The 2021 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.
The 2021 Hyundai Kona is one of our favorite extra-small SUVs. It has an easy-to-use infotainment interface, smooth-operating driving aids and quick acceleration from its optional turbocharged engine. It's also pretty fun to drive thanks to its nimble handling and small size. Hyundai's long warranty and reasonable pricing are two other big draws.
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There are a few minor downsides — you can read more about them in our Expert Rating below — but overall the Kona is a smart pick for a pint-size SUV. We recommend checking it out alongside other highly ranked models such as the upscale Mazda CX-30, roomier Kia Soul or outdoorsy Subaru Crosstrek.
Edmunds Expert Rating
edmunds TESTED
by the Edmunds Experts
Good
7.9
out of 10
We drove the 2021 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. The Kona's systems are consistently accurate, not triggering false alarms in our time with the vehicle.
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 the 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 keep the Kona from true greatness.
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Certified Used KONA
Choose the trim, color, options, packages and more for your Hyundai
The 2021 Hyundai Kona is a subcompact crossover SUV available in six trim levels: SE, SEL, SEL Plus, Night, Limited and Ultimate. The SE, SEL and SEL Plus models are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (147 horsepower, 132 lb-ft of torque) that is paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. The others use a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine (175 hp, 195 lb-ft) mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional across the lineup. Compare the 2021 Hyundai Kona trim levels in-depth.
Which Kona trim does Edmunds recommend?
The SEL offers a lot of bang for your buck. It costs more than the base model but gets you a lot of desirable extras such as heated seats, keyless entry and a blind-spot monitor. But the Kona is at its best with its available turbocharged engine. This year's new Night trim level is the cheapest way to get it. We also recommend all-wheel drive; in addition to the extra traction the system provides, the rear torsion beam is replaced by a multilink suspension that improves ride quality and handling.
The 2021 Hyundai Kona has a 5 years / 60,000 miles basic warranty and 1 recall. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.
Recalls
1 recall found
Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.
If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).
Recall Number:
21V301000
Manufacturer Recall Number:
203
Number of vehicles affected:
125840
Defect Description:
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.
Defect Consequence:
A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Corrective Action:
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 25, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Well-built Car With Solid Feel (after a discovery)
5 out of 5 stars
AndyH, 03/13/2021
2021 Hyundai Kona NIGHT 4dr SUV AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
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.
A very happy customer
5 out of 5 stars
Amy , 01/20/2021
2021 Hyundai Kona SE 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
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!
Little Beauty
5 out of 5 stars
JA Jones, 10/26/2020
2021 Hyundai Kona Limited 4dr SUV (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
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
4 out of 5 stars
Bob, 10/13/2020
2021 Hyundai Kona SE 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 6A)
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.
Top Subcompact SUVs for 2021-2022 | Extra-Small & Easy to Drive – What's Not to Like?
Subcompact SUVs have been gaining in popularity over the last few years. For people who don't need or want the space of a midsize SUV or for those who just want to save a few bucks, a subcompact SUV is a smart and economical choice. These extra-small SUVs maintain that elevated ride height and utility of their larger counterparts, but their smaller size means easier… parking and better gas mileage. What's not to like? In this video, Mark Takahashi runs down our choices for the best subcompact SUVs for 2021-2022. From the Subaru Crosstrek, the new Chevy Trailblazer and Hyundai Kona to the more luxurious BMW X1, Audi Q3 and Volvo XC40, Mark gives a breakdown of each pint-sized SUV. What do we like and dislike about each? What should you know about them? How do they rank in each category? Mark explains all. So whether you're a first-time driver, you have a small family or you're just looking for something fun to drive, we've got you covered in this video of the 2021 Top Subcompact SUVs.
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
5 out of 5 stars
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.