The Hyundai Kona is one of the best affordable cars I’ve driven in a while. This new generation continues to set itself apart with expressive styling inside and out, particularly in our tested “N-Line” guise. There are fun unique exterior design elements on the N-Line like the triangular rear center high mounted stop light (CHMSL in car speak, you pronounce it as chimsel). I do have one beef with the N-Line though, and that’s the fact that there is no longer a full blooded “N” model as with the prior generation. I feel like an N-Line level product should only exist when there’s a halo-level product on which to ride its coattails.
While no fire breathing model is available anymore, the turbo 4-cylinder on offer is good for 190 horsepower, a solid jump over the more pedestrian 147 horsepower 4-cylinder in the SE, SEL and SEL Convenience trims. The up level Limited trim also receives the same stout turbo 4. All-Wheel Drive is available across the line up should you need it. Toyota Corolla Cross and Honda HR-V don’t have a comparable hotted up engine. Subaru Crosstrek comes a little closer with its bigger engine, but still not a turbo. Transmission is an 8-speed automatic transmission, controlled through the column mounted directional twist selector.
The N Line is zippy and fun to drive, even has the requisite paddle shifters for the fairly responsive automatic transmission. It’s almost like a hot hatch with a bit of a suspension lift, especially since the quirky Veloster is no longer with us. But alas there’s no such thing as a free lunch, and where the Kona gets hit is in the fuel economy box, where it is pretty rough across the board and while Kona doesn’t offer up a hybrid variant, it does have a full EV counterpart for those who are looking for efficiency. Still, the mediocre fuel economy might be a big ding from most buyers in the segment.
Kona did grow and stretch a bit in this second generation and now has good space for the segment. Rear seats have air vents and good visibility, and in typical Hyundai fashion – tons of features and storage. Those rear seats can accommodate two child seats quite well, although a rear facing car seat is likely best positioned behind the passenger side, who will then have to scoot forward quite a bit. That’s somewhat to be expected in this subcompact segment though.
Tech wise I did note a feature oddity of our tester having blind spot detection but no rear parking sensors. Those two usually go hand in hand. The N Line also comes with dual 12.3″ screens up front which is pretty crazy to see in this sub $35,000 price band. They’re crisp with good resolution and the infotainment system supports wireless phone integration. And there are also actual buttons and knobs for just about everything, thank goodness for straightforward controls! The N Line also comes with a branded Bose audio system. One missing item on the N Line is no available power lift gate, they make you step up to the Limited trim for that. The Limited also has niceties like a top down 360 camera for parking and the blind spot view monitors as well.
Overall, the new Kona is well-rounded with improved driving dynamics, loads of tech and features, comfortable size and space and fairly exciting drive with the turbo at least. The robocop exterior design might be a bit polarizing, but it does stand out, and is available in some delightful eye popping colors. Highly recommend putting this on your test drive list for any small ute shoppers!
