Hyundai Kona Active 2021 Review

The 2021 Hyundai Kona Active is one step up from the entry-level model – formerly dubbed Go and now simply Kona – in the Korean brand’s small SUV line-up.

The Kona first lobbed in Australia back in 2017 and the entire range went through a sizeable update in February 2021.

A front-wheel drive five-door with an eclectic style, the Kona Active is powered by a naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 110kW of power and 180Nm of torque.

Hyundai says the engine is all-new, but that seems to be stretching things, judging by the specs. The name has changed, though, to Smartstream.

The Atkinson-cycle engine is mated exclusively to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), whereas previously the Active came with a six-speed auto. It also offered the option of a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine, dual-clutch transmission and even all-wheel drive.

None of those choices are now available.

Swapping from the torque-converter auto to a CVT has had a substantial impact on fuel economy, which officially drops from 7.2L/100km to 6.2L/100km. On test, we saw a consistent average under 8.0L/100km, which is pretty good.

There are plenty of obvious competitors for the Kona in a part of the new-car market stacked with talent at an affordable price, including the closely related Kia Seltos, the Mazda CX-3 and CX-30, Mitsubishi ASX, Subaru XV and Toyota C-HR.

The Kona is good enough to be among the top three best-selling models in Hyundai’s range, as well as one of the top three in its segment. It’s also our pick as the Best Small SUV of 2021.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona Active retails for $28,200 plus on-road costs, a $2140 rise compared to its predecessor and almost $4000 more than the original 2017 Kona Active.

The new Active includes some revisions to the grille, front bumper and stacked headlights. The alloy wheels also swap from 16s to 17s. But it’s fair to say the distinctive styling remains familiar.

The big equipment update news is safety. The Active (and entry-level Kona) upgrade to an autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system that uses a radar as well as a camera. This greatly expands the range of speeds in which it works and also includes pedestrian and cyclist detection.

Other standard safety equipment includes adaptive cruise control, lane follow and keeping assist, a reversing camera, six airbags and two ISOFIX and three child seat top tether strap points in the rear.

The maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating hails from 2017.

There is no blind spot or rear cross traffic sensing, and the Kona Active comes with projector beam rather than LED headlights.

Interior comfort equipment upgrades for 2021 include an electronic park brake, an 8.0-inch touch-screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connection and wireless smartphone charging.

The seat trim is leather-ish, there’s key rather than push-button start, a couple of USB outlets and single-zone air-con without rear outlets.

The Kona Active comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, a lifetime service plan and 12 months’ roadside assistance, upgradeable to 10 years if servicing through a dealer.

Service intervals are 15,000km or 12 months (whichever comes first) and can be pre-purchased for three years/45,000km ($957), four years/60,000km ($1276) or five years/75,000km ($1595).

Undoubtedly, the lift in safety equipment is a very important argument in favour of the 2021 Hyundai Kona Active.

Smaller, lighter cars are at a disadvantage when it comes to collisions, so every bit helps.

The driving experience is good, especially at lower speed around town. There, the CVT provides a smooth drivetrain and the combination of locally-tuned MacPherson strut front and beam-axle rear suspension delivers a comfortable ride.

The Kona Active is also quieter and more refined than might be expected.

This is not the most spacious small SUV doing the rounds, but as long as you’re not too long-legged it does the job acceptably well in the rear.

At 374 litres, the boot is about par for the small SUV segment. It offers 1156 litres with the rear seat split-folded.

At this price you aren’t going to get all the bits and baubles that come further up the range and we’ve referenced some of them already.

For me, the most annoying item not on the equipment list is front parking sensors. Amazing what you miss until it is gone.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona Active is at the crossroads of buying habits, which helps explain why it and its competitors sell so well.

It’s small enough to work admirably in the cities and suburbs without being out of place or out of its depth on the open road.

It’s also big enough to accommodate singles, couples and even young families with a couple of kids.

It would make a great second car for a family that needs a smaller runabout to do the daily chores, rather than wastefully dragging the tow vehicle out for such things.

The 2021 Hyundai Kona Active isn’t at the sexier end of the range where the turbocharged N Line and exciting new Kona N live, but that doesn’t matter a jot to most of us.

It is a well-equipped and comfortable small SUV that drives well and is priced affordably.

It’s easy to see why it is so popular.

How much does the 2021 Hyundai Kona Active cost?
Price: $28,200 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 110kW/180Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 6.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 148g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2017)