This is what I imagine a modern Pontiac Aztek would look like

Your in depth reviews of commodity vehicles is what your channel’s strongest suit is by far. It’s also what makes watch the entire video as opposed to other channels. Excellent video.

It doesn't matter the car - When SG reviews, I listen.

Can't wait to see what this thing does around Autobahn Country Club with some RE71.

I can't be the only one that likes the weird styling Hyundai has been using over the past half decade or so. Weird styling makes the cars stand out which is what lots of customers want.

It's astonishing to me that we live in a time when the presence of physical controls in a car is a major selling point

i really enjoyed hearing about the residual value implications of frequent and drastic refreshes. Also about how Hyundai invests in these cheaper models more than other brands. I know these subjects are more esoteric or highly technical but I enjoy them. Thanks!

I actually liked the revised exterior design. I’ve been very critical of Hyundai design the past few years (basically, I thought it was hideous), but I like how they’ve cleaned it up a bit so it doesn’t look so… off putting. Then again, I can totally appreciate how many people might still find it less than attractive. Great review as always 👍🏻

Watching the two of you describe the cars you review is the best show on KZfaq. The dry humor and blunt talk are well executed and you take time to cover the good, bad and ugly. When I am next looking to buy another car you will be my source of inspiration.

They keep coming out with cars in my favorite color! Hot water tank gray!

Hyundai head of design "I want a futuristic CUV that looks like Robocop's helmet"

I thought I would hate the Kona and owning one would be soul crushing, but it's just a shockingly competent car. Fast enough in the 1.6T configuration, good amount of interior space, reasonable fuel economy, easy to use infotainment, good tech onboard and a transmission that isn't hateful. It's pretty much perfect for my wife tooling around Mainz and Frankfurt. We even took it on a road trip to Bergamo and...it was comfortable. Considering we got it loaded for 24k Euro, I genuinely cannot complain.

I had a 2019 first gen Kona 1.6T with the 7 speed ecoshit dct. Enthusiasts love to shit on Hyundai, sometimes deserving, but it was a great and peppy little car. 0-60 in 6.6 per c&d for the fwd model like mine was. $26k otd with a decent stereo, lane keep assist and the best part, the acid/lime green exterior with matching interior accents. Great car for the 2 years and 44k I put on it as a travel nurse during peak covid. Only traded it in after securing an fk8 type r at msrp, but I’m glad to see Hyundai kept, and if anything, really leaned into the funky design.

I own a 2020 Kona SEL Plus with AWD and the 2.0 NA engine. It has a 6 speed auto and so far at 36K miles it has had no issues. I bought it new in March of 2020 and the only improvement it needed was a set of new tires. Put a new set of Bridgestone Turranzas on it at 25K because the factory tire was damn near dangerous on snow and ice. 33 MPGs in town with 27 MPGs in the city. The Plus trim has a ton of great options. 4 wheel independent suspension handles well, too.

I personally love the new design language. Interior AND exterior. Not to mention all the standard features.

“somewhat of a Soul to it” I see what you did there Mark. 😊

1600 miles on my Kona SEL I am pleased with all aspects and enjoy driving it.

Love the humor. The explanation of the Kona was understandable. This vehicle is economical and sporty! Thanks fella’s!

I was looking at this car as well as the Toyota Corolla Cross and the Honda HR-V. And let me tell you that the interior to the Kona won me over. I could care less if people think it's ugly on the outside if the interior makes it a comfy ride for me. Better yet that the rest of the specs are up to par.

Love the comedy hour underneath the lift.

“…change their underwear every 2 years…” Mark -coolest automotive journalist on the planet.

Loving it!

Heisenberg wants his wheels back.

I don't mind the looks at all. Automakers are so gun-shy and complacent when it comes to visual design, and the general populace is so accepting of whatever bland generic box that rolls out on the lots, I applaud any effort to stand out from the crowd.

They make this as a hybrid in other countries but they didn’t bring it to the US. Which is a shame, especially since Hyundai has basically gotten rid of all of their small hybrids now apart from the Elantra Hybrid. So when my lease is up on my Ioniq Hybrid, I’ll probably buy the lease and go trade it in at Honda once the Civic Hatch Hybrid shows up.

if you were wondering what a Pontiac Aztek would look like in 2023... here you go.

I know someone who lives in remote Louisiana that drove this across the country. They love it.

