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The Segment-Defining Hyundai Kona

June 17, 2019 by admin 6 Comments

Hyundai’s smallest crossover is big on value and amenities.


Bold lighting elements add styling and distinction to the 2019 Hyundai Kona.

We’re fans of the Hyundai Kona and the reason is quite simple: this subcompact crossover utility vehicle is big on value, looks, and amenities. The Kona rolled out in 2018 and features light changes this year, including newly added dual front USB outlets, standard forward collision-avoidance alert, and various package changes. A Sunset Orange color option is also new, which happened to dress our test model.

Several local trips and one long regional excursion revealed just how capable the Kona is. Around town, its small footprint is ideal for navigating narrow roads, making tight turns, and for parallel parking. The Kona’s wheelbase sits nearly evenly between two Hyundai small cars — Accent and Elantra — but its overall length is about nine inches shorter than the Accent.

Looks wise, the Kona reminds us somewhat of an earlier utility vehicle, the Nissan Juke. Both models have an extraordinarily unusual front fascia with bold lighting elements. Where the now-retired Juke’s visage is more polarizing, the Kona seems to pull it off with a tasteful balance of sportiness and elegance. Yes, the lighting elements seem borrowed from another vehicle too — the first-generation Jeep Cherokee.


The Kona set the trend for Hyundai’s current styling direction.
The Santa Fe and Palisade follow.

But the Kona is its own vehicle. In fact, it offers a distinct departure from other Hyundai models, including the compact Tucson and midsize Santa Fe. There are some design elements that will appear in the upcoming Palisade, yet you won’t have any trouble distinguishing the Kona from other Hyundai models or other crossovers for that matter.

Inside, the Kona offers ample space up front and average-at-best space in the rear. The driver and front passenger have the best seats in the house and they’re dressed in either cloth or leather, depending on the trim. The base SE has manually adjustable front seats, while other trims offer a power driver’s seat. Heated front seats are standard on all, but the base trim, a welcome feature on chilly mornings — even in May.

The rear bench seat is a 60/40 split fold-down arrangement and does something most don’t do in this segment — slightly recline. On paper, the seat holds three, but is ideal for two. Legroom is tight, except for youngsters. Most shoppers looking for ample rear seating space should begin their search with the Tucson.

Behind the rear seat is 19.2 cubic feet of storage space, which is small, but about average for tinny crossovers. Fold down the rear seat and storage capacity mushrooms to 45.8, which will easily hold a week’s worth of luggage for two or give you the ability to stuff in your yard sale finds.




You won’t purchase the Kona if you have towing in mind. Despite what some sources indicate, Hyundai says towing isn’t recommended. On the other hand, the Ford EcoSport outfitted with an aftermarket towing package pulls either 1,400 or 2,000 pounds.

We like that Hyundai is a consistent tech leader across its model line. Beyond Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone compatibility, the Kona offers a standard 7-inch touchscreen display. Its bundled with the USB ports, auxiliary input jack, Bluetooth, and six speakers, giving shoppers a great place to start. The list of upgrades includes an 8-inch touchscreen display, an 8-speaker Infinity audio system, and connected services, including navigation. Our test Ultimate model had it all.

On the safety front, Hyundai goes beyond the required rear vision camera to include lane keeping assist, forward collision-avoidance assist, and driver attention warning on all trims. The second-level SEL (one of five trims), adds blind-spot warning, lane change assist, and rear cross-traffic collision warning. Pedestrian detection and parking distance warning appear on the two top trims as does heads-up display. Speaking of the latter, Hyundai employs a nifty translucent screen that emerges from the dashboard to display vital information.



Hyundai supplies two engine choices, including a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. This engine works with a six-speed automatic transmission. Beginning with the middle Limited trim, a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. This engine works with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. All models have standard front-wheel drive and available all-wheel drive.

Our test model had the turbo engine and all-wheel drive. This combination provides generous zip and superior handling, and that’s something most small cars do not deliver. On twisty roads, there is some body roll, but that’s typical of this vehicle type. We like that the Kona pushes away from a dead stop with authority and has generous passing power. The EPA gives the Kona a combined fuel economy ranging from 27 to 30, which is better than the Ford, but behind the Mazda CX-3.

The price spread between the lowest and highest cost Kona models is higher this year, due to the special Iron Man Edition, which is a movie tie-in. Otherwise, the difference between the SE and Ultimate trims is $7,600 or $10,560 for the Iron Man. Add $1,400 for all-wheel drive.

