Hyundai Kona Reliability: A Review of Performance Over Time
Hyundai Kona Reliability: A Review of Performance Over Time
Posted on May 30, 2024
Are you considering the latest Hyundai Kona for its reliability? With a history of solid performance and a Kona reliability score that reflects its low maintenance needs, this vehicle has emerged as a dependable choice in the compact SUV market.
Our experience selling the Kona has given us a lot of insight into what makes this vehicle reliable, and some factors surprised them! There's a lot to know about how this vehicle fares over long periods, so we'll get into how you can make an informed decision about your next new Hyundai Kona.
The Hyundai Kona's Reliability Results
- The Hyundai Kona offers both Standard 2.0L MPI 4-cylinder engine and a 1.6L turbocharged engines backed by high reliability scores.
- Hyundai's powertrain warranty offers impressive 100,000km coverage which suggests less frequent needs for repairs.
- With a solid 82/100 on J.D. Power, newer models of the Kona stay strong and address well-voiced concerns from previous years.
- Owners vocally appreciate the Kona’s all-wheel drive (AWD) capabilities, especially in snowy conditions with its 4WD lock feature.
- The Kona’s advanced infotainment system with dual 12.3-inch displays integrates with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, parts covered in a 3-year, 60,000 km warranty.
Kona Engine Performance and Longevity
With a 2.0L base engine and an optional turbocharged 190 horsepower 1.6L engine, the Hyundai Kona caters to a variety of needs. The turbocharged engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivers remarkable performance to an already reliable vehicle.
Over the last few years, recent models of the Hyundai Kona have earned an average J.D. Power reliability score of 82 out of 100, indicating a lower likelihood of frequent repairs and maintenance needs. The Kona’s engine and transmission systems are key contributors to its success!
Hyundai’s strong powertrain warranty sets out to prove the company’s commitment to the longevity of the Kona’s engine and transmission systems. More on that in the warranty section! Whether you’re commuting to work or pursuing a weekend adventure, the Kona defines performance over a long time.
Reliability in the Drive System: All-Wheel Drive Capabilities
The new Hyundai Kona comes standard with front-wheel drive. For an upgrade to an all-wheel drive model, you can enjoy further enhanced power and stability. This all-wheel drive option has caught the attention of reviewers for providing more power and stability in inclement weather or off-road.
Many owners have reported that the Kona’s AWD performs exceptionally well in snowy conditions, thanks to its 4WD lock feature for enhanced handling in adverse road conditions. But for sticking to well ploughed streets in Calgary or maintained highway driving, the Kona’s front-wheel drive ensures a smooth and controlled ride for less.
In-Car Electronics and Infotainment System
Our sales advisors at Country Hills Hyundai are excited to show an updated, sleek pair of screens on each side of your right hand. On the left, a customizable instrumentation screen, and on the right everything for your infotainment needs.
Step inside the Hyundai Kona, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by advanced in-car electronics and reliable infotainment options. The Kona features dual 12.3-inch displays—the instrument cluster with a reconfigurable gauge display—and a large touchscreen for infotainment, which is of course compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Whether navigating unfamiliar territories or jamming to your favorite tunes, the Kona ensures every trip is enjoyable and hassle-free. Available driver-assistance features in the Kona include:
- Automated emergency braking
- Blind-spot monitoring
- A driver-monitoring system
- A self-parking feature
- Adaptive cruise control
If there's a problem with these systems, the great news is that they're covered under Hyundai's strong warranty. For the vast majority of owners, the Kona surpasses competitors with its intuitive infotainment options and sophisticated connectivity features.
Brake System Reliability
It’s worth noting that the chosen pairing of softer springs and stiffer shocks in the Kona’s design could influence its braking behavior and overall handling dynamics. Despite some owners' isolated reports, the Kona’s overall reliability score remains high, and Hyundai is always addressing these issues iteratively in each years' model.
Steering and Suspension Insights
Our sales advisors at Country Hills Hyundai can show you the power of HTRAC steering and good suspension on a test drive. The handling especially excels on complex and tight-turning roads!
Some Kona owners have praised the suspension’s ability to absorb bumps and isolate the cabin from rough road conditions, contributing to a comfortable ride! While some enjoy aftermarket options, the vehicles factory suspension is preferable, even after testing aftermarket suspension.
