2022 brings a makeover of sorts for the Hyundai Kona. The subcompact SUV receives new exterior styling that gives the Kona a slick look with cutting edge styling. On the inside the changes are much more understated with a larger 8-inch touchscreen on a reworked center stack, wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, mood lighting and upgraded materials.
I liked the size of the Kona, it’s a great urban runabout. It’s easy to park in those ridiculously small spaces and to squeeze by larger cars to make those right turns. The Limited trim’s turbocharged engine gives it some zip for highway speeds.
Available in five trim levels: SE, SEL, N Line, Limited and N, this review will focus on the Limited trim.
Notable equipment on the Limited trim list includes: 18-inch wheels, leather upholstery, sunroof, eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio, larger 10.25-inch touchscreen, NAV system, adaptive cruise control, and automatic wipers.
A turbocharged 1.6-liter engine provides the Kona Limited with 195 horses and 195 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission. My model came equipped with all-wheel drive. Expect to get 27/city, 32/highway and 29 combined MPG.
Although there is a fair amount of plastic inside the Kona, it doesn’t detract from the simplicity of the layout. All buttons and knobs are logically placed and clearly identified and the touchscreen is easy to use. The leather seats are comfortable and supple with plenty of adjustments to get comfortable. The backseats are not bad either except for the legroom, it’s a bit cramped back there especially if you are on the taller side.
There’s a fair bit of road noise in the cabin, but just turn up the tunes and it all goes away. The turn radius on the Kona is excellent, the better to get into small spaces. Overall ride quality is a bit on the bumpy side but it’s an acceptable trade-off for the taut handling. As for the acceleration, it’s great. When the turbo kicks in the Kona flies and the transmission does its thing with smooth gear shifts.
Compact, attractive and fun-to-drive, the 2022 Hyundai Kona Limited hits the trifecta.
