Subcompact SUVs make up an extremely important part of the automotive marketplace. Early efforts included the funky Nissan Juke and the oversized-for-a-Mini Countryman, both of which hit the market for the 2011 model year. By 2018, when the Hyundai Kona was launched in the North American market — the Nissan Kicks hit the scene the same year — the subcompact SUV segment included hot sellers such as the Chevrolet Trax, Honda HR-V, Jeep Renegade, and Subaru Crosstrek.
With so many worthy competitors, Hyundai decided the Kona should stand out with unique styling (some may call it polarizing), a powerful turbocharged engine option mated to a high-tech dual-clutch automatic transmission, and a lot of kit for a reasonable starting price. Unlike some other subcompact SUVs such as the Kia Soul, the first-generation Nissan Kicks, and the Toyota C-HR, all-wheel drive was and still is optional with the Kona.
The Hyundai Kona Electric showed up for the 2019 model year with front-wheel drive (AWD was not available with the electric powertrain), and the entire Kona lineup was refreshed for the 2022 model year. The sporty Kona N Line, with standard all-wheel drive in Canada and a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, was introduced that year alongside the high-performance Kona N, which featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that sent 276 horsepower to the front wheels only.
A second-generation Hyundai Kona was launched for the 2024 model year with more room inside and greater cargo capacity. While the new Kona’s styling was updated, it’s still very recognizable as a Kona.
Hyundai Kona Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Hyundai Kona years are the best?
If you’re looking for the sportiest Kona you can buy, you’ll want a 2022 or 2023 Hyundai Kona N. If you need more of a balance between performance and usability, you may want to consider the Kona N Line. While not equipped with the fire-breathing Kona N’s 276-horsepower engine, it was no slouch with a 195-hp turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive. The Kona N Line was also offered for the 2022 and 2023 model years.
Of course, not everyone cares about all-out performance. The second-generation Hyundai Kona that showed up for the 2024 model year is roomier than the version it replaced. We’d suggest a test drive that includes sitting in the back seats and comparing the cargo areas of both generations before making a decision.
What are the worst Hyundai Kona years?
As is so often the case, the first Hyundai Kona model year had more problems than any other. According to CarComplaints.com, the 2018 Hyundai Kona has the most complaints lodged against it with the number reducing every year thereafter. Most 2018 Hyundai Kona models also lacked advanced safety tech that became standard in 2019.
Is a used Hyundai Kona a good deal?
Yes, a used Hyundai Kona represents solid value, and the 2022 and 2023 Kona model years stand out as the best bargains. Not only was the Kona refreshed in 2022, it also offered many desirable upgrades over earlier editions. With average prices hovering around the $20,000 mark for these two model years, a buyer looking for a reliable car that won’t break the bank ought to find plenty to like from a 2022-2023 example.
Hyundai Kona Pros and Cons
Pros
- Multiple powertrain options
- Impressive technology
- High-performance Kona N (for a few model years)
Cons
- Fairly pedestrian performance from base engine
- First-generation was cramped inside
- It was also short on cargo space
Hyundai Kona Generations
Hyundai Kona Second Generation (2024-Present)
The introduction of the Hyundai Venue for the 2020 model year meant the Korean automaker had two subcompact SUVs competing for sales. Not surprisingly, the Kona was nudged upmarket, gaining some interior space in the process and making it closer in size to the Tucson (which, like the even bigger Santa Fe, is on the large side for its segment). While the first-generation Kona had rear seats that were tight on space for adults, the new Kona gained some much-needed legroom when it was redesigned for the 2024 model year. It also picked up nearly 180 litres of additional cargo space for a total of 723 litres with the back seats upright or up to 1,803 litres with the rear seatbacks folded.
As before, the 2024 Hyundai Kona was equipped with one of two four-cylinder engines. The base Kona Essential and Preferred had a 2.0-litre engine that spun out 147 horsepower through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Kona N Line featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine hooked to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard with Essential and Preferred, and all-wheel drive was optional on those trim levels and standard on the N Line.
The Kona in FWD form with the base 2.0-litre engine delivered 8.4 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 6.7 on the highway, and 7.6 combined. Opting for AWD saw those figures go up to 9.0 L/100 km city, 8.1 highway, and 8.6 combined. The 1.6-litre turbocharged engine with standard AWD delivered 9.7 L/100 km city, 8.3 highway, and 9.1 combined.
All 2024 Kona models came standard with driver-assist safety features such as forward collision warning with automatic braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, a lane centring system, and a rear seat reminder.
The 2024 Hyundai Kona Essential came standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED lights, keyless entry, heated front seats, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Preferred trim swapped those wheels for 18-inchers and added roof rails, a heated steering wheel, junction turning assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Preferred’s optional Trend package equipped a wide sunroof, dual-zone climate control, a wireless charger, and digital key technology.
