There are no two ways about it: Hyundai’s designs lately are eye-catching. Whether you find them quirky, endearing, or simply out of this world, they manage to strike a conversation even with non-car people. Case in point is this second-generation Kona. I’m a guy who shies away from small talk, but I was approached twice by strangers twice in a span of a week who were curious about this rather peculiar crossover.
And, I don’t blame them. If anything, the Kona’s striking looks help set it apart from the sea of lookalike small crossovers out there. Embracing the previous generation’s body-cladding armor motif, this one adds a bit of Robocop and Star Wars into the mix. If The Mandalorian’s looking for his next earth-bound vehicle, it would be this in Neoteric Yellow. Thankfully, Hyundai’s still offering more subdued colors like this Imperial-friendly Cyber Gray or even Atlas White and Abyss Black Pearl.
The radical exterior lends us to believe that the Kona was designed to be electric first, and that impression isn’t far off from the truth. While the local market Kona isn’t fully motivated by electrons, at least the 1.6-liter hybrid still nicely ties in with the overall futuristic concept while suiting the requirements of a vast majority of Filipinos.
The Kona’s 1.6-liter parallel hybrid is a very familiar setup as it’s the same as the one found in the Elantra Hybrid. It’s a sensible and balanced powertrain—not as gusty as the Honda e:HEV, but not as gutless as the Toyota Hybrid System. Compared, however, to the Elantra, the gasoline engine here’s more obtrusive perhaps due to the crossover’s NVH package. Thankfully, by positioning the electric motor by the dual clutch automatic gearbox, the Kona can run on pure electric mode during a wide variety of situations. There’s no EV mode override, but it is programmed to run on electricity as much as possible. The resulting mileage speaks for itself: 16.12 km/L in heavy and 23.25 km/L in light traffic.
Back to the subject of the dual clutch transmission, that’s perhaps a weak point here. There’s a noticeable delay between initial throttle input and the electric to combustion (or vice-versa) responsiveness, especially when coming from a dead stop. Perhaps Hyundai wanted to eliminate the clunkiness we experience in the Elantra Hybrid (the Kona had none).
Having said that, the Kona does deliver on the driving goods. The ride is a high point. It’s not soft, but it still manages to take the pain out of most road imperfections. Even better, it feels planted and composed, even when going over patchy surfaces at slow or medium speeds. At highway speeds, road and wind noise are kept to a minimum too. The steering is well-tuned—light and quick at low speeds, nicely weighted at higher speeds. The accelerator (once it gets going) and the brakes are also progressive making for a polished, well-mannered urban or even occasional highway cruiser.
Inside, the Kona isn’t as fashion-forward or weird as the fictitious Jacobim Mugatu (see Zoolander), but it’s more Uniqlo, or for a more appropriate Korean equivalent, Spao (ģ¤ķģ¤). Yet, it’s suitably modern and refreshingly easy-to-understand. Like several modern Hyundais, there are two screens—12.3-inch in this case—visually joined together. The center screen is quick and can be navigated around quickly, while the one in front of the driver—the instrument cluster—is clear, crisp, and configurable in a variety of ways. More importantly, Hyundai’s managed to keep physical controls for both infotainment and climate functions intact and separate. USB Type C ports and a wireless charger are also standard equipment.
Material-wise, the Kona features plenty of hard, but well-wearing plastic surfaces. Thankfully, its P 1.688-million price tag is justified by the application of soft-touch points in critical areas such as the door cards and the upper dashboard. It’s also well-masked by the solid build quality and the use of fancier stuff like the leather(ette) seating, ambient lighting, and sunroof.
As a crossover, you tend to gloss over the general ergonomics, but that’s where Hyundai did their homework. It’s a proper driving machine with the steering wheel, pedals, and other controls all within easy reach and aligned properly. There are plenty of adjustments too available for the steering wheel and driver’s seat, with the cushion itself comfortable and cushy.
Visibility out front is excellent thanks to the thin pillars and higher-than-average seating position. That said, the small rear glass and thick C-pillars do restrict the back view somewhat. Thankfully, clearance sensors—front, side, and rear are standard as are a 360-degree camera and even blind spot monitoring cameras and sensors.
Despite its small stature, the Kona isn’t lacking in the space department. There’s plenty of that going around whether you’re seated at the front or the back. Even better is the use of clever, flexible storage spaces here. The door bins are big enough to swallow a couple of water bottles and the cup holders between the front seats can be neatly tucked away to reveal a large, open bin that can accommodate handbags. This is on top of another hidden cubby hole below the arm rest.
It’s the same story in the cargo hold where there’s a handy 466 liters of space with the rear seats up (1,300 liters with the rear seats down). There’s no hidden storage underneath, but at least you do get a t-type spare tire rather than a fix-a-flat sealant.
Not everyone will be sold on the Kona’s wacky styling, but based on my own observation, it’s sure to attract attention—unwanted or otherwise. If you’re on board with the styling, then it’s worth the shot. Beyond its arresting looks or color palette though, this small crossover also delivers where it counts: engineering, dynamics, and packaging. The Corolla Cross, and to some degree, the HR-V may have garnered the lion’s share of attention, but don’t discount the Kona just yet. With an excellent list of standard features, plenty of interior space, and an excellent price point, it’s a great way to step out of the smorgasbord of lookalike and soundalike cars.
