Model research hub
Hyundai Kona
The Hyundai Kona is a subcompact crossover sold since 2017, now in its second generation from 2023. REREV says the worst years to avoid are 2019 and 2018, known for severe engine problems, electrical faults and widespread EV battery fires that led to massive recalls, while 2022 and 2023 are the best years to buy, benefiting from major reliability improvements, a refreshed design and far fewer complaints. Federal data agrees on the 2019, with 187 complaints, the most of any year. The 2026 Kona starts at $27,100.
What the Hyundai Kona is and who buys it
Wikipedia (opens in a new tab) describes the Kona as a subcompact crossover SUV made by Hyundai, with the first-generation (OS) debuting in June 2017 and the production version revealed later that year, sold as the Hyundai Encino in China from 2018 to 2020, with a second generation (SX2) from 2023, offered as gas, Kona N performance and Kona Electric versions. The 2026 Kona has a 1.6L or 2.0L four-cylinder, front-wheel or all-wheel drive, rated 26 to 31 mpg combined by the EPA, about $2,000 to $2,400 a year in fuel. Kelley Blue Book base prices are $27,100 for the SE and $30,025 for the SEL Premium.
Best and worst Kona model years
Federal data shows the 2018 Kona with no recalls and 74 complaints, and the 2019 with 1 recall and 187 complaints, the most of any year, for the engine. The 2020 has 2 recalls and 157 complaints, the 2021 has 1 and 115, and the 2022 has none and 96. The 2023, the first year of the second generation, has 1 recall and 63 complaints, the 2024 has 4, and the 2025 has 1.
REREV (opens in a new tab) says the worst Hyundai Kona years to avoid are 2019 and 2018, known for severe engine problems, electrical faults and widespread EV battery fires that led to massive recalls, and that the best years to buy are 2022 and 2023, which benefited from major reliability improvements, a refreshed design and far fewer complaints. CarsCounsel (opens in a new tab) says buyers should avoid the 2019 model year due to severe engine and fire-risk recalls. Car Smite (opens in a new tab) says the years to avoid are 2019 and 2020.
Choosing a year
Federal complaint counts back the guides: the 2019 is the clearest year to avoid, and the 2022 and 2023 sit at the low end of the complaint range, matching REREV's best-year pick.
Questions buyers ask
Which Hyundai Kona years should I avoid?
REREV (opens in a new tab) says the worst years are 2019 and 2018, for engine problems, electrical faults and EV battery fires.
Which Hyundai Kona years are the best to buy?
REREV says 2022 and 2023, which benefited from major reliability improvements, a refreshed design and far fewer complaints.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2027 Hyundai Kona is built around 2.0L four-cylinder or turbo 1.6L four-cylinder, rated at 147 / 190 horsepower across its subcompact SUV body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2027 U.S. lineup has 4 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe 2027 Kona seats 5 and is a Subcompact SUV.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA recalls, complaints and crash ratings for the 2027 Kona.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2027 Hyundai Kona
SE and SEL Sport share a 147-horsepower 2.0L engine and CVT; SEL Premium and Limited step up to a 190-horsepower turbo 1.6L with an 8-speed automatic.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
3 indexed Hyundai Kona model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Hyundai Kona | 2027 record → | |
| 2026 Hyundai Kona | 2026 record → | |
| 2025 Hyundai Kona | 2025 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the Hyundai Kona.
The Hyundai Kona is a subcompact crossover SUV produced by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai. The first-generation Kona debuted in June 2017 and the production version was revealed later that year. The current, second-generation model was revealed in December 2022 and launched in 2023.
- Safety
- The first-generation Kona body is made from 51% advanced high strength steel with 'hot stamping' and adhesives for added rigidity. Standard safety equipment in some countries includes six airbags, lane keeping assist and a driver attention monitor. Other features include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot detection and a rear cross traffic alert.
- Recalls and problems
- In April 2024, Hyundai Australia recalled 1,726 second-generation (SX2) Kona vehicles equipped with the 1.6-litre T-GDi turbocharged petrol engine and built from the 2023 model year. According to the recall notice, a manufacturing defect could cause the bracket retaining the engine control unit (ECU) to interfere with the vehicle's wiring in the event of a collision, causing a short circuit resulting in a vehicle fire.
