It can be a big challenge to find an SUV that has lots of driver-assist safety features and is also less than $25,000. Consumer Reports went on a search to find just that, and the Hyundai Kona is one SUV that fits that bill and also comes with the Consumer Reports recommendation. Here’s a look at the 2020 Kona’s safety features.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona

U.S. News agrees with Consumer Reports and named the 2020 Kona a finalist for 2020 Best Cars for the Money in the Best Subcompact SUV category (the Kia Soul took the top prize in the category). Consumer Reports says that this subcompact SUV has “snazzy styling” and is “enjoyable to drive.” Car and Driver calls the Kona “the whole package.”

The Hyundai Kona has two available engines, and there’s also an electric version. The SE, SEL, and SEL Plus trims come with a 147-hp four-cylinder engine with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Limited and Ultimate trims have a 175-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive can be added for an additional $1,400.

The SE, SEL, SEL Plus, and Limited trims have a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while the Ultimate trim has an 8-inch touchscreen that provides navigation and real-time traffic information. The Ultimate trim also has a head-up display. All of the trims come standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Three of the five trim levels start at less than $25,000. The SE currently starts at $20,300. The SEL starts at $22,100, SEL Plus at $23,950, Limited at $26,100, and the Ultimate at $27,950.

Standard and available safety features

The Hyundai Kona is a Consumer Reports recommended model, meaning that it scored well on their road test, has good reliability, and comes with advanced safety equipment. The Kona has a number of driver-assist features, including standard automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning, and a driver attention monitor.

It also has blind-spot warning, lane change assist, and rear cross-traffic warnings on the SEL trim and above. Adaptive cruise control is a new feature for the 2020 model, but it’s only available on the Ultimate trim. The Ultimate trim also comes with automatic high-beam headlamps, forward collision-avoidance assist that has pedestrian detection, and parking distance warning.

IIHS safety ratings

On top of its recommendations from Consumer Reports and U.S. News, the Kona also did well on the insurance industry and government crash tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the Kona Ultimate trim their highest award, the Top Safety Pick+. That trim has pedestrian detection and LED headlights.

The SUV earned the highest rating of Good for all six of the IIHS crash test categories. With the optional pedestrian detection system, the Kona received a Superior rating for front crash prevention. The headlights were not reviewed as well, receiving a Poor rating for the standard halogen lights (which are on the SE, SEL, and SEL Plus) and a Good rating for the LED lights (which are on the Limited and Ultimate trims).

NHTSA safety ratings

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash-test results for the 2020 Kona were positive. The SUV earned an overall safety rating of five stars out of five. It also received five stars for frontal and side crash tests and four stars out of five for the rollover test.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona has lots of safety features and provides great value for the price. Consumer Reports recommended two other affordable SUVs with numerous safety features in addition to the Kona: the 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport and the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox.