The relatively new subcompact SUV category is getting crowded as millennials and members of Gen Z enter the car-buying stages of their lives. If you’ve got your eye on a sporty little SUV that the younger crowd enjoys, you’ll want to check out the 2020 Hyundai Kona SEL trim level.
What really sets the 2020 Hyundai Kona SEL trim apart?
The SEL trim offers a number of nice surprises inside that you normally don’t see in the lower trims of a model year. It also has a number of advanced safety features that were unexpected. Given the vehicle’s modest price, the 2020 Hyundai Kona SEL trim is a much better buy than many of its rivals.
In this article, we’ll explore the features that you get in the 2020 Hyundai Kona SEL trim in comparison to several other subcompact SUVs.
The 2020 Hyundai Kona
The 2020 Hyundai Kona is available in five trim levels. Starting with the base level, these are the SE, SEL, and the new SEL Plus for the lower trims, and the Limited and Ultimate trims at the higher end.
There’s also an all-electric trim version, the Hyundai Kona EV, which is available in 10 states as of fall 2020.
Every version of the 2020 Kona stands out because of the vehicle’s exterior stylings. It looks sporty (even though it’s not), and the Kona comes in a wide range of bright, stand-out colors. A $350 upgrade can include a contrast-color roof to make the vehicle look even more unique.
The three lower trim levels have a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that puts out 147 horsepower. It’s no powerhouse, but then, no subcompact SUV really is. The lower trims are also six-speed with automatic transmissions.
The two higher trims have a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder Turbo engine that achieves 195 horsepower. You won’t be towing anything in a Kona, but you’ll look stylish and youthful. These slightly more powerful engines are paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Hyundai is known for its excellent warranties, and the Kona now joins that list. It comes with a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. You can also add an all-wheel-drive option from the manufacturer on any trim level for an extra $1,400, as of 2020.
2020 Hyundai Kona SEL Trim
All of the 2020 Hyundai Kona trim levels look the same from the outside. To understand why you should pay just a little bit more to bump up to the SEL trim, you really have to take a look at what’s inside. The one significant exterior difference between the SEL and the SE is that roof rails come standard on the SEL.
Remember when you’d only encounter heated front seats in a luxury vehicle just a few years ago? Those are standard in the 2020 Hyundai Kona SEL. It also comes with heated side mirrors and rear privacy glass. Plus, it comes with HD and satellite radio with a 7-inch touchscreen.
Space is always at a premium in subcompact SUVs, and the 2020 Hyundai Kona SEL is no exception.
Taller people will find the seats a bit too cramped and the roof a bit too low. The SEL does, however, have a nicely sized hidden cargo compartment beneath the rear seats for added hauling capacity.
The vehicle has a five-star crash safety rating from the NHTSA, and it’s no wonder. The SEL trim is loaded with active safety features that include a drowsy driver warning, lane assist, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring.
Standout: Pricing
None of the features listed in the 2020 Hyundai Kona SEL are included in the base level SE trim. That’s a big jump in features for a modest $1,800 increase in price for the SEL. The MSRP for a 2020 Hyundai Kona SEL starts at around $21,900, depending on your local area.
That makes the 2020 Hyundai Kona SEL trim one of the most affordable subcompact SUVs on the market, especially considering the array of interior and safety features. It’s more affordable than the comparable Honda HR-V, Subaru Crosstrek, Toyota C-HR and Jeep Renegade. It’s only slightly more expensive than a Nissan Kicks or a Kia Soul.
Check the Pricing at Vehicle History Before You Buy
There are a lot of reasons to recommend the 2020 Hyundai Kona SEL, but you still don’t want to over-pay for a vehicle. It’s always wise to run a full Vehicle History check before making a car purchase, no matter how impressed you are by the contrast-colored roof!
