That is actually a overview about three vehicles, perhaps 4. Though all fall beneath the umbrella of 2022 Hyundai Kona and all share a standard, funky, subcompact SUV look, they’re decidedly totally different when it comes to their goal and the way they’re powered. For many consumers, “the Hyundai Kona” is a subcompact SUV with a modest engine, a modest worth and a beneficiant quantity of apparatus and guarantee protection. It stands out from the gang with its distinctive styling, user-friendly tech and a driving expertise that’s surprisingly enjoyable (then again, it’s additionally one of many least spacious in its phase). It’s one in all our top-recommended subcompact SUVs.
Then issues get actually fascinating. As enjoyable as the bottom Kona could be, there’s a 1.6-liter turbo engine improve accessible that ups energy to a stage that few rivals get near approaching, not to mention surpassing. It comes customary on the Restricted, pictured above, in addition to the new-for-2022 Kona N-Line, which actually leans into the Kona’s sporty vibe. The also-new 2022 Kona N, in the meantime, not solely leans into it, however totally immerses itself and rolls round in a joyous celebration of foolish energy, boisterous noise and sizzling hatch dealing with. It’s a riot.
And eventually, there’s the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electrical, which is one in all your greatest bets amongst lower-priced EVs. It has an ample 258 miles of vary, partially as a result of it’s one of the environment friendly EVs, and is equally a pleasure to drive – simply in a a lot quieter manner. In different phrases, irrespective of which of the Kona flavors you contemplate, know that you just’re one in all our favorites in its respective phase.
Inside & Know-how | Passenger & Cargo House | Efficiency & Gasoline Economic system
What it is wish to drive | Pricing & Options | Crash Rankings & Security Options
What’s new for 2022?
The high-performance Kona N is launched and it’s a hoot. Consider it as a kinda-tall sizzling hatch. The also-new Kona N Line isn’t almost as sizzling, nevertheless it at the least appears sportier than different trim ranges that retain a extra SUV-like look. The carry-over Kona fashions, together with the Electrical, get up to date styling and a barely totally different inside. For the latter, the outboard air vents at the moment are spherical, the middle console barely disconnected from the sprint above and, extra notably, the ten.25-inch widescreen infotainment show discovered elsewhere within the Hyundai lineup is now accessible on high trim ranges. Hyundai additionally says the cargo house and again seat legroom have elevated, however solely by a tiny quantity. When it comes to mechanical upgrades, the bottom engine is now paired with Hyundai’s “IVT” constantly variable transmission, whereas the suspension of non-N fashions is up to date for sharper dealing with and a greater experience.
What are the Kona inside and in-car know-how like?
For the cash and for this humble phase, the Kona inside is simply positive. Plastics are unremarkable and the design is a bit blah, particularly since Hyundai not provides vibrantly coloured trim choices or distinctive houndstooth customary upholstery. It’s all very monochromatic now. No less than the Kona Electrical (above proper) spruces issues up with a richer customary upholstery, light-colored leather-based and silver trim, plus a novel rising middle console and push-button shifter. The brand new Kona N (above left) additionally will get nicer upholstery on sport seats plus a really cool sport steering wheel.
With both design, the low sprint provides good visibility, the steering wheel sufficiently adjusts, and higher trims profit from an influence driver seat that gives extra adjustability than most within the phase. The driving place can also be greater than a automobile (which you undoubtedly discover within the Kona N), however we would not say you get the “commanding view” of the highway such as you’d get in an even bigger crossover.
One of many Kona’s main perks is the easy-to-use infotainment system, which is augmented for 2022 with the provision of Hyundai’s greatest 10.25-inch widescreen show. With that or the usual 8-inch touchscreen, a user-friendly interface pairs with loads of bodily shortcut buttons, and importantly, bodily quantity and tuning knobs. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are customary options on all fashions. Additionally now discovered on high trim ranges is an all-digital instrument panel with enhanced performance and an look that adjustments with drive mode. Designs additionally differ by mannequin as you may see beneath with the Restricted (beneath, higher left) and Electrical (beneath, backside left).
How large is the Kona?
