Used 2021 Hyundai Kona Consumer Reviews
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Well-built Car With Solid Feel (after a discovery)
It was time to replace the old family minivan, as the days of "family" road trips were behind us. Kona's mostly driven by my wife for a pretty short commute to work. I did the legwork and checked out new vehicles and after reading some great reviews over multiple sources decided upon the Kona. I drove both the 2.0 and the 1.6 Turbo and ended up buying the Night Edition with 1.6T as it was noticeably more responsive than the non-turbo version and definitely like the look of the 18 inch wheels with blackout treatment. Hyundai warranty gave an extra boost of confidence. Read some reviews saying that if you're on the taller side you might feel a bit cramped in it (not our issue), so we feel the seats and sight lines out the windows were excellent. Backup camera is a great feature and appears to have decent illumination and angle of view to make backing up a breeze. Tilt/Telescopic steering wheel is great and the interior overall is well laid out. Rear hatch space is adequate for a grocery run and if you need more space you can always fold down the rear seats. Again, this is not a car for a family of 5 or 6. Rear legroom good for kids or shorter adults. Probably wouldn't want to be back there for extended periods. Acceleration is more than adequate with the turbo and for me it seems to cruise at 65/70mph at about 2400 rpm with the 7 speed auto transmission. I don't get the feelingthat this engine is struggling as it performs "normal" driving tasks. Now I'll mention an issue that was very disturbing bu SO easily remedied. I'm driving the car both on local roads and some highway, and I'd experience what I'd call "steernig drift" or "wandering". I'd hold my hands lightly on the wheel and it would suddenly jerk to the right...or left for no apparent reason. As someone who's been around cars a long time and likes to work on them I'm thinking things like alignment, tire issues, tie rods and all those things related to steering issues. Did some research and found that the problem lies with the ACTIVE LANE KEEPING system which is part of the Lane Departure feature. This system uses sensors to look at the road lines to keep you centered and will actually feel like someone (or something) is tugging at the steering wheel against your will. This system can be fooled by road cracks and other poor road surface issues which in the northeast is almost EVERYWHERE. I was able to turn off the "Active Lane Keeper" feature in the menu system, and VOILA!, I'm back in control of the wheel and no more drift and wandering steering. After further research such organizations as AAA warn against the use of these systems, claiming they're still in their infancy and could do more harm than good. I would agree that these systems are NOT ready for prime-time. This is not a Hyundai issue. I read the exact same thing about other brands including 70k Audis. You can still keep the "lane alert" feature on. That's the one that beeps if you drift over the lane lines, but it WON'T attempt to steer the car for you. Long review, but trying to save someone the headache of making this discovery. Absolutely 5 star car and I'd highly recommend it.
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A very happy customer
Prior to my 2021 Kona, I had a 2016 accent. I am so happy with my new purchase! I love that Kona has excellent crash ratings, as my other car was totaled by a dump truck. I feel safe and I love that my car is up off the ground. I also loved that my car is AWD, as I live in upstate NY. There are so many new features I am getting used to. For example, the back up camera. I love my new car and I highly recommend it!
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- SEL 4dr SUVMSRP: $14,9956 mi away
- SEL Plus 4dr SUVMSRP: $17,99918 mi away
- Limited 4dr SUVMSRP: $15,00817 mi away
Little Beauty
If you like the feel of driving an SUV, but the size of some models seems unnecessary or intimidating, the Kona is perfect! It’s a Goldilocks size - just right! I just bought two 50 pound bags of livestock feed and they fit in the back easily. All the great features are too numerous to mention, but the technology is all state of the art. Zippy when it comes to power, housed in a smart looking vehicle with attractive lines, the Kona is a great ride, no question!
Bang for buck
While it has some size draw backs (which is expected in a compact suv) even my base model had more bells and whistles that I ever expected. I went to the dealership and said all I want is AWD, got in and was wondering what all this other stuff is. Nimble and fun to drive and actually for a four cylinder it impressed me, not that it's going to be a drag racer but it's capable and gets great mpg. I might give it five if just a tad more cargo area.
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New Year New Ride
I've had my previous car for well over 12 years. It was time for an upgrade! The Hyundai Kona has a very sporty mini SUV look and it drives very smoothly. Tech gadgets are a plus but not as important to me. I highly recommend especially if you are switching from a sedan to a mini SUV.
