Used Hyundai Kona for sale: everything you need to know

The Hyundai Kona wasn’t the first to the small SUV party, making its debut in 2017, but Hyundai certainly went all-in, with one of the most diverse selections of models you could buy, including electric and high-performance models. Some are better than others, but with a new model on the market since 2023, used Konas are becoming quite affordable.

Since launch there were petrol and diesel options to choose from, while an electric model debuted in 2018 (and continued ever since), and Hyundai added a hybrid in 2019 and the sporty Kona N in 2021.

The Kona launched into a busy class populated by the likes of the Nissan Juke and Peugeot 2008, but other models that you might consider if you’re in this market include the SEAT Arona, Volkswagen T-Cross and Ford Puma.

Should you buy a Hyundai Kona?

Hyundai has covered all the bases with the Kona, since its launch in 2017. Not only could you get petrol and diesel models, but also hybrid and Kona Electric versions, plus a high-performance Kona N. The Kona was replaced by a second generation in 2023 but we’re concentrating on the original model here, since there are plenty to choose from on the UK market.

Hyundai went down the Nissan Juke route with the Kona’s unusual styling, and while it’s not for everyone, it certainly stands out, and makes what is otherwise quite a straight-laced car a little more interesting to look at. The interior is much more sensible, prioritising functionality over style. The Kona is a relatively compact car and feels it, but still seats a quartet of adults easily enough, has a good adjustable driving position, and decent visibility aside from its thick rear pillars.

In terms of ride and handling, the Kona sacrifices a little of the former to benefit the latter. It can feel a little jiggly on some surfaces, particularly on the larger wheel options. Ultimately some rivals are more comfortable and others are more fun, but the Kona is at least easy to drive.

There have been a wide range of engines over the years, with petrol, diesel, hybrid, and electric variants. All are pleasant enough to use, and the same goes for the light-shifting manual and easy dual-clutch automatic gearboxes, though we’d tend to stick to either the smallest petrol, or the hybrid and EV models.

The Kona isn’t short of rivals for your money and attention. The Nissan Juke, Renault Captur and Peugeot 2008 are all long-standing models in this class and each has been replaced with a newer model while this first Kona was on sale. The Volkswagen T-Roc and Ford Puma have arrived since, while more recently the Toyota Yaris Cross has become a solid option if you’re interested in a hybrid - and plenty of cars in this class now have fully electric variants too.

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What’s the best used Hyundai Kona model to buy?

Our favourite petrol Kona is the 1-litre version, which while not being the smoothest engine of its kind, doesn’t use a great deal of fuel and has decent enough performance for a car in this class. If you’re looking at the Electric, the extra performance and range of the larger battery model is appealing.

While the basic S-spec model gets air conditioning and cruise control, it’s worth finding one of the better specified versions further up the range. SE should be your minimum (it got a touchscreen display with CarPlay and Android Auto from the start, which has future-proofed it to a degree), and the 17-inch wheels are about as large as you can go before the ride quality gets a little too firm.

Used Hyundai Kona fuel economy and performance

• Hyundai Kona 1.0 T-GDi 120: The Kona’s 1-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine developed 120PS and with a manual gearbox could get from 0-62mph in 12 seconds, with 52.3mpg combined economy.
• Hyundai Kona 1.6 T-GDi 177: The more powerful 1.6-litre turbo petrol came with a dual-clutch automatic only. The engine made 177PS, and the car had a 7.9-second 0-62mph time. Fuel consumption was 42.2mpg combined.
• Hyundai Kona 1.6 CRDi 115: Both diesels were of a 1.6-litre four-cylinder design, the lower-power model making 115PS and getting from 0-62mph in 11.5 seconds. Hyundai claimed up to 67.3mpg combined.
• Hyundai Kona 1.6 CRDi 136: With 136PS the diesel’s 0-62mph time fell to 10.2 seconds, while combined economy was up to 64.2mpg.
• Hyundai Kona Hybrid: In hybrid form the Kona used a 1.6-litre petrol engine and electric motor for 141PS combined and 0-62mph in 11.2 seconds. Hyundai claimed up to 56.5mpg on the WLTP test.
• Hyundai Kona Electric: Hyundai offered two electric variants over time, one with a 136PS motor, 9.7-second 0-62mph time and 180-mile range, the other with 204PS, 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds, and thanks to a bigger battery, 279 miles of range.

What used Hyundai Kona trim levels are available?

Launched in 2017, the Hyundai Kona has been sold in a baffling array of trim lines over the years, some of which were offered throughout the first generation model’s time on sale, and others which disappeared or weren’t offered on certain models. We’ve tried to simplify things into the main options below but it’s likely you’ll find differences between the kit listed below and the car you’re looking at on the used market. Likewise, we’ve listed equipment for the petrol and diesel models sold from the outset, but Hybrid and Electric versions may have received different equipment.

• The Hyundai Kona S got 16-inch alloy wheels, cloth seat trim, air conditioning, auto headlights, cruise control, electric heated mirrors, and a 5-inch LCD infotainment display.
• The Hyundai Kona SE went up to 17-inch wheels, and added roof rails, electric lumbar adjustment for the driver, front fog lights, rear parking sensors and a parking camera, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• The Hyundai Kona Premium got larger wheels again at 18 inches, anthracite-coloured exterior trim, climate control, keyless go, an 8-inch touchscreen with built-in navigation, and wireless phone charging.
• The Hyundai Kona Premium SE got leather seats with electric adjustment, heating and ventilation for the front seats, a heated steering wheel, power folding door mirrors, front parking sensors, a head-up display, and rear cross-traffic alert.
• The Hyundai Kona Premium GT added high beam assist, LED rear lights, drive mode select on dual-clutch automatic versions, a 4.2-inch LCD driver display, and autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection.

Used Hyundai Kona dimensions and boot size

The Hyundai Kona’s dimensions are:

• Length: 4165mm
• Width: 1800mm (without mirrors), 2070mm (with mirrors)
• Height: 1550mm

The Hyundai Kona’s boot size is:

• 334 litres
• 1116 litres with rear seats folded (to roof)

Used Hyundai Kona road tax

Even if the Hyundai Kona’s trim lines aren’t simple, taxing one should be. The Hyundai Kona Electric is currently free to tax, while the Hybrid, being an ‘alternative fuel vehicle’ according to the UK government, will cost you £170 per year. All others are £10 more than that, at £180 per year.

How much is it to insure a Hyundai Kona?

With a wide range of models there’s a wide range of insurance groups for the Hyundai Kona, starting in just group 8 for a 1-litre petrol in S trim, and rising to group 20 for some of the higher-specified models. The Kona Electric then spans groups 20-27, and the Kona N is also in group 27.

Read our full Hyundai Kona review