2020 Hyundai Kona Review

Price Range: $12,425 - $22,990

Hyundai Kona Ultimate 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

The 2020 Kona is a top competitor among subcompact SUVs thanks to a strong optional turbocharged engine, sharp handling and a usable interior. But there are a few shortcomings that keep it from being an easy winner, such as inconsistent transmission shifting and a plasticky cabin.

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Certified Used KONA

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2020 Hyundai Kona Review

Pros

Optional turbocharged engine provides quick acceleration
Nimble handling makes it enjoyable to drive
Lots of features for your money

Cons

Weak base engine
Gear shifts from the turbocharged engine's transmission are often unrefined
Interior is trimmed with a lot of hard plastic panels

What's new

Adaptive cruise control added to top-trim Kona Ultimate
Small changes to standard and optional equipment
Part of the first Kona generation introduced for 2018

Overview

Written by automotive expert Travis Langness

8/30/2019

The 2020 Hyundai Kona is one of our favorite compact SUVs. Its small size makes it easy to park, yet it has enough trunk space for all sorts of gear. There's a lot of appealing value here, too. Even the lower trim levels provide desirable features such as smartphone compatibility, forward collision warning and heated front seats. Spend more and the Kona gets even more impressive with a robust turbocharged engine, all-wheel drive and, new for 2020, available adaptive cruise control.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Brandon, MS

58 listings

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2020 Hyundai Kona
SEL 4dr SUV
$14,418
good price
$1,655 below market
- 42,255 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 5 Seats, 27 City / 33 Hwy MPG
- Driveway (514 mi away)
- Home delivery*
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Blind Spot Monitorin...
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
Close
Located in New Port Richey, FL
CarFax No Accidents Reported,CarFax 1-Owner,Rare Find,Apple CarPlay,Back-Up Camera,Blind Spot Monitor,Bluetooth,Brake Assist,Heated Seats,Keyless Star...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
30 Combined MPG (27 City/33 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: KM8K22AA0LU569011
Stock: LU569011
Certified Pre-Owned: No
New Listing
2020 Hyundai Kona
Ultimate 4dr SUV
$16,990
fair price
$480 below market
- 81,536 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 5 Seats, 26 City / 29 Hwy MPG
- Carvana - Detroit (792 mi away)
- Home delivery*
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Detroit, MI
At Carvana, we go miles beyond the extra mile. That's why we provide you with a convenient, fast, and hassle-free car buying experience that puts you ...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
27 Combined MPG (26 City/29 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: KM8K5CA55LU530852
Stock: 2003968542
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 09-02-2025

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Certainly, no vehicle is perfect. Road noise is often present, and the turbocharged engine's transmission can be slow to shift at times. The interior quality is also lackluster. But the 2020 Hyundai Kona is still impressive, and it continues to be one of our top-ranked extra-small SUVs. We definitely recommend taking one for a test drive, especially if you're looking for a small vehicle that's versatile and fun to drive.

Notably, the 2020 Hyundai Kona is a featured vehicle in our Cheapest New Cars article.

Notably, we picked the 2020 Hyundai Kona with 1.6T engine as one of Edmunds' Fastest SUVs for 2019.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Good

7.9

out of 10

We drove the 2020 Hyundai Kona on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

8/10

How does the Kona drive? The Kona is a sporty subcompact SUV with above-average acceleration and handling. In Edmunds testing of a Kona Ultimate (with the turbocharged engine), we measured 0-60 mph in just 7.2 seconds, which is a very quick time for this class of car. The Kona is surprisingly composed and grippy through turns, too. It maintains control and doesn't exhibit excessive body roll.

However, the turbo engine's dual-clutch automatic transmission can be slow to engage when accelerating from a stop. Once the Kona gets going, upshifts are usually smooth, but downshifts are always a little rough. Maximum braking performance is also underwhelming.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the Kona? The Kona's suspension irons out smaller imperfections and takes the edges off just about any bump. But over larger bumps, the Kona tends to be busy and bouncy. Road noise is a bit intrusive, too, but that's not uncommon for the class. Overall, the Kona is quieter than competitors in city driving.

The Kona's front seats are well-shaped and pretty supportive, with plenty of adjustability. The available leather upholstery is stiff, and the cushions are noticeably firm. In back, the seats are flat and broad but not too upright. The climate control struggles a bit to cool the entire cabin when it's sweltering outside. But the rest of the time it's effective at keeping you comfortable.