- Awards
- At the 2019 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, both the electric and non-electric versions were announced as the winners of the 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year, the first for a subcompact crossover SUV in its award history.
Source: Hyundai Kona (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
Hyundai Kona at a glance
- Production
- 2017–present
- Model years
- 2018–present
- Class
- Subcompact crossover SUV
- Body style
- 5-door SUV
- Layout
- Front-engine, front-wheel-drive, Front-engine, all-wheel-drive, Front-motor, front-wheel-drive (electric)
- Also called
- Hyundai Kauai (Portugal.2017~), Hyundai Encino (China, 2018-2020)
Hyundai Kona generations
The Hyundai Kona has been redesigned in 2023, gaps of 6 years, an average of 6.0 years between generations. The current generation (second generation, SX2) began in 2023.
| Generation | Code | Began | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| First generation | OS | 2017–2023 | The first-generation Kona was revealed in June 2017 in Seoul, South Korea. |
| Second generation | SX2 | 2023–present | The second-generation Kona was revealed in December 2022. |
NHTSA rated the 2025 Hyundai Kona overall 4 of 5 stars, front crash 4 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 4 of 5 stars.
Recent recalls (3 campaigns across the latest model years)
- July 2026, Seat Belts: Rear/Other:Buckle Assembly. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Kona Electric and 2024-2026 Kona vehicles. The seat belt buckle in the rear center seat may fail to properly restrain an occupant during a crash. Consequence: A seat belt buckle that fails to properly restrain an occupant in a crash increases the risk of injury.
- February 2026, Steering:Linkages:Knuckle:Spindle:Arm. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2026 Kona vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the front steering knuckles may crack and break, which can result in a loss of vehicle steering control. Consequence: A loss of vehicle steering control increases the risk of a crash.
- January 2026, Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 IONIQ 5, Santa Cruz, Kona, Palisade, Palisade Hybrid, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, and Tucson vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument… Consequence: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Owners filed 28 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Hyundai Kona, most often about electrical system (9), unknown or other (6), service brakes (4).
Year by year
The Hyundai Kona across 10 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA complaints | NHTSA overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Hyundai Kona | 26–31 | $2,100–$2,500 | 4 | |||
| 2026 Hyundai Kona | 26–31 | $2,000–$2,400 | 6 | 3 | 4 stars | |
| 2025 Hyundai Kona | 26–118 | $650–$2,400 | 9 | 1 | 28 | 4 stars |
| 2024 Hyundai Kona | 26–118 | $650–$2,400 | 8 | 4 | 49 | 4 stars |
| 2023 Hyundai Kona | 23–120 | $600–$3,350 | 6 | 1 | 63 | 5 stars |
| 2022 Hyundai Kona | 23–120 | $650–$3,350 | 6 | 96 | 5 stars | |
| 2021 Hyundai Kona | 27–120 | $600–$2,300 | 5 | 1 | 115 | 5 stars |
| 2020 Hyundai Kona | 27–120 | $600–$2,300 | 5 | 2 | 157 | 5 stars |
| 2019 Hyundai Kona | 27–120 | $650–$2,300 | 5 | 1 | 187 | 5 stars |
| 2018 Hyundai Kona | 27–30 | $2,100–$2,300 | 4 | 74 |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Hyundai Kona, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Electric range, miles | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 to 2027 | 6 to 4 | Labels: Kona AWD SX2 1.6T 8AT AWD, Kona AWD w/Stop-Start, Kona FWD SX2 1.6T 8AT FWD, Kona FWD w/Stop-Start | |||
| 2025 to 2026 | 9 to 6 | 72.0 to 28.5 | Labels: Kona AWD SX2 1.6T 8AT AWD, Kona AWD w/Stop-Start, Kona FWD SX2 1.6T 8AT FWD, Kona FWD w/Stop-Start | Labels: Kona Electric (17 inch Wheels), Kona Electric (19 inch Wheels), Kona Electric Standard Range; Engines: 2L 4-cyl with Stop-Start, Electric motor / not listed; Transmissions: Automatic (A1); Fuels: Electricity | |
| 2024 to 2025 | 8 to 9 | Labels: Kona Electric (17 inch Wheels), Kona Electric (19 inch Wheels); Engines: 2L 4-cyl with Stop-Start | Labels: Kona Electric Long Range; Engines: 2L 4-cyl Stop-Start | ||
| 2023 to 2024 | 6 to 8 | 71.5 to 72.0 | 258 to 231 | Labels: Kona Electric Long Range, Kona Electric Standard Range; Engines: 2L 4-cyl Stop-Start; Transmissions: Automatic (S8) | Labels: Kona Electric, Kona N; Engines: 2L 4-cyl SIDI; Transmissions: Automatic (AM-S7), Automatic (AM-S8); Fuels: Premium |
| 2022 to 2023 | Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl SIDI | Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl | |||
