2022 Hyundai Kona Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons.

Hyundai has focused a lot of its attention on the SUV market, and this hard work has paid off. The Hyundai Kona is poised for success as a subcompact SUV. While it's not the roomiest of vehicles, it still has plenty to offer, including an advanced infotainment system, a comprehensive safety package, and a modern style. On top of this, it's quite affordable, and this is a primary reason why it's been able to attract so much attention in recent years.

For the 2022 model year, Hyundai has upgraded the Kona in several ways. It's given its exterior a makeover, so now the wheels, lights, and grille, among other components, have a fresh appearance. The technology inside the cabin has improved, and there are many high-end upgrades that are available. The N Line is a new trim in the lineup, and it'll be able to please performance-oriented drivers. In total, there are four trims of the 2022 Hyundai Kona.

Compare the SE vs SEL Trims. What is the difference?

As the entry-level trim, the SE actually offers a lot. It comes standard with LED Daytime Running Lights and LED headlights, and those headlights are automatic. This means that they'll turn on by themselves when they don't detect very much light, and during the day when it's bright or when the Kona has been parked, they'll turn themselves off. It rides on 16-inch alloy wheels and has body-color side mirrors and door handles.

The SEL goes a bit further with its style. It uses 17-inch alloy wheels, and its side mirrors have turn signals and heating elements built into them. While the SE has solar glass to keep some heat out of the cabin, the SEL has tinted glass in the back to provide shade and privacy. This is commonly associated with SUVs and is something that appeals to many customers. The SEL also has roof side rails that may come in handy when transporting larger items as well as a shark-fin antenna that adds to the sporty look of the Kona.

If anyone doesn't mind paying a little extra for some more options, the SEL is available with a power sunroof or a two-tone black roof. The two-tone look is very striking and can command attention, but keep in mind that it is not available with a power sunroof. A customer will have to decide which is most preferable, since they don't work together.

There are several more interior amenities that can be found in the SEL than in the SE. One of the big things is its proximity key entry system. With this system, the key fob doesn't actually have to be taken out of a pocket. Instead, the driver can unlock the doors by touching the sensor on the handle, and he/she can start the car by just pushing a button. There's even a standard Remote Start function on the SEL that many people will get a lot of use out of. With the SE, there isn't a proximity key entry system, but there is remote keyless entry.

Another factor that works in the SEL's favor is that it has SiriusXM Satellite Radio and HD Radio. The entertainment options are expanded because of this, and for those who love listening to the radio while driving, it could be pretty important. Plus, the SEL works with the Bluelink Connected Car System. Bluelink allows users to remotely lock and unlock their vehicles and pinpoint their locations, which can be useful when the Kona has been parked in a city or large parking lot. Bluelink also comes with automatic collision notification and a destination search feature, among other things.

Wireless charging is available with the Hyundai Kona SEL trim, as is Hyundai Digital Key. Hyundai Digital Key lets people program smartphones to work as key fobs. It goes along with the proximity key entry system. It can be great for when a friend is borrowing the vehicle or when someone is going on an outdoor adventure and doesn't want to be loaded down with too many items.

The SE might not have all the features that the SEL does, but it still has high-tech components. It has an eight-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and it has two USB outlets in the front. On the steering wheel, there are Bluetooth, audio, and cruise controls so that people can stay focused on driving. There's a 4.2-inch multi-information display behind the steering wheel that provides useful information.

From a safety perspective, the SEL has the better package. It has been equipped with blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, two programs that can be helpful on a regular basis. In addition, it has Safe Exit Warning, which lets passengers know when other cars are coming up behind the Kona when they're trying to get out. Unfortunately, the SE doesn't have any standard driver-assist systems. It does have the option to get lane following assist, lane keeping assist, driver attention warning, and forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection. All of those system are optional on the SEL, too.

Compare the SEL vs N Line. What is the difference?

The main way in which the N Line sets itself apart from the lower trims is that it has a turbocharged engine. It uses a 1.6-liter turbo engine that can crank out 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. In comparison, the SEL and SE use 2.0-liter engines. They can make 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque.

