Hyundai

Kona

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · model years 2018 to 2027

Includes Kona AWD, Kona AWD SX2 1.6T 8AT AWD, Kona AWD w/Stop-Start and 3 more as listed by the EPA.

See all 46 Kona trims All Hyundai cars

The verdict

Best year: 2025. complaints: 0, below this model's typical 66; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1.

Worst year: 2020. complaints: 150, about 3.4x this model's typical 44; recalls: 2, about 2x this model's typical 1.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Hyundai Kona
Year	Trims	MPG	HP	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	TSBs	Top complaints
2018	4Gas	28.5	161	$2,200	0	0	1	80	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 44 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2019	4Gas	28.5	no data	$2,200	1	179	2	77	ENGINE 52%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 9%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%
complaints: 179, about 4.1x this model's typical 44 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 Score: 24 of 100, where higher is better.
2020	4Gas	29	no data	$2,150	2	150	2	67	ENGINE 51%, POWER TRAIN 10%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 9%
complaints: 150, about 3.4x this model's typical 44 recalls: 2, about 2x this model's typical 1 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 12 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2021	4Gas	28.5	no data	$2,200	1	108	1	50	ENGINE 51%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 13%, POWER TRAIN 9%
complaints: 108, about 2.5x this model's typical 44 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 Score: 27 of 100, where higher is better.
2022	4Gas	31	147	$2,025	0	0	2	55	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 44 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2023	4Gas	31	147	$2,025	1	61	0	35	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 26%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 19%, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 13%
complaints: 61, above this model's typical 44 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 NHTSA advised parking the 2023 model year outdoors over fire risk Score: 30 of 100, where higher is better.
2024	6Gas	28	147	$2,200	3	41	0	28	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 42%, ENGINE 11%, SERVICE BRAKES 9%
complaints: 41, below this model's typical 66 recalls: 3, about 3x this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 Score: 43 of 100, where higher is better.
2025	6Gas	28	147	$2,150	0	0	0	23	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 66 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2026	6Gas	28	no data	$2,150	no data	no data	0	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 2026
2027	4Gas	27.5	no data	$2,175	no data	no data	0	no data	no data
no complaint or recall data on file for 2027

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2018: 28.5 to 2027: 27.5

Owner complaints2018: 0 to 2025: 0

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Hyundai Kona to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.