The 2021 Hyundai Kona is a compact 5-seat SUV with chunky styling and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). A fully electric version is also available.
Competing with the Subaru Crosstrek and Mazda CX-30, the 2021 Kona boasts an extensive lineup that stretches from about $21,700 to the better part of $40,000 with the available EV powertrain.
Gas versions of the Kona offer an efficiency-minded 147-horsepower 4-cylinder or a more powerful 175-hp turbo-4, while the electric version has a 258-mile electric range.
The Kona lineup comes in SE, SEL, Limited, and Ultimate trim levels, depending on what’s under the hood. Here’s a look at the 2021 Hyundai Kona. Tech fitted to all versions includes automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a driver-attention monitor.
2021 Hyundai Kona SE (Original starting price when new: $21,685)
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The 2021 Hyundai Kona SE started at $21,685.
A 2.0-liter inline-4 rated at 147 hp with a 6-speed automatic transmission powers the base Kona SE. All-wheel drive is optional.
The Kona SE rides on 16-inch alloy wheels and comes in a choice of six paint hues. The cabin offers room for five passengers on cloth-upholstered seats. In addition to essential crash-avoidance tech, the Kona SE includes a 7.0-inch touchscreen with standard Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, air conditioning, and cruise control.
Who is this trim for? The base Kona SE is a low-price offering that undercuts most rivals and includes a reasonable array of tech. It’s an excellent entry to the lineup for drivers seeking a cut above basic equipment.
2021 Hyundai Kona SE includes:
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto — Smartphone mirroring that projects select communication, navigation, and entertainment apps to the central touchscreen.
Automatic emergency braking — A system that can apply the brakes without any driver intervention to potentially avoid a crash altogether.
Lane-keeping assist — Tech nudging a wandering vehicle back into its lane using sensors that can “see” road markings.
2021 Hyundai Kona SEL (Original starting price when new: $23,485)
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The 2021 Hyundai Kona SEL started at $23,485.
The SEL is the popularly equipped version of the Kona. It adds excellent tech features, including blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic monitors, a proximity key with a push-button starter, satellite radio, automatic up/down for the power windows, and heated front seats.
It comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, tinted rear window glass, and roof rails.
An optional SEL Plus package features a sunroof, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a few tech upgrades, including Infinity-branded speakers, a wireless charging pad, the automaker’s Blue Link system that connects to users’ smartphones, and a digital display in the instrument cluster.
The Kona Electric SEL is equipped like the gas version, aside from unique exterior styling and aero-enhancing wheels — plus a 201-hp electric motor. The Kona Electric does not offer all-wheel drive or an SEL Plus package.
Who is this trim for? For less price-conscious shoppers, the SEL adds a lot of small niceties that may add up to a more comfortable daily driver or road-trip machine.
2021 Hyundai Kona SEL includes:
Blind-spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alerts — These separate but related systems warn drivers of potential vehicles in their blind spots when driving forward or reversing out of a parking spot.
Proximity key — This key fob can be kept in the driver’s pocket or bag to access the vehicle and start it via a dash-mounted button.
Optional SEL Plus package — In addition to a few luxury-level features, this package also includes the option to add subscription-based remote vehicle diagnostics and features such as unlocking/locking and a tracker.
2021 Hyundai Kona Night (Original starting price when new: $27,385)
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The 2021 Hyundai Kona Night started at $27,385.
With its blacked-out exterior and interior trim and 18-inch wheels, you might think that the Kona Night is just an appearance package. However, it also adds the 175-hp turbo-4, which uses a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) to send power forward or to all four wheels.
The Night Edition builds on the SEL with the Plus package, though it does not include a sunroof, a garage door opener, or a wireless charging pad.
The Kona Electric is not available in Night trim.
Who is this trim for? The Night Edition is the cheapest way into the more powerful engine, but its appeal is mostly about style since the better-equipped Limited costs about the same.
2021 Hyundai Kona Night includes:
Blacked-out exterior trim — If the current trend away from brightwork is your thing, the Night trim is the model for you. It’s only available with three exterior shades, though.
Turbocharged engine and 7-speed DCT — This combination delivers better acceleration at the expense of fuel economy.
2021 Hyundai Kona Limited (Original starting price when new: $27,485)
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The 2021 Hyundai Kona Limited started at $27,485.
Building on the SEL Plus, the Limited adds the turbocharged engine and 7-speed DCT, plus LED exterior lighting, dark gray exterior cladding, 18-inch wheels, leather upholstery, and automatic climate control.
The Kona Electric is also available in Limited trim.
Who is this trim for? The Kona Limited’s leather seats and turbocharged engine place it well above other models in the hierarchy. It’s not quite a luxury SUV, but it’s well-equipped for the money.
2021 Hyundai Kona Limited includes:
Automatic climate control — Offering set-it-and-forget-it convenience, this system automatically adjusts fan speed and temperature to keep the cabin comfortable.
18-inch wheels — Bigger wheels provide a dressier look, although they wear tires with a smaller sidewall that can give a slightly firmer ride.
2021 Hyundai Kona Ultimate (Original starting price when new: $29,335)
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The 2021 Hyundai Kona Ultimate started at $29,335.
The range-topping Kona comes with many additional tech features, including rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, head-up display, automatic windshield wipers, automatic high-beam headlights, and pedestrian detection for the automatic emergency braking system.
Additionally, the touchscreen measures an extra inch (8.0 inches overall) and features built-in navigation software.
Hyundai also offers a Kona Electric Ultimate, including an even larger 10.3-inch infotainment screen and cooled front seats. It cost around $47,000 when new.
Who is this trim for? The Kona Ultimate makes an excellent road-trip ride with its adaptive cruise control system. It’s the Kona for drivers who must have every option — even if some of its tech is standard on rivals.
2021 Hyundai Kona Ultimate includes:
Adaptive cruise control — Sensors keep the Kona a safe distance from other vehicles in traffic by automatically slowing down and speeding up.
Head-up display — This system projects relevant information such as current speed onto the windshield for the driver to see.
Larger touchscreen — The bigger display offers different software plus built-in navigation, so drivers don’t have to connect their phones.