I'm not a big fan of their cladding but this Kona certainly has more interesting colors than most current offerings. I love the Mirage Green & Neoteric (what the H is that?!?!) Yellow; the orange is pretty eye catching too

Review the new Chevy Trax. You know Mark wants to.

lol the dynamic you guys have is great.

A Hyundai Kona was the only vehicle enterprise has ever provided me that left me stranded. Not even Nissan or stellantis products has given me that pleasure

I really don't understand why Kia/Hyundai are having so many quality issues and recalls. Sure, they are great on functional interior designs, but their long-term efficacy is really suspect.

Headlights as a bumper zone🤔 Interesting choice

Imagine what the future holds for domestic commodity cars with the new UAW contract!

That infotainment/center stack section is fucking awesome.

I'm owner of 1gen ko a EV and just placed order for gen2 hybrid. Some people like it or not, but exterior design was something that actually gather my attention. I think Toyota cross will look outdated even in year or two, as we have more EV on the road - and this gen Kona will still look okay, you don't have to spend huge amount of money to get well spec version. What I hate is that you get BSM, 360cam, all parking sensor etc - but you have take one of higher trim to get black rear window

I actually really love the interior styling of this car. I have a venue so anything would be an upgrade but I like my little go-kart. If Interest rates were not crazy right now I would consider this. I also don't think you guys trash Hyundai and Kia. I knew what I was getting with these cars. It does what I need it to do and I didn't spend a lot of money.

I was really leaning to this Kona as an upgrade over my old RSX (it's only .2" longer!) but when you mentioned getting 22 mpg, that gave me pause. Great all around car though. Hopefully they'll come out with a hybrid for the States.

Triangular styling rules! Triangular geometries offer inherent advantages in automotive design due to their structural stability, efficiency, and aerodynamic properties. Triangles distribute forces evenly, enhancing stability and safety in vehicle components like suspension systems and chassis frames. Their efficient use of materials reduces weight, improving fuel efficiency and reducing environmental impact. Additionally, triangular shapes minimize air resistance, enhancing aerodynamics for better vehicle performance. Well Done.

I wish they put the 8 speed on the 2.0l models but they're all CVT. Interestingly they have the traditional center console shifter and the 1.6T has the steering column one. The 1.6 is definitely faster but it is so laggy it doesn't really matter.

This must be an unpopular opinion but the Nline version of this car with the green paint looks absolutely stunning! Id totally buy a Kona N if they made one for this generation. I feel the Kona is probably their best looking car hyundai makes right now.

they really killed the veloster N and made this thing an N instead 💀

More than a year ago, I bought a new 2023 Kona SEL with the 2.0, a CVT and AWD, for $29K out the door. It has been a great car. It took me a while getting used to it being larger than I was used to. It's perfect for me, that's all I can say. Great video, as always!

The one inch rear leg room looks great. Also, Pontiac Aztek.

The subtitles are wild in this one! 🔥

I love when a car journalist simply says the new Ford ecosport is a piece of shit

Fair review for sure😇

You guys are so relaxed and knowledgeable on camera, you don’t need to curse to get your points across. Not an old man yelling at clouds, , just saying.

We drive like Grandmas too but our 2021 model needed a new engine after 13,500 miles 😐 so many are currently under recall as well we had to wait.

I wonder how many people noticed the mouse crawling on the ground in the beginning of the video. 😂

With views continuing to rise, good to see the contract with Patagonia has been renewed :: not bad :: 👏

I've the new gen of Tucson and, frankly, design of the car was big reason why I choose it really 😅

I can personally comment on Hyundai/Kia's honoring of their warranty: they will fight you tooth and nail to not pay out. their dealerships, at least within an 8 hour drive of where my car's engine literally punched the bottom of my hood, were all backlogged nearly a year, they dont offer loaners, they dont compensate for rentals until AFTER the repair is complete, and to be compensated for a rental takes months. So essentially, Hyundai/Kia knowingly sold millions of cars with a design fault and then fought to refuse to pay it out, to then require you to essentially have to buy a whole new vehicle while yours is being repaired (one dealership actually suggested i just buy another car while mine sits in their lot for almost a year before they even looked at it). What I hate is: both companies knock it out of the park on styling and overall efficiency but I'll never give them another cent after fighting them nearly a year just be reimbursed for an engine they knew had issues. If i laid out everything that happened over the course of a year I could likely make a 30min video of just reading out my notes i started keeping about month 3 of my fight with them.

