bose sound system, digital key, and and intersection collision avoidance. There aren’t any big changes to the Kona for the 2026 model year and, at the time of writing, the 2026 Hyundai Kona carried an MSRP of $25,350 (plus a mandatory destination charge of $1,600).
The Hyundai Kona Electric was also updated alongside its gasoline-burning sibling for the 2024 model year. The Kona Electric’s interior space grew by the same amount, providing much better rear-seat space for adult passengers. Two battery options debuted for 2024, a small unit for the Kona Electric in SE trim that was matched with a lower-power electric motor with 133 hp and 188 lb-ft of torque to provide up to 197 miles of range. The Kona Electric in SEL and Limited trim levels got a bigger battery and an electric motor with 201 hp and 188 lb-ft of torque that provided an EPA-estimated range of 261 miles. The sporty N Line trim level was added to the Kona Electric lineup for 2025, bringing with it 19-inch alloy wheels, a synthetic leather and suede interior, the upgraded Bose audio package, and Hyundai’s digital key technology.
Hyundai Kona First Generation (2018-2023)
The Hyundai Kona launched for the 2018 model year with four trim levels. The base Kona SE came standard with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission was standard, along with front-wheel drive. In its most efficient form, a 2018 Kona with the 2.0-liter engine and FWD was EPA-rated at 27 miles per gallon in the city, 33 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined. The least-efficient Kona was the turbocharged version with AWD, which received EPA ratings of 26 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined.
A set of 16-inch alloy wheels was standard, along with desirable additions such as a 3.5-inch screen in the instrument cluster, air conditioning, keyless entry, a rearview camera, Bluetooth connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment screen. All-wheel drive was optional with all 2018 Kona models, and it also came with a rear suspension system and a locking center differential that kept power levels locked at 50/50 front-to-rear for improved traction on loose surfaces.
The Kona SEL was upgraded with 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, and keyless ignition, heated front seats, and satellite radio. On the safety front, the Kona SEL gained blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Buyers who stepped up to a Kona Limited benefited from 18-inch alloy wheels, LED lights, and leather upholstery. But perhaps the biggest upgrade from Kona SEL to Kona Limited was the addition of a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 175 horsepower and dual-clutch gearbox.
Top of the heap was the 2018 Hyundai Kona Ultimate. It, too, got the upgraded turbocharged engine, along with Hyundai Blue Link technology that worked with a smartphone app, a head-up display, a larger eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, wireless phone charging, and an Infinity premium audio system. Hyundai’s Smart Sense safety system came standard with the Kona Ultimate trim level, and included forward collision warning and mitigation along with lane keeping assist and automatic high beams.
Many of those advanced safety systems were standardized across the Kona lineup for the 2019 model year, including forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, and a driver attention monitor.
The 2019 model year also brought with it the Hyundai Kona Electric. The Kona platform was well suited to electric vehicle application, and the Hyundai Kona Electric offered strong acceleration and could travel up to 258 miles on a single charge. It also introduced adaptive cruise control to the Kona lineup, and came standard with Hyundai Motor’s full suite of advanced safety technology.
Adaptive cruise control was added to the options menu for the 2020 model year. A mid-grade Kona SEL Plus was added for 2021 alongside the Kona Night edition. The new Night trim level became the cheapest way to buy a 2021 Hyundai Kona with the desirable turbocharged engine, and it came with blacked-out wheels and exterior trim, and LED exterior lighting.
The first-generation Hyundai Kona received a significant refresh for the 2022 model year. The exterior got a sleek new front fascia and grille but still offered funky styling with split headlight clusters. A larger eight-inch infotainment touchscreen was standard with the 2022 Kona, while a 10.25-inch unit came with the Kona Limited trim and the N Line trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were also made standard. The adaptive cruise control system was upgraded and could now bring the Kona to a complete stop.
The 2022 Hyundai Kona SEL got a new SEL Convenience package that added a sunroof, automatic climate control, heated front seats and a wireless charging pad for phones. Stepping up to the Kona N Line trim brought with it a more powerful 195-horsepower turbocharged engine and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. An optional Tech Package added a sunroof, LED lights, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, and navigation.
The biggest news for 2022, though, was the introduction of the Hyundai Kona N. Its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque and powered the front wheels through an eight-speed dual clutch transmission. Its 19-inch alloy wheels wore performance tires and its electronic limited-slip differential helped it put all that power to the ground. It may have been a small SUV, but it was easy to mistake the little crossover for a proper hot hatchback. The 2022 Hyundai Kona N was rated by the EPA at 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined.
The Hyundai Kona Electric also received a thorough update for the 2022 model year. The faux grille was replaced with a smooth face but its powertrain stayed the same. Still, with its single 201-hp electric motor and 258-mile range estimate, the electric vehicle from Hyundai Motor remained a strong option.
