Hyundai promised bigger and better things from the 2022 Hyundai Kona when the Korean car giant first unveiled it some time ago. We got to see all the changes that Hyundai made to the exterior and the interior of the revamped compact CUV while also learning that a fire-breathing Kona N would also be joining the family for performance-seeking buyers (this author included.) But amid all the extra horsepower and technology, Hyundai forgot to disclose just how much of your hard-earned money would be needed to add a Kona to your garage? The wait is over on that, with Hyundai finally spilling the beans on the numerical essentials behind the Kona’s sales goals.
Base Kona Has Value In Its Crosshairs
At first glance, this might seem like another typical price hike, with pricing for the bulk of all Kona models actually going up slightly versus the outgoing model. The base SE is $1,650 more than its outgoing cousin, but it still has a solid grip on value, with those models starting at $23,375. The trim ladder is also smaller, with three of them (SEL Limited, Night, and Ultimate) all being retired for 2022. For the moment, this means that there will be only four flavors of Kona to choose from, but that number will grow to five when the Kona N makes its way to dealer lots. We have added a brief rundown of the pricing below.
- Kona SE $23,375
- Kona SEL $24,175
- Kona N Line $26,925
- Kona Limited $29,675
- Kona Electric SEL $35,225
- Kona Electric Limited $43,725
Looking at the revised price ladder, the highlight that stands out in our bool is the $26,925 Kona N-Line model. The N-Line is Hyundai’s attempt at bringing a more budget-focused performance entry to the CUV segment. While it’s not as spicy under the hood as the N, this model makes up for it by offering a sporty balance of equipment and style, which thankfully will not break most buyers’ budgets.
SE and SEL Kona’s are powered by a 2.0 liter 147 hp naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine. At the same time, the N-Line gets a boost from a beefier 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that’s good for 195 hp and sends it to the road via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic (CVTs are standard on SE and SEL.) Adding all-wheel drive will cost another $1,500 but look for it to be a welcome blessing for buyers in snowier climates.
Last but not least are the Kona Electric models, which are carried over to the 2022 model year. Here the pricing situation is a mixed bag. While the range-topping Limited is $500 more, the base SEL actually sheds $3,390 from its MSRP, and all of this is before you factor in any remaining green car tax credits.
Technology Plays A Big Role In Kona Pricing
The 2022 Kona’s pricing is only one angle in a broader story, with the compact CUV bringing an impressive amount of standard equipment and technology to buyers. This extra layer of technology plays a role in raising prices, but it also allows the Kona to have some impressive moves. For example, the 8.0-inch infotainment screen can be swapped out for a bigger 10.25-inch unit, and Harmon Kardon takes over the audiophile pleasing duties from the outgoing Infinity system.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.