Best 2019 Cars Under $20,000: Hyundai Kona

Wheel Deals: Yes, there still are new vehicle models you can buy for less than $20,000, and one of the best buys is the 2019 Hyundai Kona.

It’s a versatile sub-compact SUV packed with safety features not usually available at this price, including lane keep assist, driver attention warning and forward collision-avoidance assist, which uses radar to help detect another vehicle and warn you of a potential collision. If the driver does not react to avoid the impact, the system may apply emergency braking.

And, it contains what I call “creature features” not usually found at this price, including remote keyless entry and alarm, and both Android Auto™ & Apple CarPlay™

Even with the standard $980 delivery charge, the $19,900 entry-level SE model comes in under the $20K mark. That starting price is $400 more than the 2018 model, which now includes the safety features, which are now standard across the entire Hyundai brand.

It’s a six-speed automatic with a 2L, 147 HP 4-cylinder engine, enough to offer nimble handling.

Fully loaded, with all the bells and whistles, including AWD and heads-up display, the 2019 Hyundai Kona is $28,700.

Hyundai calls its safety technologies SmartSense, and it is standard in all models from the brand, including the best-selling Sonata sedan and Santa Fe SUV.

In addition to the standard safety equipment, all trims get an additional front USB charging port and soft touch front door armrests and inserts.

Other changes for 2019 include expanded availability of Blue Link services, which comes with a free 3-year trial period. In previous model years, Blue Link was reserved for the Ultimate trim. It is now offered with Limited trim and as part of the SEL Tech Package.

There’s also a new Kona electric version on its way, offering an impressive 258 miles of range on a single battery charge. We’ll have more details about the Kona EV, including pricing and driving impressions, in a few weeks.

2019 Hyundai Kona Pricing

Model	Engine	Transmission	Drivetrain	MSRP
SE	2.0L 4-cyl.	6-Speed Automatic SHIFTRONIC®	FWD	$19,990
SEL	2.0L 4-cyl.	6-Speed Automatic SHIFTRONIC	FWD	$21,800
Limited	1.6L Turbo 4-cyl.	7-Speed EcoShift® Dual Clutch Transmission	FWD	$25,550
Ultimate	1.6L Turbo 4-cyl.	7-Speed EcoShift Dual Clutch Transmission	FWD	$27,500
SE	2.0L 4-cyl.	6-Speed Automatic SHIFTRONIC	AWD	$21,390
SEL	2.0L 4-cyl.	6-Speed Automatic SHIFTRONIC	AWD	$23,200
Limited	1.6L Turbo 4-cyl.	7-Speed EcoShift Dual Clutch Transmission	AWD	$26,950
Ultimate	1.6L Turbo 4-cyl.	7-Speed EcoShift Dual Clutch Transmission	AWD	$28,900

With feedback from 2018 Kona buyers, Hyundai made these additional changes to the 2019 model:

Feature	Application
Blue Link® Connected Car System	Expanded application from 18′ model year’s Ultimate to 19′ model year’s SEL Tech and Limited
Infinity® Premium Audio with 8 speakers including subwoofer, and external amplifier	Expanded application from 18′ model year’s Ultimate to 19′ model year’s SEL Tech and Limited
Shark-fin Roof Antenna	New, applied to SEL Tech and up
HomeLink® and Compass	Expanded application from 18′ model year’s Ultimate to 19′ model year’s Limited
New Body Color	Sunset Orange

2019 Kona Highlights

New standard safety features:
- Forward Collision-avoidance Assist (std.)
- Lane Keeping Assist (std.)
- Driver Attention Warning (std.)
Bold, fresh design elements with optional color-contrasting roof and extroverted color options
LED headlights (opt.), taillights (opt.) and daytime running lights (std.) illumination signature
2.0-liter Atkinson Cycle 4-cylinder engine with 6-speed automatic transmission (std.)
Available 1.6-liter turbocharged, direct-injected engine with 7-speed DCT (opt.)
Standard 7-inch floating touchscreen with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ capability
Hyundai SmartSense™ (HSS) features:
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection (opt.)
- Driver Attention Warning (std.)
- Lane Keeping Assist (std.)
- Blind-Spot Collision Warning (opt.)
- Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning (opt.)
- High Beam Assist (opt.)
Available premium technology:
- 8-inch Navigation System
- Next generation Blue Link® Connected Car System
- Heads-up Display (with active pop-up display screen)
- Rain-sensing Wipers
- Wireless device charging

Kona SE FWD Automatic Transmission (MSRP of $19,990)

2.0L Atkinson Cycle 4-Cylinder Engine with cover & hood insulator
6-Speed Automatic Transmission
Torque-vectoring by braking (TVBB)
Independent front suspension and beam-axle rear suspension
ESC with TCS & Vehicle Stability Management (VSM)
Anti-lock Braking System with EBD; 4-wheel disc brakes
Downhill Brake Control and Hillstart Assist Control
Tire Pressure Monitoring System with individual tire indicator
16-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires
Drive Mode Select
Spare tire mounted under cargo floor
Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
Lane Keeping Assist
Driver Attention Warning
6 front, seat-mounted and side-impact airbags
Rear view monitor with parking guidance
Variable Intermittent Windshield Wipers/ Rear window wiper
LED Daytime Running Lights
Automatic on/off headlights
Remote keyless entry system with alarm
Bodycolor mirrors with driver blind spot mirror
Rear spoiler with center high-mount stop light
Solar front glass
Tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel
Steering wheel mounted cruise control and audio controls
Bluetooth® Hands-free phone system
12-volt power outlets
Power windows with driver’s auto-down; power door locks
Center console with storage compartment and armrest
Driver seat with height adjustment
Manual Air Conditioning with filter
Rear folding armrest with dual cupholders
Map lights with sunglass holder
60/40 Fold-flat rear seats
Dual seatback pockets
Cargo-area cover
3.5-inch monochromatic multi-information display
7-inch LCD Touchscreen with 6-speaker audio system
Android Auto™ & Apple CarPlay™
Dual front USB outlets (1x data/charge, 1x charge only); aux input jack

Kona SE AWD Automatic Transmission (MSRP of $21,390)

All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
AWD liftgate badge
Multi-link rear suspension

Kona SEL FWD Automatic Transmission ($21,800)

17-inch alloy wheels
Blind-spot Collision Warning with Lane Change Assist
Rear Cross-traffic Collision Warning
Proximity key with push button start
Heated front seats
HD Radio®, SiriusXM® & Voice Recognition
Heated side mirrors with turn signals indicators
Rear privacy glass
Roof side rails
Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
Auto-down/up front windows
Illuminated vanity mirrors with extensions (sliding-rail type)
Hidden cargo-area storage compartment
Immobilizer
Contrast roof available with Silver, Red and Blue exterior colors at $350 MSRP

Kona SEL AWD Automatic Transmission (MSRP of $23,200)

All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
AWD liftgate badge
Multi-link rear suspension

SEL Tech Package – $1,600 Option Package MSRP

Power tilt-and-slide sunroof
8-way power driver seat plus power lumbar support
Fog Lights
Infinity® premium audio with 8-speakers including subwoofer, and external amplifier
Blue Link® Connected Car System
Shark-fin roof antenna

Kona Limited FWD EcoShift Dual Clutch Transmission (MSRP of $25,550)