2021 Hyundai Kona Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The Kona is a funky small SUV with styling that blends mild and wild. Up front, the grille is flanked by lighting features, but above them there are other lights, and beneath all of that are fog lights for some trim levels. It's a busy look that leans more toward playful than business, which works for the Kona's target audience of younger buyers. Around back, the style is far more subdued, with a more standard crossover shape and lighting configuration.

The outside shouts uniqueness and fun, and the interior manages to pull off a similar attitude without being too whimsical or busy. The seats feature neat patterns and standard cloth upholstery, while higher trims can be upgraded with leather on the steering wheel and seats. The well-organized interior features an infotainment system touchscreen mounted high on the dash and physical climate controls. The layout is simple and intuitive, and works well with the Kona's compact interior.

Hyundai offers two powertrain options for the 2021 Kona. The base model gets a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that makes 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. The optional drivetrain is a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine rated at 195 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The base engine comes paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, while the turbocharged engine gets a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard on Essential and Preferred grade models with all-wheel drive (AWD) as an option, while AWD is standard on higher trims. Neither engine is going to wow anyone with power, torque, or acceleration, but both engines deliver ample power to move the tiny Kona around town and on the highway with ease.

Dual-clutch transmissions are great and can improve a car's sporty feel to a high degree, but they're not known for being particularly graceful at low speeds. That's the case with the turbo engine-paired seven-speed dual-clutch automatic that Hyundai employs in the Kona, though things smooth out considerably at higher speeds.

Surprisingly, the Kona handles and drives with much more confidence than its price tag or segment would suggest. Though it's not a rocket ship by any means, the Kona feels agile and ready to go, and the sensation from the driver seat is one of engagement and fun. That said, Hyundai dialed in enough comfort and composure to keep things smooth and planted on curvy roads.

With FWD and the base engine, the Kona returns Natural Resources Canada fuel consumption ratings of 8.6/7.0/7.9 litres per 100 kilometres city/highway/combined. With AWD and the base engine, the Kona uses 9.2/7.8/8.6 L/100 km. The turbo engine and AWD combine for figures of 9.0/8.0/8.6 L/100 km.

Front-seat passengers get decent headroom and legroom, though the view in the front cabin area is not all that exciting. The good news is that the optional sunroof doesn't chop too much headroom. All dials, controls, and displays are within easy reach of either front passenger. The front seats are wide and well-padded, but could use more support, both in bolstering and in hip padding. This becomes more of an issue when driving spiritedly, as it's too easy to lean one way or the other.

Back-seat passengers will find an upright space with good headroom, but most will find legroom to be lacking. The Kona's large rear door openings make loading and unloading children much easier, but large rear-facing car seats may cause issues with taller passengers up front.

The Hyundai Kona lands near the bottom of the list in its segment for cargo space, only beating out the Mazda CX-3. Most, including the Honda HR-V can swallow much more in their cargo holds. The rear seats do fold, which opens the space further. That said, small-item storage spaces are generous and conveniently located. The door pockets are large and the centre console area is surprisingly spacious.

Hyundai equips every Kona with a solid list of tech and entertainment features. They include an eight-inch infotainment system touchscreen, Bluetooth, six speakers, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and USB inputs. Available tech includes SiriusXM radio, navigation, a Harman Kardon audio system, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen system.

Hyundai's infotainment software is simple, but is colourful and responsive. The system is easy to navigate and does not require several clicks to change a setting or access a feature. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are huge benefits for Kona buyers, especially at the low end of the trim range, as it brings navigation, streaming audio, and voice controls to every model. Note that the 10.25-inch infotainment system is not compatible with wireless smartphone connectivity.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona earned a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The award included "Good" scores in all crash test areas. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) scored it five stars overall.

Every Kona comes standard with forward-collision avoidance assist, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on AWD grades. Optional safety feature upgrades include lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and parking sensors.

The Hyundai Kona's MSRP tops out at $32,299 for the Ultimate trim, not including an $1,825 destination charge. That's not all that much, considering how expensive other vehicles have become and how much you're getting with a Kona purchase. Because of that, there's no reason not to spring for the Hyundai Kona Trend, Luxury, or even the Hyundai Kona Ultimate, as there's not much of a price penalty for going all out.

Note: Images show a US model.