Hyundai Kona 2020 review: Elite snapshot

The Elite is second from the top in the Kona range and takes a significant jump from the Active in terms of its price and spec.
EXPERT RATING
7.8

Likes

Massive increase in spec
Radar safety standard
Fun to drive

Dislikes

Getting pricey
Ride can be harsh
Interior plastics
Tom White

Deputy News Editor

2 min read

The Elite is second from the top in the Kona range and takes a significant jump from the Active in terms of its price and spec.

Like the rest of the Kona range, the Elite is available as either a 2.0-litre non-turbo four-cylinder (110kW/180Nm) front-wheel drive ($30,000) or as a 1.6-litre turbo (130kW/265Nm all-wheel drive ($33,500).

Standard features on the Elite include 17-inch alloy wheels, an 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, built-in sat-nav, DAB+ digital radio, premium eight-speaker audio, keyless entry and push-start ignition, a reversing camera, reversing sensors, heated and auto folding mirrors, privacy glass, LED DRLs, halogen headlights, faux-leather interior trim, leather wheel and gear knob trim, a centre armrest console box, climate control, manual seat adjustment, a 4.2-inch colour TFT screen in the dash, and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

Both engine choices are capable of running on 91RON unleaded and have 50-litre fuel tanks.

The Elite's active safety suite is augmented with radars to include freeway-speed auto emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning (LDW) lane keep assist (LKAS), driver attention alert (DAA), rear cross traffic alert (RCTA), blind spot monitoring (BSM), high beam assist, and active cruise control.

The Kona has six airbags, the expected stability controls, and wears a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating. Only a space saver spare is available across the Kona range.

There are extra colour choices available to the Elite, for a total of eight choices. 'Phantom Black', 'Dark Knight' (grey), 'Blue Lagoon', 'Tangerine Comet' (orange), 'Acid Yellow', 'Ceramic Blue', and 'Pulse Red' attract a $595 premium. 'Chalk White' is the only free colour.

All Kona variants are covered by Hyundai's five year/unlimited kilometre warranty, and comprehensive capped price servicing plan that extends well beyond that. For the first five years the 12 months/15,000km services average $284 per year.

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.
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