Hyundai Kona (2017-2026)

This used to be my top pick when buying an electric SUV for under $60,000. Not anymore. Hyundai has been swept up in the Chinese EV pricing war, and the market has fundamentally changed. More brands than ever are entering with alternative electric SUVs, and they're coming in hot with some of the lowest prices we've seen for these types of… Read more

vehicles. These newcomers pack a huge amount of luxury features that reinforce genuine value for money, and they offer some of the most advanced infotainment systems in the industry too. We're talking smartphone-like tablets rather than the traditional user experiences found in cars like the Hyundai Kona Electric.

Sadly, even after a refresh, Hyundai hasn't instilled what makes their other electric cars so great into this vehicle. The Kona Electric feels like a step behind. It returns an adequate but unimpressive 370km of range per charge, and it takes too long to charge. Getting from 0-80% takes 45 minutes when connected to a 100kW DC fast charger.

It's only offered in a front-wheel drive configuration, and the chassis remains compromised because it has to share its design with petrol and hybrid alternatives.

I understand Hyundai needs to offer a range of powertrains in this market, and to be honest, the Kona Electric would make a great fleet vehicle in this base spec. But for consumers, there are better EV SUVs on the market for the money. And if you don't need the space, Hyundai makes a better and cheaper electric SUV called the Inster for less money.

In time, Hyundai will replace the Kona Electric with an IONIQ-branded small SUV. But as the global market shifts demand for EVs, Hyundai is being careful in its rollout of cars powered purely by electrons. They want to avoid a Porsche moment, where they'd have to re-engineer these vehicles to adopt a fossil fuel powertrain after the fact.

While the Kona succeeds as a practical and easy-to-live-with commuter car that can be powered for a lot less than a traditional petrol SUV with lower servicing requirements too, the asking price for an entry-level model is simply too high. It's too high compared to what Hyundai offers internally with the Inster and IONIQ 5, and too high compared to a range of competitors I'd rather purchase instead. So if you really want an electric Kona, they make it.

But I'd be looking at alternatives like the Volvo EX30 if I wanted to maximize my value for money.

YouTube Review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5p7rNEnWdk

Good feature list, but needs more range for the price to be competitive – On the outside, the EV filler cap design and weighted doors certainly help the Kona feel a little bit more premium. The interior fit and finish feels of a higher grade in the Kona. Leather seats, trim and even greater dampened buttons gives the Kona the lead in the build quality department. Hyundai has been offering stiff competition across a… Read more

variety of categories in the industry, and it’s certainly playing hard to beat with its build quality.

The Kona EV Highlander Extended Range is priced from $69,311 drive away. For this price, you receive a 150kWh battery pack, 484km of range, front heated and cooled seats, rear heated seats, a heads up display, Harman/Kardon audio, and radar cruise control.

The Kona EV range starts from $59,336 for the Standard Range Elite model, which has 305km of range. You can get an Extended Range battery in the Elite model, with less features, which will set you back $65,636.

It’s extremely close when it comes to value for money. You either receive less features but significantly more range for the Kona Elite Extended Range, or you buy the top of the range Leaf with more features but less range.

At the end of the day, range is the headline concern for most buyers new to EVs. I believe that opting for the 484km of range instead of 385km of range would win here. You’ll be more comfortable driving an EV with as much range as the Kona EV, even if you realistically will never need that much range for 90% of your driving needs.

The Kona EV offers a 5 year/unlimited kilometre warranty and an 8 year/160,000km warranty for the battery pack.

The Kona is certainly a first generation EV product, purely because its regenerative braking ability is a little too aggressive. I’ve had a few passengers complain about the regenerative braking in the Kona so much so that I usually turn it off via the paddle shifters.

The Kona has a far superior brake pedal feel against something like the Nissan Leaf - exactly the same experience you’d find in an ICE powered car.

The Kona possesses additional torque and a large battery, even in its base configuration. Its 0-100km/h times are claimed to be a second quicker, at around 6.5 seconds. That’s a quick family car, especially from a brand like Hyundai.

The Kona has the most obvious disadvantage putting power down from a standstill, with the front tires occasionally screaming for grip. However, once you get going, especially in Sport Mode, the Kona is an exceptionally quick small SUV. It’ll have even quicker cars struggling to pull as quick during mid-range acceleration, thanks to nearly 400Nm available from 0rpms.

The Kona EV is a comfortable car, and it handles all sections of road with ease. However, those batteries do feel heavy when you’re driving, which can make the Kona feel a little bloated when braking or doing high speed corners.

It's efficient at least when it comes to energy consumption. The Kona consumes a more efficient 15.3kWh per 100km of driving.

