Hyundai Kona Highlander 2017 review: snapshot

EXPERT RATING
7.5

Likes

Strong standard equipment means you can ignore options list
A small SUV that's genuinely fun to drive
Relatively spacious backseat

Dislikes

Cabin materials don't belong in a car at this price point
Engines can be noisy when pushed
No vents or power for backseat riders
Andrew Chesterton

Contributing Journalist

1 min read

The Highlander sits atop the Kona pile, above the mid-spec Elite and entry-level Active and Active with Safety Pack.

The Highlander ($33,000 - $36,000) gets the biggest 18-inch alloy wheels, a head-up display, heated and cooled front seats, LED headlights with high-beam assist, a heated steering wheel and a wireless charging pad for your (compatible) phone.

Hyundai's SmartSense safety package arrives as standard, too, adding blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, AEB with pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning and a driver-fatigue warning.

Like every Kona, the Highlander is available with two engine choices. The cheaper option is a 2.0-litre petrol unit good for 110kW at 6200rpm and 180Nm at 4500rpm. It will pair with a conventional six-speed torque converter automatic, sending its power to the front wheels.

Alternatively, you can spring for a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine producing 130kW at 5500rpm and 265Nm at 1,500rpm. It pairs with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and sends the power to all four wheels.

Read the full 2017 Hyundai Kona review

Hyundai Kona 2017: Highlander

Engine Type Inline 4, 2.0L
Fuel Type Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency 7.2L/100km (combined)
Seating 5
Price From $13,750 - $18,040
Safety Rating

Pricing Guides

$18,511
Based on 121 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months.
LOWEST PRICE
$7,950
HIGHEST PRICE
$24,990
Andrew Chesterton

Contributing Journalist

CarsGuide contributing journalist Andrew Chesterton is an award-winning Australian automotive reporter with more than 20 years of experience across newspapers, magazines, digital publishing and automotive corporate communications. Andrew began his journalism career at Sydney’s The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph, reporting across business, courts, crime, property and state politics before moving into automotive journalism. He joined Top Gear Australia as its online editor in 2008, later being appointed editor of Top Gear New Zealand. He subsequently worked as an assistant editor during the Australian launch of the Daily Mail Australia, and as communications manager at FCA Australia, now Stellantis. His experience on both sides of the media industry gives him an unrivalled understanding of the automotive industry, and the relationship between car manufacturers, the media, and Australian consumers. Andrew’s work has appeared across leading automotive, news, business, luxury, travel and lifestyle publications, including CarsGuide, EV Central, DMARGE, The Sydney Morning Herald, Marie Claire, Top Gear, GQ Australia, The Australian, WISH Magazine, Boss Hunting, The West Australian, The Nightly, Women’s Day Australia, Carsales, NRMA, Men’s Health, CEO Magazine, Australian Financial Review and more.   Andrew specialises in industry news, vehicle reviews, policy,  performance and luxury cars, electric vehicles, automotive technology, EVs hybrid and plug-in hybrids, and the broader Australian new-car marketplace. In 2025, Andrew was named Newspress Australia News Journalist of the Year and was a finalist for the overall Journalist of the Year award. Earlier honours include Website of the Year wins at the Australian Magazine Awards and ACP Awards, the ACP Rising Star Award and recognition in the Bauer Media and News Ltd journalism awards. Expertise Electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles Performance, luxury and supercars New-car reviews and road testing Australian automotive industry and new-car sales Chinese automotive brands and emerging manufacturers Utes, SUVs and family vehicles Automotive technology Policy Awards 2025 Newspress Australia News Journalist of the Year Featured Publications CarsGuide EV Central DMARGE The Sydney Morning Herald Marie Claire Top Gear GQ Australia The Australian WISH Magazine Boss Hunting The West Australian The Nightly Women’s Day Australia Carsales NRMA Men’s Health CEO Magazine Australian Financial Review The Daily Telegraph The Sunday Telegraph Note: The author, Andrew Chesterton, is a co-owner of Smart As Media, a content agency and media distribution service with a number automotive brands among its clients. When producing content for CarsGuide, he does so in accordance with the CarsGuide Editorial Guidelines and Code of Ethics, and the views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
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.
Pricing Guide
$7,950
Lowest price, based on CarsGuide listings over the last 6 months.
For more information on
2017 Hyundai Kona
See Pricing & Specs

Have you considered?

Mahindra XUV3XO
Mahindra XUV3XO
Jaecoo J5
Jaecoo J5
Hyundai Venue
Hyundai Venue
Suzuki Ignis
Suzuki Ignis
MG ZS
MG ZS
Check out more SUVs
CarsGuide Logo

Rival reviews

Mazda CX-3 2017 review
7.6/10
Honda HR-V VTi-L 2017 review: long term
Mitsubishi ASX 2017 review
5.5/10

Comments