Hyundai Kona Is Our Subcompact SUV Best Buy of 2026

Great value
Loaded with standard features
Relatively roomy
Intuitive tech
Daring styling
Class-leading warranty
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The 2026 Hyundai Kona mostly carries over except for a simplification of its trim line. The lack of meaningful changes works just fine for our team of reviewers who, for the third year in a row, have given the subcompact SUV the highest rating out of a robust list of 17 contenders. The Hyundai Kona wins Kelley Blue Book’s Subcompact SUV Best Buy of 2026.

The 2026 Hyundai Kona stands out from the small crossover pack with its daring styling and overall value. The Kona is not the cheapest in the segment. It’s more expensive than the Kia Seltos and the Toyota Corolla Cross, but less expensive than the Honda HR-V. The Ford Bronco Sport and Subaru Crosstrek are about $3,000 more expensive, but they come with all-wheel drive (AWD) standard, whereas the Kona is front-wheel drive (FWD) with available AWD.

Hyundai loads the Kona with standard safety and convenience features, and backs it with an industry-leading warranty. Four adults can fit comfortably enough for a long road trip, and the cargo volume stretches into Honda HR-V territory as one of the most spacious in the class. Additionally, the Kona consistently earns top crash test ratings. A pokey base engine can be upgraded to an available turbocharged engine for more grunt. Although the Kona shares a platform with a fully electric version, we review the 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric separately.

A rear left-side 3/4 view of the Hyundai Kona hybrid against a grassy hillside — Image courtesy of Alan Davis

Daring Style

Our Kelley Blue Book editors are impressed with both the futuristic style and the functional interior of the Kona. Built on a platform intended for electric vehicles, the Kona adopts some EV elements, with a light bar that spans the front and a broad, vertical grille. Chunky cladding studs the bumpers, fenders, and rockers so much that it might even make Subaru blush. Nothing about the Kona is bashful, including the creased body panels and the neat intersection of the roofline and window line into the rear spoiler. It might be too much for some, but our editors loved the bold style and the bright Neoteric Yellow of our test car pictured here.

The cabin has an open, clean design with a gear shifter mounted on the steering column, as in Hyundai’s electric vehicles. That opens up the center console for more storage areas and an easy-to-reach wireless device charger. You can collapse the cupholders to stow a bag there, and above the glovebox sits a shelf for the passenger’s phone, or for your bud’s buds.

We were also impressed with the sound and space in the cabin. The interior is quiet for a subcompact SUV, even if its handling is a bit choppy. The 38.2 inches of rear legroom boasts more legroom than nearly every rival, but passengers taller than 6 feet might petition to ride in front due to limited headroom, although that’s common for the segment. The Kona holds the title of best-in-class cargo space behind the first row.

The dashboard, front, seats, and center console of the Hyundai Kona hybrid. — Image courtesy of Alan Davis

Value Throughout

The Kona comes in four well-equipped trims, starting with the SE and progressing through the SEL Sport and SEL Premium to the loaded Limited. The Limited features everything from ventilated front seats to a blind-spot camera system that displays what’s approaching on either side of you in the instrument cluster. Add AWD for $1,500 on any trim. Every Kona comes with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and cruise control. Advanced safety features include blind-spot warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control that restarts from a stop. Few rivals have the same features.

Step up to the SEL Sport for sportier 18-inch alloy wheels, a wireless device charger, and heated front seats, but the SEL Premium marks a significant jump in features and power. In addition to a sharp 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, power front seats covered in synthetic leather, and 19-inch wheels, the Kona SEL Premium has a more powerful engine.

New 2025 Hyundai Kona Prices

	Retail Price	Fair Purchase Price (92620)
SE	$26,045	TBD
SEL	$27,395	TBD
SEL Convenience	$29,595	TBD
N Line S	$31,045	TBD
N Line	$32,595	TBD
Limited	$33,595	TBD

From Practical to Sporty

Kona SE and SEL Sport trims use a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, good for an EPA-rated 31 mpg combined (28 city/35 highway). Move up to the SEL Premium or the fully loaded Limited, and power comes from a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder with 190 hp. Fuel economy takes a bit of a hit with the upgrade to 28 mpg combined, but it’s fun to drive. The zero-to-60-mph time drops two seconds to about seven seconds with the more potent engine, however, and the 8-speed automatic shifts quickly enough, although the paddle shifters give drivers some added input.

The 2026 Hyundai Kona sets a high bar in the subcompact SUV segment, redefining the quality, safety, and features a shopper can — and should — expect in a small, affordable SUV. It’s as likable and spunky as ever. And Hyundai protects it all with the best warranty in the industry with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

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