Hyundai Kona Ground Clearance: What To Know

2018 Hyundai Kona by EurovisionNim — CC BY-SA 4.0

The Hyundai Kona debuted in 2017 with a new design, high-tech features, and now an all-electric version is available. They’ve since delivered on that promise while also adding a gas-powered performance model in the spring of 2021.

Whether you’re buying it for the tech features, the electric model, or the N Line for performance, one question has to come up with any SUV: what is its ground clearance? Will it be able to go over any terrain other than asphalt or concrete?

The Hyundai Kona ground clearance is 6.7 inches off the road. So today, we’ll go over how that compares to other subcompact SUVs and what it means for your driving experience with the Kona.

What Can You Do with a Hyundai Kona?

While not an off-road vehicle in the vein of a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, 6.7 inches of ground clearance should be more than enough for all your needs in a Hyundai Kona. The most common issue you’re likely to encounter in a Kona is rough roads, and it was built to handle that easily.

Undercarriage damage on your car can be a pain because they’re some of the most expensive parts to repair.

Thus, it should be comforting that your vehicle has the clearance to make it over the most poorly maintained roads. With all but the worst roads, you won’t have to worry about scraping the undercarriage and damaging the transmission or gas tank or anything at the first sign of a pothole.

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As long as the tires still have plenty of treads left on them, the Kona ground clearance should allow it to drive on dirt roads and trails when it has to. You should also be able to take the car a little bit off the beaten path. You should keep a few things in mind if you do, though.

Not all Hyundai Konas have an all-wheel drivetrain, which can make a big difference in control when you try driving on uneven ground. With the standard front-wheel drive, weight can shift towards the back of the car if you’re driving up an incline, leaving the front wheels with less traction and power to keep pushing you forward.

If you are going off-road or taking a dirt road in your Kona, look ahead for any larger rocks or vegetation that could scrape the bottom of your car. You also have to pay attention if you’re driving down a well-worn path with ruts that other drivers have dug out. Those ruts might have been made by bigger trucks and SUVs with higher suspensions, bigger wheels, and higher ground clearance.

The Kona’s ground clearance can also help enter or exit a parking garage. If you’ve ever driven a sports car or sedan that’s close to the ground for tight steering, you’ve probably looked at a ramp with a little bit of terror, wondering if it will scrape the bottom of your car when two wheels are on flat ground while the other two are still on the slope.

This can even be a problem at some curbs or intersections. But with 6.7 inches of ground clearance, this shouldn’t be an issue with the Hyundai Kona. What also helps alleviate this problem is the Kona’s short wheelbase as a subcompact SUV. The distance from the front wheels to the center of the rear wheels is only about 102 inches long, compared to something like a Tesla Model S with a nearly 117-inch wheelbase or a Chevy Suburban with an enormous 134-inch wheelbase.

With such a short distance between the wheels and decently high ground clearance, it would take a very steep ramp or high curb to reach even the lowest point of the Kona’s undercarriage.

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What Can’t You Do with a Kona?

Most cars used in off-road activities are designed with even higher ground clearances and purpose-built suspensions. With Kona’s ground clearance, there isn’t a ton you can’t do. But we wouldn’t recommend trying anything too crazy like mudding or rock crawling in your stock Hyundai Kona.

They are also often equipped with skid plates that protect the car’s undercarriage from big rocks, pebbles, and other debris. These objects could get jammed into the engine and transmission, or mud can also get into places designed to stay clean. In the same vein, we also wouldn’t recommend trying to cross any piece of water that you don’t know the depth of.

A small amount of water can cause you to hydroplane or even carry your car off with a current, and puddles can hide potholes that could ruin your suspension. It is also best not to get water in your car’s components anyway, so don’t try to drive through that deep puddle when a storm brings water into the city. Like in The Oregon Trail, never try to ford the river.

How Does Hyundai Kona’s Ground Clearance Compare to Competitors?

The Kona’s ground clearance is around the middle of the pack for subcompact SUVs. Its closest competitors are the Honda HR-V, Kia Soul, Chevy Trailblazer, MINI Countryman, and Mazda CX-30, which all have ground clearances from 6.5 inches to 6.9 inches. This may not be massive, but it compares favorably to other models such as the Buick Encore and Chevy Trax (6.2 inches), Toyota CHR (5.9 inches), and Mazda CX-3.

However, several cars are in the same class with much higher ground clearance. Leading the pack are the Jeep Renegade and Subaru Crosstrek (8.7 inches), Mitsubishi Outlander Sport (8.5 inches), Nissan Kicks (8 inches), Fiat 500X (7.9 inches), and Ford EcoSport (7.8 inches).

If you want a subcompact SUV with good ground clearance, you might want to look more into these options. But otherwise, the Hyundai Kona is an excellent car with three very desirable options and enough ground clearance for most of your driving needs.

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Should You Buy the Hyundai Kona?

The Kona’s ground clearance is about what you can expect from a compact crossover SUV. Whether you’re driving in the inner city or long stretches of country roads, the 6.7 inches of ground clearance gives the Kona a good level of versatility. However, you’ll want to think twice if you plan to use the Kona for hardcore off-roading activities.

A significant factor in this issue is the Kona’s shorter wheelbase, which isn’t appropriate for activities like rock climbing. You’re going to risk damaging your SUV’s undercarriage.

The Hyundai Kona is undeniably a top-shelf crossover outside of outdoor adventures and off-road trips. It fairs well in numerous categories, including the exterior, performance, fuel economy, infotainment, safety, and predicted reliability.

Aside from the excellent power outputs, the Kona is easy and comfortable to drive. In terms of performance, it’s one of the few SUVs that offer a turbocharged engine – an attractive option for buyers who want a more energetic powertrain. Furthermore, the Kona also gets our vote regarding safety, earning a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a 5-star NHTSA rating.

Ground clearance may not be its strongest suit, but the Kona knows it’s a great SUV.

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