Full Review: 2018 Hyundai Kona | Spicing Things Up!

[@PrimeAutotainment]

Thanks for watching! For the subcompact class, the Kona drives pretty well and allows you to dress it up with more than you would expect. It can turn into quite the value! Let me know what you think of the Kona!

[@darrennewsamphotography396]

i had a rattle in my 2019 Kona drove me mad could not tell where it was coming from then one day found it , it was my sunglasses in the overhead holder.

[@PrimeAutotainment]

Lol that’s great you figured that out! That’s not what was going on here though. That’s common in lots of vehicles though. I couldn’t figure anything out here. Sunglasses or not

[@graemewilliams1308]

Bought mine in November 2017 in Oz. 1.6 T. Great car no issues at all. Fuel consumption is around 6.5 L/100KM, 2 people & luggage @ 110 KPH.

[@cakes961]

I love this car. I've done my research on others in class and after test drives this is the one for me in style and safety. I fell in love! I love how different it is and stands out. Great review!

[@PrimeAutotainment]

Thank you! That’s awesome, I’m happy to hear that! I hope you enjoy it, thanks for sharing that 👍

[@sherrid5315]

Funny I just got one three days ago 2020 never really got to drive it yet it’s just me I live in apt complex I got the se model in red my one neighbor just told my other neighbor it was ugly ! I didn’t buy it for looks I got it along with the extra extended warranty who cares ! I like it ! Must be a jealous thing ! Who knows ! You all think it’s ugly ? I sure heck don’t !

[@armandojuan64]

My next car , white , base model . Simplicity and functionality . BTW , soft touch materials which people go crazy for , don't last very long , hard plastic does ; same thing with leather and cloth fabric .

[@sherrid5315]

I just got the 2020 se basic I rather take the plastic over the other easier to clean and cloth seats that won’t wear and tear verses my last car Kia Forte had all leather was starting to get worn ! My neighbor told another neighbor it was ugly I didn’t ask her opinion nor buy it for her! I think it’s sharp she’s only one thinks it’s ugly !

[@gene978]

Very Surprising Little details you point out Nolan . I think Hyundai hit the looks of this out of the park! I am not a fan of all the hard touch arm rests, dash pad, and place to put your phone. With that said, It’s a versatile little UTE that can hold it’s on. Keep them coming Nolan! ;))

[@PrimeAutotainment]

Thanks for noticing! For sure, with materials aside it’s a great little value suv!

[@BrodyJoeandBriars]

I enjoyed this review of the Kona as much as the comparison review with the Nissan Kicks, Nolan...a great job on both reviews! The interior hard plastic is the one somewhat sore point on an otherwise outstanding vehicle, but since the front window line is a bit high for me to rest my arm on, I don't use the arm rest either, anyway, and for the time ever in a vehicle, I actually keep both hands on the wheel...maybe a good new habit! The dash seems so sturdy and heck, I never touch the hard plastic anyway. Coming from a Nissan Titan crewcab, I was concerned about losing that commanding ride height view of the road, but the wide front view in the Kona is awesome and at a good height! I find the SEL's cloth seats very comfortable and I'm lovin' the keyless features and rear cross traffic alert! With the AWD's multi-link rear suspension, like on mine, you might've enjoyed a smoother ride...just sayin'! I purposely got the conventional transmission of the SEL, as I wasn't sure I'd like the DCT...I have to inch along in fast food drive-thru's too much...lol Plus the contrasting black roof wasn't available on higher trims anyway. That 2.0L zooms once it gets going and I really have to watch my speed in slower speed zones. As a final note, I had to smile at your Pensacola Beach T shirt...I live about 25 miles away, near Gulf Shores, Al.

[@PrimeAutotainment]

I completely missed this comment until now! I saw your comment on the comparison video though. Thanks for the comment here! Glad to hear about your experience with the Kona, and excellent point on the DCT in a drive thru haha 😂. This trim seems like a good middle of the road and the AWD would absolutely be my choice as well. I think i'm jealous of you haha, we love the coast over there..can't wait to go back! Thanks again!

