2022 Hyundai Kona Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

The 2022 Hyundai Kona is a subcompact SUV with a distinctive appearance. The small crossover SUV is one of the most popular vehicle types on the market today. That means the Kona will face a lot of stiff competition. Fortunately for the Kona, it's an attractive and well-designed car with a ton of standard features.

The Kona has plenty of power and is fun to drive. There are many reasons to chose one over the competition. There are also a few things to be aware of before you make a purchase. We will go over a few of these issues and also compare the Kona to its top two competitors.

What's New for 2022?

Almost everything is new for 2022. The Hyundai Kona gets a complete makeover this year for both the exterior and the interior. On the outside, there's a new front end and a more aggressive grille. Even the wheel designs get an update.

For the interior, the dashboard and gauge clusters have been redesigned. Hyundai now offers wireless charging for smartphones and other mobile devices. Heated seats are now available in the rear in addition to the front. The infotainment display screen will be larger this year.

One of the most exciting changes for 2022 is the addition of the N-Line model. This is a sporty model of the Kona. It will offer both performance and cosmetic upgrades. The N-Line Kona is sure to please performance-car enthusiasts.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2022 Hyundai Kona – The Pros

1. The Power and Performance

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offers great power and performance. This is especially true of the higher trim levels. These get a powerful 1.6-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder that produces 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. For the ultimate in performance, buyers should take a look at the N-Line and Limited trim levels.

2. Excellent Steering Dynamics

The Hyundai Kona offers tight steering and excellent handling. It's an agile little SUV that has no trouble hugging the road when you take on tight curves. It's easy to park and to maneuver around town too. The excellent steering dynamics, when paired with the 195-horsepower engine, makes the Kona an exceptionally fun car to drive.

3. A Bold New Exterior Design

The newest version of the Kona is a real head turner. It features sleek and sporty lines and curves. The new wide-mouth grille gives the Kona an aggressive look. There are some new exterior lighting elements that give the Kona a downright futuristic look. Hyundai also offers a sunroof for most trim levels.

4. The Attractive and Comfortable Interior

The interior of the Hyundai Kona is smartly designed. It's ergonomic too, with everything that the driver needs to touch within easy reach. Leather-trimmed seats are offered at the higher trim levels. There's an 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat that has lumbar support. The front seats have a heating feature too for those cold winter days.

5. Plenty of Cargo Space

Cargo space is a great reason to own any SUV. It's what makes the compact SUV more practical than a small coupe or sedan. The 2022 Hyundai Kona offers 19.2 cubic-feet of cargo space when there's a full load of passengers. The rear seats can be folded down flat to accommodate even more cargo. In this configuration, the Kona has 45.8 cubic-feet of storage space.

6. Lots of Modern Tech

Hyundai has loaded the Kona up with some impressive technology. There are tech features here for convenience, safety and fun. The infotainment system has an 8-inch color display. There's also an optional 10.25-inch screen and a built-in navigation system. The Kona has Bluelink Connected Car System and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

7. An Amazing Sound System

Streaming your favorite music is made easy through Bluetooth technology or multiple USB ports. The basic stereo offers plenty of power and clear, ultra-realistic sound. There's also a premium sound system for the audiophiles. This includes a Harman Kardon stereo, an amplifier and eight speakers.

8. The Safety Features

The 2022 Hyundai Kona has an impressive array of safety features. There's an advanced airbag system with front and side-impact bags for both people up front. There are also side-curtain airbags mounted to the roof for protection up front and in the rear. Every version of the Kona gets anti-locking, 4-wheel disc brakes.

Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control and Brake Assist are included with every model of the Kona. Owners will also get Vehicle Stability Management technology to keep the Kona stable in emergency situations. The Blind-Spot Collision Warning and rear-view camera give drivers a better awareness of their surroundings.

9. Good Safety Ratings

Not only is the Kona equipped with plenty of safety features, but it also has amazing crash-test ratings. Every year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) does a number of thorough tests on vehicles to see how they stand up to collisions. In 12 separate tests, the NHTSA awarded the 2022 Kona a perfect five-star rating with the exception of one category where it scored four stars.

10. Great Fuel Economy Numbers

The 2022 Hyundai Kona is an economic car to begin with. It also offers amazing fuel efficiency that will save owners money in the long run. A Kona equipped with the base engine and front-wheel drive will have a combined fuel-economy rating of 32 miles-per-gallon. When equipped with the more powerful engine and all-wheel drive, it still gets 29 miles-per-gallon in during combined driving around town and on the highway.

Reasons Not to Buy a 2022 Hyundai Kona – The Cons

1. The Base Engine Could Be Better

The base engine is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that produces around 147 horsepower. It's a bit sluggish when trying to accelerate from a dead stop or when attempting to pass someone on the highway. There are competing vehicles in this class with much more horsepower from their base engine. Thankfully, Hyundai does offer the 195 horsepower engine for higher trim levels.

2. The Engine and Road Noise

The engine can get a bit loud at times. Also, the Kona lacks solid soundproofing on the inside. Drivers can expect to hear a lot of road noise during regular commutes. This is especially true at highway speeds.

3. Lots of Hard Plastic

The interior of the 2022 Hyundai Kona is comfortable and attractive. It does suffer from a lot of cheap plastic surfaces and panels, though. The interior looks modern and is laid out in an appealing fashion. The plastic detracts from this a bit, but Hyundai did have to cut some costs somewhere. After all, this is a very affordable car.

4. Unrefined Shifting

Shifting feels a bit unrefined in the Hyundai Kona. This is a shame since the steering and handling are so great in this little SUV. Shifting is mostly accurate, but you will definitely feel it when it happens. Hopefully, Hyundai will smooth things out with the Kona transmission systems in the future.

 

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

2022 Hyundai Kona vs 2022 Mazda CX-30

One of the top competitors for the Hyundai Kona will be Mazda's CX-30. This is a small SUV of similar size to the Kona. The price points are similar, with the CX-30 coming in at a base price that's about $3,000 higher. The CX-30 is capable of 189 horsepower, while the Kona can reach 195 horses. The Kona offers better fuel efficiency too.

Design is subjective, but the Kona stands out on the road more than the CX-30. Both have similar safety features and driver-assist technology. Both vehicles have comfortable, well-designed interiors. The Kona offers a smoother, more refined ride with better steering dynamics. Between these two subcompact SUVs, the Kona wins in most categories and is cheaper too.

2022 Hyundai Kona vs 2022 Buick Encore GX

The 2022 Buick Encore GX is another small SUV just like the Hyundai Kona. It has a base price that is roughly $4,000 higher than the Kona. For some, this extra cost may be worth it. The Encore GX has a much nicer, more upscale interior. Its driving dynamics and ride quality are very comparable to the Kona's too.

The Kona has 45.8 cubic-feet of cargo space while the Encore GX offers 50.2 cubic-feet of space. The Buick has more, but not by much. The safety features and driver-assist features are once again very similar here. The Kona has more horsepower and better fuel efficiency. It's hard not to recommend the Kona over the Encore GX for most buyers.

Conclusion

The Hyundai Kona was already one of the best vehicles in its class last year. For 2022, Hyundai has really upped their game. The improvements make the Kona a serious contender for the top small SUV on the market. The Kona has a striking, attractive new design. The interior is a little bit cheap, but it's well designed and extremely comfortable.

At the end of the day, the 2022 Hyundai Kona offers a lot for your money. It has an excellent price point and great fuel-economy numbers. The Kona comes equipped with a bunch of standard features too. These are across all categories of convenience, safety and cosmetic features. If you're looking for an affordable small SUV that's a joy to drive, the Kona is hard to beat.