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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $26,110–$34,794 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2026 Hyundai Kona is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.8/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.5/10, while Performance at 6.6/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 8.0/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. On safety, it scores 8.5/10 in our assessment. Always confirm the official crash-test results for your exact trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.6/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. At 7.4/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $26,110–$34,794, 27 MPG, seating 5, the Hyundai Kona sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. Its value score of 8.2/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. As the current model year, it benefits from the latest updates and full manufacturer warranty coverage.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2026 Hyundai Kona will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on performance if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good suv should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2026 Hyundai Kona ranks #428 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 83% of the segment. Its 7.8/10 overall score is 0.4 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $26,110 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 28%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Across the Kona model years we've scored, the 2026 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (this review) | 7.8/10 | $26,110 | |
| 2025 | 7.8/10 | $26,110 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.7/10 | $25,350 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.8/10 | $24,589 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.6/10 | $23,829 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.6/10 | $23,068 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.5/10 | $22,308 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.5/10 | $21,547 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.4/10 | $20,787 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Electrical system / instrument cluster/panel 27/01/2026 · 26V047000 | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 IONIQ 5, Santa Cruz, Kona, Palisade, Palisade Hybrid, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Hybrid, Sonata, Sonata Hybrid, and Tucson vehicles. Due to a… |
|---|---|
| Steering / Linkages / Knuckle / Spindle / Arm 06/02/2026 · 26V069000 | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2026 Kona vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the front steering knuckles may crack and break, which can result in a loss of vehicle steering control. |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
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