The Kona suffers in the same way that the Kia Niro does, by shoving a battery pack under the floor of a car that’s meant to also house an ICE engine. That means second row legroom feels significantly less spacious, as passengers will feel as if their knees are closer to their chest than in other cars.

It's a great first-EV option for those who love their petrol powered Kona but want an electric alternative.

But, I simply think there are better value EVs, like the MG 4 Electric, and better electric cars for the money, like the Tesla Model Y, when cross shopping the Kona Electric.

*Disclaimer - I work for ProductReview as their independent car and motorbike expert. I borrow new cars and motorbikes from manufacturers and owners to review. I am not paid or incentivised by these brands to post reviews. I write and create content to provide insight and information about any new or used vehicle I can get my hands on.

The best small performance SUV for the money – The Hyundai Kona has proven itself to be a well-built little SUV. The doors have a satisfying weight and sound and most of the interior trim is squeak and rattle-free. Stitching around the suede leather seats, shifter and steering wheel isn’t out of place at all. I especially loved how Hyundai took the time to cover up any screw holes that… Read more

you’d be able to feel but not see if they hadn’t been on the steering wheel itself.

That doesn’t mean there weren’t a few questionable elements - like the way the centre screen squeaked if you moved it ever so slightly, of how the rear diffuser around the exhaust flexed a little too much for my liking when cleaning it.

Starting from $47,500 for the base Kona N or $50,500 for the ‘Premium’ trim before on-road costs, it’s hard to argue against the fact this SUV is a performance bargain.

I was driving around in the Kona N Premium, which meant that I had nicer seats that were both heated and cooled, a heads up display, a sunroof and a heated steering wheel.

You definitely don’t need this upgrade, but it did live up to making the Kona N feel a little more ‘premium’.

There are no direct competitors to this small, front-wheel drive, performance-oriented SUV. You can head closer to $100,000 and you’ll find cars like the Audi SQ2 and Mercedes GLA 35 AMG, however those are a lot more expensive, and they’re all-wheel drive.

Part of that affordability sentiment is the fact this comes with not only a 5 year/unlimited kilometre warranty, but also with a track day warranty for the same period.

It encourages you to not just enjoy the Kona N on the street, but also to use every ounce of engineering behind what makes the Kona N so great to drive, out on the track.

Over these 5 years, you also receive capped price servicing fees, resulting in an average cost per service equating to around $284.

Noise isolation is a bit of an issue in Hyundai’s N Performance cars because you have stickier tyres and a booming engine and exhaust tone.

Not even an upgraded Harman/Kardon sound system could completely block the sound that bled into the cabin. You’re going to hear more road noise thanks to those bigger and grippier tires.

Podcasts and music were more than enjoyable to listen to through these speakers, however I found myself far more interested in that exhaust sound.

Like many other reviewers, I’m in disbelief at just how Hyundai managed to get this exhaust tune passed by Australian regulators. It is beyond loud when you open those valves and start to lift off that throttle or go for some aggressive down shifts.

These brakes are a whole 55mm larger than the ones you’d find on the standard Kona.

You can guarantee they are effective, seeing as the increase in brake size isn’t because the Kona increased in weight.

Extra stopping power is recommended when you have the most powerful motor in the Kona line up. If you can hit 100km/h in 5.4 seconds, you need to stop just as quick.

I find it liberating that a motor like this is available to purchase at this price point, rather than having to spend major cash for a properly developed engine.

This isn’t just a slightly tuned 2.0L turbocharged petrol four-cylinder powerplant; instead, it’s been fettled by Hyundai’s N Performance division to provide proper performance.

There’s a wide powerband for both peak power and peak torque. 206kW arrives as soon as 5,500rpm through to 6,000rpm and 392Nm from as little as 2,100rpm through to 4,700pm.

For an engine paired to a large turbocharger, that wide torque band and high end power translates to a strong acceleration and the ability to use all of your revs.

Some engines like this hit peak power early in the rev range, meaning that riding out to redline isn’t as productive as shifting a little earlier - not exactly the best driving experience. What’s fun is that Kona N allows you to ride to redline and enjoy power through to the end. It’s a far more sophisticated turbocharged engine experience, and all for a reasonable asking price.

Since this is a dual-clutch automatic, launch control can be activated and simply engaged by pressing the brake pedal and mashing the throttle. Lifting off the brake doesn’t result in an unruly scramble for grip by the front tyres. Rather, the car accesses that peak torque early, and proceeds to throw you to 100km/h quicker than the i30N hatchback can.