This vehicle is CLEARLY in another class (up). The interior is borderline luxurious. The powertrain in the N line is more premium. It cleans the slate of HRV and CrossT in performance. HRV ain't that economical if driven enthusiastically and when comparing to the 2.0liter Atkinson engine will be very comparable. That 10 Yr warranty counts BIG. The steel is flat out better. The Cross is Cheaped out at a staggering level. The Cross is a COROLLA lifted. The HRV is a CIVIC lifted. Hyundai did not take the Elantra and lift it. This is a unique platform and the amount of cost-cutting on the CrossT and HRV its embarrassing. Bigger cargo area, spot for washer fluid bottle, adjustable rear seat and cargo cover that feels like a quality piece and not a piece of cardboard. The styling is super modern and by creasing the steel in the sides one increases the rigidity immensely. The CrossT can not accommodate a 6ft plus person and Hyundai has created a vehicle that a family can LIVE with for a long time (certainly through the growth of young children) Did you know that the roof rails can handle 220pds> The cross? 75. I like the look underneath on vehicles but you basically said nothing underneath. Why not take the HRV and the N which are priced very similarly in a big parking lot and accelerate them? This N spanks it. Did you look at the Genesis level sunroof? instead of the cheaped out roof cassette roof in the HRV etc...why does it lift up and over? because the seats in the back are HIGHER wider, longer, stronger and way more comfortable for a long journey. the seat can be higher when the sunroof goes up and over the vehicle. A suggestion would be to you guys is talk to the MARKET of this car. its a family thing. HRV with their kid latch and centre seatbelt hanging from the ceiling... no kidding) creates an ongoing obstruction when driving down the road... and cheaped out rear seating (NO centre armrest>??? Huh?) put on the Hazard lights at night....compare.... Please guys....MORE details...deeper analysis... How about intelligent key? Not even avail in this market... I can go on and on.... and that CVT on the HRV would drive anyone nuts after a day. Hyundai.shows once again why they are on a roll... Recalls? How about toyota 1.8 Million Rav 4 recall last week.... Hyundai is growing fast and will make a few mistakes. This aint one.

When I watched Mark beating the back seat of the Kona down flat - I knew I was on the right car review channel. 👍 I can’t wait to see if you guys get ahold of a Bolt EUV- there’s so much fodder there. I can see a picture of GM tower in Detroit with the sun behind it shining like Camelot, then Mary Barra saying GM could sell the Bolt at $20k and still make a profit, then Mary saying they were cancelling the Bolt, then cut to a deep fake of Mary begging for change on the street. That’s just the overlord drama, the car itself- designed in Korea, made in Detroit, full of piano black, nearly identical to a KonaEV underside, and how- in spite of it’s usual shenanigans, GM made a good appliance car, sold it cheaply, and now is ready to GMF’it up with the Ultium redesign to fit lower e-density batteries in to play the “Follow the Tesla” game that destroyed Ford’s EV aspirations. I think you could spend a week brainstorming angles of attack on this one.

This is vehicular proof Chris Bangle moved to Korea with his retired friends from the GM team responsible for the Aztek.

I have a 2018 kona 1.6t AWD with 7 speed dual clutch, the life time fuel economy is 22 mpg and it's on eco mode most of the time. My 2016 cx5 gets 24.5 mpg without babying it.

I am picking this car up tomorrow. Already signed for it !it was between this and the Buick envista! It was a tough choice !

It’s hilarious how bored you guys sound when reviewing boring cars. Love it!

I love how the triangles on this, Tuckson, Ioinq, triggers Mark. Not saying GM Korea's Trax/Envista team and HyunKia's team copy each others work but they probably drink the same brand of Soju. BGM and Ms Jackson is for real.

Not really a Hyundai fan but I have to give credit there. Four-wheel-drive system is actually really good. It’s better than the standard four-wheel-drive in the RAV4. I don’t know about the torque vectoring version but we got dumped on last winter and I was stuck on my road and couldn’t leave my house basically and there was one of these just chugging along, I had cross climate two tires and they had whatever was on there from the factory didn’t look like anything too aggressive

I love the sounds of the wind and leaves in the background, it makes the video feel a bit spooky.