Interior

8/10

How’s the interior? It's hard to ignore the Kona's plasticky feel, but overall the interior is easy to live with. The buttons are grouped logically and clearly labeled, and Hyundai's infotainment interface has a logical menu structure. The relatively narrow roof pillars allow for good forward and side visibility. The backup camera's wide, clear picture fills in the gaps when reversing.

There is a suitable amount of space for the driver and front passenger. Rear-seat headroom is decent for the class — more than enough for average adults — but legroom is tight, especially behind a tall driver. Fortunately, there is generous space under the front seats for the rear passengers' feet. The relatively short doors can be opened wide even in tighter parking spaces, making for good access.

Technology

8.5/10

How’s the tech? The Kona is a feature-rich vehicle, with lots of standard and available technology features that work well. We also like the optional Infinity stereo system that provides plenty of bass response and good sound quality. The navigation system gets the job done with an easy-to-read display and useful turn-by-turn prompts. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.

Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are fitted on all but the base trim, and a more extensive suite of features is available. Adaptive cruise control is a new addition for 2020. The Kona's systems are consistently accurate, avoiding false alarms in our time with the vehicle.

Storage

7.5/10

How’s the storage? The Kona really only falters in terms of utility when compared directly to class leaders. Thanks to a low liftover height and a wide load floor, the trunk is easy to use. But compared to similar SUVs such as the Honda HR-V, the Kona comes up short on maximum cargo space.

There are lots of water-bottle-size pockets, a diminutive cellphone tray, and a relatively small console box and glovebox. So while small-item storage is decent, it lacks variety. The car-seat anchor points are clearly marked and close to the surface, but they're tucked between firm cushions.

Fuel Economy

6.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The 1.6-liter AWD Kona gets an EPA-estimated 27 mpg in combined driving. That's a few mpg behind AWD-equipped competitors, but this engine provides more power. On our evaluation loop of mixed driving, our test Kona averaged 28.3 mpg, so drivers should be able to match the EPA estimates in real-world driving.

Value

8.5/10

Is the Kona a good value? The base car has a good set of features at an affordable price, but choosing the much more appealing 1.6-liter optional engine makes for a pricey subcompact SUV. Everything feels robustly built, but only the primary touch points, such as on the steering wheel and shifter, have been treated with soft-touch materials. The alternating textures break things up visually, but there's no hiding the dreary plastic.

Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty continues to be an industry standout, and the five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty is also better than coverage for the other vehicles in this class that we'd buy.

Wildcard

7.5/10

The Kona is easy to use, and it gives you a bit more of that SUV-style seating and view. Handling is better than you'd expect. In this class, it's hard to have more fun. In a lot of ways, the formula is right. But a handful of problems and polarizing styling limit the Kona from being truly great.

Certified Used KONA

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2020 Hyundai Kona trim level differences

The 2020 Hyundai Kona is a five-passenger subcompact crossover SUV that is available in five trim levels: SE, SEL, SEL Plus, Limited and Ultimate. Hyundai doesn't offer any optional packages, but there are added features available on each trim.

Which Kona trim does Edmunds recommend?

We recommend upgrading to the Limited trim level for its turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, though it represents a significant price increase over the base SE model. It's similar in fuel economy to the base engine, yet it provides a significant increase in power. And if you opt for the available all-wheel-drive system, the upgraded rear suspension improves handling and ride quality to boot.

Compare 2020 Hyundai Kona trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Mississippi

$113/mo

$143/mo

Avg. Compact SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

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Hyundai Kona Owner Reviews

4.1

58 reviews

5(60%)

4(14%)

3(12%)

2(2%)

1(12%)

See all 58 reviews Write a vehicle review

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Love my Kona!

msbav8r, 01/11/2020

2020 Hyundai Kona Limited 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

After 12 Hondas (9 Honda/3 Acura) vehicles over the last 35 years, my defective CR-V was the last one. Never ever thought I would even look at Hyundai, let alone buy one. Until I saw the Kona and realized that Hyundai has come a long way in terms of quality and reliability. I traded it in for the 2020 Kona Limited, which was $12,000 cheaper and better quality. The Kona isn't perfect, but …

Head Out On The Highway - Looking For Adventure!