Not to mention that this car has an overboost feature called ‘N Grin Shift’. Via a button labeled ‘NGS’ on the steering wheel, you can increase peak power to 213kW for 20 seconds to either get that extra speed out of a corner, or go for that overtake. It requires a 40 second cooldown between runs.

This would be the biggest differentiation for those looking to shop between an i30N hatchback and a Kona N.

The additional ride height and increased tyre wall size means the Kona offers a far softer ride than the i30N across all surfaces.

It becomes the hot hatch for passengers who hate riding around in a hot hatch. Thanks to adjustable dampers, you can have the Kona N ride just like a normal SUV for the most part.

I averaged around 10L per 100km over 1000km of driving, only seeing figures as low as 8L per 100km during long, uninterrupted highway drives.

The Kona is a whole 50mm shorter than the i30N, meaning you have less boot space than the lower-riding hatchback.

There’s 361L available with all the seats up, and 1143L with all the seats folded down. It’s an easy-to-live-with boot space, as the load floor is flat all the way through and the seats are easy to fold.

It’s a lifted hot hatch for a reasonable price. It’ll be the sensible choice if you’re regularly carrying passengers who don’t love the idea of an aggressive hot hatch like the i30N.

For that reason alone, of being able to have your cake and eat it, I’d recommend you buy the Kona N if you’re constantly in a debate with others about whether you should be in a hot hatch.

*Disclaimer - I work for ProductReview as their independent car and motorbike expert. I borrow new cars and motorbikes from manufacturers and owners to review. I am not paid or incentivised by these brands to post reviews. I write and create content to provide insight and information about any new or used vehicle I can get my hands on.

The fastest AWD Kona you can buy also has a great list of standard features – As I am impressed by Kia, I’m also incredibly impressed with the current build quality of Hyundai’s products. The Kona is no exception. For the price, you’re getting yourself into a vehicle that has been thoughtfully put together, with a good mix of the cheaper stuff, along with quality materials. On the outside, both paint and the plastic… Read more

trim all appeared to be of a superior quality. Even the twin chrome exhaust tips looked and felt of a grade even greater than some European equivalents (no fakery here!) As they weren't just a facade of an exhaust exit, rather it looks like proper R and D went into making these tailpipes. In this top trim, leather seats and soft-touch materials helped justify the higher asking price over lower trims. Stand-out quality was found in the dual 10.25 inch displays, both for the infotainment and the driver’s display. Hyundai’s infotainment system has some of the best responses to touch inputs in the industry. The tablet-like UI employed here is simple to use, helping elevate the quality of interaction you have with this vehicle. The driver’s display is ultra-crisp and smooth in its animations, again, helping improve the sense of quality in this cabin. Small in their size and frequently used, they have a lasting impact slightly reducing the overall sense of quality. Some quality let-downs came in the form of a cheaper feeling interior door handles and the cheap nature of the drive mode select button.

The Kona N-Line Premium, tops the standard petrol-powered versions of the Kona line-up at $47,093 drive away. This is quite a step up. Conversely, you’re getting a better motor, gearbox, all-wheel drive (AWD)and more features than you’d ever expect you’d need at this price point. The Kona is up against the likes of the Nissan Juke, the Toyota Yaris Cross and the Subaru XV/Crosstrek.

The Kona needs to be serviced every 10,000km or once a year.

Hyundai is less interested in showing a breakdown of each year of servicing, instead wants you to purchase a pre-paid servicing plan.

For the full five years or first 50,000km of driving, Hyundai will charge you $1,595; this is reasonable. This works out to about $319 a year.

Harman/Kardon. Ever heard of them? I’m sure you have. If not, they’re some of the best in-car speakers you can buy and have been seen in even the likes of Range Rover. I just haven’t yet seen these speakers fitted to the likes of a Hyundai. Again, Hyundai is outshining its former self with improvements like this. The premium speaker system used in the Kona was exceptional for the price.

As much as the Kona N-Line Premium looks the part, it’s not going to fulfill the full-fat N experience you might be chasing. This Kona has a 1.6L four-cylinder petrol motor pushing 146kW at 6,000rpm and 265Nm at 1600-4500rpm. 0-100km/h times haven’t been officially announced, but many publications quote the capable little SUV hitting 100 in the mid to low 8 second range. That’s respectable for a small SUV in this segment, in which cars usually achieve a time closer to 10 seconds. The 0-100 time is aided by the AWD drivetrain and dual-clutch transmission partnered with the turbocharged motor. I adored the grip this AWD system offered, as I never once experienced slippage under enthusiastic acceleration in situations where I normally would with other front-wheel drive systems.