The black plastic cladding on the fenders of modern crossovers are getting out of hand. Also, bring back the old piano outro!

Looking forward to more commentary from your new Asian host Jack Seoul. I’m sure his Korean heritage will bring amazing insights about Kia and Hyundai products.

The Aztec wasn't ugly, it was just ahead of its time.

Out of the cars you mentioned in the caption,which one? HRV vs Kona?

Nothing beats a Toyota Matrix. Heard it here first folks

Imagine owning a Kona knowing what would normally be a minor parking lot scrape instead destroying one of your head or tailights, requiring a ASAP choice between a thousand-plus dollar repair or living with a nighttime safety hazard and police magnet. I wouldn't be surprised if insurance premiums for this generation Kona go through the roof.

This thing and the Niro are fantastic cars

The trust isn't there yet for sure. So many recalls. And I remember that N that had an oil leak for your test.

I'd never buy a Hyundai/KIA on principal alone the way they handled the KIA Boyz/USB theft issue.

I was always of the opinion you guys had a soft spot for Korea cars. I think you need to start reviewing the mid tier version though. Most buyers of the Kona are not getting the top tier, I would rather see what the SEL is like.

It looks like it was designed by the same person who put the odd cladding on modern Subarus. These are going to get very dated very quickly.

Styling is in the eye of the beholder. I like that its different and not as radical as the Tuscan.

I might drive porsches every day but I only really get excited about cars when savage geese drops a video on a shitbox

This car in black slays. I want one

Interior and exterior is way ahead in this segment and price point. Love the exterior looks way more futuristic and modern than the basic Corolla and hrv and Mazdas. Interior is way ahead looks way more modern

@savagegeese Would you include the Mini Countryman in this 'uninspiring' class of vehicles?

"Pontiac Aztec" 💯

I have the 2021 Luxury and it looks nicer, without all the extra frills. But new buyers are going to like the deference for the new one... The front under-cover is same as my 2023 Elantra N, which is a good design and doesn't lose its underside from being dragged over snow banks.

Ford EcoSport production ended over a year ago, with 2022 being the final model year. There may be a few still sitting on lots, but they aren't a competitor to anything anymore. Also, the EcoSport was built in India, intended for Asian and European markets first. They only bothered selling it here because it was cheaper than designing something new just for the US

I guess they named it Kona because Aztec had already been used?

I would take the Kia Seltos over this new Kona on exterior design alone.

Great review. Obviously, this is a nice, functional small SUV. Nothing too exciting and I don't like this new Hyundai styling very much, but it's all relative. Looks alright.

this is nice Clean beautiful car

That exterior is certainly.. a choice. I guess if you need a cheap SUV with character it's far better than any other option out there. The Koreans have gotten much better at quality control in recent years, just a shame that the MPG kinda sucks. If you buy, plan to keep it until it becomes too expensive to keep fixing.

Tbh in person it looks alright, especially the rear. But yeah, them Aztek roots be showing

Robocop styling is great :)

Had the 1.6 L Dual Clutch and had a mountain of issues. Glad the DCT is gone and interested to see what Hyundai does next

Previous one looked better in regards to proportions and styling. It's certainly a vehicle.

It's crazy that they call these cars SUVs. I rented a Kona recently and it reminded me of my old Yaris. Very fun car to drive around the city though.

Honestly I see no reason this should have gotten bigger. The old Kona was a perfect size

Surprised you didn’t mention it - but Kona vs. CrossTrek?

Drove the previous gen and hated the DCT and my head was tickling the roof. At least it appears they fixed those things.

I hate that you can't get the heads up display on the new Kona's. I have it on my 2021 and have gotten used to having it. But I like that they made it bigger....but I may just keep mine.

Amazing car

It’s amazing to me anyone could say y’all hate Hyundai and Kia or EVs when your fairly glowing review of the Ioniq 5 is a huge part of why I own one. Y’all have a clear perspective in your reviews, but that’s why I love your channel. I know what I’m getting and where you’re coming from in your reviews.

1.6T Kona suppose can have manual transmission but Hyundai USA and Canada don't bother to bring them in. I would like to have one as security device.

Review is on point as usual. Definitely nothing I will ever drive unless I find myself homeless and need a soup kitchen.

I’m Taking mine to the Nurburgring next week