Just got my 2018 Kona Ultimate with only just over 5,000 miles on it. I LOVE it! I opted for a FWD for the gas mileage and I'm not disappointed. I'm averaging about 31 MPG.
Went out and bought one.....pick it up on Friday. I got the 1.6t trend package (one level down from the Ultimate package you reviewed), No sunroof....don't like them. No leather seats.....they're horrible in the summer, burns my ass and legs with shorts on. No Nav system , as my phone does all that stuff. Got the head up display and the turbo engine. Really enjoyed the test drive.
List some reasons, please? Just wanted something new? Smaller dimensions for maneuverability, parking, etc? I still think the AWD system in Subarus is the best but like most people who drive these AWD / CUV 90% of their times will likely be in urban settings. I am more of a fan of the hatchback on higher suspension look of the Kona anyway. The wagon style is a bit dated and all that extra space is wasted and again adds the extra bulk which can be a disadvantage for parking.
Bought the Hyundai Kona AWD two days ago after decades of driving a Subie. Love it!! Nothing against Subie, but my favorite one was my 2000 Impreza Sport and the Kona reminds me of that car more than any newer Subies.
I prefer SUV's because of the ride height, entry height, rear load height, more cargo room than a sedan, ground clearance, and all around practicality of owning one. I have an Outback and the all-wheel-drive has spoiled me. I think this Kona could be the one I'd buy to replace my aging outback.
Thanks man ! I'm surprised You can get this car in US, too. I'm living in Europe and I've to decide between BMW X1 and Kona. I prefer the Kona, because the X1 doesn't have an active lane assist, only a warning sytem.
Ok..thank you..helped us make a decision. Hubby buying 2019 probably base model which is cool with me. This will be OUR..MY..very 1st NEW car purchase. Warranty...YAY👏👏👏 Thank you for a terrific VERY informative review👍👍
i went for the base model first for a r year lease. loving the naturally asperated 2.0l engine. its got some decent balls to it. next will either be the trend or the night edition.
Currently have a 2011 elantra. Fun little car but terrifying to drive in the winter and getting up there in miles . Been watching many reviews for the Kona and very much sold. Just gotta take it for a test drive
The designer of this car actually modeled it after the Lamborghini Urus. One of the best looking small SUVs IMO. I have a 2018 SEL w/Tech Pkg. Best car yet!
Liked your review!! Thanks so much!! Could you give us your opinion on that dual clutch? How did feel driving with it in city traffic? I always heard its jerky in stop and start traffic situation? would you recommend the Kona with that transmission? Thank you again for your opinion
At $19.500 SE don't be fooled you do not get AWD or a moon roof. Getting those features are on the SEL and/or Limited. I am a Hyundai Girl. Love their Warranty only 2 other companies offer the same, Mitsubishi and Kia. Hubby and I have bought 5 since 2001 when he bought me an Elantra. Just sold my Veloster and now seriously looking at a Kona. Either that or back to another Veloster.
I presently own a 2017 Santa Fe Ultimate and am considering trading down to the smaller Kona mainly just for better mileage, of course I wont have all the bells & whistles on it this time either.
I test drove a Kona and I found the ride to be too harsh, too much road noise and the interior was filled with cheap plastic. Too bad I was really hoping I’d like it.
North America sub-compact SUV of the year, Kelly Blue Books best buy sub-compact SUV and best selling sub-compact SUV in Canada. They must be doing something right. EDIT: We can thank Albert Bierrman for the improvement in driving dynamics. He was involved in Konas development.
Great review. I really wish you would have addressed the roof rack capability and towing capacity. I've watched tons of these suv reviews and NONE of them talk it. Very frustrating!!!
Good feedback- thanks. I try to not focus on things on the OEM website in case the viewer isn’t a potential buyer & just curious but def can overlay stuff like that in the future.
@@DFWsCars Yeah I figured it was the Thunder Grey. Saw the Silver and grey at dealer today, dark grey does indeed look a bit better since it "hides" the black portions but I'm sure the silver would hide dust better. Just another thing to think about if I decide to purchase.