With either engine, front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional. The all-wheel drive system is an active on-demand version, ready to send power to all four wheels whenever necessary. The standard engine uses an intelligent variable automatic transmission, while the turbo engine has been matched with a seven-speed EcoShift dual clutch transmission that can optimize performance.

The N Line gets to use 18-inch wheels, and it has body-color body cladding, a twin-tip exhaust, and special front and rear fascias. It's definitely a trim that has a more unique design. Like the SEL, it's available with a power sunroof. It's also available with automatic high beams, LED taillights, and LED headlights.

The seats on the N Line are covered with a sport cloth material. The driver's seat is power-adjustable so that it's easier to find the optimal position. People will appreciate that the N Line has heated front seats. This is only an option with the SEL. The N Line stands out even more compared with the SEL because it has automatic temperature control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shifter, red and gloss black interior accents, and aluminum-alloy sport pedals that add to its athletic nature.

For the most part, the N Line has the same technology package as the SEL does. However, it has a Harman Kardon premium audio system that has eight speakers and Clari-Fi Music Restoration Technology. Further, it's available with a 10.25-inch touchscreen with integrated navigation and dynamic voice recognition.

There is one other feature that's available on the N Line but not on the SEL, and that's smart cruise control. Smart cruise control can hold the speed at a set level if traffic is minimal; when there's an issue and other vehicles start to slow down, the program will slow the Kona down appropriately. Smart cruise control can bring the Kona to a complete stop if necessary, and it can speed up safely as well.

Compare the N Line vs Limited Trim Levels. What is the difference?

The Limited is powered by the same turbo engine that the N Line has. This makes it fun to drive. Like the N Line, it has 18-inch wheels, but they have a more standard look than the flashier N Line wheels.

LED headlights come standard with the Limited, as do LED taillights and automatic high beams. The Limited is the only trim in the Kona lineup to come with a standard power sunroof. This is an appealing feature that some will really love, as it opens up the cabin and lets fresh air and light in.

The Limited doesn't have all of the special stylings that the N Line does, like the twin-tip exhaust, sport pedals, or red and black interior accents. It feels more refined than the others in the lineup do, as it has leather seats. The power-adjustable driver's seat has power lumbar support to provide extra comfort.

Those who love technology will be pleased that the Limited has built-in navigation and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. It comes standard with dynamic voice recognition, which can be really convenient when a driver is trying to pay close attention to the road, and it has an additional pair of USB outlets that the rear-seat passengers can access.

Another 10.25-inch screen is found behind the steering wheel in the form of a Digital Instrument Cluster. The other trims only have 4.2-inch screens, thought the N Line has the option to get this larger screen. It adds to the modern feel of the cabin and makes all the information easy to read.

The atmosphere in the Limited can be enhanced with the ambient white LED lighting. These lights have been placed around the front footwell and cupholders, so they're not obtrusive or too bright. There's also an auto-dimming rearview mirror in the Limited, and because it has Homelink technology, it's able to function as a garage door opener.

Several driver-assist systems are standard with the Limited trim. Highway drive assist and smart cruise control are two programs that can work together to monitor and adjust steering and speed when the Kona is traveling on a highway. The Limited comes standard with lane following assist and lane keeping assist, making it unlikely that a driver would accidentally veer out of position. Importantly, the Limited has forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. Other standard components are parking distance warning (reverse) and driver attention warning.

Final Thoughts

Given its enhanced engine and all of its high-tech systems, the Limited stands out above the others. Even with all of these features, it still has a reasonable price, which is why it's the recommended trim. A buyer doesn’t have to spend too much in order to treat himself or herself to navigation, a premium sound system, driver-assist technologies, and leather seats. The Limited feels like a luxury vehicle in many ways, expect it doesn't have such a lofty price tag.

However, the Kona's audience is likely to consist of those who are mindful of every penny. If cost makes the Limited unattainable for any customer, then the SEL would be a great choice. It offers several more key elements than the entry-level SE does, as it has blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a proximity key, and SiriusXM. Plus, it can be upgraded with more driver-assist systems, and it's the only trim with the available two-tone roof. This would give it an edge in terms of its appearance.