The Hyundai Kona Grew Up, Literally

A significant size increase for this generation wasn't just a styling decision — it directly addressed the car's biggest practical shortfall, and the review reflects that clearly.

Illustration for editorial purposes

Solving a Problem by Getting Bigger

Not every car improves simply by growing, but in this case a substantial size increase over the previous generation went straight to fixing what buyers actually complained about, rather than being change for its own sake.

Specs at a Glance

Body style	Compact crossover
Powertrains	Petrol, hybrid, fully electric
Boot space	466 litres, variable-height floor standard
Rear seat split	40/20/40 (60/40 on entry Advance trim)
Infotainment	Touchscreen with physical climate and shortcut buttons

Full Review Summary

Autocar

Autocar rated the infotainment system among the best on the market, praising stylish yet logical menus, strong responsiveness, and voice control that worked reliably in testing — a genuinely rare compliment for a system in this class. They specifically welcomed Hyundai's decision to retain physical climate controls and shortcut buttons even as rivals like BMW increasingly move everything into touchscreens. Boot space was rated generously ahead of rivals like the Honda HR-V, with only the Renault Arkana offering slightly more room.

🎬 Watch: Carwow's Hyundai Kona review

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Autocar (driver assistance)

The same test was notably critical of the driver assistance systems specifically, describing them as ranging from unhelpful to genuinely intrusive, with the driver attention monitor triggering warnings for glancing at mirrors and the speed limit warning system misreading signs on the motorway. They noted these systems reactivate every time the car starts due to regulatory requirements, meaning the annoyance repeats on every single journey rather than being a one-time setup issue. Seat comfort was rated as competent across the range, though the standard steering wheel was found to have a little too little reach adjustment for some drivers.

Trims & Engines at a Glance

The 1.6-litre petrol is reserved for the two top trims — Advance and standard N Line can only be had with the 1.0-litre. The Electric now comes with a single 65.4kWh battery after the smaller pack was dropped.

Derivative	Engine	Power	Transmission	Body	0–62mph
Kona 1.0T Advance / N Line	1.0L 3-cyl turbo petrol, FWD	118bhp	6-speed manual or 7-speed DCT auto	SUV	11.4s
Kona Hybrid Advance / N Line / N Line S / Ultimate	1.6L full-hybrid petrol, FWD	139bhp	6-speed DCT automatic	SUV	11.2s
Kona 1.6T N Line S / Ultimate	1.6L 4-cyl turbo petrol, FWD	195bhp	6-speed manual or 7-speed DCT auto	SUV	7.8s (auto)
Kona Electric (65.4kWh)	Single electric motor, FWD	218bhp	Single-speed automatic	SUV	7.8s

Trim walk runs Advance → N Line → N Line S → Ultimate. A broad exterior colour range is offered, with several metallic finishes available at extra cost. Check Hyundai's UK configurator for current pricing.

Strengths

Excellent, responsive infotainment system
Retains physical climate and shortcut controls
Generous boot space with variable-height floor
Genuinely improved practicality over the previous generation

Weak points

Driver assistance systems often intrusive or unreliable
No wireless phone mirroring, unusual for the segment
Limited steering wheel reach adjustment

Who It Actually Suits

Buyers who want a genuinely practical, easy-to-use crossover with strong infotainment and don't mind switching off the more intrusive driver assistance features at the start of every journey. Worth a proper test drive to check the steering position works for you specifically.

Common Hyundai Kona Parts & Costs

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