[@DriveAndBeDriven]

Another great review by Nolan himself! When I first saw the Kona in person, I was quite impressed with the amount of car you get for your money (especially considering the heavy incentives that Hyunsai tends to apply on new vehicles). Unfortunately, the one aspect that disappointed me the most was the interior material choices and interior color options in lower end trim levels (the SE and SEL). I understand that this is the least expensive crossover in the Hyundai lineup, but still... The amount of hardtouch plastic usage (in lower-end models) surpasses the Elantra and is pretty much on par with the Accent. Quite disappointing... With all that to the side, the Kona definitely is a very solid entry in the Sub-Compact Utility Vehicle segment, but there are undeniably a few areas that Hyundai has to tweak... Once they fix the few aspects that fall short from other competitors, the Kona would easily be the Micro-SUV to beat! As always, keep up the great work, Nolan!

[@PrimeAutotainment]

Absolutely agree with you! With the materials aside it’s quite impressive for being such a small ride. Ya really couldn’t go wrong with it. Thanks for the input Marcus!

[@daniellewis2825]

I purchased a 2018 Hyundai Kona luxury package about 2 months ago in tangerine comet. I will agree there is a rattling noise even with my car and it’s hard to tell where it’s coming from sometimes it’s there sometimes it’s not

[@PrimeAutotainment]

That’s interesting. Thanks for sharing. That sounds similar to what I heard...off and on. Hopefully nothing that persists. Hope you enjoy your new Kona otherwise!

[@jabbadahuttful]

Another great review Nolan! I like the Kona quite a bit but the hard touch plastic is a turn off and it might be just a little too small especially in cargo area. I think the Subaru Crosstrek is the best offering in this category for the price.

[@PrimeAutotainment]

Thank you! I agree, it’s definitely pretty darn small. Smaller than it looks. Thanks for watching g!

[@bestcarreview5021]

Awesome 😀😀 2018 Hyundai Kona review .

[@PrimeAutotainment]

Thank you! 👍

[@matthewoesch2364]

Great review. Thumbs up on value and some of the styling (mixed on this). Thumbs down on hard plastic door armrest and those wheels on this trim level you tested. Let’s hope Hyundai watches these reviews and makes improvements over the next few model years.

[@PrimeAutotainment]

Thank ya sir! I agree with the thumbs up and down. And yes those wheels just don’t fit the styling at all! I hope so too!

[@nrcg2317]

Hyundai has been capable of making a 175 HP /195 Lb.- Ft torque vehicle move faster than a vehicle with 220 HP (Mitsubishi Endeavor). Of course, this is not a fair comparison, but the notion that a vehicle with only 175 HP should move with the command the Kona moves is nearly incredible. I can only imagine how much better a Veloster with 201 HP would perform. The Kona moves with command, even on an upgrade road. I know....I have the Kona Limited trim. Nice car. I hope the long-term reviews are as good as the new-car reviews.

[@PrimeAutotainment]

I actually just got to drive the Veloster Turbo and it’s pretty quick! I’m glad to see the Kona with its 2 Powertrain options because most others are underpowered. Thanks for the input!

[@tigerfan8244]

I do like that green Ultimate you showed. This would probably make a good little commuter crossover. I do have to say that I’m disappointed in all the hard touch plastics. Seems like they could have at least made armrests and maybe the top of the dash a little padded. My money would still go the Subie dealer for a Crosstrek. 😁

[@PrimeAutotainment]

I was surprised by the plastics too. I hear ya on the subie too! Still can’t wait to get one lol

[@chauncey_vw5015]

Best in class! 👍🏻

[@jerbsherb4391]

Is the DCT a deal breaker for this car? The way it's been described to me, I am not sure if it's worth it over an automatic transmission vehicle. Sluggish off the line and jerky in stop and go makes it kind of a hard pass.

[@mybby1966]

Is this the SEL?

[@milicakonatar5896]

would you recommend getting a used, “older” model like this?

[@PrimeAutotainment]

Yes I would, compared to the rest of the vehicles in this class..I think it’s a great value

[@joeahronov2554]

Can you do the Jeep Grand Cherokee altitude next?

[@PrimeAutotainment]

Once I get access to them!

[@irishstock2108]

I'll take one. :)

[@willieswift9580]

how is the audio system in the SEL model?

[@PrimeAutotainment]

Ah man it’s been so long I can’t remember. I feel like Hyundai’s stereo sounds alright though...sorry!

[@miller1]

It's quite good. We just bought a used 2019 Kona over the Subaru Crosstrek because the Kona audio system was so much better, and because its performance/responsiveness was so much better (even though they were both rated around the same HP/Torque)...

[@1232bluejays]

If I heard rattles on a brand new car that would drive me crazy

[@PrimeAutotainment]

No kidding...it was definitely a bummer

[@sherrid5315]

My 2020 doesn’t!