2026 Hyundai Kona Review + Video

Subcompact crossovers like the 2026 Hyundai Kona are relatively new in Canada, with the first examples arriving about a dozen years ago.

This burgeoning segment made crossovers and all-wheel drive (AWD) more attainable for many drivers, but early versions were often full of compromises necessary to meet a certain price point. These days, subcompacts like the Kona are more expensive than they used to be, but they’re also so much better and more well-rounded, and this Hyundai is a standout example.

Styling 8 / 10

The range-topping Kona N Line stands out among its competitive set as one of the most aggressively designed subcompact crossovers out there. The styling looks a bit busy with a few too many angles, shapes, and materials, but that’s better than having no style at all — or simply looking like a jellybean. The sportier N Line is differentiated from lower trims with a more aggressive bumper design, unique wheels, a small spoiler, and body-coloured trim replacing the unpainted plastic wheel arches found on other Konas.

Even with its busy styling, the Kona still looks better and more streamlined than the alligator-faced version of old. The light bars that span the front and rear ends are trendy, modern, and look cool at night, the proportions are good, and the wheels have more intricate designs than vehicles that are much more expensive.

The highlight, however, is the interior. Simple red accents in the air vents and across the dashboard in the N Line are all it takes to elevate the cabin. Where its competitors are all very dark and boring inside, this small pop of colour goes a long way to making the cabin more fun and inviting. The contrast red stitching on the seats and steering wheel and red piping on the seats help it pop even more. The Kona’s interior feels more upscale, better built, more fun, and less economy-focused than many of its competitors.

Power 9 / 10

The Hyundai Kona is available with two engine options. The base engine is a 2.0L four-cylinder with 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, but the N Line trim comes with a turbocharged 1.6L with 190 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. This upgraded engine offers the output needed to give the Kona the right amount of passing power; the base engine just doesn’t have enough grunt and makes the Kona feel quite slow. The turbo engine puts the Kona N Line near the top of its segment in terms of power, just behind the Mazda CX-30 Turbo.

The other benefit of the N Line’s powertrain is that it comes with standard AWD and a more traditional eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters instead of the base model’s automatic continuously-variable transmission (CVT). The addition of AWD also comes with a better suspension than the front-wheel-drive version, which uses a torsion beam — essentially a solid metal rod connecting the two wheels.

Driving Feel 9 / 10

The hot hatch-like Kona N from the brand’s performance division is no longer available, so the N Line is the next best option if you prioritize better driving dynamics. It’s not sporty, but the drive feels well-sorted.

All the upgrades come together to put the Kona near the top of its class as one of the best for drivers, and this little crossover is composed and pleasant to drive with no red flags. Its small size makes it easy to manoeuvre and park, visibility is fine, and it handles much better and feels more engaging than many of its competitors.

Fuel Economy 7.5 / 10

The Kona N Line’s fuel consumption is officially rated at 9.4 L/100 km in the city, 8.4 on the highway, and 9.0 combined, and it runs on regular-grade gas. Those advertised numbers are realistic and achievable without much effort, even when riding on winter tires, and over the course of 400 km of mixed testing, the indicated consumption rate was 8.5 L/100 km.

Still, it’s unfortunate Hyundai has decided not to bring the Kona Hybrid to Canada to take on competitors including the Toyota Corolla Cross and Subaru Crosstrek, because it would really be the whole package. Hyundai has experience making hybrids that are also great to drive, proving that better performance doesn’t always mean compromised efficiency.

Practicality 9 / 10

One of the downsides of the first-generation Kona was that it was cramped inside compared to its competitors, but that issue has been fixed with the second-generation version. Parked beside its predecessor, it’s obvious how much larger the new Kona is. Taller, wider, and longer, its larger footprint translates into increased room for passengers and cargo, making the Kona that much more comfortable and practical.

The cargo capacity is a decent 723 L, which expands to 1,803 L with the 60/40 rear seats folded. That’s a huge improvement over the previous-generation’s 361 L (1,143 L with the seats folded), and the low load height, wide hatch opening, underfloor storage compartment where a spare tire used to be, flat cargo area, and available power tailgate also help matters. The trunk floor can also be lowered for more cargo space.

The interior is also built with a focus on practicality; there’s a shelf in the dashboard in front of the passenger seat, a large console bin with retractable cup holders (standard in the N Line), door pockets big enough for large bottles, and a lot of space in the cubby under the armrest.

Comfort 8.5 / 10

The increased space for passengers is appreciated, especially in the rear, where people finally have legroom even if there’s a tall occupant up front. Headroom is also better, but it’s still a bit tight for tall folks. The Kona’s suspension is a bit stiffer than other crossovers it competes with, but it’s still a comfortable ride.

User-Friendliness 9 / 10

The Kona’s cabin is relatively straightforward, with a lot of clearly labelled physical buttons, knobs, and toggles, which means less reliance on the 12.3-inch touchscreen. The row of shortcuts under the display makes it even easier to navigate, plus the menus are logically organized so there’s never too much tapping required to find what you’re looking for. The twist-style gear selector on the steering column takes a little getting used to but quickly becomes second nature; turn it forward for drive or back for reverse, and press the button for park.

Features 9 / 10

The Kona N Line comes well-appointed with great standard features. Some highlights include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, keyless entry, two USB charging ports each in the front and back rows, a power tailgate, phone-as-key functionality, vehicle telematics via the Hyundai app, a larger 12.3-inch digital instrument display, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, leather and suede upholstery, a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, customizable ambient lighting with 64 colours, and more. Meanwhile, the $3,000 Ultimate package adds ventilated front seats, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and an electrochromic rear-view mirror.

Safety 9 / 10

The N Line come standard with forward collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, junction turning assistance, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, lane-keep assist with active steering, blinds-spot monitoring with rear-cross traffic collision avoidance, safe exit warning, driver attention warning, and rear occupant alert. The Ultimate pack adds remote parking assistance, highway driving assist, blind-spot cameras, surround-view cameras, parking sensors front and rear, and reverse collision avoidance.

Value 7 / 10

The base price for the 2026 Hyundai Kona N Line is $36,399 plus the $2,050 destination fee. The Ultimate package is a worthwhile $3,000 upgrade, while the premium paint and black contrast roof seen here is $700 extra. All-in but before taxes, the as-tested price comes to $42,149. This puts the Kona N Line on the higher end of the segment in terms of pricing, with figures that can easily start to creep into the price range for larger crossovers. While it feels worth it if you value driving dynamics, a nice interior, good looks, and loads of features, if you’re working with a tighter budget, the higher price can be tough to justify when there are so many more affordable options that are perfectly fine, if not as snazzy as the Kona N Line.

The Verdict

The 2026 Hyundai Kona N Line is a confidently well-rounded subcompact crossover with no glaring flaws. It’s easy to live with, loaded with genuinely useful features, and versatile enough to make sense for a wide range of buyers. There are more efficient and more straightforward options available, but if you want something that feels a step more upscale without compromising on the core qualities that define a great small crossover, the Kona N Line stands out as a compelling choice.