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Perfect vehicle for West Virginia
Love my Kona! My first brand new car ever. Have driven many different cars, new and old, large and small, everything in between. Love everything about it. People may complain about the lack of space, but this car isn't built to be spacious. I'm 6'0" 240 lbs. Plenty of room for me. Great safety features. Great handling and responsiveness. You can tell that a lot of thought was put into designing the interior interface. Very easy to access all controls for the many features of thus vehicle. Can't wait to try in various other diving conditions and weather!
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Zippy 1.6 turbo
A SUV that is smaller footprint but yet roomy for 4 adults, very responsive acceleration due to the turbo and torque, the steering is electric assist and is smooth and precise, we test drove 6 other vehicles suv class and this one beats the rest we feel all around in comfort, size, in city and highway driving, also has HUD display, lane assist, adaptive speed control and so many more upgrades in the Kona Ultimate version. We love it ! All I can say is test drive.
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Don't be afraid of the 2.0L 4cyl power.....
This is not a detailed review of the Kona in general. I will just say we are very satisfied with outs, feel it drives nicely, has comfortable seating, feels solid, has very cold AC, and a great infotainment system that connects quick and easy to our phone and Android Auto. What I really wanted to focus on was the 2.0 engine. Before purchasing, I struggled over whter or not the turbo version was a need or a nice to have. I have had numerous turbo cars and naturally aspeirated high HP cars. So, I get the desire and sometimes need for what a turbo can do for you, expecailly in a small engine. I just wanted to say, we are not dissapointed in the 2.0. I was concerned it would be underpowered, but it is not. I am sure the turbo version with the added HP and torque is a great add on and would be nice. But, but my concern was not about nice and fun, it was, will I make a mistake in getting the 2.0 and find it woefully underpowered for the car. I did not experience what was my fear. The power from the 2.0 sufficiently delivers on what we use the car for. I have no issues merging into traffing or having safety or general day to day concerns about what the 2.0 delivers. Again, no doubt the turbo version would be an added boost, but I would just say to those on the fence, concerned perhaps that the turbo is a "must have" to propel the Kona and be functionally satisfied, that I find the 2.0 fine. If you want or need more than a standard, reasonablye sufficient mototr to get the job done, you may want to steer towards the turbo. We have no issues and are not disatisfied with the 2.0.
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Beware issues going uphill b/c of dual clutch tran
The car is really nice with the features and design and so far (8500 miles) it has performed well in most conditions. Beware of a fatal issue related to this cars dual clutch transmission. If you are going uphill at a speed less than 10 miles per hour, the transmission will begin to slip and eventually overheat. This is a known issue that the manufacturer is aware of and they don't see the need to fix. All in all, it's a good car but if you are like me and you live in Colorado and go skiing most weekends and therefore spend any amount of time stuck on I-70 between Silverthorne and Eisenhower tunnel, this car will require you to pull off on the side to let the transmission cool off.
Beauty and the Beast
Bought my Kona Ultimate AWD with a turbo 11/9/2020, started having a issue with the transmission within weeks. Clunking sounds from the back end when I accelerate occasionally at first & 4 times a whirring squeal. Took it into the service department but they didn't experience the issue on the test drive and saw nothing loose when it was on the lift. Very disappointed in this purchase, I foresee this developing and being an inconvenience for me even though it's warrantied. Sadly this issue overshadows the pluses this vehicle has.
More than expected.
This cars value is more than I expected for the price. It is a fun drive and surprisingly comfortable. It has enough room to be useful for a verity of cargo. This is a perfect car for my college age daughter.
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Fun to drive
Compact SUV that is a lot of fun to drive. Great handling and good pickup. Go with the 4-wheel drive option.
Looks Sweet & .....
We got a 2021 Kona Limited and find it to be an excellent purchase. A lot of technology in a well built package. It is so fun to drive!!