Knight Rider, 11/16/2019

2020 Hyundai Kona Limited 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

The Kona is the definition of "bang for the buck" and provides all of the necessary technology, comfort and styling one could ask for, at a VERY reasonable price. What stands out to me is the "fit & finish" - everything is solid, tight and you can tell the car was assembled with care. I've seen other cars where it looks like the car was put together during a rush to get to lunch or it …

Pleased as punch

Cochise , 10/30/2019

2020 Hyundai Kona SEL Plus 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 6A)

Having purchased my Kona new, I researched it for months comparing it with others. After more than 4 years I still remain very pleased in its overall performance, not one incident! I service it at the dealer and so far it's perfect. Each visit to the dealer, service advisors tell me they can't believe the car's condition and want me to trade giving me top dollar but I decline. I really …

Great Car, Great Value

Cole, 08/30/2020

2020 Hyundai Kona SEL 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 6A)

I did a lot of research on cars in this subcompact SUV category because I wanted to balance fuel economy, reliability, practicality, and design. I decided on the front-wheel-drive Kona SEL trim and I have been very happy with my decision so far (1,100 miles in). Fuel Economy: Depends on trim, but the SEL is rated at 27 City/33 Hwy. These numbers are pretty accurate. The best MPG I … have gotten has been 40 MPG on a 25-mile drive with a speed limit of around 55 mph, and my overall average is around 32 MPG (mostly highway driving). That isn't class-leading, but it is competitive and more than good enough for me. Reliability: This is one of the best areas for the Kona when I was making my decisions because of the powertrain on the SEL and the excellent Hyundai warranty. The Hyundai warranty is excellent and keeps me from worrying about having to do too much work for a long time, and the simplicity of the powertrain makes me think I will be able to keep it running long after the warranty ends. The SEL (as well as the SE and SEL Plus) has a 2.0 liter, naturally-aspirated, 4-cylinder, port-injected, Atkinson cycle engine mated to a 6-speed "Shiftronic" automatic transmission. This engine is simple as far as engines go since it doesn't have a turbo or direct injection (both of which add complexity that leads to new potential areas for failure). I prefer the 6-speed automatic transmission over CVT transmissions since it is more of a tried and true technology. I prefer the 6-speed automatic transmission over the dual-clutch transmission because I think it is smoother, and typically cheaper to work on. Practicality: To me, practicality includes cargo space, the inclusion of a spare tire, infotainment, driving assistance technology, comfort, build quality, and basic performance. Cargo space is fairly limited with the seats up, but with the seats down, there is plenty. Also, the SEL has roof rails if needed. The FWD SEL has a temporary spare, which was more important to me than AWD since I don't see much snow or ice in Texas and won't be going off-road. The infotainment system is intuitive, responsive, compatible with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, and uses a matte screen to reduce glare. Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatibility are important to me because they prevent the software from feeling outdated as quickly. The lane-keep assist works well for highways, and the backup camera and blind-spot monitoring system are excellent and reliable. The seats have been comfortable for me, and the ergonomics of the whole car seem well-considered except for the hard plastic where you might rest your arm on the driver's side door (which hurts your elbow after a while). Other than that, the plastic used in the rest of the interior is nice, easy to clean, well put together, and seems durable. Lastly, the performance has been good enough to merge onto 75 MPH highways and pass people once on. Design: This is almost entirely subjective, but I figure I would include it anyway. I like the way the Kona looks, and I like to attribute that to the fact that one of the designers (Luc Donckerwolke) also designed the Lamborgini Diablo (2001), Murcielago (2002), and Gallardo (2004). On a more objective note, the front is enlarged for aesthetics, but this leaves more room in the engine bay if the car ever needs to be worked on. Those are the main reasons I chose the Kona, and so far I have loved it.

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2020 Kona Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$20,300
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	30 MPG
Cost to Drive	$113/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	19.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Kona models:

Forward Collision Avoidance: Warns if a front collision is imminent and applies the brakes if the driver doesn't react in time.
Driver Attention Warning: Uses sensors to determine if the driver is becoming fatigued, then triggers an alert with a suggestion to stop for a rest.
Blind-Spot Collision Warning: Alerts the driver if another vehicle is lurking in or approaching the blind spot. If the turn signal is activated in that direction, a warning is triggered.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover14.1%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2020 Hyundai Kona Review

Selling or Trading-In?

Price & Payment

2020 Hyundai Kona Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

For sale near Brandon, MS

2020 Hyundai KonaSEL 4dr SUV

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2020 Hyundai KonaUltimate 4dr SUV

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

2020 Hyundai Kona trim level differences

Which Kona trim does Edmunds recommend?

Cost to Drive

Hyundai Kona Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Love my Kona!

Head Out On The Highway - Looking For Adventure!

Pleased as punch

Great Car, Great Value

2020 Kona Highlights

Safety

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SEL 4dr SUV

2020 Hyundai Kona
Ultimate 4dr SUV