The all-wheel-drive system and wider tires of the Kona N Line AWD have garnered praise for impressive cornering grip and an enhanced figure-eight performance. But whether you opt for AWD or not, many drivers still appreciate the various Kona models available, catering to different preferences and needs.
Keeping Cool and Staying Warm: Climate Control and Heated Features
Comfort is key in any vehicle, and the Hyundai Kona doesn’t disappoint. For enhanced comfort in diverse weather conditions, the Kona provides heated features as an upgrade on higher trim levels.
Heated front seats are available as an optional feature in the Kona SEL and are standard in the trim levels above it, ensuring that your ride is always cozy, regardless of the snowy roads your Kona might wrestle Calgary's three-staged winters—spanning November to May each year.
The high-end N Line trim includes available ventilated front seats, while the Kona Limited helps on cold mornings parked outside with a heated steering wheel—catering to both warmer and cooler climates. Our city experiences more than 60-degree Celsius variance every 12 months, but this model has proven reliable in keeping our customers cool or warm enough.
Sealed Tight: Evaluating Noises, Leaks, and Body Hardware
One of the factors that contribute to a pleasant driving experience is the absence of excessive noise or issues like oil leaks. The Hyundai Kona Electric is noted for its quiet cabin, with road noise being well isolated and its electric motor noise barely noticeable, especially at cruising speeds.
In terms of reliable body hardware, Hyundai backs the Kona’s body sheet metal with an anti-perforation warranty, providing assurance against corrosion from the inside out. The doors of the Hyundai Kona give a solid feel when closed, suggesting substantial build quality and no hollow or tinny acoustics.
Fuel System and Economy
The Hyundai Kona is not just about style and comfort; it’s also about efficiency. The Kona boasts impressive fuel efficiency and fuel economy, with figures ranging from 7.1 to 6.8 L/100km depending on the model. The benchmarked Kona Essential with FWD boasts 8.4L in the city and 6.7L on the highway.
Whether you’re commuting to work, running errands, or heading out on a road trip, the Kona ensures a smooth and efficient ride, saving you time and money at the fuel pump. Compared to competitors in the same class, the Hyundai Kona balances fuel efficiency and power, making it one of the best for long-term point-A-to-B reliability.
Warranty: Hyundai's Promise of Care
Our sales advisors at Country Hills Hyundai can help you understand your options when it comes to warranty details and how to best achieve peace of mind. Reliability is something Hyundai builds for, so you're in for some good news on the warranty!
Purchasing a Hyundai Kona is not just about acquiring a vehicle, but also buying into a commitment of care. The Kona comes with a Hyundai Canada warranty that covers most parts for 5 years or 100,000 kilometers, alongside an 8-year or 130,000-kilometer emissions warranty.
This comprehensive warranty ensures the repair or replacement of vehicle components found defective in material or workmanship, providing peace of mind for Kona owners. For the infotainment system, paint, and battery there's 3-year or 60,000 km coverage!
But Hyundai’s care goes beyond the marketplace benchmarks for warranty. Moreover, the OEM can help owners prioritizing peace of mind. The extended warranty covers basic warranty plus added bonuses like:
- A car rental benefit that allows owners to have a replacement vehicle while the Hyundai is under repair, subject to certain conditions.
- 24-hour roadside assistance, offering services that include fuel delivery, tire changes, and towing.
- trip interruption coverage—compensating for meals and lodging if a repair from a covered breakdown during a road trip causes an overnight stay
Whether you opt for an extended or basic warranty, you'll enjoy more peace of mind than the average car customer trusting other brands with less coverage. Many of our sales advisors chose Hyundai for their sales careers because they trust quality!
A Coat of Confidence: Paint and Exterior Quality
The Hyundai Kona’s exterior design showcases Hyundai’s commitment to quality and distinctive aesthetics. The vehicle paint is covered under warranty for a period of 3 years or 60,000 kilometers, demonstrating resilience and further trust in the quality of the paint job.
Kona vs. Other Small SUVs
The Kona brings the best of multiple vehicle classes into its experience as a subcompact SUV. Enjoy the compact storage versatility of a hatchback with the power and height of an SUV!