I really want to give this car a 5 star rating but
I can’t consciously give it 5 stars. When the car was built, the technicians failed to connect something under the headliner that controlled the gps. Since that time, I’ve had issues with the gps system and the Bluelink system. I’ve owned this car for 2 months and so far, it’s been at the dealership for 19 days of the 2 months that I’ve owned it. Hyundai still can’t figure out how to fix the Bluelink issues. If it wasn’t for these issues, I would have given it 5 stars. I really want to love this car I just can’t yet. I noticed the gps issue before I drove it off the lot but the salesperson quickly dismissed it saying “the gps will update in a few days”. It took a new management at the dealership before someone would finally help me out with getting the gps issue resolved. After having the car for 10 days, the finally fixed the gps issue but blew me off when it came to fixing the Bluelink issue. It took me submitting a complaint to Hyundai corporate before the Bluelink issue would begin to be addressed. It’s now at the dealership again (and has been there for 9 days now) as they try to figure out how to fix this issue. I have the “pleasure” of driving. 2017 Sante Fe while my brand new car sets at the dealership. Hyundai corporate has only contacted the dealership. They haven’t offered me any reimbursements or anything related to these issues. It’s obvious someone at the plant failed to complete the quality control checks in relationship to this vehicle. Their neglect has now become my headache. At the very least, Hyundai should be reimbursing me for the payments I’ve made on this vehicle since I’ve yet to have full functionality or they should buy out this car from me and provide me with a new Kona. Beyond disappointed in Hyundai corporate and the way they are working to resolve this issue and keeping a happy customer.
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Cheap, cheap, and cheap
Very cheap car. Everything is cheap. Car is basically made of off brand Tupperware. Small, my mustang has more storage in the back. Woefully underpowered, and a accident avoidance AI that is horrible. Car randomly slams on brakes if someone changes lanes in front. Only reason for two starts is the awd system is okay. Everything else is just atrocious
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Safety issues
I had my Awd Kona for about a month. I was in a major accident and my car was declared totaled. I was hit from the front and back off my car. High impact . NONE of the airbags deployed. My face went into the windshield and I was slung around inside the car even with my seatbelt on. I know suffer from bone bruising and swollen muscles. I do not recommend this vehicle to anyone. I’m in the process of speaking to an attorney.
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Kontent with my Kona
This car is very deceiving; looks small, but has quite a bit of room; nice pickup and good gas mileage. We purchased it as our ‘around town and running errands’ car. We are very pleased with the car so far.
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Smooth ride in bad weather
I needed a reliable vehicle for work as I have a total 80 mile commute for work. This vehicle holds to handling superb in bad weather. I drive out in the middle of no where on the highway, so there is no "pulling over" when bad weather hits randomly as there's no curb. I have to keep going. Vehicle handles the flooded roads great. Front wheel drive just pulls right through it and keeps on going. My husband loves how it takes off quick then stops on a dime. The built-in Infinity eight speaker sound system, with a built-in subwoofer, is top notch too. Emergency braking works too. Had a driver at my front on the right decided to cut left across the lanes to a turn on the left. I caught it just in time to hit the brakes myself as did my Kona. Alarms went off and I felt my vehicle take control of the brake pedal itself. Pretty cool. Cargo area isn't too great. It's cramped back there for a family but great storage for emergency supplies I need for my drive. Back seat is the perfect size for my dog hammock. Overall a great vehicle for transportation to get to work with a smooth ride and pleasant sound system, but I wouldn't call it a great family vehicle due to it's lack of space in the back.
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Cute car, but unaccountable manufacturer.