@@DFWsCars okay, found it. l had it somewhat covered up with a rubber based carpet that l use to cover the rear seats from my dogs. l have three mini schnauzer dogs and if they had the chance to eat my leather seats they probably would. Anyway the bass speaker kicks ass and so do the other six speakers. l only wish they were Bose and that the amp could be upgraded to a more powerful one.
I am considering one of these as the in town run around and little ripper to the golf course or the ski Hill etc.... I like this car but it does not in any way resemble an Evoque....
@@DFWsCars Sure..... and the Sonata looks like a Jag..... I keep hearing it but I don't see it..... maybe it's me choosing not to see it..... I don't know.... I'm a bit of a snob..... when I do buy one of these I will not likely tell my buddies I bought it because it looks like an Evoque. If I want something that looks like an Evoque I'll buy an Evoque...
I heard the Sonata thing too, but see more Audi in there (makes sense as they hired chief Audi designer), & more Jag on some of the Genesis line or parts of the Stinger.
I love my 2019 SEL model. I think the back up camera is fine....Very clear. The plastics are quite nice in the car. There is a grain finish on it which makes it nice.
👍🏼. Ya some of the Cameras in the class are getting insanely good- (I.e. matches all the other graphics). This def isn’t too bad, but I noticed it’s not as high quality as the screen it sits on.
@@Jeff-ps5tg yeah it does bud. But turns back to front wheel drive bias at about 40 to 45 mph. Will be getting one sat. Im going to see since its electronically speed set, if theres a way to flash the ecu to keep it in the lock function to highway speeds
Good video but next time just wash your hands better and dont use that lexus hat when you reviewing Hyundai you probobly own Lexus and reviewin Hyunday:)) i still can not deside between this and Hohnda HRV
Michal Misio haha- never owned a Lexus- it was from some event where they gave them away. Reviewed the HRV too, personally my $ would be on the Kona, just a bit more fun, sporty, different, etc.
@@michalmisio64 I do have a review of the Honda here, or on the more everyday channel. Preferred this, Hyundai is slightly newer, and more funky (next Honda may change that tho). I think the HRV, and CH-R are pretty similar, again just the Toyota is a bit newer/more different. I'm reviewing the Lexus version of that the NX this week.
Some parts of this review are nice. I would have liked to have seen the road more as the reviewer was driving though. Also, he never said whether he’d buy this car with his own money. Why raise the question and then not answer it. The ending of the video was weird and unfinished.
13:45, at 20k it’s a good value if I was in the market, the Ultimate is a tougher pill to swallow, but the Limited with an incentive (and upgrade the stereo) is the one I would buy with my own $ if in the market.
It's a $20-$25k vehicle, what do you think you'll get for that price, lol. You wanna feel better, go get yourself an Escalade, Navigator or Land Cruiser. I paid $40k for a Toyota 4 Runner Limited in 1998, the Kona is a steal.
Agree, I think that’s the cars achilles heal. Although to be fair, I didn’t find the interior of the Honda or Toyota to be all that nice either (a little better, but still sort of basic). I recall the high trim CX-3 was def pretty nice and stood out to be as one of the nicer in that size range/price point.
They are only $30k if you are the worst shopper on the planet. You can get an Ultimate AWD for like $23300. They are heavily discounted. The Limited is a better value and gets you same 1.6L engine.
Well sometimes women may be a stay at home 🏡 wife- so it’s their husbands $ or whatever, especially with an SUV. But I def see what you’re saying, & know a few female supercar owners where they buy their husband a car. 🤷🏻♂️
Just got my 2018 Kona Ultimate with only just over 5,000 miles on it. I LOVE it! I opted for a FWD for the gas mileage and I'm not disappointed. I'm averaging about 31 MPG.
How much did you pay
@@BlackJeepConvertible $19,500
@@MikeMaryandRusty I guess it makes sense that the awd ones are around 20k but with much more miles
Went out and bought one.....pick it up on Friday. I got the 1.6t trend package (one level down from the Ultimate package you reviewed), No sunroof....don't like them. No leather seats.....they're horrible in the summer, burns my ass and legs with shorts on. No Nav system , as my phone does all that stuff. Got the head up display and the turbo engine. Really enjoyed the test drive.
