The 2021 Hyundai Kona is a favorite in the compact crossover segment, drawing in happy customers with its fun-loving drive, quick turbocharged engine, and generous features list.
Exterior Features
Outside, this little crossover is strikingly modern. The standard equipment roster includes automatic headlights and LED daytime running lights. Sunshade band solar glass is standard for the front doors and windshield, shielding you from an overly bright summer day. As you climb the trim levels, the Kona attracts more attention with options like the tilt-and-slide power sunroof and high-gloss black trim.
Standard:
- Projector headlights
- LED daytime running lights
- Automatic headlights
- Roof-mounted center high-mount stop light
- Body-color exterior mirrors
- Driver’s blind spot mirror
- Body-color exterior door handles
- Front door, windshield, and sunshade band solar glass
Optional:
- LED headlights
- LED taillights
- Front foglights
- High Beam Assist
- Heated, body-color exterior mirrors
- Heated, high-gloss exterior mirrors
- Black, high-gloss front grille
- Black, high-gloss lower door trim
- Side mirrors with turn-signal indicators
- Rear privacy glass
- Tilt-and-slide power sunroof
- Shark-fin antenna
- Roof side rails
2021 Hyundai Kona exterior colors:
- Ultra Black
- Chalk White
- Sonic Silver
- Pulse Red
- Thunder Gray
- Surf Blue
- Galactic Gray
Interior Features
There’s a lot to love about the Kona’s homey cabin. To start, the driver and front passenger enjoy roomy, supportive seating—the kind that lends itself to long-haul comfort. And the back seats are equally cushy, with adult-friendly head- and legroom. Extra tall passengers even fit in the backseats, because there’s plenty of space under the front seats to stretch out. And the Kona’s smooth, quiet ride only adds to daily comfort levels.
Standard:
- Cloth seating surfaces
- Six-way adjustable driver seat
- 60/40 split fold-down and reclining rear setback with adjustable head restraint
- Dual-level cargo floor
- Manual air conditioning
- Rear window defroster with timer
- Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
- Power windows and driver’s auto-down
- Power door locks
Optional:
- Leather seating surfaces
- Eight-way power driver seat
- Power lumbar support
- Heated front seats
- Automatic climate control
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
- Black headliner
- Gloss black interior accents
Power and Performance
Hyundai’s small crossover is well known for its sporty performance. Both engine options have plenty of kick, with more than enough hutzpah to speed away when the light turns green or merge into quick-moving highway traffic. In addition to its relatively speedy drive, the Kona also delivers a fun-loving performance, with surprisingly sporty handling. Around curves, you’ll feel secure, because the Kona keeps body roll to a minimum.
Standard:
- 2.0L four-cylinder engine (147 hp, 132 lb.-ft.)
- Six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC
- Front-wheel drive
- Drive Mode Select (Normal and Sport)
- Four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock braking system
Optional:
- 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder engine (175 hp, 195 lb.-ft.)
- Seven-speed EcoShift dual clutch automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC
- All-wheel drive
- Aluminum-alloy sport pedals
Towing Capacity
Although subcompact crossovers aren’t exactly known for their towing prowess, the Kona is a major exception. Properly equipped, this sporty little crossover can tow up to 5,000 pounds. That’s equal to plenty of big toys, from family boats to off-roading four runners.
Fuel Economy
Besides being sporty and capable, the Kona is also fuel efficient. No, really—depending on powertrain and equipment, Hyundai’s fun-loving crossover earns up to 30 mpg combined (28 city/32 highway mpg).
Safety and Security
Since the road can be a dangerous place, the Kona is loaded with high-tech safety aids. Systems like lane keeping assist and forward collision-avoidance assist can even jump in and gently guide you back to safety. As you drive, the driver attention warning system monitors you and lets you know if you need to pull into a rest stop.
Standard:
- Rearview monitor with parking guidance
- Power window lock-out button
- Child safety locks
- Anti-lock braking system with four-wheel disc brakes
- Electronic stability control with traction control and brake assist
- Vehicle stability management
- Tire pressure monitoring system with individual tire indicator
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Driver Attention Warning
- Remote keyless entry system with alarm and panic
- Anti-theft system integrated with remote keyless entry and panic alarm
Optional:
- Blue Link Connected Car System
- Blind-Spot Collision Warning
- Lane Change Assist
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection
- Parking Distance Warning
- Proximity Key with push-button start
- Smart Cruise Control
Technology
Just when it seems like the Kona couldn’t get any better, it does. The standard tech lineup is as impressive as any other aspect of this all-star crossover. Hyundai’s infotainment interface, which comes standard with a 7-inch touch screen and smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, is easy to use and supplies plenty of hands-free control options. And every Kona comes standard with two USB ports, one that connects to the infotainment system and one that’s charge-only. Optional features include a bigger 8-inch touch screen for the infotainment system, HD radio, and a premium audio system.