I purchased my very first brand new car in June 2021. I'm 45 years old and have had multiple vehicles of all shapes and sizes over the years. I chose the 2021 Hyundai Kona Ultimate because it was the "top of the line" package with all the safety features. It's AWD, has the 1.6 turbo engine, leather interior, heated front seats, heads up display, etc. For the price, I was impressed with all of the "bells and whistles". It's a super cute car and I really liked the initial look and feel of it during the test drive. After I bought it, I did notice pretty quickly that it shifted somewhat strangely. Apparently that's customary with this particular transmission, but it does not feel smooth or stable. Oh well. With "sport mode" on, the acceleration is great and it really was fun to drive. The AWD was fine, but the stock tires were not good in snow, so I put 4 new snow tires on. I found the interior to be pretty comfortable, but also noticed that some of the finishes were cheap. I accidentally scratched an area near the window on the outside of the rear driver's side passenger door. The black film that covers (and I presume is supposed to protect) the hardware just peeled off. Additionally, although the car has a locking gas flap, the first time I filled up, I realized that the gas flap is actually plastic. I also learned that the car doesn't actually come with a spare tire. Seriously. Not even a donut. Instead, I received a "tire care kit". After about 3 months, I had an issue with the Sirius XM package. I called the dealer, who said it was an issue through Sirius, so I called them and they stated my car "wasn't equipped with" the feature (that I had previously been using for the past 3 months). Although it obviously didn't make sense, I let that one go. After 5 months, the horn stopped working. Since there is not a Hyundai dealership in my home town, I took it to the closest dealership (about 100 miles away). The service manager said the horn had "failed prematurely". Indeed. The car had less than 3000 miles on it at the time. They didn't have the part in stock and wouldn't be able to get me back in for a month. So, a month later, I drove back to the dealer, and they replaced the horn. Of course, there was no charge, since the vehicle was under warranty; but I was offered nothing for my time (two days lost) gas, or wear and tear on my vehicle (about 400 miles by the time it was taken care of). Less than a month after having the horn replaced (7 months after purchase), the check engine light came on. Since I was close to home, I continued driving the car (no discernible change in the engine, steering, shifting, etc.). Just before I arrived home, a message popped up on my navigation screen that indicated "A condition may have occurred with your vehicle" and said that I needed to take it in for service to obtain a "full-diagnostic" and that this needed to happen "TODAY". The word today was in all capital letters. I called the dealership and was advised not to drive the car to avoid any possible "further damage". They advised me to call Hyundai and that my car would be towed to the nearest dealer at no charge to me. Indeed it was; so again, my brand new car (with less than 4000 miles on it) was 100 miles away from me. The dealer had it for over a week, and their communication was virtually nonexistent. They pulled the codes and reset the engine light, but were unable to diagnose or duplicate the "error". So, they put 30 miles on the car and I had to come retrieve it after 9 days of being without a vehicle. Fortunately, a friend graciously drove me to the dealership. Another day lost with no compensation of any kind. I contacted the dealer and Hyundai corporate and requested that - at the very least - I might receive a gift card for fuel. I was informed there was nothing they could do. Long story short, I have a super cute car that I don't have confidence in. I spent $30,000 on a brand new car to AVOID issues and hassles like this. I cannot recommend Hyundai, which is unfortunate, because the car is cute and fun; but, the manufacturer has refused to be accountable for their product or for appropriate customer service. If you choose to buy a Hyundai, make sure you do so with your eyes open. Be ready for issues and disappointment. Update: I sold the "new" car, paid cash for a 2014 MINI Cooper Countryman All4, and am SO much happier!
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Bought one and the engine is noisy after 5000 km
My engine is very noisy After 5000km my dealer did not beleve me at first now after a second visit they gonna change the engine but i have to wait 3 months because it's back order I regret buying this car
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DONT BUY THIS CAR
The engine decided to just give up after four months of having it! Brand new car
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Bang for your buck
Great little SUV/Crossover..With the rebates and a little haggling,I got a great deal on a sharp looking car..Highly recommend the SEL if you can go a few bucks more up from base..
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Love it.
Smooth, good looking and economic.
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Too cramped & brake pedal is uncomfortable to use
Because of the position of the seat and the position of the brake pedal, I have to hover my foot above it in order to press down instead of putting my heel to the ground and pressing with the top of my foot like most cars. Didn’t make me feel relaxed while driving
Compact suv
Difference of the packages..... SE does not come with roof rails
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Her name is Racine
My Kona is perfect. Wonderful gas mileage and roomy and comfortable.
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really like the Kona ultimate
got a good lease deal for AWD Kona Ultimate. Really like the amenities
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Nice to look at, ok to drive
Pro..I love the look of my Kona. The bells and whistles are good but I came from a no extras car. Cons...I used to drive a Suzuki hatchback that had more space then this. I'm 5'3" and find it too compact to get into. Trunk space is too small. It's not gutsy at all unless I put it into Sport, revs very high and engine seems sluggish at times. When I take my foot off the gas it actually feels like Im putting on the brake. The armrest is low and small, window frame is high so makes it awkward to rest elbows. I'm leasing mine and do not plan on keeping it which is unfortunate because I really do love the look of it.
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Pretty car but the engine is weak
I picked this car in a rental car lot and kept for a week because it looks appealing, so cute with all the bells and whistles for a compact SUV. The dream fell right after I left the airport and hit the road. This car has weak engine that won't hold the speed in cruise control mode up to the hill. When I accelerate, it has a slow response. I rent small cars to find my future car and replace my stick shift 2009 Toyota Yaris. My current car (1.5L) is much better than Kona (1.6 L). This Hyundai car will not be it.