The Kona is on the small aspect even for the subcompact SUV phase, so for those who’re planning on utilizing the again seat and cargo space lots, it is probably not the only option. Even the Hyundai Venue, which is smaller on the skin, has a extra helpful cargo space. And amongst subcompact SUVs, solely the Toyota C-HR is notably smaller. Successfully, the Kona is a subcompact hatchback with a excessive seating place.
In accordance with the specs, the Kona has 19.2 cubic-feet of cargo house behind its raised again seat. We present you precisely what number of baggage that equates to in our Kona Baggage Check, however briefly, it does certainly maintain lower than its opponents. If house is necessary to you, a Nissan Kicks or Kia Soul will work higher, and you can too contemplate stepping as much as the marginally bigger midcompact phase with the Kia Seltos and Mazda CX-30.
What are the Kona gasoline economic system and efficiency specs?
This part is usually fairly easy for different subcompact SUVs, however not so the Kona because it’s accessible with three gasoline engines and an electrical powertrain.
The SE and SEL trim ranges are powered by a 2.0-liter inline-four that produces 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque – a typical quantity for the phase. It’s paired with a constantly variable transmission that Hyundai dubs “IVT,” and both customary front-wheel drive or elective all-wheel drive. EPA-estimated gasoline economic system is 30 mpg metropolis, 35 mpg freeway and 32 mpg mixed with FWD and 28/33/30 with AWD.
The N-Line (beneath left in blue) and Restricted get a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four that produces 195 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque – an quantity surpassed solely by the Kia Soul Turbo (barely) within the subcompact phase. It too offers a alternative of FWD or AWD, however comes customary with a seven-speed dual-clutch automated handbook transmission. Regardless of its huge energy benefit, gasoline economic system is mainly the identical as the bottom engine: 29/35/32 with FWD and 27/32/29 with AWD.
Subsequent comes the Kona N (above proper). It has a 2.0-liter turbo inline-4 that pumps out 276 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque – and right here we thought the 1.6-liter blew away the competitors. Nevermind subcompact SUVs, this considerably outdoes a VW GTI. The N will get an eight-speed DCT and customary front-wheel drive – all-wheel drive isn’t accessible as it might’ve elevated price, complexity and weight, and moreover, sizzling hatches just like the GTI are front-wheel drive any manner. Gasoline economic system takes a dive however remains to be respectable at 20/27/23.
And now, for one thing utterly totally different, there’s the Kona Electrical (beneath). It too is front-wheel-drive solely and boasts a single electrical motor that produces 201 hp and 291 lb-ft of torque. Its EPA-estimated vary is 258 miles, which is greater than many EVs together with significantly costlier ones. It carries a mixed effectivity ranking of 120 mpge, which makes it the fourth fourth most effective EV. All these forward of it are significantly costlier. Nevertheless, its recharging pace isn’t as fast as many different EVs, particularly Hyundai’s personal Ioniq 5.
What is the Kona wish to drive?
Contemplating all these powertrain selections up there, the reply is “it actually relies upon.” Normally, although, each Kona impresses with a surprisingly enjoyable driving expertise highlighted by tidy physique management and well-calibrated steering. The experience is on the agency aspect, particularly on the N-Line and N, however in a manner per sporty vehicles. There’s various highway noise, although nothing on this phase goes to be a serene cocoon.
Though energy within the base engine is modest, we’ve discovered it to be sprightly sufficient and is a pleasant praise to the Kona’s usually enjoyable demeanor. We’ve not tried it with the new-for-2022 IVT transmission, although, so we’re undecided how that may have an effect on its energy supply – Hyundai might use a distinct acronym, nevertheless it’s a CVT, and so they not often enhance the driving expertise. The 1.6-liter turbo within the 2022 Restricted is simply as potent as earlier than, and though its DCT can often be a bit sluggish to reply when ranging from a cease (and might even roll a bit on hills), it largely behaves like a standard computerized as soon as underway.
You may learn extra concerning the Kona N in our first drive overview, however briefly, it’s a bit field of pleasure that makes enjoyable noises and packs laugh-inducing energy with, vitally, a chassis as much as the duty of controlling it. The Kona N could also be a subcompact SUV, nevertheless it has the center and strikes of a sizzling hatch.
