Hyundai Kona Review

Gumtree Rating

4.0 rating

By Gumtree Editorial Team

21 April 2021 8 min read

How do you make a car stand out in a crowded scene such as the small SUV market? One obvious way is by giving it a distinctive look, which is what Hyundai have done with the Kona. Underneath the skin, it’s essentially a jacked-up version of the Korean maker’s i20 family hatchback. Performance is none too shabby, and comes with a decent suite of kit and a good infotainment system. The running costs are easy to swallow too, particularly for the hybrid version.

Visit the Hyundai Kona model page to explore available cars, colours and specs.

What we think about the Hyundai Kona

The Hyundai Kona is a funky-looking small SUV boasting impressive acceleration and affordable running costs.

Pros

+

Good performance and handling

+

Decent array of accessories

+

Impressive infotainment system

Cons

–

Limited boot and rear passenger space for an SUV

–

Ride can be bumpy

–

Optional extras get very expensive

The Kona is a pretty new model, having been rolled out in 2017. The entry level trim is the Kona S, which comes with 16-inch alloys. The SE Design trim steps up to 17-inch alloys and adds roof rails, while the Kona Play trim adds an extra inch to the wheels, bringing in metallic paint and tinted back windows. Then there are the Premium, Premium SE and Premium GT models which add style through anthracite painted trim, a chrome surround on the grille and a silver rear skid plate.

Driving performance of the Hyundai Kona

Our Driving Rating8 / 10

Despite being classed as an SUV, with the length and weight that comes with, the Kona actually has a smaller footprint than a Volkswagen Golf, so even the small entry level engine shifts it around OK. The hybrid version will cruise noiselessly around city streets and when the petrol engine really joins in it’ll take you up to motorway speed with no great effort. The firm suspension means you’ll feel bumps on potholey roads, particularly in the models with bigger wheels. Steering is grippy and agile, though the car does tend to lean somewhat around corners.

Safety and reliability of the Hyundai Kona

Our Safety Rating7 / 10

The Kona was awarded the maximum five stars from Euro NCAP in 2017. Front, front side and curtain airbags are standard across all models, as is lane-keeping assistance. The Premium SE Trim and above add blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert to boot. To get automatic emergency braking, however, you’ll need a model dating from after the late 2020 facelift, a top-of-the-range Premium GT, or a model that’s been especially fitted with Hyundai’s safety pack. The Kona is generally rated as a reliable car overall.

Under the bonnet of the Hyundai Kona

Our Engine Rating8 / 10

The Kona’s entry level engine is a 1.0-litre three-cylinder, kicking out just 118 in terms of horsepower, but as this really is quite a small SUV, that will be enough for most situations. If you want a bit more poke, Hyundai claims its 175 bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine will take you from 0-60 in less than eight seconds. The Hybrid version combines a 104 bhp 1.6-litre petrol with a 43 bhp electric motor. The electric boost can be applied from a standing start, giving the hybrid a nippy feel.

What you'll find in the Hyundai Kona

Our Design Rating8 / 10

The styling can be love or hate, but Hyundai’s bid to stand out from the crowd hits the right notes for many buyers. The most striking aspect of this is the car’s crazy front end, with thin-strip daytime running lamps, separate headlights and the large trapezoidal grille giving it some serious attitude. The sporty theme is continued with the black plastic cladding that wraps the wheel arches and headlights.

Comfort and interiors in the Hyundai Kona

Our Comfort Rating7 / 10

Even if it doesn’t feel quite like a proper SUV, the Kona offers a fairly high driving position, with the steering wheel and the pedals comfortably lined up. Thin pillars and tall windows give good visibility to the front and side, which is handy at T-junctions and roundabouts. Rear visibility isn’t so great, but from the Play trim upwards there are rear parking sensors and a reversing camera to help with that. Space in the back is limited – even the decent legroom for rear-seat passengers is less generous than rivals such as the Citroen C3, and if you’re heading off on a camping trip you might have to think carefully about the relatively small boot space. Higher-level trims offer personalisation options such as colour-coordinated seatbelts to jazz things up a bit.

Blue Hyundai Kona

What features you'll find in the Hyundai Kona

Our Features Rating8 / 10

The Kona comes with a decent list of features as standard across the range. These include folding rear seats, electric mirrors, remote locking and a rake and reach adjustable steering wheel. Higher-level trims add body coloured bumpers, electric lumbar support and climate control. SE and Play models get a 7.0-inch colour touchscreen for controlling the infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring. Step up to the premium trims and you’ll get a screen that’s an inch bigger, plus satnav. These trims also come with an eight-speaker Krell sound system with a subwoofer, so you can crank up some suitable tunes to go with that aggressive front end.

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Hyundai Kona

Our Fuel Consumption Rating8 / 10

With the smaller engine and the SE Trim, the official fuel economy figure for the Kona is 44.1 mpg. Go for the bigger engine with four-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox and that drops to 34 mpg. The hybrid version will get you considerably further, delivering 56.5 mpg on the 16-inch alloy wheels. Or you could dispense with petrol altogether by choosing the Kona Electric, a fully electric vehicle that can take you up to 279 miles before you need to charge it.

Running costs of the Hyundai Kona

Our Cost Rating7 / 10

Like all Hyundais, the Kona benefits from a generous five-year, unlimited mileage warranty. Various versions fall into insurance groups 9-16, with most around group 13. With Hyundai enjoying a very good reputation for reliability, service costs shouldn’t be too onerous.

Our verdict of the Hyundai Kona

4.0 rating

4 / 5 Gumtree rating

The Hyundai Kona makes a real effort to stand out in the mini SUV market, delivering solid performance with a host of kit available.