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I will not recommend a y Hyundai car for anyone
Every one please listen to me before you waste your money do not buy a Hyundai cars because my wife had Hyundai kona new one after one year the engine started to make some noise so we took the car to the dealership and after 2 days they told us that the engine needs to be replaced. So we asked them for a rental car they stated that they have no car to give out. Just put in mind that we also had the 3rd party warranty company that they offered the US at the dealership.after 6 days no one called us about any updates so I have to call multiple times to speak to someone after a while we were informed that the service still waiting on Hyundai company to prove the engine replacement. After 3 more days I called again so we were informed that Hyundai agreed to send an engine replacement and it will take about one month and after that one more week.so in total of 45 days the car at the dealership non of the dealership or Hyundai agreed to help us with a car or rental car or even speak to as.so please do not repeat my mistake stay away from Hyundai.
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Love my new car!
Can’t believe I got this vehicle for the price I did. It’s unbeatable!
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Excellent little car
SO I loved the Prius, had two and when I went to get another Toyota increased the length by 8 inches...NO GOOD..since I have a tight garage. SO looked around and discovered the KONA SEL....fun to drive, right size, looks good and so far in the 10 months I have had it love it. Great car at a reasonable price.
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Absolutely loved it - just to small for my needs
I loved my Kona Ultimate 1.6T, only problem is it was too small for me to easily put golf clubs in the vehicle. I also tailgate 10-15 times a year at the ballpark and restricted the number of people who could go to the with me.
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Beware
Loved its looks and price. Hated the sudden engine failure.
great
it’s perfect
Wish it would tow
I should have Looked into it more because it does not tow anything. I would like to buy a small trailer.
Best car I ever owned.
This car saved my life. I was rear-ended on the freeway. The guy was doing about 100mph when he hit me. He launched me into the air. I landed on the passengers side then rolled over two more times before coming to rest in a field. All this while holding onto my dog, who was in my lap. WE ALL WALKED AWAY. The side airbags saved my body from scraping along the asfault. My car is now totaled but I am looking to get another Hyundai. Unfortunately, the 21 year old who hit me in his Ford Mustang, didn't have much insurance so I'm not sure if I can afford another one. But the Hyundai Kona was the best car I ever had.
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Fantastic all-arounder
After much research went with the Ultimate AWD. Found a certified 2021 and no regrets after the first week+ driving. I don't understand comment about weak engine. The drive is very spirited, and that's before you even engage the Sport mode. I don't find I need the Sport mode to do my uphill merge on the freeway every day. That just makes it more fun, lol. If you don't need the utility, for more punch and better mileage, consider the FWD model which is lighter. The Ultimate comes absolutely packed with well thought out features. Right down to the HUD which I hope they bring back in future Konas (no Ultimate trim in US for 22+ model year, though Limited is otherwise feature packed). Everything works exactly as it should without getting in the way of the driver. Major points for still being fitted with tactile buttons throughout the well designed cabin. Road noise could be a little better (I have all season tires) but isn't loud either. The DCT shifts quick, though may not be a great match to all driving styles. The backseat is comfortable, though not really any amenities back there before the 22 model year. Very reasonable space and cargo for this perfectly sized (to me) compact. Overall I have absolutely nothing negative to say about it. It's an all around solid vehicle that's really fun to drive!
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Luxury
The technology
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Electronics
Electronic is very confusing, complicated, distracting, considering you are driving. Don’t rely on gas tank display, very far from truth. Anyway be very careful buying, don’t believe salesman bs, especially if he is from BoB Rohmans.
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A recall that was never honored. Bad pistons
Bearings and pistons were part of the assembly process that “could fail” without warning except a misterious vibration. Recall mention catastrophic engine failure and fire. Vibration software installed x 2 and a wish for good luck!
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Not seeing gas savings
Disappointed. We haven't had the car long but we're not seeing the 30 MPG promised. In fact we're getting lower than our trade-in.
Great experience
Like this car way more than my 2018 Tucson. More pick up, great handling.
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Amazing vehicle.
Amazing!
Stylish
I like how it handle, perfect for me!
Lala2 is my car’s name
My car is great so far! Love it