Nice! Hope you enjoy it.
You got the important stuff.
egastap is there anything else the trend package doesn’t have that the ultimate does I’m considering getting one myself
I traded my Crosstrek Limited for the Kona Ultimate. No regrets!
Been torn between the Crosstrek and Kona but looks like it's gonna be a Kona!
List some reasons, please? Just wanted something new? Smaller dimensions for maneuverability, parking, etc?
I still think the AWD system in Subarus is the best but like most people who drive these AWD / CUV 90% of their times will likely be in urban settings. I am more of a fan of the hatchback on higher suspension look of the Kona anyway. The wagon style is a bit dated and all that extra space is wasted and again adds the extra bulk which can be a disadvantage for parking.
Bought the Hyundai Kona AWD two days ago after decades of driving a Subie. Love it!! Nothing against Subie, but my favorite one was my 2000 Impreza Sport and the Kona reminds me of that car more than any newer Subies.
Yes same here no regrets
It took Toyota over 7 years to undo the damage done to Subaru when General Mess controlled it in this country....🙄
Bought my Kona ultimate last week. Loving it!!
Love this! It actually looks like an SUV and not some weird crossover creation.
I prefer SUV's because of the ride height, entry height, rear load height, more cargo room than a sedan, ground clearance, and all around practicality of owning one. I have an Outback and the all-wheel-drive has spoiled me. I think this Kona could be the one I'd buy to replace my aging outback.
thanks for the review. I'm seriously considering buying an ultimate. Just gathering info right now.
Definitely a cool little SUV. I drove one recently and really liked it.
Buying my Ultimate today. Thanks for the review.
Update, I like my new car, but it gets crappy gas mileage
Thanks man ! I'm surprised You can get this car in US, too. I'm living in Europe and I've to decide between BMW X1 and Kona. I prefer the Kona, because the X1 doesn't have an active lane assist, only a warning sytem.
Own the Kona love it
Laura Williams I’m looking to get this car also it’s just me and my daughter is it big and how big is the rear? For a 1 year old car seat and stroller
@@vicky924 its a bit small in the back seats in terms of legroom but decent trunk space.
Ok..thank you..helped us make a decision. Hubby buying 2019 probably base model which is cool with me. This will be OUR..MY..very 1st NEW car purchase. Warranty...YAY👏👏👏
Thank you for a terrific VERY informative review👍👍
and do we know if the hood vent does anything? im trying to look it up but nothing so far
i went for the base model first for a r year lease. loving the naturally asperated 2.0l engine. its got some decent balls to it. next will either be the trend or the night edition.
What about a 2018 Kona ,how good are that years
Currently have a 2011 elantra. Fun little car but terrifying to drive in the winter and getting up there in miles . Been watching many reviews for the Kona and very much sold. Just gotta take it for a test drive
Very nice car and an excellent video. What was the colour of the car called? Many thanks!
The designer of this car actually modeled it after the Lamborghini Urus.
One of the best looking small SUVs IMO. I have a 2018 SEL w/Tech Pkg. Best car yet!
That makes so much sense. Heard the bulldog thing before but hearing that explains a lot
Liked your review!! Thanks so much!! Could you give us your opinion on that dual clutch? How did feel driving with it in city traffic? I always heard its jerky in stop and start traffic situation? would you recommend the Kona with that transmission?
Thank you again for your opinion
Hey there- it really wasn’t bad. Not as smooth as a regular automatic, but def way better than older dual clutches I have encountered.
Its more noticable when it shifts to the 2nd from the 1st. Its way less noticeable past that.
it takes 800 miles or so to break it in the DCT clutch , more time = less stumbling starts. Don't judge it right away.
At $19.500 SE don't be fooled you do not get AWD or a moon roof. Getting those features are on the SEL and/or Limited. I am a Hyundai Girl. Love their Warranty only 2 other companies offer the same, Mitsubishi and Kia. Hubby and I have bought 5 since 2001 when he bought me an Elantra. Just sold my Veloster and now seriously looking at a Kona. Either that or back to another Veloster.
