Hyundai Kona (2023–) review: the crossover that grew up for Bahrain
motorssouq Editorial Team
The current Kona is a genuinely competitive compact crossover for Bahrain: standard SmartSense safety kit that rivals still charge extra for, a boot and rear seat that finally suit a small family rather than just a couple, and Hyundai's long warranty as a real selling point on a used-car market that prizes it. The base 2.0-litre is adequate rather than exciting; the 1.6-litre turbo is worth the extra outlay if overtaking on the causeway matters to you.
Pros
- Hyundai SmartSense safety suite standard from a low grade, unusual in this class
- 466-litre boot and rear seat finally suit a small family
- Long factory warranty is a genuine selling point on the used market
- Air conditioning copes comfortably with Bahraini summer heat even on the base grade
Cons
- Base 2.0-litre engine feels genuinely slow overtaking on the causeway fully loaded
- Styling has lost the distinctive character of the first-generation Kona
- Turbo grade with more usable power costs a meaningful premium
- Still new enough that used pricing has not fallen far from new
Hyundai's second-generation Kona abandoned the deliberately quirky, asymmetric styling of the original in favour of a car that looks and, more importantly, measures like a proper compact crossover. It grew in every dimension that matters to a Bahraini family — most usefully a 466-litre boot that finally competes with a Tucson-sized rival rather than a supermini.
The base 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine produces a modest 149 hp, enough for everyday Manama traffic and a relaxed highway cruise but nothing that will feel quick with four adults and luggage aboard. The six-speed automatic is smooth and unobtrusive, and the front-wheel-drive chassis is tuned firmly enough to feel planted through a roundabout without turning harsh over Bahrain's rougher back streets.
What stands out for Bahrain buyers
Hyundai's SmartSense safety suite — forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-following assist, blind-spot collision warning and rear cross-traffic alert — comes standard from a relatively low grade up, which is genuinely unusual in this class and a real differentiator against rivals that treat the same features as an expensive options-list tick. Combined with Hyundai's long factory warranty, it makes the Kona an easy car to recommend to a first-time SUV buyer who wants peace of mind more than outright pace.
Air conditioning copes comfortably with a Bahraini summer even in the base grade, and cabin materials are a clear step up from the outgoing generation. The one honest complaint from local owners is that the base 2.0-litre feels genuinely slow when overtaking on the causeway with a full load — the 1.6-litre turbo, where available, is the grade worth stretching for.