How much does the 2021 Hyundai Kona cost?

Prices have softened 10.19% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,205 listings available, which gives you a meaningful pool to compare prices and equipment.

If you find a listing below $15,297.26, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

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 its great value, smooth driving, and nice features like blind spot detection. The expert review also highlights great handling and easy-to-use technology.

The trade-offs are familiar: the back seat is cramped, the base engine is underwhelming, and some shoppers may feel the value story is less compelling than the styling. Even so, the Kona fits well if you want a compact crossover with personality, everyday usability, and a strong feature set.

With 31.5% of listings marked as good or great deals, you still have room to shop selectively.

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 car that feels smooth, great value, and equipped with features buyers can count on, including blind spot detection. That kind of positive ownership experience usually matters most when you’re shopping used, because it suggests the Kona has been satisfying people over time rather than just impressing on a test drive.

The expert review also emphasizes that Hyundai backs the Kona with a long warranty, which supports confidence in day-to-day dependability. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is making sure the specific vehicle has been maintained well and hasn’t been worn down by hard use.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.3% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because accident-free status is only a starting point. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on the drivetrain, electronics, and signs of interior wear. Since the Kona is compact, condition matters a lot: cramped cabins can hide heavy use, and you’ll want to make sure the features you care about still work properly.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Base models get cloth upholstery and a simple, intuitive cabin layout, while higher trims add leather on the steering wheel and seats. Some lighting features and fog lights are reserved for certain trims.
• Powertrain: You get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, or a turbocharged 1.6-liter with 195 hp and 195 lb-ft. The base engine uses a six-speed automatic, while the turbo uses a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. FWD is standard and AWD is available.
• Safety package: Every Kona comes 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 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, six speakers, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and USB inputs. Available upgrades include navigation, wireless charging, a Harman Kardon audio system, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen.
• Fuel efficiency: The base engine returns 27/33/30 mpg with FWD and 25/30/27 mpg with AWD. The turbo engine returns 28/32/30 mpg with FWD and 26/29/27 mpg with AWD.

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:

• Base trim: The SE gives you the essentials, but you miss out on some of the nicer cabin touches and available convenience upgrades found higher up the range.
• Sweet-spot trim: The SEL is the best value pick if you want a stronger mix of features without pushing into the pricier upper trims.
• Premium/top trim: The Limited and Ultimate are the easiest trims to recommend if you want the most comfort, tech, and convenience features, and the cost jump is relatively modest.
• Off-road trim: The Night Edition is more about style than rugged utility, so it makes less sense if you’re shopping for a typical daily driver.

Every Kona comes standard with a strong safety suite, so even the lower trims start from a solid baseline.

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

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

• Deal availability: 31.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,205 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.19% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 77.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $15,297.26, 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 $15,622 sits slightly below last year's $17,394.

That price decline suggests the Kona has become more affordable for used buyers, but it also means a future seller may face a softer market than before. If you buy at today’s lower average, you may have less depreciation left to absorb than someone who bought when prices were higher. The key for resale will be condition, mileage, and trim desirability, since well-equipped examples should remain easier to move.

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 earned a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The award included "Good" scores in all crash test areas. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) scored it five stars overall.

It earns a 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.

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:

• 31.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.3% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.19% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 adds subtle updates like new colors and a Night Edition.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $15,331, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $15,622 average.
• It is praised for being fun to drive and especially strong on-road.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $18,173, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $15,622 average.
• It brings a significant refresh with updated styling and upgraded features.

The bottom line: The 2021 Kona is the right pick if you want the current-year balance of price, safety, and features without stretching into a pricier refresh. If you’re focused mainly on saving money, the 2020 is the better value play; if you want the newer look and added upgrades, the 2022 is worth the extra spend.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.