| 2021 to 2022 | 5 to 6 | 73.5 to 71.5 | Labels: Kona N; Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl, 2L 4-cyl SIDI; Transmissions: Automatic (AM-S7), Automatic (AM-S8), Automatic (AV-S1); Fuels: Premium | Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl SIDI; Transmissions: Automatic (AM7), Automatic (S6) | |
| 2020 to 2021 | Engines: 2L 4-cyl | Engines: 2L 4-cyl SIDI | |||
| 2018 to 2019 | 4 to 5 | 28.5 to 73.5 | first listed: 258 | Labels: Kona Electric; Engines: Electric motor / not listed; Transmissions: Automatic (A1); Fuels: Electricity |
Buying used
What the Hyundai Kona recalls and complaints are about.
| Model year | Campaigns | Systems recalled | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | electrical system (instrument cluster/panel); steering (linkages); seat belts (rear/other) | None |
| 2025 | 1 | seat belts (rear/other) | None |
| 2024 | 4 | seat belts (rear/other); electrical system (12v/24v/48v battery); engine and engine cooling (exhaust system) | None |
| 2023 | 1 | power train (automatic transmission) | 1 stop-driving or park-outside |
| 2021 | 1 | engine | None |
| 2020 | 2 | equipment (other); engine | None |
| 2019 | 1 | engine | None |
Recalls that told owners to stop driving or park outside
- 2023, campaign 23V-526 (Jul 2023): power train (automatic transmission). An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
| System | Complaints | Share of all complaints | Worst model year |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 403 | 52% | 2019 (131) |
| electrical system | 136 | 17% | 2024 (31) |
| unknown or other | 134 | 17% | 2022 (26) |
| power train | 97 | 12% | 2020 (20) |
| forward collision avoidance | 58 | 7% | 2022 (14) |
| vehicle speed control | 40 | 5% | 2022 (9) |
Trim by trim
Every 2027 Hyundai Kona trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE | AWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 147 | 132 | 3,203 | – | 27 | $27,150 |
| SEL Sport | AWD | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 147 | 132 | 3,241 | – | 27 | $28,475 |
| SEL Premium | AWD | 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo, GDI) | 190 | 195 | 3,461 | – | 26 | $30,075 |
| Limited | AWD | 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo, GDI) | 190 | 195 | 3,505 | – | 26 | $34,185 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2027 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every Hyundai Kona model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 4 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder / 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo, GDI) | 147–190 | 3,203–3,505 | – | 12.4–13.2 |
| 2026 | 4 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder / 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo, GDI) | 147–190 | – | – | 12.4–13.2 |
| 2025 | 6 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder / 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo, GDI) | 147–190 | 3,203–3,505 | – | 12.4–13.2 |
| 2024 | 4 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder / 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo, GDI) | 147–190 | 3,005–3,318 | – | 12.4–13.2 |
| 2023 | 4 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder / 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo, GDI) | 147–195 | 2,899–3,161 | – | 13.2 |
| 2022 | 4 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder / 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo, GDI) | 147–195 | 2,899–3,106 | – | 13.2 |
| 2021 | 6 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder / 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo, GDI) | 147–175 | 2,899–3,062 | – | 13.2 |
| 2020 | 5 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder / 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo, GDI) | 147–175 | 2,899–3,062 | – | 13.2 |
| 2019 | 5 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder / 1.6-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo, GDI) | 147–175 | – | – | 13.2 |
| 2018 | 4 | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder / 4-Cyl, Turbo, 1.6L | 147–175 | – | – | 13.2 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Owning it
Oil, fluid and wheel-nut figures for the Hyundai Kona.
| Model year | Engine oil | Brake fluid | Wheel-nut torque | A/C refrigerant | Key-fob battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0W-20 | DOT 4 | – | R-1234yf | – |
| 2025 | – | DOT 4 | – | R-1234yf | – |
| 2024 | 0W-20 | DOT 4 | – | R-1234yf | – |
| 2023 | – | DOT 4 | – | R-1234yf | – |
| 2022 | – | DOT 4 | – | R-1234yf | – |
Source: the manufacturer's owner's manual for each model year. A dash means that year's manual gave no single value for it, for instance one that lists two oil grades or two key types.
