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Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Used Hyundai Kona I: the buying guide

SUV · 2017–2023 · Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid, Electric

✓ 14 sources cited · updated on 14 October 2026

Good choice, check first
Reliability
4.0/5
Estimated monthly cost
€414/month
Indicative prices
€13,645 – €19,490

2 known faults

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo 1 of 5

Hyundai Kona I, front three-quarter view

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Verdict

Good choice, check first

Urban SUV rated 5 Euro NCAP stars in 2017, offered as petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric. The Kona Electric has been the subject of recalls for battery fire risk, and a fault with the tensioner pulley has been reported on the 1.6 CRDi 136 diesel: insist on proof that the recalls have been carried out.

Reliability
4.0/5
Indicative prices
€13,645 – €19,490
Monthly cost
€414
Euro NCAP
5/5

Which version to choose

Versions to favour: 1.0 T-GDI 120, Hybrid 141.

  • 1.0 T-GDI 120

    ✓ Recommended

    Petrol · Manual · 120 hp · 5.9 L/100 km · 134 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1

    Turbocharged three-cylinder 998 cm³ with 172 Nm: the entry-level petrol version.

  • 1.6 T-GDI 177 4WD DCT7

    Petrol · Automatic · 177 hp · Crit'Air 1

    Turbocharged four-cylinder with 265 Nm, seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, four-wheel drive.

  • 1.6 CRDi 136 hybrid 48V DCT7

    Diesel · Automatic · 136 hp · Crit'Air 2

    48 V mild hybrid diesel, seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Check the recall relating to the tensioner pulley.

  • Hybrid 141

    ✓ Recommended

    Hybrid · Automatic · 141 hp · Crit'Air 1

    1.6 petrol with 105 hp and an electric motor with 44 hp, six-speed DCT gearbox, sold from 2019 to 2023.

  • Electric 39 kWh 136

    Electric · Automatic · 136 hp · Crit'Air green

    39 kWh battery, WLTP range claimed at around 300 km. Battery recall to be checked.

  • Electric 64 kWh 204

    Electric · Automatic · 204 hp · Crit'Air green

    64 kWh battery, up to around 470 km WLTP according to L'argus. Battery recall to be checked.

Market prices

€13,645 – €19,490

Indicative range: 2018 to 2023, yearly medians of 423 online listings collected by AutoUncle (years with at least 3 listings).

Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.

Known faults

Seized belt tensioner pulley (1.6 CRDi 136 mild hybrid)

Severity 3/3 · Serious

On the 136 hp 1.6 CRDi mild hybrid diesel, the tensioner for the belt linking the starter-generator to the crankshaft can seize suddenly and seriously damage the engine. Fiches-auto mentions a recall covering part of the 2024 production; Oscar Racing also mentions a manufacturer recall in 2024. The exact scope is not confirmed by an official source: ask for proof of a visit to a dealer.

Versions
1.6 CRDi 136 hybrid 48V DCT7
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Battery fire risk (Kona Electric)

Manufacturer recall

Fires in electric Konas led Hyundai to launch a worldwide recall, linked to batteries supplied by LG; in France just over 3,000 vehicles are concerned (models produced from September 2017 to March 2020, according to Automobile Propre). A more recent recall of 104,011 vehicles built between January 2018 and July 2023 concerns the battery monitoring system; the repair is a BMS software update, with a battery replacement possible. Check with a Hyundai dealer using the serial number.

Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

Versions
Electric 39 kWh 136, Electric 64 kWh 204
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

All faults by version and mileage →

Manufacturer recalls

See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Hyundai Kona”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.

Real monthly cost

Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated

Monthly cost by item
Fuel or electricity€145
Insurance€62
Maintenance€32
Depreciation€175
Total per month€414

⚠ Estimates to treat with caution

  • Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
  • Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
Fuel (petrol)€145

1.0 T-GDI 120 version: combined consumption of 5.9 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.

5.9 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €145

Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.

Insurance€62

Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.

Maintenance€32

Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.

Depreciation€175

Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.

Inspection checklist

Things to check

  • Kona Electric: have Hyundai check, using the serial number, that the battery recalls (BMS update or replacement) have been carried out.
  • Kona Electric: ask for a battery state-of-health report and test the charging.
  • 1.6 CRDi 136 diesel: ask for proof that the tensioner pulley recall has been carried out, and listen to the engine on starting.
  • Dual-clutch (DCT) gearboxes: low-speed test drive to detect jerking.
  • Check the service book and test the multimedia screen and driver assistance systems.

Questions to ask the seller

  • Have the manufacturer recalls been carried out at Hyundai? Do you have proof?
  • For the electric version: has the battery been checked or replaced, and what is its state of health?
  • Do you have all the service invoices?

Test-drive tip: read the fault codes

A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.

See OBD2 scanners on Amazon → (new tab)Partner link

Electric or hybrid equivalent

No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost

Alternatives

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Hyundai Tucson

IV · since 2020

Good choice, check first
Price
€17,700 – €35,000
Reliability
4/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Renault Captur

II · since 2019

Excellent choice
Price
€11,495 – €17,990
Reliability
5/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Hybrid

Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0

Toyota C-HR

I · 2016–2023

Excellent choice
Price
€15,600 – €23,900
Reliability
4.5/5
Fuel types
Hybrid, Petrol

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Seat Arona

I · since 2017

Good choice, check first
Price
€11,000 – €19,500
Reliability
4.5/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Before you buy: check and equip

Check the history

Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.

Read fault codes

An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.

Parts and maintenance

Compare prices of parts for the Hyundai Kona I (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.

Insure the car

Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Hyundai Kona's Euro NCAP rating?

Five stars in 2017 (87% adults, 85% children, 62% pedestrians, 60% driver assistance), according to La Tribune Auto and Hyundai.

What is the Kona's boot capacity?

361 litres at minimum and 1,143 litres with the rear seats folded for the combustion versions. The Kona Electric offers 332 litres.

Is the Kona Electric subject to a recall?

Yes: a battery recall in France (just over 3,000 vehicles) and a more recent worldwide recall of 104,011 vehicles. Have the serial number checked at Hyundai.

Found a listing?

Soon, we will analyse your Hyundai Kona listing: price, mileage, watch points.

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