This year’s college grads are leaving school only to confront an economy hit hard by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this environment, it’s more important than ever for young drivers to select an affordable, high-value vehicle — one like the Hyundai Kona, which was recently honored as one of Autotrader’s 10 Best Cars for Recent College Graduates.
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“As new graduates plan for the future, having a hefty car payment is not something that should weigh them down,” said Scott Margason, Hyundai Motor America’s director of product planning. “The Hyundai Kona is the perfect choice — starting well below others in the subcompact SUV segment, Kona offers value while not sacrificing on the style, utility, technology, convenience, and safety features these young adults still need.”
In naming the Kona to their list for recent grads, Autotrader editors first noted the subcompact SUV’s budget-friendly price. Pre-owned models from 2018 and 2019 can be found for well under $20,000, and the new 2020 version doesn’t cost much more than that.
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Autotrader editors praised the Kona’s infotainment system, which features standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for easy smartphone integration. They also singled out the Kona’s zippy performance, “head-turning style,” and vivid available colors — and noted that grads with some extra cash to spend can even acquire an all-electric Kona.
“We angled our list toward those cars that have a low price but still offer style and fun,” said Brian Moody, Autotrader’s executive editor. “The Hyundai Kona highlights that spirit perfectly. The Kona is one of those things in life that looks more expensive than its actual price.”
With this mix of style, substance, and reasonable pricing, the Kona should easily satisfy bargain-conscious grads — or anyone else seeking out high-quality, low-cost transportation.
A longtime editor/writer and recently transplanted Hoosier, Caleb Cook lives in Xenia, Ohio. His favorite activities are reading and listening to music, although he occasionally emerges from the heap of books and vinyl records in his basement to stand blinking in the sunlight. Once fully acclimated to the outside world again, he can be observed hanging out with his wife, attempting a new recipe in the kitchen, attending movies, walking the dog, or wandering into a local brewery to inquire about what’s on tap. See more articles by Caleb.