 The 2021 Hyundai Kona is an automotive gem that graces all touchpoints. It's a warm, welcoming, and stylish SUV as its presence draws attention from onlookers on any roadway it occupies. The Hyundai Kona boasts many of the tech and performance attributes that motorists expect from today's automotive production line. It's outfitted with modern advancements for additional convenience and safety. It also offers responsive handling coupled with a smooth ride quality that makes this cozy crossover worth exploring more.
In this article, we'll explore the 2021 Hyundai Kona, covering its features and highlights. You'll gain a better understanding of whether this is the right vehicle for you. And the first question on your mind regarding this stunning subcompact SUV might be…
What's New for 2021?
The 2021 Hyundai Kona delivers a new Night trim that pairs its elegant exterior LED lights with its powerful turbocharged engine. The 2021 model now boasts gloss-black interior and exterior trim parts with 18-inch aluminum wheels, giving this SUV a stylistic yet bold appearance. So, if your preference is a stylish look mixed with a spirited performance, the 2021 Hyundai Kona can meet you on those fronts.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
When you first step into the 2021 Hyundai Kona, you're likely to notice its unique cloth seated design patterns. The two-toned seats are plush and comfortable, making driving the Hyundai Kona a pleasant experience-through and through. You can tilt and telescope the steering wheel for easy adjustments, adding greater convenience. Some of the other interior features include:
- Back seat fold-down armrest (with cup holders included)
- Storage nets on the back of the driver and passenger seats
- Textured pattern and hard-touch materials on the door panels
- User-friendly customizable settings
- A power-adjustable driver's seat
Don't let its compact design fool you. The 2021 Hyundai Kona provides a surprising amount of interior space to accommodate passengers and cargo. Behind the back seats, the 2021 Hyundai Kona offers 19.2 cu ft of cargo space. Folding the seats increases that figure to 45.8 cu ft.
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 2021 Hyundai Kona Exterior Design
One of the many standout exterior features of the Hyundai Kona is its split headlight design. In fact, the 2021 model year offers a unique and pioneering headlight configuration. It offers a "stacked" headlight design with the LED headlights settled on top and the projector headlights nestled directly below. This setup gives the Hyundai Kona a new-age, futuristic look. Its large body cladding perched above the wheel wells provides this subcompact crossover an aggressive appearance, despite its small stature. Other exterior features include:
- Standard roof rails
- Body-colored power-adjustable side mirrors
- Rear spoiler with an integrated brake light
- LED taillights (trim specific)
- Single exhaust outlet
- Heated turn signal indicator side mirrors
The 2021 Hyundai Kona's exterior combines an aggressive, sporty appearance with a contemporary design, offering the perfect blend of these two sought-after exterior qualities. Another unique design element of the Kona is its "floating roof" on the backend. It adds a stylistic trait that gives the Kona a "complete" and well-rounded appearance.
Performance and Powertrain
A dual-clutch 7-speed automatic transmission connects the 2021 Hyundai Kona to a 1.6 turbocharged 4-cylinder engine (with the alternative being a 2.0 naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine). The result? The Hyundai Kona produces up to 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. This compact SUV delivers a smooth and controlled ride experience. The ride quality is enhanced by the nimble and responsive steering wheel and the well-balanced suspension, which creates a "weightless" sensation. The Kona's impressive turn radius allows for easy maneuverability in compact spaces.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Safety is paramount on the roadways. And Hyundai both understands and accommodates this essential feature. Case in point? The many modern safety attributes resulted in The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) naming the 2021 Hyundai Kona its top safety pick for 2021. But you may wonder what safety features are available on this shielded subcompact SUV. Here are some of the Hyundai Kona's standout safety attributes:
- Automatic emergency braking: AEB (Automatic emergency braking) is an automotive safety tech feature that detects a possible vehicle collision and can automatically brake your car to prevent an accident or reduce the seriousness of impact.
- Lane Keeping Assist: Staying in your lane is essential for safe driving, and the Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) feature in the 2021 Hyundai Kona helps ensure just that. Using a camera mounted on the windshield, LKA detects lane markings and provides gentle steering corrections if it detects your vehicle drifting out of its lane without signaling. This feature is useful for long highway drives, where driver fatigue can increase the risk of unintentional lane departures.