Standard:
- 7-inch color touch-screen infotainment interface
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
- Two USB ports (one for data and charging, one charge-only)
- Multi-information display (distance to empty, average fuel consumption, average vehicle speed, elapsed time, instant fuel consumption)
- External temperature display
- Steering-mounted audio, Bluetooth, and cruise controls
Optional:
- 8-inch color touch-screen infotainment interface
- Eight-speaker Infinity premium audio system
- HD and satellite radio
- Heads-up display
- Wireless device charging pad
- 4.2-inch color multi-information display
2021 Hyundai Kona Trim Models
SE
The Kona’s entry-level model comes standard with so many features that you may find you don’t need to spend any extra money to get everything you want in a daily driver. The SE is comfy, safety-minded, and tech-savvy.
- 2.0L four-cylinder engine (147 hp, 132 lb.-ft.)
- Six-speed automatic transmission
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Height-adjustable driver seat
- 7-inch touch-screen infotainment interface
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
- Forward Collision Avoidance Assist
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Driver Attention Warning
SEL
The SEL adds to the SE lineup with some upscale touches. Inside, heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel add to your daily comfort. Roof rails and heated exterior mirrors boost day-to-day convenience, especially if you’ve got kayaks or surfboards to haul. Extra safety aids, including the blind-spot collision warning system, help you spot trouble on the road.
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Roof rails
- Heated mirrors
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Heated front seats
- HD and satellite radio
- Blind-Spot Collision Warning
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning
- Proximity Key with push-button start
SEL Plus
The SEL Plus adds to the aforementioned features with even more luxuries.
If you’re looking for a sunroof, this is a good place to start. In addition to an expansive view of the sky, the Kona SEL Plus makes driving after hours safer with an auto-dimming rearview mirror. And when the mist rolls in, this model’s fog lights will help you maintain visibility.
- Sunroof
- Fog lights
- Eight-way power-adjustable driver seat
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Eight-speaker Infinity premium audio
- Blue Link Connected Car System
- Wireless charging pad
Night
This special model is available with your choice of three exterior paint colors: Ultra Black, Chalk White, and Galactic Gray. The latter is exclusive to the Night trim level. Indeed, this Kona is home to a long list of exclusive styling details, from gloss black exterior trim to semi-gloss black alloy wheels. Inside, this Kona throws some classy features into the mix, like a premium Infinity audio system and a power-adjustable driver seat.
- 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder engine (175 hp, 195 lb.-ft.)
- Seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC
- 18-inch Rays semi-gloss black alloy wheels
- Special exterior paint color options
- Gloss black exterior trim
- LED headlights
- Power-adjustable driver seat
- Eight-speaker Infinity audio system
Limited
The Limited starts with the SEL Plus features and adds luxury features, inside and out. Flashy 18-inch wheels, chrome trim, and full LED headlights and taillights make the Kona look better than ever. Inside, leather seating and automatic climate control add even more style.
- 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder engine (175 hp, 195 lb.-ft.)
- Seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Chrome exterior trim
- Leather seating
- Full LED headlights and taillights
- Automatic climate control
Ultimate
The Kona Ultimate starts with the Limited lineup and adds innovative tech features that make your drive even more luxurious. One of our favorite features is the heads-up display, which projects data onto your windshield. The display both looks cool and helps keep your focus on the road ahead.
The Ultimate also includes some safety upgrades. Its adaptive cruise control system automatically adjusts your speed so that you maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead. And its forward collision mitigation system is upgraded to include pedestrian detection.
- Heads-up display
- Automatic wipers
- 8-inch color touch-screen with navigation
- Smart Cruise Control adaptive cruise control system
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection
- Rear parking sensors
2021 Kona Packages
Cargo Package
- Cargo tray
- Cargo net
- Cargo blocks
- First aid kit
Hyundai Warranty
Your Kona was built to last. But life can be unpredictable, which is why Hyundai comes with one of the best warranties in the business—especially in terms of powertrain coverage. Every Kona trim model includes:
- 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty
- 5-year/60,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty
- 5-year/unlimited miles roadside assistance
- 7-year/unlimited miles anti-perforation warranty
What Comes Next for the Hyundai Kona?
The 2022 Hyundai Kona is set to get a major update, inside and out. The upcoming model features a new front-end design that’s sleeker and even more eye-catching than the current model. Inside, the 2022 Kona’s updated dash adds to the model’s cutting-edge vibe. And a new digital gauge display keeps track of vital stats. A bigger 10.3-inch infotainment touch screen will be optional, along with a wireless smartphone charging pad and heated rear seats.