One of our favorite sub-compact SUVs, the 2022 Hyundai Kona, sees a sweeping set of upgrades for the new model year.
The Kona refresh covers the exterior design, now crisper and sportier, plus a new interior with more advanced features and technology.
Two existing grades, SEL Plus and Ultimate, are dropped for 2022. But a new trim, called N Line, is added, with a focus on sporting styling cues inside and out.
Also new for 2022 is the super sporty Hyundai Kona N, a compact crossover SUV that has the power, suspension, and brakes to be thoroughly enjoyed on a racetrack.
2022 Hyundai Kona SE (starting at $21,150)
On paper, the 2022 Kona SE is a 5-passenger vehicle, but the rear seat is really only spacious enough for 2 adults. Cargo room behind the folding rear seat is reasonable but not as good as that in the competing Honda HR-V.
The SE rides on 16-inch wheels and is powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, which powers the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
We are not fans of CVTs because of their tendency to make the engines noisy under full acceleration. Also, the base engine’s output of 147 horsepower is barely adequate and makes for tepid performance.
All-wheel drive (AWD), a useful feature in cold weather states, is available as an option on the SE and all other trims for an extra $1,400.
Inside, the SE benefits from a new dashboard design with a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen in the center and a 4.2-inch color information screen in the instrument panel. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are supported.
The fold-flat rear seats have a folding armrest with 2 cupholders.
On the safety front, passive and active systems include front, seat-mounted, and side impact airbags, rear occupant reminder, forward-collision avoidance assist, lane-following assist, and lane-keeping assist.
We feel the base SE model remains too stripped down and overly plastic inside to be the best choice among trim levels.
Adding in the $1,245 destination fee, the Kona SE sticker comes to $22,395. Given 3% financing over 60 months and no down payment, that would produce a monthly payment of $402. Find a Hyundai Kona SE for sale
2022 Hyundai Kona SE includes:
- Sharper styling — Freshened exterior looks sharp.
- Larger center screen — Slightly bigger screen is welcome.
- Safety systems — Decent but not outstanding standard safety features.
2022 Hyundai Kona SEL ($22,950)
The SEL trim adds several appealing standard safety aids over the SE grade. These include blind-spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist, and safe exit warning (which alerts occupants to approaching traffic from the rear when opening a door).
There are extra convenience features too. Among them are push-button start, remote start, and Hyundai’s Blue Link connected car system, which provides a number of useful services.
Outside, the SEL upgrades to 17-inch wheels and adds roof side rails and heated side mirrors.
For $1,700 a convenience package is available. This package adds dark gray body cladding on the exterior, a power tilt and slide sunroof, automatic temperature control, heated front seats, a hidden cargo-area storage compartment, and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.
If you are looking for the best value proposition among the Kona trims, we would recommend the SEL with the convenience package.
If we stick with the same 60-month loan at 3% financing as used for the SE, a Kona SEL would cost $435 per month. Find a Hyundai Kona SEL for sale
2022 Hyundai Kona SEL includes:
- Blind-spot avoidance — Now made standard on this trim, we like this feature.
- Heated front seats — Come with convenience package.
- Power sunroof — Brings in fresh air and makes cabin feel more open.
2022 Hyundai Kona N Line ($25,700)
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The 2022 Kona N Line immediately wins our approval because it steps up to the more potent 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. This produces a healthy 195 horsepower and is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), a much more desirable powertrain combination than the one in lower trims.
The N Line dresses up the Kona exterior with distinctive bumper, grille and molding finishes, and upgrades to 18-inch wheels.
Inside, there is a 10.25-inch instrument display screen, 8-way power driver seat, and N Line-exclusive sports cloth seat trim.
A $2,500 tech package for the N Line includes a power sunroof, electric parking brake, Harman Kardon premium audio with eight speakers, LED headlights and taillights, and 10.25-inch navigation screen. Added driver aids include automatic high beams, Highway Driving Assist, and adaptive cruise control.
Speaking of the N Line, Hyundai does have a separate 2022 Kona N model coming this fall. The N is distinct from the N Line in that it adds serious performance capability, not just sporty visual cues. Pricing has yet to be announced but it’s known the Kona N performance SUV will pack a 280-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter 4 cylinder engine, coupled to an 8-speed DCT.
We expect this Kona variant to be by far the most fun to drive, with exciting performance and handling.
Getting back to the N Line, with destination fee included it will cost $26,945, for a monthly payment of $484. Find a Hyundai Kona N Line for sale
2022 Hyundai Kona N Line includes:
- More powerful engine and 7-speed automatic — Appealing drivetrain combination for more engaging performance.
- Larger instrument and navigation displays – Lends a premium look to the dashboard.
- Unique trim – Sporty visual cues inside and out.
2022 Hyundai Kona Limited ($28,450)
On top of the standard equipment in the SEL trim with the convenience package, the Kona Limited comes with the same, appealing 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and 7-speed automatic combination as the N Line. It rides on 18-inch alloy wheels.
The Limited also adds several premium features, including an electric parking brake, 10.25-inch instrument display, leather-trimmed seats, Harman Kardon premium audio with eight speakers, rain-sensing wipers, 8-way power driver seat, LED headlights and taillights, and 10.25-inch touch-screen with navigation.
Added to the standard driver aid list are adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, and reverse parking distance warning.
The Kona Limited costs $29,695 including the destination fee, which works out to $534 a month in payments over 60 months. Find a Hyundai Kona Limited for sale
2022 Hyundai Kona Limited includes:
- Leather-trimmed seats – Brings upscale feel to the cabin.
- Reverse parking aid – Helps in those tight parking spaces.
- Adaptive cruise control – Useful stress reliever when commuting.
2022 Hyundai Kona N ($34,200)
The 2022 Kona N is the sportiest model. By far. The Kona N is not to be confused with the Kona N Line.
As a Kona N, this compact crossover SUV is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4 cylinder with 276 horsepower. That power reaches the front wheels through a paddle-shifted 8-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Naturally, the chassis is appropriately modified. In addition to some extra spot welding for added chassis rigidity, the Kona N is equipped with a deftly tuned sport suspension featuring active damping. This suspension is complemented by lightweight 19-inch wheels and grippy tires, plus massive brakes and a limited-slip front differential that minimizes wheelspin while the vehicle powers out of corners. Of note: The N is the only front-drive Kona with a multilink rear suspension; all others have a simpler torsion-beam rear axle.
Fun technology in the new Kona N includes Launch Control — which has an overboost function allowing 286 horsepower for a short period – and a racing-style digital instrument display that looks like it might have been pulled straight from a video racing game.
Completing the N treatment are aggressive sport seats (with blue trim), a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a variable exhaust system, a black headliner, and five driver-selectable modes: Eco, Normal, Sport, N, and Custom.
On the outside, the new Kona N is distinguished by body-colored fenders and large 19-inch alloy wheels wearing Pirelli PZero tires. It also has a signature Performance Blue color and a double-wing roof spoiler that adds downforce.
The 2022 Hyundai Kona N starts at $34,200. With the $1,245 destination fee and the same 3% interest rate, financing for the N works out to $637 a month for 60 months. Find a Hyundai Kona N for sale
2022 Hyundai Kona N includes:
- Turbo 2.0-liter engine – Very racy, this turbo 4-cylinder powerplant puts out 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque. We love how the exhaust pops during deceleration.
- Paddle-shift 8-speed dual-clutch transmission – This transmission, enhanced to cope with all the Kona N’s extra power, shifts crisply.
- Massive brakes – With 14.2-inch front rotors and 12.4-inch rears, the Hyundai Kona N won’t overheat its brakes in aggressive driving.
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