The 2024 Hyundai Kona N Line added sportier styling details, 19-inch alloy wheels, metal sport pedals, available two-tone paint, fancy microsuede seat trim, and 64-colour ambient lighting. Adding the Ultimate package to the N Line trim provided a loaded Kona with ventilated front seats, an eight-way power driver’s seat, a swath of technologies including highway driving assist and Hyundai’s camera-based blind view monitor system, and on-board navigation. (Notably, adding navigation removed wireless functionality for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, requiring a cable to access these apps.)
Hyundai Kona trim levels grew in 2025 to add a Sport package available for the Preferred trim, which included paddle shifters and 19-inch wheels. There aren’t any big changes to the Kona for the 2026 model year. At the time of writing, the 2026 Hyundai Kona carries a starting MSRP in Canada of $29,746 including destination charges and other fees.
The Hyundai Kona Electric was also updated alongside its gasoline-burning sibling for the 2024 model year. The Kona Electric’s interior space grew by the same amount, providing much better rear-seat space for adult passengers. In Canada, it was offered in a single configuration with 201 hp and 188 lb-ft of torque that provided a Natural Resources Canada-estimated range of 420 kilometres. The sporty N Line package was added to the Kona Electric lineup for 2025, bringing with it 19-inch alloy wheels, a synthetic leather and suede interior, the upgraded Bose audio package, and Hyundai’s digital key technology.
Since the second-generation Hyundai Kona is still relatively new, used models don’t present an appreciable discount over buying a 2026 unit from a dealership as of this writing.
Hyundai Kona First Generation (2018-2023)
In Canada, the Hyundai Kona launched for the 2018 model year with five trim levels. The Kona Essential, Preferred, and Luxury trims came standard with a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that produced 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission was standard along with front-wheel drive (FWD), and all-wheel drive (AWD) was either available or standard on all trims. The latter came with a rear suspension system and a locking centre differential that kept power levels locked at 50/50 front-to-rear for improved traction on loose surfaces.
The Trend and Ultimate trims came with a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, matched with a seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission and standard AWD.
In its most efficient form, a 2018 Kona with the 2.0-litre engine and FWD was NRCan-rated at 8.6 L/100 km in the city, 7.0 highway, and 7.9 combined. Adding AWD brought these figures to 9.2 L/100 km city, 7.8 highway, and 8.6 combined. The turbocharged Kona received ratings of 9.0 L/100 km city, 8.0 highway, and 8.6 combined.
A set of 16-inch alloy wheels was standard, along with desirable additions such as a 3.5-inch screen in the instrument cluster, air conditioning, heated front seats, keyless entry, a rearview camera, Bluetooth connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment screen.
The Kona Preferred was upgraded with 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless ignition, and a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel. On the safety front, the Kona SEL gained blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, and lane change assist. Buyers who stepped up to a Kona Luxury benefited from leather upholstery, a power driver’s seat, lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and a driver attention monitor.
The biggest jump was to the 2018 Hyundai Kona Ultimate. It got the same features as the Luxury trim and added the upgraded turbocharged engine. It also had Hyundai Blue Link technology that worked with a smartphone app as well as a head-up display, a larger eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, wireless phone charging, an Infinity premium audio system, and automatic high beams.
The 2019 model year brought the launch of the Hyundai Kona Electric. The Kona platform was well suited to electric vehicle application, and the Hyundai Kona Electric offered strong acceleration and could travel up to 415 kilometres on a single charge.
The first-generation Hyundai Kona received a significant refresh for the 2022 model year. The exterior got a sleek new front fascia and grille but still offered funky styling with split headlight clusters. A larger eight-inch infotainment touchscreen was standard with the 2022 Kona, while a 10.25-inch unit came with the N Line Ultimate trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were also made standard. The adaptive cruise control system was upgraded and could now bring the Kona to a complete stop.
The biggest news for 2022, though, was the introduction of the Hyundai Kona N. Its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque and powered the front wheels through an eight-speed dual clutch transmission. Its 19-inch alloy wheels wore performance tires, and its electronic limited-slip differential helped it put all that power to the ground. It may have been a small SUV, but it was easy to mistake the little crossover for a proper hot hatchback. The 2022 Hyundai Kona N was rated by NRCan at 11.8 L/100 km city, 8.7 highway, and 10.4 combined.
The Hyundai Kona Electric also received a thorough update for the 2022 model year. The faux grille was replaced with a smooth face, but its powertrain stayed the same. Still, with its single 201-hp electric motor and 415-kilometre range estimate, the electric vehicle from Hyundai Motor remained a strong option.
This was a popular model in Canada from the start, meaning you can find a wide selection of cars on the Canadian used vehicle market today. For a first-generation Kona, expect to pay between $10,000 for a very high-kilometre early model and $30,000 for a late-model, low-kilometre N Line. First-gen Hyundai Kona Electric models are less plentiful but can be picked up for $20,000 to $30,000 in good condition, while a Hyundai Kona N will run you roughly the same amount.
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