Hyundai Kona
Used Car Review

Overview

Looking for a compact SUV that stands out from the crowd? The Hyundai Kona might be exactly what you need. This bold crossover brings distinctive styling, practical space, and impressive technology to the competitive small SUV market. It’s designed for drivers who want something more adventurous than a traditional hatchback but don’t need the bulk of a larger SUV.

The Kona makes a strong first impression with its striking design and chunky proportions. Unlike more conservative rivals like the Nissan Qashqai or VW Tiguan, the Kona isn’t afraid to be different. Step inside and you’ll find a surprisingly spacious cabin with modern tech features and solid build quality. The driving position feels commanding without being intimidating, perfect for both city streets and country lanes.

What sets the Kona apart is its combination of practicality and personality. The ride quality is comfortable for daily commuting, while the higher seating position gives you better visibility than a conventional car. Available in petrol, hybrid, and fully electric versions, there’s a Kona to suit different needs and budgets. While it may not be the most refined SUV in its class, it offers genuine character and strong value for money that makes every journey more interesting.

What's the Hyundai Kona Like to Drive?

The Hyundai Kona offers a range of powertrains to suit different driving styles and preferences. The entry level 1.0 litre turbocharged petrol engine produces around 120 horsepower, providing adequate performance for most situations. It feels lively around town and handles motorway driving confidently, though you might notice it working harder on steep hills. The hybrid version combines a 1.6 litre petrol engine with electric assistance, delivering smooth acceleration and improved fuel economy.

Where the Kona really impresses is in its everyday driving manners. The steering feels precise and well weighted, making it easy to place accurately in traffic or tight parking spaces. The suspension setup strikes a good balance between comfort and control. It absorbs road imperfections well while maintaining composure through corners. The higher driving position gives you excellent visibility, making this compact SUV feel confident and secure on all types of roads.

How Comfortable Is the Hyundai Kona?

Open the door and you’ll find an interior that feels more premium than the price suggests. The dashboard design is modern and uncluttered, with a large touchscreen infotainment system taking centre stage. Material quality is good throughout, with soft touch plastics in key areas and attractive trim details. The seats offer good support and comfort, with plenty of adjustment to help you find the perfect driving position.

The cabin feels airy and spacious thanks to the large windows and high seating position. There’s generous headroom in both front and rear seats, while legroom is adequate for most passengers. Standard equipment includes smartphone integration through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it easy to access your music and navigation. Higher specification models add features like heated seats, wireless phone charging, and a premium sound system that enhance the upmarket feeling.

The Hyundai Kona succeeds in delivering a distinctive and practical small SUV experience. Its bold styling sets it apart from more conservative rivals, while the spacious interior and strong warranty support make it an appealing long term ownership proposition. The range of powertrains means there’s likely a Kona variant that matches your needs and budget perfectly.

Nicholas Zapolski Car Expert

Is the Hyundai Kona Expensive to Run?

The Kona delivers competitive running costs across its range of powertrains. The petrol engines achieve real world fuel economy in the low to mid 40s MPG, while the hybrid version can reach the mid 50s in mixed driving. The fully electric version eliminates fuel costs entirely, offering over 250 miles of range on a single charge. Insurance groups are reasonable for the class, typically falling in groups 12 to 18 depending on the specification.

Purchase prices start from around £24,000 for the basic petrol model, rising to over £35,000 for the top spec electric version. This puts it in line with key competitors while offering strong standard equipment levels. Hyundai’s excellent five year warranty provides valuable peace of mind and helps protect against unexpected repair bills. With flexible car finance options available, the Kona becomes accessible to a wide range of budgets while delivering excellent long term value.

Hyundai Kona Practicality & Boot Space

For its size, the Kona offers impressive practicality that makes it genuinely useful for families and active lifestyles. The 466 litre boot is a significant improvement over the previous generation, easily accommodating a weekly shop or holiday luggage. The rear seats fold flat to create a useful loading space for larger items like furniture or sports equipment. Throughout the cabin, you’ll find plenty of storage cubbies for phones, drinks, and other everyday items.

Where the Kona shows its compact SUV credentials is in passenger space. The rear seats comfortably accommodate two adults or three children, though the middle seat is best reserved for shorter journeys. The high seating position and large windows create an airy feel that makes the interior seem larger than the exterior dimensions suggest. For couples or small families, the Kona provides an excellent blend of maneuverability and space that works well with used Hyundai cars known for their reliability and value retention.

The Hyundai Kona stands out in the crowded small SUV market by offering genuine character alongside practical everyday usability. It successfully combines eye catching design, spacious accommodation, and competitive running costs into an appealing package. The excellent five year warranty and strong residual values add to its appeal as a sensible long term choice.

You choose the Kona because you want a small SUV that doesn’t blend into the background. Its distinctive styling, comfortable interior, and range of efficient powertrains make it suitable for everything from city commuting to family adventures. Whether you opt for the petrol, hybrid, or electric version, you’re getting a well engineered car that delivers on its promises. For buyers seeking something different in the small SUV segment, particularly those considering cars under £10,000 on the used market, the Kona represents excellent value and proven reliability.