What are you comparing the Kona to?

The closest thing I'd buy would be the CX-3, but I'm waiting for the Kona. It speaks to me.

I was having some sort of liking towards the C-HR for a really tiny bit of time and then I seen one in person and read reviews and what not... so scratch that off the list. The Trax is just boring so that's gone for me as well. The VW T-Roc looked great as a concept, but that got ruined real quick.

mechanic80 said:

The closest thing I'd buy would be the CX-3, but I'm waiting for the Kona. It speaks to me.

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Great choice since the CX-3 not only checks off a lot of boxes for most buyers in that segment but sales are proving it too. In the short amount of time that CX-3's have been on the market, I have seen more of them than HR-V's. HR-V's took a while to gain momentum.

I was originally looking at the Civic hatchback, but it sat too low to the ground. Then I started looking at the HRV. It checked off most of my boxes. It was red, had a sunroof. But holy balls was it sloooow. And I didn't like the interior design. Was going to check out the crosstrek, but then spotted the Kona. And the rest is history.

I went through a phase when I thought I wanted a Toyota C-HR...but the issue with windshields cracking on many brand new C-HRs, as continuously posted on the C-HR forum, made me reconsider...then had an interest in the Tucson, but when the Kona appeared, I knew it was the one for me!

HKSKS said:

Some of you might have seen my intro thread where I mentioned the HR-V. Well, being a current Honda owner, the HR-V is right at the top of my list. However I'm open to anything great the market has to offer. Hyundai has a history of offering a level of value unmatched.

What is everyone else here comparing the Kona to? This segment is packed with great offerings: Mazda CX-3, Toyota CH-R, Chevrolet Trax, Kia Soul (and there might be a few others I missed).

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Personally, I'd not purchase a vehicle with the CVT transmission......really expensive to replace and I don't feel this is a product the auto industry has fine tuned yet. JMO

I believe Hyundai made it pretty clear who they were comparing it to and rightly so.:wink: Even the Soul is behind the Kona in amenities as well as performance. They definitely one-up Kia and the rest.

Fine tuned is an understatement. I've drive nearly all of them and the Kona out classes all by a fairly wide margin in; performance, amenities, and some even in fuel economy. Hyundai did their homework on this little SUV.

MarKona said:

Personally, I'd not purchase a vehicle with the CVT transmission......really expensive to replace and I don't feel this is a product the auto industry has fine tuned yet. JMO

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That's why these days i'm only interested in owning cars for no more than 3-4 years. Or as long as the factory warranty lasts.
Warranty and a good dealer are the keys for me!

Agree with MarKona. Personally, after driving the Hondas I wouldn't have a continuously variable transmission (CVT), also known as a single-speed transmission. They don't respond well to throttle inputs and they're very vague when you really need the input from auto. I drove several of them and they were all the same in feel and vagueness.

I looked at the CX3 no armrest and a bit to small for me although I never drove it . I have a Ford Focus and had become sick of the indicator on the wrong side and it was 2007 we did have a good run with it though. We were looking for something big enough for me 6’2 and small enough for my wife 5’2 easy to get in and out , safety and some pep and a bit different and one black Hyundai Kona , 2litre six speed auto later we have it all. We have the basic model and really like it . Would have liked electric seat but didn’t need awd or turbo ours is plenty fast enough penalties for speeding in NZ are pretty stiff and the 2litre six speed is really smooth . I love it thanks Hyundai

I have always liked Honda’s after owning several of them through the years.. The HRV was on my short list
As well as the Mazda.. I checked out the Toyota but ruled it out as boring and slow..
The Mazda felt light and smooth.. but lacked some basics .. The HRV surprised me as Honda kind of
Skimped on quality and materials with this one.. Was just too plain and clunky and pricey for what you get..
My GF recently bought a new Kia Sportage EX.. I was impressed with the build quality and value of the Kia..
So for the first time ever... I went to the Hyundai dealer to check out a Kona.. test drove it and bought it the same day..
While the Kona lacks some of the nicer interior materials and such ... Overall the car is a great value! A turbocharged engine and DCT make this a bargain in performance and value.. Great build quality and performance allows me to forget about
Some of the hard plasticity bits used in the interior...

Bad-Papa, how's it going there for you all? Are you flooding at all? Sure hope everything is ok! We're thinking and praying for you all everyday.

Blessing and Peace

JR KONA said:

Bad-Papa, how's it going there for you all? Are you flooding at all? Sure hope everything is ok! We're thinking and praying for you all everyday.

Blessing and Peace

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Doing well thanks !! We had some local flooding in my area.. some roads are still closed here..
I faired well and had no downed trees and no water issues.. I’m situated on a hill so I have
Good drainage and the Kona stayed dry in the garage.. We lost power for a day, but that was it.
We were quite lucky as some of my neighbors had damage.. Thanks for asking !!!

We'll continue to think a pray for you all and your steady recovery and safety. I'm relieved to hear this. Stay safe and watch out for others as well.

Blessings and Peace to you all

I am new to this segment. I narrowed it down to the Kona (1.6 AWD) and the Subaru Crosstrek. While I liked the ground clearance and ruggedness of the Crosstrek, I found it grossly underpowered. Furthermore, their warranty was nowhere near the Kona. I am now focusing on buying a new Kona Limited AWD at the best price before the end of the year.

I chose the Kona over the Crosstrek, which surprised me. I'd had the Crosstrek at the top of my list for a long time. The Subaru is a bigger car, but the Kona is a much better value (IMHO) if you can live with the smaller size.

Sarkus said:

I chose the Kona over the Crosstrek, which surprised me. I'd had the Crosstrek at the top of my list for a long time. The Subaru is a bigger car, but the Kona is a much better value (IMHO) if you can live with the smaller size.

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Exactly me. I don't think I'd heard of the Kona until I was making a short list based on safety ratings: HR-V (amazingly boring, hated interior), Crosstrek (didn't like the long front-end, less amenities, CVT trans), Kona (looked different, fun colors, all the bells and whistles, every box ticked).

Haha.. @Sarkus and @terraelise my experience as well! Had initially heard about the Kona quite a long time ago but wanted the EV version as I would be getting $ for the VW emissions scandal for my TDI Golf. Sadly 2 things happened, EV would have arrived here in Ontario after I had to sell back my car to VW and our provincial government removed the EV rebates making it out of reach.

Crosstrek was the only contender and everything you both have said were my thoughts as well.

Value for $ the Kona won handily in my books. Good luck @H2os on getting a deal, work them hard and try several Hyundai dealerships if you can.

Yep, the CRV and the Subaru are just too slow and the CVT contributes to the it also. Honda is having a problem with their engines at the moment with too much fuel dilution. The CrossTrek is quite a bit more expensive and short on amenities which the Kona already has. I thought about both then drove the CRV and was not a happy camper. It was slow, vague, and handling left us with an uneasy feeling.

Good Luck and push them hard for a deal.

Blessings and Peace