I’ve read some complaints regarding the Kona N-Line’s gearbox, but I’ve looked for a reason to hate it and still can’t find one. I understand that even though this is the sports-orientated version of the Kona, shifting gears using the manual mode isn’t the best experience. Instead, you should leave the gearbox to do what it does best in auto. The vehicle’s 7-speed dual clutch transmission certainly does a far better job at shifting than the dual clutch unit in the Nissan Juke. Shifts can occasionally feel a bit abrupt under harsh acceleration with the Kona, however in every other instance the gearbox performs without a hitch.

There’s a larger set of wheels fitted to this trim, translating to a stiffer overall ride. It’s not back-breaking, but you are going to feel a little more on the road than a more comfort-orientated SUV. Handling is aided by the AWD system and a stiffer suspension setup. The Kona is able to tackle tighter corners and start accelerating sooner out of them thanks to this setup. Claimed fuel efficiency for the Kona is 6.9L/100km, but I achieved as high as 13.5L/100km during my time with the Kona.

The Kona N-Line adds some much needed flair to this interior with the addition of N badges sewed into the seats, an N-Design steering wheel and an N-Design shifter. Leather seats also elevate the interior to a more luxurious level, helping justify the price tag.

With all the seats folded-up, the rear boot space equals 351L, and the maximum boot space you can get with the second-row folded is 1143L. Upon opening the boot, it becomes apparent that the Kona isn’t a replacement for a family car. This car is more suited for a family of 3, or a spacious option for 1 to 2 people. The boot is small and feels cramped once you’ve placed two suitcases in there. The seats fold in a 60:40 split, which is ideal for a family of 3 and allows you to fit more cargo in the back whilst carting around two passengers. As a 5’11” human, the rear seats were too tight for me. Even though this is a four door small-SUV, the second-row was cramped and not comfortable on long journeys. These seats should be reserved for smaller passengers or used exclusively for shorter journeys.

Unless you want more power or a more economical option in the form of a hybrid or EV, the Kona N-Line offers one of the best value for money propositions along with a premium driving experience and list of features in the small-SUV segment.

*Disclaimer - I work for ProductReview as their independent car and motorbike expert. I borrow new cars and motorbikes from manufacturers and owners to review. I am not paid or incentivised by these brands to post reviews. I write and create content to provide insight and information about any new or used vehicle I can get my hands on.

I have been having bad luck with keys/fobs this year so I had to pay for a replacement Kona fob in February 2025 that cost $247 (plus $175 for coding) and then I lost the same fob in July 2025 as the leather/vinyl band broke. I was quoted $895 for the replacement fob and programming (still $175) so the replacement fob is $720. So from February… Read more

2025 to July 2025, the price for the fob has increased almost 3 fold. The fob code is unique to Australia so cheaper overseas replacements will not work. What a ripoff!!

Poor quality of carpet – After 9 months a long split developed in the carpet on the drivers side where the heel sits (no mats installed as they weren’t available on purchase) and Hyundai say it is ‘wear and tear’ (notwithstanding it has a 5 year warranty). Additionally, Hyundai put the wrong service book in the Hybrid (put the electric book which has different service intervals). Would say not very consumer friendly organisation.

The most exciting car I’ve owned! – I recently picked up my new Hyundai Kona N-Line in cyber grey. It’s my first Hyundai and the service and buying experience has been wonderful. It’s just completed its first 1,500 service and it drives beautifully. It’s not the most economical but having previously owned a diesel with a larger tank capacity I knew I was going to have to adjust. … Read more

It is well feature packed for the price. I would like to see closed storage in the centre console but it will probably teach me not to collect stuff in there! So many charging options for front and rear passengers, and rear vents are a real bonus with the kids! They’ve told me it’s the coolest car I’ve owned and I agree. A real pleasure to drive, I love getting into it each day!

Crap show! So is the dealer who sold the car – FWIW - Not sure whether its Northside hyundai or Hyundai Australia who have failed as a Manufacturer/Dealer. My new Hyundai Kona N Performance model (2022) has broken down in just over a month. Purchased on the 8th of August, the car literally broke down on the 13th of September. The car's Safety systems failed. Service Technicians have no clue… Read more

whats happening with the car. No feedback on the situation. Well in to the third week without the car. Time to get a replacement or a refund! Reasons such as - Very busy, flood out with other cars, short/under staffed wont work! If you are in this business, you need to think in advance on staff and inventory management. Or else, just close for the day!

So much fun – Brings a smile everytime I hop in it. Good fuel economy if you baby it. Back seat room is small so suits only occasional use. Show details