Item: 2019 Hyundai Kona
Author: Steve Cypher

Overview

After a successful debut last model year, the 2019 Hyundai Kona returns as a complete carryover. This subcompact crossover SUV is loaded with multiple driver-assist safety features and returns competitive fuel economy figures, but its busy exterior styling may have some buyers looking elsewhere.

What's New for 2019

The Hyundai Kona is unchanged for 2019.

Choosing Your Hyundai Kona

The 2019 Hyundai Kona comes standard with front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is available across the lineup for $1,400. SE and SEL trims receive power via a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. This powerplant is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, and achieves an EPA-estimated 27 miles per gallon city, 33 mpg highway, and 30 combined, or 25/30/27 mpg (city/highway/combined) with all-wheel drive.

Limited and Ultimate models are powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This engine returns 28/32/30 mpg with FWD or 26/29/27 mpg with AWD.

Outside of the plethora of brilliant exterior color options, buyers don't have much to choose from when configuring their Kona, as only one package is available. Instead, features are mostly distributed across the four trims:

CarsDirect Tip

The 2019 Hyundai Kona enters its sophomore year offering plenty of standard safety and technology features for a competitive price. Among the four trims, the SEL with the Tech Package is a smart buy.

Get your price on a Hyundai Kona »

Tim Charlet

Automotive Editor - December 20, 2018

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Expert Review

Expert Rating

Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Steve Cypher

Contributing Writer - February 06, 2019

Turbo power. The 2019 Hyundai Kona is offered with two gasoline engine/transmission options that offer competitive fuel economy, along with a battery-electric version coming early in 2019. SE and SEL trims feature a 147-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine matched with a six-speed automatic transmission, but enthusiasts will gravitate toward the Limited and Ultimate models that feature all-wheel drive and a 175-hp, 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. It offers maximum torque at a very usable 1500 rpm, and a sophisticated multi-link rear suspension rather than the simpler torsion beam setup found on front-wheel-drive models. While some critics point out that the seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission the turbo-four is mated to isn't the smoothest (especially at low rpm), we didn't experience any transmission-related low-speed performance issues.

The powertrain is aided by a suspension that does a nice job of absorbing road imperfections. Steering is quick, response, and offers plenty of feedback, while it brakes with a nice initial bite that's easy to modulate.

Advanced safety features. Unlike the offerings from Subaru, Volkswagen, Jeep, Ford, and Chevrolet – just to name a few – Hyundai has standardized its advanced safety features across the entire Kona lineup in 2019. All models feature forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and driver attention warning. Stepping up from the base SE adds blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Ultimate model receives a pedestrian detection component, forward collision avoidance, and rear parking sensors.

Intuitive infotainment. Generously equipped at all price points – although the $28,545 Ultimate stretches the definition of value – the Kona's infotainment system sets an example for others to follow. Either a 7- (SE, SEL, Limited) or 8-inch (Ultimate) touchscreen is flanked by distraction-reducing buttons that oversee the major functions, as well as a pair of analog knobs for power/volume and tune/enter/file. The on-screen menu buttons are large, while the software contains very few sub-menus, making set-up, pairing, and station pre-setting a breeze.

Above-class interior, awkward exterior. Like many of Hyundai's offerings, the Kona's interior is a step above its class with higher-rent, matte-finished, nicely-textured interior trim that extends to the cargo space. Plus, cloth on the base model looks and feels better than its price requires, and the front seating position makes ingress and egress easy. But there are oddities – i.e. leather seats but no sunroof on Limited models.

The exterior, however, is as awkward as the interior is good. We have no quarrel with the highly-sculpted body, the narrow taillights, the tall mesh grille, or the high-mounted LED daytime running lights. We do take exception to the Kona's chunky "smart armor" cladding that envelops the Jeep Cherokee-inspired wheel well/headlight pods up front and the wheel well/turn signal/backup light pods that dominate the rear fascia. The plethora of plastic isn't only fussy and awkward, it distracts from what's otherwise a tasteful design.

Hyundai Kona

Final thoughts. The Kona brings Hyundai's value proposition to the small crossover class with an upscale cabin, deft handling, and a standard equipment list that includes a range of advanced safety features. If Hyundai could declutter the exterior, offer a bit more power in the base engine, and swap the DCT for a conventional automatic, we'd call the Kona near-perfect for the class.

Looking at the competition, the Fiat 500X, Jeep Renegade, Ford EcoSport, Subaru Impreza hatch, Volkswagen Tiguan Limited, and Honda HR-V offer more passenger space, while the EcoSport, Impreza, Tiguan Limited, HR-V, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, and Nissan Kicks feature more cargo volume. Finally, the Mazda CX-3, in particular, runs rings around it in the styling department.

Check prices for the 2019 Hyundai Kona »

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Specs & Features

Highlights

Overall Crash Safety Rating

Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque

2.0L I-4 / 147 HP / 132 ft.lbs.

Transmission

6-spd SHIFTRONIC w/OD

Drive Type

Front-wheel

Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined

27 / 33 / 30 Mpg

Passenger Capacity

Bumper to Bumper Warranty

60 Months / 60,000 Miles

Mechanical Specs

Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque	2.0L I-4 / 147 HP / 132 ft.lbs.
Drive Type	Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined	27 / 33 / 30 Mpg
Brakes	4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension	Strut
Rear Suspension	Semi-independent Torsion Beam Beam
Spare Tire And Wheel	Compact Steel
Fuel Tank	13.2 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type	Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank	$50

Dimensions & Capabilities

Maximum Cargo Volume	45.8 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume	94 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length	164.0 "
Exterior Width	70.9 "
Exterior Height	61.0 "
Front Headroom	39.6 "
Rear Headroom	37.8 "
Front Legroom	41.5 "
Rear Legroom	34.6 "
Front Shoulder Room	55.5 "
Rear Shoulder Room	54.5 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight	2,890 Lbs.
Wheel Base	102 "
Turning Radius	17.4 '

Exterior Features

Door Count	4 Doors
Wheels	16.0 " Silver Aluminum
Paint	Clearcoat Monotone
Exterior Mirrors	Dual Power Remote, Convex Spotter Driver
Bumpers	Front Body-colored
Grille Moldings	Black W/chrome Surround
Rear Spoiler	Lip
Exhaust	Stainless Steel

Interior Features

Seating

Passenger Capacity	5
Seat Trim	Cloth
Front Seat Type	Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls	6-way
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls	4-way
Front Armrests	6-way
Rear Armrests	Center
Rear Seats	60-40 Bench

Radio & Infotainment

Radio	Am/fm, Clock, Seek-scan / Clock
Speakers	6
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity

Convenience Features

Steering Wheel Type	Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Cruise Control	With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror	Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window	Driver
Tinted Windows	Light
Vanity Mirrors
Remote Keyless Entry	Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets	1

Safety Features

Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags	Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags	Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Passenger Side Impact Airbag	Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners	Front
Anti-Lock Brakes	4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning	Forward Collision-avoidance Assist (fca) Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning	Lane Keep Assist (lka) Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert	Driver Attention Warning (daw) Driver Attention
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems	Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable

Warranty

Bumper To Bumper Months Miles	60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Major Components Months	120 Months / 100,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
Roadside Assistance Months	60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Corrosion Perforation	84 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months	12 Months / Unlimited Miles

Used 2019 Hyundai Kona for Sale

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