Marie Smith true the ones they give us have all the toys. I actually didn’t know you could order AWD On rhe base model, that’s kinda disappointing.
The SE’s here in Ohio have AWD. It’s optional and an extra $1500, but they have it.
Marie Smith VW’s 2018+ have a better warranty than Hyundai.
@@w0by right, because they need it. They're 3-4 times more expensive to fix when something breaks...which it always does on a VW.
We're planning to buy this car. How is the air conditioning? And also, can you scoot the front seats forward?
Ac is good enough for Texas summers. Also yes the seats do move
Also here in the philippines it gets hot in summer, 35-41 degrees. Anyway thanks for the quick reply my friend :)
All car seats move forward and backward, have you ever been in a car???
I presently own a 2017 Santa Fe Ultimate and am considering trading down to the smaller Kona mainly just for better mileage, of course I wont have all the bells & whistles on it this time either.
True it’s def tricky. Luckily gas is pretty cheap for now
I test drove a Kona and I found the ride to be too harsh, too much road noise and the interior was filled with cheap plastic. Too bad I was really hoping I’d like it.
What cheap car doesn't have hard plastics or road noise? 😂
@@ELP1125 good point
Undercoating will cure ALOT of the road noise
North America sub-compact SUV of the year, Kelly Blue Books best buy sub-compact SUV and best selling sub-compact SUV in Canada.
They must be doing something right.
EDIT: We can thank Albert Bierrman for the improvement in driving dynamics. He was involved in Konas development.
Do you know what the name of the colour is? i think it looks really good on this car.
Apnextp looks like Thunder gray.
Great review. I really wish you would have addressed the roof rack capability and towing capacity. I've watched tons of these suv reviews and NONE of them talk it. Very frustrating!!!
Good feedback- thanks. I try to not focus on things on the OEM website in case the viewer isn’t a potential buyer & just curious but def can overlay stuff like that in the future.
Awesome review !!
Thanks-- welcome to the channel and the Speedy Racers.
Hi, is this the Sonic Silver or the Thunder Grey color??
It was on the darker side, so Thunder Gray if I recall right.
@@DFWsCars Yeah I figured it was the Thunder Grey. Saw the Silver and grey at dealer today, dark grey does indeed look a bit better since it "hides" the black portions but I'm sure the silver would hide dust better. Just another thing to think about if I decide to purchase.
exactly where the heck did they put the subwoofer. l have the 2020 Kona Ultimate my system bass's up nice and tight, but l don't know where it's at.
Yup- in the back right of the cargo bay
@@DFWsCars okay, found it. l had it somewhat covered up with a rubber based carpet that l use to cover the rear seats from my dogs. l have three mini schnauzer dogs and if they had the chance to eat my leather seats they probably would. Anyway the bass speaker kicks ass and so do the other six speakers. l only wish they were Bose and that the amp could be upgraded to a more powerful one.
I am considering one of these as the in town run around and little ripper to the golf course or the ski Hill etc.... I like this car but it does not in any way resemble an Evoque....
There are specific styling cues that do- and in a more broad sense they both share a stout choppy aggressive design.
@@DFWsCars Sure..... and the Sonata looks like a Jag..... I keep hearing it but I don't see it..... maybe it's me choosing not to see it..... I don't know.... I'm a bit of a snob..... when I do buy one of these I will not likely tell my buddies I bought it because it looks like an Evoque. If I want something that looks like an Evoque I'll buy an Evoque...
I heard the Sonata thing too, but see more Audi in there (makes sense as they hired chief Audi designer), & more Jag on some of the Genesis line or parts of the Stinger.
I love my 2019 SEL model. I think the back up camera is fine....Very clear. The plastics are quite nice in the car. There is a grain finish on it which makes it nice.
👍🏼. Ya some of the Cameras in the class are getting insanely good- (I.e. matches all the other graphics). This def isn’t too bad, but I noticed it’s not as high quality as the screen it sits on.
Woah woah woah. It has locking diffs???
With AWD it does have a locking diff- splits the power 50-50 front-rear.
