Used 2021 Hyundai Kona for Sale nearBaton Rouge, LA

How much does the 2021 Hyundai Kona cost?

Prices have softened 7.84% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

With 1,130 listings available, you have a decent amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

Is the 2021 Hyundai Kona a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Hyundai Kona earns a 4.8/5 user rating and a 7.17/10 expert rating. The model scores 8/10 across Cost effectiveness and Safety.

Owners consistently praise the Kona for its great value, smooth driving, and useful features like blind spot detection. The expert review also highlights great handling and easy-to-use technology, which fits a small crossover that is meant to feel playful and practical at the same time. The main trade-offs are a cramped back seat and an underwhelming base engine, so it works best if you care more about style, maneuverability, and everyday usability than rear-seat space. Even so, 32.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which suggests there are still attractive options in the market.

Is the 2021 Hyundai Kona reliable?

Owners rate it 4.8/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with praise for the Kona’s value and smooth driving. The expert review also supports that impression by emphasizing the Kona’s long warranty and its ability to deliver useful everyday transportation without feeling complicated. Hyundai’s warranty coverage adds peace of mind for long-term ownership, but you should still pay close attention to maintenance history and overall condition on any used example.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Hyundai Kona?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on every candidate, even if the listing looks clean at first glance. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection if you’re considering a higher-mileage example or one with incomplete service records. Focus on cabin condition, rear-seat wear, and whether the car’s equipment matches the trim level you expect.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Higher trims add leather on the steering wheel and seats, while the interior stays simple and intuitive across the lineup. Base-trim shoppers should pay attention to feature gaps and make sure the equipment level matches your needs.
• Powertrain: The Kona offers a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, plus an optional turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The base engine is adequate for around-town use, while the turbo setup brings more punch.
• Safety package: Every Kona comes standard with forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, driver attention warning, and rear occupant alert. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a head-up display, and parking sensors are optional.
• Infotainment: Standard equipment includes an eight-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, six speakers, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and USB inputs. Available upgrades include navigation, wireless device charging, a Harman Kardon audio system, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen.
• Fuel efficiency: The base engine returns 27/33/30 mpg with front-wheel drive and 25/30/27 mpg with all-wheel drive. The turbo engine returns 28/32/30 mpg with front-wheel drive and 26/29/27 mpg with all-wheel drive.

Which 2021 Hyundai Kona trim should I buy?

The 2021 Hyundai Kona is offered in 6 trim levels: SE, SEL, SEL Plus, Night Edition, Limited, and Ultimate.

Here's the short version:

• SE: This is the entry point, and it gives you the Kona’s core strengths without stretching your budget. It’s the trim to start with if you want the basic playful styling, standard tech, and standard safety equipment at the lowest price.
• SEL: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it builds on the SE with a more complete everyday feature set while staying close to the lower end of the lineup. If you want the sweet spot between price and equipment, this is the one to focus on.
• SEL Plus: This trim adds more comfort and convenience than the lower trims, making it a good choice if you want a more upscale feel without jumping all the way to the top of the range.
• Night Edition: This is the style-focused choice, with Rays semi-gloss black 18-inch wheels and gloss black exterior and interior accents. It suits you if appearance matters and you want a more distinctive look.
• Limited: This is the trim to consider if you want a richer feature set and are willing to pay more for it. The cost-effectiveness data suggests there is not a huge penalty for moving up, so this can be a strong value if you want more equipment.
• Ultimate: This is the most fully equipped version, and it makes sense if you want the most content the Kona offers. It’s the right pick if you plan to keep the vehicle a while and want to maximize convenience and comfort.

Every Kona comes standard with a strong safety package, so even lower trims give you a solid baseline.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Hyundai Kona?

This is a moderate buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully without feeling rushed.

• Deal availability: 32.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,130 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.84% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 77.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $15,289, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Hyundai Kona's resale value?

The current average of $15,560 sits slightly below last year's $16,883.

That price movement suggests the Kona has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help if you buy now and sell later. A lower entry price can reduce your downside risk, especially if you choose a well-equipped trim with broad appeal. The market also shows enough demand and inventory activity to keep the Kona visible to future shoppers.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.8/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Hyundai Kona safe?

The 2021 Hyundai Kona earns a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Every Kona comes standard with forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, a driver attention warning system, and rear occupant alert. Optional safety features include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a head-up display, and parking sensors. The standard safety suite is a major strength, though some helpful driver-assistance features remain optional rather than standard.

Should I buy a 2021 Hyundai Kona or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 32.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.84% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It keeps the Kona’s playful styling, useful tech, and standard safety features while adding subtle lineup updates.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $15,170, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $15,560 average.
• It emphasizes a small footprint, available all-wheel drive, and a generous feature set.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $17,632, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $15,560 average.
• It brings a more polished look, upgraded features, and broader performance choice.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, features, and current-market availability, the 2021 is the smart default. If your priority is spending less, the 2020 is worth a look; if you want more refinement and newer upgrades, the 2022 is the better step up.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.