Model-year recall record
Hyundai Kona: which model years carry more or fewer federal safety recalls.
More recalls than this model’s own average
- 2024 Hyundai Kona : 4 recalls on file, most commonly affecting seat belts and electrical system.
| Model year | Federal recalls on file | Complaints on file | Recalls most commonly affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | not available | electrical system, steering, seat belts |
| 2025 | 1 | 28 | seat belts |
| 2024 | 4 | 49 | seat belts, electrical system, engine cooling |
| 2023 | 1 | 63 | powertrain |
| 2022 | 96 | ||
| 2021 | 1 | 115 | engine |
| 2020 | 2 | 157 | engine, equipment |
| 2019 | 1 | 187 | engine |
| 2018 | 74 | ||
| 2017 | not available | ||
| 2016 | not available | ||
| 2015 | not available |
Method: recall counts and their affected components come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API, queried by exact make, model and model year. Complaint counts come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API, same query pattern. Data pulled 2026-09-04.
Known gap: the NHTSA complaints API did not return data for Hyundai Kona model year 2026 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream, not returning a genuine zero. Those years are marked "not available" above instead of shown as clean; recall counts for those years are unaffected and come from the separate recalls API, which returned data for every year listed.
Check open recalls by VIN for one particular vehicle.
Q01Is there a best year to buy a Hyundai Kona?
Recall count alone can't answer that: it says nothing about a specific vehicle's price, mileage, accident history or maintenance record. What federal data can say: 2024 carried more. See the model-year table on this page for the exact counts and what they cover.
Q02Which Hyundai Kona model years should I watch for recalls?
The 2024 Hyundai Kona has 4 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting seat belts, electrical system, engine cooling. Always confirm the open/completed status of every campaign for the specific VIN: a recall on this list may already be repaired on the vehicle in front of you.
Q03What are common recall-related problems on the Hyundai Kona by model year?
2026: electrical system, steering, seat belts. 2025: seat belts. 2024: seat belts, electrical system, engine cooling. 2023: powertrain. 2021: engine. 2020: engine, equipment.
Q04Why do some Hyundai Kona model years show "not available" for complaints?
The NHTSA complaints API did not return data for Hyundai Kona model year 2026 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream instead of the count genuinely being zero. Recall counts for those years are unaffected; they come from a separate NHTSA endpoint that returned data for every year listed.
Diagnosing one of these symptoms? The recalled systems above map to this site’s own ownership desks: general, evidence-first guidance that applies regardless of whether the specific vehicle in front of you was ever part of a recall campaign: Engine and cooling, Buying, records and recalls, Transmission and drivetrain, Climate and electrical, Brakes, tires and steering.
2024 Hyundai Kona owners specifically: see Buying, records and recalls and Climate and electrical and Engine and cooling.
Compared with
Models this Hyundai Kona is most often compared with.
Nearest Hyundai models
Other Hyundai models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2027 Kona come in?
The 2027 Hyundai Kona (subcompact SUV) comes in 4 trims: SE, SEL Sport, SEL Premium, Limited.
Q02What are the 2027 Kona trims?
The 2027 Hyundai Kona trims are SE, SEL Sport, SEL Premium, Limited, listed from the entry SE up to the top Limited.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2027 Kona use?
The 2027 Hyundai Kona is built around 2.0L four-cylinder or turbo 1.6L four-cylinder, rated at 147 / 190 horsepower across its subcompact SUV body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2027 Kona have?
The 2027 Hyundai Kona is rated at 147 / 190 horsepower (2.0L four-cylinder or turbo 1.6L four-cylinder).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2027 Kona?
The 2027 Hyundai Kona is offered with FWD / AWD.