- Blind-spot collision warning: Changing lanes can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially when traffic is heavy. However, with the 2021 Hyundai Kona's Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW) system, drivers can proceed with confidence. BCW monitors the vehicle's blind spots and alerts the driver if it detects another vehicle in their vicinity. This early warning system helps prevent accidents caused by blind spots, making every lane change safer and easier.
- Rear cross-traffic collision warning: Backing out of parking spaces or driveways can be challenging, as visibility is often limited. Thankfully, the 2021 Hyundai Kona's Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning (RCCW) feature provides added assistance in such scenarios. With its sensors to detect approaching vehicles from the side, the RCCW system warns you if it detects a potential collision, allowing you to react promptly and avoid accidents while reversing.
Infotainment and Connectivity
On top of the Kona's dashboard, you can find an infotainment system equipped with user-friendly controls. The knobs enable effortless navigation between your desired menus and settings. Its intuitive and streamlined functionality makes the 2021 Hyundai Kona's infotainment system a powerful centerpiece that contributes to the driving experience.
The monitor comes in at a standard 7" on the SE, SEL, and Limited trims. However, that number steps up to 8" on the Ultimate trim. Other available connectivity features in the 2021 Hyundai Kona include:
- Easy navigation capabilities
- Real-time traffic updates
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
- Smartphone turn-by-turn directions
- Audio streaming
- Voice commands
- Standard 6-speaker sound system
With its numerous infotainment settings and connectivity attributes, the 2021 Hyundai Kona helps you stay connected wherever the road takes you.
Fuel Economy and MPG
The 2021 Hyundai Kona boasts impressive fuel economy numbers. Its turbocharged engine performs well, garnering mpg ratings of 26 in the city and 29 on the highway, respectively.
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2021 Hyundai Kona Trim Levels and Pricing
With its long succession of trim levels, the 2021 Hyundai Kona has something for everyone. But you may wonder what each model offers and what price points you can expect. Let's explore each trim in more detail to find out.
SE
The baseline SE trim costs $21,685. For this modest price, you get a sleek miniature SUV that doesn't compromise on the essentials. Performance, connectivity, and safety are all par for the course when you step inside the SE (or any Hyundai vehicle, for that matter.)
SEL
When you step up the Hyundai Kona trim ladder, you'll be greeted by the SEL trim. This upgraded model wears a price tag of $23,485. And the advancement in quality more than justifies the increased price.
SEL Plus
Jumping up to the SEL Plus, the 2021 Hyundai Kona takes a more plush and luxurious tone in its presentation. Coming in at a price of $25,335, the SEL Plus trim combines sophistication with modernity. Some of the SEL Plus attributes include:
- Roof rack
- Powered sunroof
- Tinted windows
- Standard Infiniti sound system
Night
The Night trim is specific to the Hyundai Kona trim lineup and costs $27,385. With its unique coloration, exotic wheel set, and dynamic engine that can deliver the punch needed for excursions, the Night trim covers all the bases for a new SUV.
Limited
With its aesthetic styling, conservative presentation, and impressive functionality, the Limited trim's price point comes in at $27,485. While the 2021 Hyundai keeps the title of a compact SUV, it offers incredible practicality with its surprisingly spacious interior. And this is clear in the Limited trim.
Ultimate
The Ultimate is the apex of the 2021 Hyundai Kona trim lineup. Its elegant design elements keep the front fascia of the Ultimate trim of the 2021 Hyundai Kona simple and classy. Its powerful and punchy performance combined with high-end tech attributes gives the Ultimate an all-in-one ride quality, offering safety, comfort, and fun. Some features include:
- Head-up display
- High-beam assist
- Smart cruise control
- Turbocharged torque
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 Get Your Hyundai Kona at Granite Hyundai
The 2021 Hyundai Kona is a small SUV with a big temperament. Its modest nature and reserved personality give it an appeal that will charm any subcompact SUV enthusiast. For this reason, if you're looking for a comfortable yet performance-ready crossover, contact Granite Hyundai today to test drive a 2021 Hyundai Kona.
