Verdict
B
Small SUV · South Korea · 2017-Present
Hyundai Kona
Hyundai Kona — spec data and generation history.
Years
2017-Present
Generations
2
Segment
Small SUV
Hyundai's small crossover — OS (2017–2023) launched with petrol, hybrid and the surprise-hit Kona Electric, plus the short-lived 1.6 T-GDi Kona N (276 bhp); SX2 (2023–Present) is bigger, sharper, EV-first in design language, with a much-improved Kona Electric (48.4/65.4 kWh). The OS Kona Electric punched above its weight on range; the SX2 fixes the cramped cabin without losing it. The Kona N is gone but lived briefly.
What changed
Era-to-era deltas
OS 2017-2023 → SX2 2023-Present
BHP +10 bhp
Torque +25 Nm
0–60 mph −0.6 s
Top speed +5 mph
MPG +3 mpg
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
2017-2023
OS
→
Kona Electric 64 kWh — 201 bhp, 0-62 in 7.6s, 300-mile range.
Verdict
B
BHP
201
0–60
7.6 s
Top
104 mph
MPG
250 mpg
Used
$13,000-$30,000
- + Kona Electric range surprised the class
- + 1.0 T-GDi peppy enough
- − Battery fire recall (early Electric)
- − Cabin tight in rear
2023-Present
SX2
→
Kona Electric 65.4 kWh — 215 bhp, 0-62 in 7.8s, 319-mile range.
Verdict
B
BHP
215
0–60
7.8 s
Top
107 mph
MPG
266 mpg
Used
$29,000-$53,000
- + Cabin space transformed
- + EV-first design philosophy
- − Heavier than OS
- − No Kona N successor
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
2017-2023 · OS
- Kona Electric battery fire recall (LG Chem cells)
- 7DCT clutch wear
- Touchscreen freezes
- Rear arch road-noise
2023-Present · SX2
- Software updates required at launch
- Lane-keep over-eager
- Boot rattle on diesel/hybrid models
- Charging port motor stiff
Rivals
Ford Puma · Nissan Juke · Volkswagen T-Roc · Renault Captur