The Hyundai Kona not only competes with other vehicles in its class but often outperforms them in some areas. When compared to other small SUVs, the Kona offers a more engaging driving experience with responsive handling.
In terms of interior, the Kona boasts superior comfort, featuring higher quality materials and ergonomic design compared with leading competitors. Furthermore, the Kona excels in:
- Space efficiency, providing a flexible and practical cargo area
- 60/40 split rear seats
- Bold and sporty exterior
- Modern cabin design
The Kona offers a more appealing aesthetic compared to the traditionally styled Honda HR-V, for example. In more general terms, the Kona keeps up in competitor reliability with newer models from Honda!
The Road Ahead: Future Expectations for Kona Reliability
With an eye on the future, the prospects for the Kona are bright. This vehicle has undergone significant redesign and updated technology in the newer models, compared to the previous generation models, suggest a positive outlook. Stay tuned for ongoing developments in the EV version of the Kona!
Simply put, the Hyundai Kona is reliable; the 2022 model even boasts a J.D. Power score of 83/100, meaning a used vehicle could serve you or a loved one well if you come across one in our used inventory. Keep an eye out just in case you'd like to keep two Konas, one new and one used!
At the end of the day, the Kona is always trying to outdo itself, and all years are great for that in our experience keeping up new inventory and gleaning insights from our Country Hills showroom's sales advisors.
The Hyundai Kona features a radically styled exterior and more tech in the cabin, keeping up with the latest trends and customer needs. This continuous evolution and commitment to improvement suggest that the Kona will continue to be a reliable and feature-packed choice for SUV enthusiasts in the years to come.
Speak with a Sales Advisor at Country Hills Hyundai for a Reliable New Kona
Country Hills Hyundai are always glad to tell prospective buyers about the latest and greatest of features. But our favourite part is when customers trade in an old model for newer ones. Come see what's changed if you bought a Kona from us years ago!
The Hyundai Kona shines as a reliable, feature-packed SUV that caters to a wide range of customer preferences. From its choice of engines and advanced in-car electronics to its optional all-wheel drive and impressive fuel efficiency, the Kona stands out in its category as satisfying and reliable.
Though there are some areas for improvement depending on the year, Hyundai’s comprehensive warranty and commitment to customer care provide peace of mind for Kona owners. Newer models are always answers to reliability questions that have arisen in the past.
Whether you’re in the market for the most reliable new car or simply exploring your options by vehicle, the Hyundai Kona is a choice worth considering. But don't just take our word for it; experience the Hyundai Kona's blend of style, comfort, and reliability firsthand—schedule your test drive with this vehicle today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine options does the Hyundai Kona offer?
The Hyundai Kona offers a 2.0L base engine and an optional turbocharged 1.6L engine for more power. Choose between these two options based on your preference for performance! On the N Line, the turbo engine comes standard!
How is the Kona's fuel efficiency?
The Hyundai Kona has impressive fuel efficiency, ranging from 9.0 L/100km combined to 7.6 L/100km depending on the model and drivetrain. The 1.6L turbocharged engine with AWD in particular gets 9.8L in the city and 8.1L on the highway—without sacrificing performance.
What warranty does Hyundai offer for the Kona?
Hyundai offers a 5-year/100,000km warranty for most parts and an 8-year/130,000 km warranty for emissions quality. It has sound system, paint, and battery coverage for 3 years or 60,000km, so you've got peace of mind. Our sales advisors often speak well of the extended warranty as well, since it offers so many perks on eligible redemption.
How does the Kona compare to other small SUVs?
The Kona offers a superior driving experience, interior comfort, and cargo space when compared to other small SUVs. It's a top contender in its class for reliability too, with the same J.D. Power reliability rating as the well-regarded Honda HR-V—sometimes ranked among the top 5 most recommended in-class.
Which SUVs does Hyundai have?
The range includes the compact and agile Hyundai Venue, the ever-popular Hyundai Kona with its electric variant, the family-friendly Hyundai Tucson, and the larger Hyundai Santa Fe. For those looking for a more luxurious and spacious ride, there's the Hyundai Palisade. Additionally, Hyundai has introduced the Hyundai IONIQ 5, an all-electric SUV that blends futuristic design with eco-friendly performance.