The highlight of the cabin is Hyundai’s refreshingly simple multimedia and control system, which the Kona thankfully still uses (other newer Hyundai models, such as the Tucson, have largely ditched it for a more complicated, touch-sensitive control system that has drawn our ire).
The cabin lacks any sense of style or design, with a black-on-black-on-black theme that just drags on. Hyundai seems to have used all of its styling points outside the exterior stands out with a big dynamic grille and aggressive headlight design, but the inside is a ticket to Dullsville. The Kona’s outward visibility is outstanding thanks to a lot of glass and an upright driving position - all of which helps distract from its underwhelming interior. Of the competitors listed here, it’s the only one with an electric-only variant available anywhere, though the Crosstrek is available as a plug-in hybrid. Hyundai also offers an EV version of the Kona, but there’s a catch: The model, which uses a 201-hp electric motor and has a listed range of 258 miles, is only sold in the 12 states that require increasing sales of zero-emissions vehicles. Lastly, the Honda HR-V is rated 28/34/30 mpg in its base FWD trim. The Crosstrek’s larger engine is rated 27/34/29 mpg.
#2022 HYUNDAI MODELS MANUAL#
The Subaru Crosstrek’s base engine is also rated lower, at a weak 22/29/25 mpg with standard AWD and a standard manual transmission opting for the CVT brings it up to 28/33/30 mpg. The turbo 1.6-liter is available with AWD only and is rated lower, at 25/30/27 mpg. The Kia Seltos, which is the Kona’s sibling, has the same powertrains and is rated similarly: 29/35/31 mpg in base FWD trim with the standard engine. Those numbers were achievable in real-world testing: I averaged 33 mpg during a 310-mile trip that included mostly highway driving. The turbo 1.6-liter I tested has similar ratings with FWD, at 29/35/32 mpg AWD brings it down a smidge to 27/32/29 mpg. The Kona is rated 30/35/32 mpg city/highway/combined in base front-wheel-drive trim with the standard engine. It does well when it comes to fuel economy, too. Against the competition, however, the Kona smokes the loud, slow Crosstrek (with its base engine) and the HR-V. At a stop, however, the engine felt and sounded rough, with a pronounced idle shudder that gave off an unrefined vibe. It pounced from a stop, and the quick-shifting - though abrupt - transmission kept things rolling nicely. The powertrain in the Limited sometimes felt a little Jekyll and Hyde: composed one minute and moody the next.
#2022 HYUNDAI MODELS UPGRADE#
That pair is an upgrade from the base powertrain, a 147-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder mated to a new continuously variable automatic transmission. In the Limited, the 1.6-liter works with a revised version of 2021’s seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The N Line trim also uses this engine, while a forthcoming performance-oriented Kona N will use a turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder good for 276 hp, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It was equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-liter good for 195 horsepower, up from last year’s 175 hp. I couldn’t tell much difference between Smart and Normal modes, but Sport delivered a more aggressive response from the Limited trim I drove. The Kona features driver-selectable Sport, Smart and Normal modes. It’s engaging to drive but not overly sporty, though popping it into Sport mode helps.Ģ022 Hyundai Kona | photo by Jennifer Geiger
Overall, it has a taut, controlled feel and a tight turning radius that helps with maneuverability. Bumps are decently absorbed and excessive body motions kept in check. The ride is on the firm side, but it lacks the choppiness that can sometimes impact a tiny SUV’s ride quality. The Kona has a comfortable ride for a vehicle with such a short wheelbase. Related: Hyundai Updates the Kona, Kona EV for 2022: See What Changed Road Manners The Kona competes in the ever-growing subcompact SUV class against the likes of the Honda HR-V, Kia Seltos and Subaru Crosstrek. See the 2022 Kona compared with the 2021 model. Hyundai has also added a sport-inspired N Line trim with more aggressive styling that uses the Kona’s upgraded turbocharged engine. The 2022 Hyundai Kona was updated with more dramatic exterior styling, additional rear legroom, and an updated multimedia system with larger screens. Versus the competition: The Kona’s engaging road manners make it more fun to drive than many in this class, but a tight backseat and small cargo area make it one of the smallest you can buy. The verdict: The 2022 Hyundai Kona’s tidy dimensions make it city-friendly, while available all-wheel drive makes it a true SUV.
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