Hyundai Kona 2020 review: Active snapshot

The Active is the second-rung up in the Hyundai Kona range.
EXPERT RATING
7.5

Likes

Fun looks
Fun to drive
Standard spec

Dislikes

Not that much better than Go
Misses out on radar safety
Interior plastics
Tom White

Deputy News Editor

2 min read

The Active is the second-rung up in the Hyundai Kona range, wearing a starting MSRP of $25,500.

It can be chosen at that price with a 2.0-litre non-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine (110kW/180Nm) in front-wheel drive or with a 1.6-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine (130kW/265Nm) in all-wheel drive at an MSRP of $29,000.

Standard features on the active include 16-inch alloy wheels, a 7.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a reversing camera, reversing sensors, LED DRLs, halogen headlights, cloth interior trim, leather wheel and gear knob trim, a centre armrest console box, manual air conditioning, manual seat adjustment, a 3.5-inch TFT screen in the dash, and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

The Kona active is available in six colours, five of which are a $595 option. They include 'Phantom Black', 'Ceramic Blue', 'Blue Lagoon', 'Tangerine Comet' (orange), and 'Lake Silver'. 'Chalk White' is the only free colour.

Active safety comes in the form of camera-based city-speed auto emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning (LDW) with lane keep assist (LKAS), and driver attention alert (DAA). Expected safety items include six airbags and the expected stability and brake controls. All Kona variants wear maximum five-star ANCAP safety ratings.

Expected safety inclusions are six airbags as well as traction and stability controls. All Konas have maximum five-star ANCAP safety ratings.

Either engine choice is capable of running on 91RON base-grade unleaded fuel and have 50 litre fuel tanks. All Konas have space saver spare wheels.

The Kona is covered by Hyundai's five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and has capped price servicing that extends well beyond that period. The average cost over the lift of the warranty is $284 per year.

All Konas require servicing every 12 months or 15,000km whichever occurs first.

Read the full Hyundai Kona review
Tom White

Deputy News Editor

Tom’s way into motoring journalism was anything but straightforward despite annoying his parents to no end as a child by identifying makes and models with ease, and acquiring a large collection of Matchbox models. Other interests took over in the intervening years, including tinkering with electronics and computers, and an interest in the past, which eventually culminated in a Bachelor of Arts and Science from the University Of Sydney with a major in Ancient History. During this time, Tom was exposed to all sorts of cars by working as a valet and eventually the Bell Captain at The Star casino in Sydney. He then went on another side-quest, studying law at Macquarie University before applying for a job at CarsGuide. After being hired Tom worked his way up the ranks in a variety of roles and refined his craft, now serving as CarsGuide's Deputy News Editor, with special interests in new technologies and electric vehicles, as well as emerging trends from China. Tom has been recognised by his peers as the EV Journalist of the Year at the 2026 Newspress Australia Awards. He’s personally owned a selection of wheels from a 1981 Holden Gemini to a 2009 Ford Falcon, through to his current 2011 Subaru Forester and many others in between. You can find Tom on LinkedIn and Instagram. Education Bachelor of Arts and Sciences | The University of Sydney | 2010 - 2014 Graduate Certificate of Laws | Macquarie University | 2015 - 2016 Awards 2026 Newspress Australia EV Journalist of the Year Featured Publications CarsGuide | 2016 - present
About Author
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.
CarsGuide Logo

Rival reviews

Toyota C-HR 2019 review: Koba 2WD
7.1/10
Honda HR-V RS 2019 review
7.8/10
Mitsubishi ASX 2020 review
7.1/10

Comments