The 1.6T Ultimate’s 195 horsepower engine is smooth, flexible and very quick. The 1.6T is carefully mated to a seven-speed dual clutch automated manual transmission with near imperceptible upshifts and obedient downshifts. The base 2L engine and CVT transmission work very well in other Hyundai-Kia products it is used in.

The Kona’s steering has near perfect weighting, quick gearing without a hint of dartiness and even a hint of road feel. While the Kona’s ride is firm, it has a resilient suppleness that absorbs road shock before it reaches the cabin and combines it with confident, lean-free handling and a feeling of great stability. Hyundai really sweated the details on the Kona’s chassis tuning. Braking is strong, backed up with solid pedal feel that requires just the right level of effort.
Hyundai have some of the most logical control systems in the auto industry and the Kona’s systems are easy to manipulate. The front seats are comfortable and supportive on a long haul. Front seat riders have ample legroom, and while the rear seat is comfortable enough, rear legroom is just adequate for smaller adults. The Kona has limited cargo space. The Kona featured powerful air-conditioning, an excellent audio system and the navigation feature is easy to use and works well.
Driven briefly, the Kona electric, with abundant smooth power, is very quick and mechanically very quiet. That said, the serene powertrain calls attention to road noise, which is louder than it should be. Clever battery packaging leaves cabin and cargo space about the same as it is for a Kona with conventional power.

Based on the now-defunct Accent, the Kona is slightly larger than its donor car. Two familiar Hyundai engines, a 2L four and a 1.6L turbo four, are offered. Transmission choices include a CVT for the 2L and a seven-speed dual clutch unit on the turbo. The full battery electric Kona was introduced during the 2019 model year.

The Kona electric employs a 64 kWh battery pack to create 201 horsepower and a stout 291 lb-ft. of torque. Proposed range is up to 400 kilometres, roughly the same at the Chevrolet Bolt, which previously held the title for best range for a popularly priced full electric car. Hyundai notes that you can recharge to 80 percent of maximum charge in about an hour using a level 3 (400 volt) charger. A heat pump system, that essentially uses heat produced the vehicle when operating to help heat the car during cold weather, reduces power use for heating.

All-wheel drive is a $2000 option on 2L models where it is not standard. The base Essential trim, with air-conditioning, heated front seats, alloy wheels, forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking, a lane-centering device, a driver awareness warning, and wireless iOS-Android cellphone hookup, is nicely equipped. The Preferred trim upgrade, with blind spot monitors, leather wraps for the heated steering wheel and shifter, remote starter and fog lights, is good value. The Preferred Sun and Leather package includes adaptive cruise control with stop and go and navigation and is good value. Moving up from a Preferred all-wheel drive 2L to 1.6 turbo N Line adds about $1000 in basic equipment, meaning the turbo engine is worth about $2300. The Ultimate trim of the N Line adds L.E.D. headlights, ventilated front seats, navigation, leather seating, a sunroof, power driver’s seat, a TFT gauge package, a Harmon-Kardon audio system, an acoustic windshielf and a head-up display system and is excellent value.

The base Preferred BEV, with blind spot and rear cross traffic monitors, forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking, active cruise control, a lane keeping system, a driver drowsiness warning and heated front seats and steering wheel, is nicely equipped. The Ultimate range-topper adds a sunroof, leather seating, ventilated front seats, a power driver’s seat, heated rear seats, navigation, front parking sensors, L.E.D. headlights, a Harman-Kardon audio system, wireless cellphone charging and a variety of minor features, and is a good deal.

Average to above average reliability predicted during the warranty period. Some complaints have been received about defective electric motors on the BEV version of the Kona.