As for the Kona Electrical, it’s simply as a lot of a riot to drive as all gas-powered Konas other than the N. With Eco, Consolation and Sport drive modes, you may drive it nonetheless you want, from an electron-sipping commuter to a tire-spinning go-kart. Paddles on the again of the steering wheel allow you to dial in varied ranges of regenerative braking power. There’s not a setting for pure one-pedal driving, as it’s a must to proceed to carry the left paddle to convey the automobile to a whole cease with out utilizing the brake pedal. And naturally, your precise vary will differ based mostly on driving fashion and ambient temperature, however its 258-mile ranking provides you numerous room to mess around earlier than having to go to a plug.
What different Hyundai Kona evaluations can I learn?
2022 Hyundai Kona N First Drive Assessment | It has a hatch, and it is sizzling
The Kona N is surprisingly enjoyable and shockingly refined. If that is the way forward for sizzling hatches, no drawback.
2019 Hyundai Kona Electrical Assessment | Residing, loving the life electrical
Learn extra specifics concerning the electrical Kona based mostly on per week our varied editors spent with it. Although it has been up to date for 2022, our impressions and the specs stay broadly the identical.
2018 Hyundai Kona 1.6T Assessment | The muscle has arrived
A extra in-depth overview of the Kona when geared up with the 1.6-liter turbo engine. The trim stage mentioned is not accessible (it is successfully the Restricted now) and the complete automobile has been up to date, however our impressions stay broadly the identical.
Hyundai Kona vs Honda HR-V, Jeep Renegade and Kia Soul
Our complete full comparability check of subcompact crossovers. The Kona scored properly however didn’t come out on high.
How a lot is the 2022 Kona worth and what options can be found?
Pricing for the 2022 Kona begins at $22,545, together with the $1,245 vacation spot cost. Commonplace tools is fairly beneficiant with 16-alloy wheels, a full complement of driver help options (see Security part beneath), computerized headlights, LED accent lights, a height-adjustable driver seat, fabric upholstery, two USB ports, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, an 8-inch touchscreen and a six-speaker audio system. We’ve pushed such a base Kona SE earlier than and undoubtedly didn’t discover it to be a penalty field.
You will discover a full rundown of added options for the opposite trims right here on Autoblog (plus these for the Kona N and Kona Electrical), however there are variations past elevated consolation and comfort tools to handle for the N-Line and N. The N-Line (pictured beneath in blue) is a type of a “efficiency lite” model – it will get the 1.6-liter turbo, 18-inch wheels, a twin-tip exhausts and particular sport seats. The N is the complete monty model with nearly each key element upgraded – you may learn extra about it in our particular Kona N overview.
All costs beneath embody the vacation spot cost. All-wheel drive is a $1,500 possibility on all however the Kona N and Kona Electrical, that are front-wheel-drive solely.
- SE: $22,545
- SEL: $24,345
- N-Line: $27,095
- Restricted: $29,845
- N: $35,445
- Electrical SEL: $35,245
- Electrical Restricted: $43,745
Because the identify suggests, the Electrical begins off with tools similar to the gasoline SEL plus the ten.25-inch touchscreen customary. Frankly, the $8,500 worth bounce to the Restricted appears fairly steep contemplating what you get. The hole between gasoline SEL and Restricted is just $5,500 regardless of comparable tools provides, and if something, the gasoline Restricted provides a stronger engine. Both manner, each Electrical trims are eligible for the complete $7,500 federal EV tax credit score.
What are the Kona security rankings and driver help options?
Each 2022 Kona contains ahead collision warning with pedestrian detection and computerized emergency braking, lane-keeping help and a driver inattention warning system. The SEL and above good points blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning. Adaptive cruise management is customary on the Restricted and a part of the N-Line’s elective Tech bundle. It isn’t accessible on the Kona N.
NHTSA crash rankings are distinctive with an ideal 5 stars for general, frontal and aspect safety. The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security gave the Kona the best-possible ranking of “Good” in all crash assessments, plus accident-avoidance tech rankings of “Superior” (vehicle-to-vehicle) and “Superior” (vehicle-to-pedestrian). The IIHS had not examined the 2022 Kona’s new headlights on the time of this writing, which is why the ’22 hasn’t been named a Prime Security Choose like final yr’s mannequin was.
