The Hyundai Kona is a compact SUV built from 2018 to 2026 over 2 generations. Most were assembled in South Korea — 100% of those on record. Between 2018 and 2026 it grew 18 cm longer and gained 54 kg. Engines offered: 4-cyl, Electric. Worth buying? It scores near the top of what we track at 4.5/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the Kona is
The Hyundai Kona is a compact SUV that Hyundai built from 2018 to 2026 — 9 model years. Our measurements put it at 2 generations, the current one starting in 2024. It has been offered with 4-cyl, Electric power. Its closest siblings in the Hyundai range: Santa Fe Sport, Kona N.
Where the Kona is built
A badge says where the company is registered; the VIN says where the car was bolted together. We counted the first three characters — the manufacturer identifier — across 761 Konas on record.
| Assembled in | Share | VIN starts with | Years seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | KM8 | 2018-2026 |
Check your own: the first three characters of a Hyundai VIN decide which of these 2 lines your Kona belongs to. What every character in a Kona VIN means →
Got the full 17 characters? A free VIN check on a Hyundai Kona adds what the decoder can't see: open recalls, theft and total-loss records, and the safety ratings for that exact build.
Kona generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the Kona's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the Kona that gives 2 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-2023 | 417 cm | 260 cm | 1399 kg | - | - |
| 2024-2026 | 435 cm | 266 cm | 1453 kg | +18 cm | +54 kg |
Between 2018 and 2026 the Kona gained 18 cm in length (+4.3%) and 54 kg in weight (+3.9%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the Kona that is 54 kg against 18 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Hyundai Kona tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment Kona owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Hyundai Kona have? Power & range
The Hyundai Kona is offered with 2 powertrains — 2L 4-cyl, Electric. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 2 for the Hyundai Kona, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 2.0L · 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | Regular |
| Electric | Electric motor | Single-speed | FWD | Electricity |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Can a Hyundai Kona tow? Towing & payload
As an SUV, the Hyundai Kona is built to tow and haul. The exact maximum towing capacity and payload depend on the engine, drivetrain and whether it has the factory tow package.
What sets your Kona's tow & payload rating:
- Engine — a larger or turbocharged engine tows more than the base unit.
- Drivetrain & axle — 4WD/AWD and the axle ratio shift the rating.
- Tow package — the factory towing package (hitch, wiring, transmission cooler) raises the max.
- Payload & GVWR — GVWR caps the combined load; more passengers and cargo lower how much you can tow.
Exact towing capacity, payload and GVWR are added per engine, drivetrain and trim — decode your VIN above, or check the driver's door-jamb and hitch labels. Curb weight from vehicle specifications.
The Kona by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Hyundai Kona. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | Kona | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 29 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 770 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 4.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
| Crash safety | ★★★★★ NHTSA | Frontal, side, rollover |
| Insurance | $1,356/yr | Estimated full coverage |
| Used value | 326 listings | What it sells for now |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Hyundai Kona?
The Kona is a compact SUV, built from 2018 to 2026 across 2 generations. Engines offered: 4-cyl, Electric.
Where is the Hyundai Kona made?
Across 761 cars in our records the split is: South Korea (100%). The first three characters of a VIN identify the plant's manufacturer and country — that is where these shares come from, not from a press release.
How many generations does the Kona have?
2 by our measurements, the latest starting in 2024. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the Kona grew 18 cm longer and gained 54 kg.
What is the Hyundai Kona warranty?
New models carry 5 years / 60,000 miles basic cover and 10 years / 100,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the Kona reliable?
It scores 4.5/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific Kona?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Hyundai
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Santa Fe | 2001–2026 | 109 | 36 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Palisade | 2020–2026 | 33 | 34 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Elantra | 1992–2026 | 116 | 54 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Hyundai Tucson | 2005–2026 | 89 | 50 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Sonata | 1989–2026 | 152 | 52 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Hyundai Accent | 1995–2026 | 65 | 36 mpg | 3.5/5 |
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