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2026 Hyundai Kona 1.6 HEV Premium 6DCT |
|
| Bottom Line | |
| Pros | Arresting looks, spacious interior, tidy road manners, excellent fuel economy. |
| Cons | DCT gearbox needs tuning, plasticky interior. |
| TL;DR | Not everyone will be on board with the styling, but if you are, it's worth the shot. |
| Ownership | |
| Year Introduced | 2025 |
| Warranty |
5 years / 200,000
kilometers, 8 years / 160,000 kilometers (High-Voltage Battery) |
| The Basics | |
| Body Type | Compact Crossover |
| Seating | 5 |
| Engine / Drive | F/F |
| Under the Hood | |
| Displacement (liters) | 1.6 |
| Aspiration | Normally Aspirated |
| Fuel Delivery | Direct Injection |
| Layout / # of Cylinders | I4 |
| Maximum Output (PS @ rpm) |
105 @ 5,700 43 (Electric Motor) 141 @ 5,700 (Combined) |
| Maximum Torque (Nm @ rpm) |
144 @ 4,000 170 (Electric Motor) 264 (Combined) |
| Fuel / Min. Octane | Gasoline / ~91 |
| Transmission | 6 DCT |
| Cruise Control | Yes, Adaptive |
| Fuel Economy (km/L) @ Ave. Speed (km/h) |
16.12 km/L @ 12 km/h, 23.25 km/L @ 26 km/h |
| Fuel Tank Size (L) | 38 |
| Dimensions and Weights | |
| Length (mm) | 4,350 |
| Width (mm) | 1,825 |
| Height (mm) | 1,585 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,660 |
| Curb Weight (kg) | 1,410 |
| Suspension and Tires | |
| Front Suspension | Independent, MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Independent, Multi-link |
| Front Brakes | Vented Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Disc |
| Parking Brake | Electronic, w/ Auto Hold |
| Tires |
Kumho Ecsta PA71 215/55 R 18 V (f & r) |
| Recommended Tire Pressure (PSI) | 36 all |
| Wheels | Alloy |
| Safety Features | |
| Airbags | 6 |
| Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) | Yes, with EBD |
| Traction / Stability Control | Yes |
| Parking Sensors | Yes, Front, Side, & Rear |
| Parking Camera | Yes, 360-degree |
| Front Seatbelts | 3-pt ELR w/ pre-tensioners x 2 |
| Rear Seatbelts | 3-pt ELR x 3 |
| ISOFIX Child Seat Anchor | Yes |
| Advanced Driver Assist System |
Forward Collision
Avoidance Assist Lane Following Assist Lane Keeping Assist |
| Other Safety Features |
Hill-Start Assist Control Tire Pressure Monitoring System Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist Blind Spot View Monitor |
| Exterior Features | |
| Headlights | LED, Auto High Beam |
| Fog Lamps | Rear, LED |
| Light Operation | Automatic |
| Wiper Operation | Rain-Sensing |
| Tailgate | Electronic |
| Interior Features | |
| Steering Wheel Adjust | Tilt/Telescopic |
| Steering Wheel Material | Leather |
| Seating Adjustment (driver) | Electric, 8-way |
| Seating Adjustment (front passenger) | Manual, 4-way |
| Seating Surface | Leatherette |
| 2nd Row | 60/40 Folding, Reclining |
| 3rd Row | None |
| Sunroof | Yes |
| Multi-Information Display / Size | Yes, 12.3-inch |
| Convenience Features | |
| Power Steering | Yes |
| Power Door Locks | Yes |
| Power Windows | Yes |
| Power Mirrors | Yes, w/ Fold |
| Rear View Mirror | Auto-dimming |
| Proximity Key | Yes |
| Climate Control | Dual Zone w/ Rear Vent |
| Audio System |
Stereo USB Type C |
| Wireless Charger | Front |
| Infotainment Display / Size | 12.3-inch |
| Smartphone Connectivity |
Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto |
| # of Speakers | 6 |
| Steering Controls | Yes |
better than overpriced HR-V
ReplyDeleteYawn. Won't stand a chance against the Sealion 6
ReplyDeleteyou're really putting the BYD on a pedestal huh? LOL
DeleteSealion 6 wont last long enough
Deleterust all over the frame
With the amount of SL6 owners na more than 1 year na ownership why is it so hard to find documented cases of rusting that people like you talk about? So many people question vloggers who own the SL6 about rust and wala nmn daw. So what's the real deal ba? š¤
DeleteYeah I've also never heard of anyone complaining about rust issues. Is this just biases doing their thing? Because if you have proof to back it up then show us, otherwise it's just sour grapes.
DeleteNo to CCP Invasion vehicle.
DeleteI would rather buy Japanese or Korean car over any car brand funded by a government that wants to invade our sovereign territory.
On a different note, I noticed most byd sealion 6 drivers are amateurs. They're really bad drivers, very slow, hogging the lane, and can't decide where to go. Ako lang ba nakapansin?
DeleteMaybe it’s the SL6 ADAS na nalilito
DeleteAre you the same guy who talked about the rusting and are now trash talking the drivers? How is anyone supposed to believe your observation of their driving when you bring up unverified complaints about rusting? š¤
DeleteI am not the same guy. Actually I commented something similar before in other articles regarding BYD drivers' behavior. Until now its still the same observation, these guys are driving like amateurs. What's up with that? Mga tita ba drivers nito?
DeleteIf you keep seeing that (and no one else talks about it) you probably have people like that on your regular routes (near your home/subdivision maybe?). It seems to be a uniquely personal situation. š
DeleteProud Kona Hybrid Premium owner here, had this since August 2025 and love driving it. Its styling is future-proof and definitely will get you second looks amongst the plethora of Japanese and Chinese crossovers out there. Fuel efficiency is as reported here, 18-22 on the city, 24+ on the highways.
ReplyDelete