We think the Hyundai Kona represents a strong entry in the subcompact SUV segment. Look beyond the base trim and the list of amenities is impressive. Start with the Limited trim and the better of the two engine choices is present.

Besides the Ford and Mazda models, you’ll want to cross-shop the Kona with the Nissan Kicks and Rogue Sport, Chevrolet Trax, Toyota C-HR, Jeep Renegade, Honda HR-V, Fiat 500X, and the Subaru Crosstrek. The Kona is one of the newest of the lot and perhaps the best model in the segment.


Tiny on the outside, the Kona offers a roomy storage compartment with the rear seat folded.

2019 Hyundai Kona Specifications


Hyundai 2019 Kona
Segment Subcompact Crossover SUV
Base Sticker Price $21,035 (including $1,045 destination fee)
Price as tested $30,195 (Ultimate AWD)
Standard Engine 2.0-liter, inline-four
Horsepower 147 @ 6,200 RPMs
Torque (lb.-ft.) 132 @ 4,500 RPMs
Transmission Six-speed automatic
Optional Engine 1.6-liter, turbo I4
Horsepower 175 @ 5,500 RPMs
Torque (lb.-ft.) 195 @ 1,500 to 4,500 RPMs
Transmission Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Seating 2+3
Curb Weight (pounds) 2,890 (SE FWD); 3,276 (Limited AWD)
Wheelbase (inches) 102.4
Length (inches) 164.0
Width (inches) 70.9 (without mirrors)
Height (inches) 61.0
Head room (f,r — inches) 39.6, 37.8
Leg room (f,r — inches) 41.5, 34.6
Shoulder room (f,r — inches) 55.5, 54.5
Hip room (f,r — inches) 53.3, 52.2
Storage (cubic feet) 19.2, 45.8
Gross vehicle weight (pounds) NR
Towing (pounds) Not recommended
Payload (pounds) 915/930
Fuel regular
Fuel Tank (gallons) 13.2
EPA Fuel MPG (city/highway/combined) 25/30/27 (2.0L AWD); 28/32/30 (1.6L FWD)(
Manufacturing Plant Ulsan, Korea



See Also — SUV Eruption: 2018 Hyundai Kona

Photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: all-wheel drive, Hyundai, Hyundai Accent, Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Kona, subcompact crossover, SUV, turbo

About admin

Matt Keegan has maintained his love for cars ever since his father taught him kicking tires can be one way to uncover a problem with a vehicle’s suspension system. He since moved on to learn a few things about coefficient of drag, G-forces, toe-heel shifting, and how to work the crazy infotainment system in some random weekly driver. Matt is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association and is a contributor to various print and online media sources.

Reader Interactions

Trackbacks

  1. SUV Eruption: 2018 Hyundai Kona says:
    June 17, 2019 at 4:34 pm

    […] significant demerit, but that is partially offset by a larger passenger seating area. In all, the Hyundai Kona does more than the new Nissan Kicks and makes the Chevrolet Trax seem downright […]

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  2. Hyundai Kona: New B-Segment SUV says:
    June 17, 2019 at 4:35 pm

    […] Tucson along with the midsize Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport models. Although late to market, the Kona should stem Hyundai’s recent sales drop as much of the brand’s 7.5-percent sales decline […]

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  3. Diminutive SUV: Hyundai Venue — Auto Trends Magazine says:
    October 23, 2019 at 10:02 am

    […] Hyundai Venue to arrive in showrooms no later than December. Once it is in place, it’ll join the Kona, Tucson, Santa Fe, and Palisade, thereby expanding Hyundai’s utility vehicle offerings to five. […]

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  4. Hyundai’s 18K Venue SUV — Auto Trends Magazine says:
    November 7, 2019 at 8:19 am

    […] 2020 Hyundai Venue slots beneath the Hyundai Kona and is followed by the Tucson, Santa Fe, and […]

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  5. Highlights of the 2020 Ford EcoSport — Auto Trends Magazine says:
    November 11, 2019 at 8:08 am

    […] be remiss if we left out a few more models, including the Subaru Crosstrek, Fiat 500X, and the Hyundai Kona. And even smaller than the Kona is the all-new Hyundai […]

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  6. Budget Crossover: 2020 Hyundai Venue — Auto Trends Magazine says:
    May 1, 2020 at 12:01 pm

    […] as a subcompact crossover, the tiny Venue is followed in Hyundai’s utility vehicle lineup by the Kona, Tucson, Santa Fe, and Palisade. In California, Hyundai also offers the Nexo Fuel Cell, a hydrogen […]

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