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The Hyundai Kona gives you the style and raised seating position of an SUV in a conveniently compact car. It’s very comfortable to drive, easy to park, most models are generously equipped with user-friendly features and it’s great value. Unusually for this type of car there’s an efficient hybrid version, capable of zero-emission driving, and a fast, high-performance model, as well as regular petrol and diesel versions.
The Kona has been sold new since 2017. It was updated in 2020 with new engine and trim options plus fresh styling – most notably at the front.
The standard Kona is available with petrol, diesel, mild-hybrid or full-hybrid power, and there’s also the Kona Electric, which you can find here. You can choose between a manual or automatic gearbox but only the 1.6-litre petrol model has four-wheel drive – other models have front-wheel drive. The 1.0-litre petrol engine is the most popular, with nippy acceleration and a quiet, smooth driving experience.
There’s a broad spread of trim levels available. The ‘core’ models, sold new from 2017 to 2020 are called S, SE, Premium SE and Premium GT. On cars sold new from 2020, they’re called SE Connect, N-Line, Premium and Ultimate. There’s also the limited Iron Man Edition sold new in 2019 and the high-performance Kona N, launched in 2021, which has the same powerful engine as the excellent Hyundai i30N hot hatchback.
The Kona’s trim and equipment packages were renamed and updated with the 2020 facelift. All models sold new before then have air con, cruise control and Bluetooth as standard. The popular Premium model adds a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, sat nav and a reversing camera. The top-spec Premium SE also has heated and ventilated seats, and a head-up display that projects driving information onto the windscreen.
Since 2020, the range has started with the SE Connect model, which has touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a digital driver’s display (instead of traditional dials), air con, cruise control and rear parking sensors. The Premium model has sat nav, heated front seats and steering wheel, and keyless entry. The top of the range Ultimate also gets leather upholstery with a ventilation feature that blows cold air on your back during sweaty days. For colder months, there are heated rear seats, and a sunroof is included too.
According to official figures, petrol Kona models can give you an average fuel economy of 34-54mpg, while diesels can give 67mpg. Hybrids can return 56-75mpg and the Kona N can manage 33mpg. On paper, Kona models sold since 2019 look less efficient, but that’s because of changes in the way fuel economy is calculated. In the real world, fuel economy should be the same, or even better.
Small SUVs similar to the Kona include the Ford Puma, the Renault Captur and the Skoda Kamiq. Compared to the Hyundai, the Ford is more engaging to drive, the Renault is more spacious and the Skoda’s interior has a more premium feel. But the Kona’s distinctive looks, generous standard equipment and range of power options make it very appealing.
The Kona’s front seats are very roomy, so you and a passenger should easily be able to get comfortable. In the back seats, there’s space for two adults though anyone taller than six feet probably will feel cramped on longer journeys. The boot has space for a week’s food shopping or a few medium suitcases. There are other small SUVs with more interior space, which make better family cars, but the Kona is ideal for single people or couples.
Hyundai builds four SUV models and in terms of size, the Kona is bigger than the Bayon and smaller than the Tucson and the seven-seat Santa Fe. Compared to Hyundai’s hatchback models, the Kona is about the same size as the i20.
Safety organisation Euro NCAP awarded the Kona a full five-star rating. Driver safety features fitted to all models include lane-keeping assist, a driver-attention monitor and stability control. Models with 1.6-litre petrol engines also have automatic emergency braking and a blind-spot warning system.
The Kona is available with both mild-hybrid and full-hybrid power. The mild-hybrid has a 1.0-litre petrol engine with an extra electrical system that helps improve fuel economy and reduce emissions, but it can’t run on battery power alone. However, the Kona Hybrid can cover a couple of miles of silent, emission-free driving in town. There’s also the Kona Electric, which has a range of up to 290 miles from a fully charged battery. You can find out more about it here.