Hyundai Kona 2019 Problems

It’s pretty simple, James, and despite both two and four-wheel-drive being offered on all trim levels of the Kona, there’s one thing to check that will answer your question: If the vehicle has the two-litre, non-turbocharged engine, it’s a two (front) wheel-drive. If it has the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, it’s an all-wheel-drive Kona. Hyundai never offered a front-wheel-drive Kona with the turbo engine, nor all-wheel-drive with the non-turbo.

Beyond that, there were some other major technical differences that will also tell you what you’re looking at. The front-drive Kona has a simpler, torsion-beam rear suspension, while the AWD version has a multi-link arrangement. Then there’s the transmission. Front-drive Konas got a six-speed conventional automatic, while the AWD Kona got a dual-clutch seven-speed transmission.

It’s not unknown for a car-maker to receive a batch of parts from a supplier where the parts in question have a materials or manufacturing flaw in them. Certainly, enough Hyundai owners have reported this same problem for that to be a reasonable hypothesis. The theory about the gear in the steering system is one possible cause for the noise you’re hearing, but I’ve also heard other mechanics suggest that it’s the clock-spring (that electrically powers the air-bags, steering wheel controls, yet still allows the wheel to turn) that’s at fault.

Either way, it’s a warranty job for the dealer to sort out, but experience has shown that Hyundai’s dealers are very good at keeping their customers happy. Meantime, the replacement part should be from a later, improved batch, without the inbuilt flaws, so it shouldn’t happen again.

The most expensive new Hyundai is the Kona Highlander Electric, listed at $64,490. For more info on the latest models, check out our pricing and specs page, and you'll find all Hyundai reviews and news here. 

It does have only one reverse light - the other one is a rear fog light. 

The main thing to consider is the recharging. The Kona is said to have a range of almost 450 km, which is good, but you need to consider where you will be able to charge it when you need to. And remember it takes a little longer to recharge the batteries than it does to refuel a petrol car.

The combined average is 72 L/100 km, the extra urban consumption is 5.8 L/100km, and the urban consumption is 9.7 L/100 km.

The Hyundai Kona doesn't have the option for switchable diff locking, or a low-range ratio gearbox, so it should be considered all wheel drive instead of a 4x4 (which includes those features for off-road driving).

Hyundai's Kona small SUV carries a tow capacity of 1250kg (braked) or 600kg (unbraked), but that is total weight so you really shouldn't expect it to handle much more than light loads in very small trailers.

The Hyundai Kona is 4165mm long

Hyundai's Kona has won a lot of praise thanks to its generous spec levels, attractive styling and good on-road manners. If you're looking for a compact SUV similar to a Mazda CX-3 I would take a good look at the Kona as Hyundai have been building seriously impressive cars for over 10 years now.