No, It does not.
@@Jeff-ps5tg yeah it does bud. But turns back to front wheel drive bias at about 40 to 45 mph. Will be getting one sat. Im going to see since its electronically speed set, if theres a way to flash the ecu to keep it in the lock function to highway speeds
Will it run on dirt
You can get awd, so yes
Agreed- with the AWD you’d be fine on a trail or something. What would be tricky would be ride height and the tires.
Will it run on snow and steep hills
With good winter tires and the AWD model it should.
The only thing i dont like is the gasoline fuel. Hyundai should have used a CRDI engine for Kona.
@@DFWsCars they allrready did . The elecric one is for sale, and the hybrid one will be after a while.
What is that clicking noise during the test drive?
Sounds like the vibration of the camera shaking being picked up
I like it
This is not small SUV it is a Small Crossover style
What’s a small SUV then? So many are ditching body on frame I’m not sure there are any true small SUVs anymore
Needs 275 hp
Nice
Good video but next time just wash your hands better and dont use that lexus hat when you reviewing Hyundai you probobly own Lexus and reviewin Hyunday:)) i still can not deside between this and Hohnda HRV
Michal Misio haha- never owned a Lexus- it was from some event where they gave them away. Reviewed the HRV too, personally my $ would be on the Kona, just a bit more fun, sporty, different, etc.
The HRV felt more like a budget Honda to me vs this just felt like a smaller Hyundai but not a cheaper one. Dunno if that makes sense
Ferrari Dave DFWs Cars Reviews what about the handling and pick up on a honda hrv vs this ?
@@michalmisio64 I do have a review of the Honda here, or on the more everyday channel. Preferred this, Hyundai is slightly newer, and more funky (next Honda may change that tho). I think the HRV, and CH-R are pretty similar, again just the Toyota is a bit newer/more different. I'm reviewing the Lexus version of that the NX this week.
Some parts of this review are nice. I would have liked to have seen the road more as the reviewer was driving though. Also, he never said whether he’d buy this car with his own money. Why raise the question and then not answer it. The ending of the video was weird and unfinished.
13:45, at 20k it’s a good value if I was in the market, the Ultimate is a tougher pill to swallow, but the Limited with an incentive (and upgrade the stereo) is the one I would buy with my own $ if in the market.
It looks small chevrolet spark
It’s got turbo! Great! But everything else sucks. Too compact for a crossover. Looks cheap overall. Definitely not a smooth drive and loud.
It's a $20-$25k vehicle, what do you think you'll get for that price, lol.
You wanna feel better, go get yourself an Escalade, Navigator or Land Cruiser.
I paid $40k for a Toyota 4 Runner Limited in 1998, the Kona is a steal.
small? everything is small now days--disgusting...
Paul Cheek ya these compact CUVs are interesting and spreading like crazy. This is one of about a handful (the Volvo xc40) that actually has utility
Buddy wash your hands next time will ya
Next time
30k for the ultimate the inside still looks so cheap hard plastic everywhere no thanks I'll pass
Agree, I think that’s the cars achilles heal. Although to be fair, I didn’t find the interior of the Honda or Toyota to be all that nice either (a little better, but still sort of basic). I recall the high trim CX-3 was def pretty nice and stood out to be as one of the nicer in that size range/price point.
Also, if interior is really important you can get into the new Lexus UX for 32, which is quite nice (review coming soon).
They are only $30k if you are the worst shopper on the planet. You can get an Ultimate AWD for like $23300. They are heavily discounted. The Limited is a better value and gets you same 1.6L engine.
That looks ugly af my elantra is way better n bigger room they added way to many light that they need to ugly
Looks are subjective, and beauty in the eye of beholder
I think it looks awesome we all have our own opinions ☺️
These comments by women saying their husband bought them a vehicle. Cant you buy your own car?
Women are so dependent
Well sometimes women may be a stay at home 🏡 wife- so it’s their husbands $ or whatever, especially with an SUV. But I def see what you’re saying, & know a few female supercar owners where they buy their husband a car. 🤷🏻♂️
You sound like my ex smh 🤦♀️