Given that the average price of a brand-new car in the US has now touched the $50,000 mark, you'd be forgiven for perhaps scouring the lower end of the market to find a decent new car for much less money. Fortunately, there are plenty of excellent options out there for you to examine, from small sedans like the Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Jetta, to compact SUVs like the Chevrolet Trailblazer and Nissan Kicks.Another solid choice from this slice of the market, given that the more practical SUV-style vehicles are currently the trendsetters, is the Hyundai Kona. It comes with an interesting exterior design that won't leave your soul cold when you look at it, and is also well-equipped and practical. At just over $25,000 for a base model, it's also pretty good value. That said, there is a way you could have this tidy Hyundai with more equipment, and with a considerable financial saving to boot. The Hyundai Kona Ultimate Affords You A Superior Engine Than Lower-End Models HyundaiShould this proposition sound appealing, then you'll need to get your head around earlier models of the first-generation Hyundai Kona, which were built between 2018 and 2020. More specifically, you could source a used version of the range-topping Ultimate that, among other things, boasts a superior powerplant option versus the entry-level offerings. While the base 2026 SEL Sport comes with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter inline-four engine, the used Ultimate comes packing a turbocharged 1.6-liter unit. Not only does it produce considerably more power, with 175 horsepower versus 147 hp, but it also matches the larger unit when it comes to fuel consumption.The engine comes bundled with a slick seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, which provides smooth and fast gearshifts which make the car feel more upmarket on the move than you'd usually expect at this price point. The power is sent to either the front or all four wheels, depending on the sort of money its owner wanted to spend. The Kona Is More Capable Than You'd Expect HyundaiWhile the Kona may not be built for outright pace, you can splash the cash on a Kona N if that sounds captivating, it far from disgraces itself when you give it a bit of a push. It features fully independent suspension, including an advanced multi-link rear arrangement, and even boasts a less effective form of torque vectoring. While most systems utilize the engine's power to increase the amount of grip a car has while cornering, the Kona uses a braking-controlled setup. It works by using the brakes to control the velocity of the inside wheels, which helps keep the car hugging the inside of the corner as you push through.While not as effective as a full-power-based system, it helps the Kona feel more capable if you fancy setting it upon some twisty back roads. It's featured on every model of the Kona, so you don't necessarily need the Ultimate trim to take profit from it, though it works nicely with the extra power the high-end versions provide. Used Kona Ultimate's Can Be Picked Up For A Bargain HyundaiThanks to the sands of time, you can make a very handy saving on a used Kona Ultimate, when compared to the amount of cash its first owner had to lay down. Purchasing an Ultimate FWD back in 2020 would have scratched $27,950 from your bank account, though the CarBuzz Marketplace reports that the very same machine comes with an average used price of just $18,175 in 2026. Opt for an older 2018 car, and you can expect to spend roughly $14,500 on average.Start with a $15k budget, and you'll be able to pick up a tidy Kona Ultimate built between 2018 and 2020 with middling mileage on the clock, which range between 50,000 and 80,000 miles. Raise it up to around $20k, and you'll be able to find lesser-used versions with less than 30,000 miles on the odometer, and for a price still $5k less than a brand-new base-spec model. You Can Save Even More Money If You Opt For Higher Mileage HyundaiWhile there tends to be a natural stress point for most buyers when it comes to talking about a car with more than 100,000 miles on the clock, in reality, it shouldn't matter too much as long as the car has been cherished by its previous owner. Do all the proper checks to make sure the high-mileage hero is in good shape, and you could hand over as little as $12k for a solid Kona Ultimate. At half the price of a new base machine, which provides you with extra equipment and a more powerful engine, it's difficult to ignore the value on the table. The Kona Ultimate Brings Along A Decent List Of Added Features HyundaiBut what exactly does a Kona Ultimate get you other than a peppier engine? Well, glad you asked, as there are a few interesting details that help make the car a more versatile everyday driver. For starters, you get slicker and sportier exterior styling that makes the car look more expensive when standing still, with the main additions being a set of 18-inch alloy wheels to replace the base 16-inch components, as well as a chrome grille surround and black body cladding to give the car a more premium aesthetic. Extras The Kona Ultimate Boasts Over The Base Version Larger 18-inch alloy wheels LED tailights Premium black exterior body cladding Heated and powered leather seats Eight-inch touchscreen infotainment and satellite navigation screen Auto-dimming rearview mirror Power sunroof The car also comes loaded with rain-sensing windshield wipers, heated and powered leather seats, a full-color heads-up display, and an enlarged eight-inch touchscreen infotainment display. In addition, you get a range of added safety systems to boot, such as Forward Collision Avoidance with added Pedestrian Detection support, alongside Smart Cruise Control and Parking Distance Warning functionality. These extras come together to afford the vehicle occupants added refinement and safety as opposed to the standard model, and all for a chunk less cash. There Are Things You Need To Keep In Mind When Buying A Used Kona Hyundai Another big advantage the Kona holds is that it has proven to be one of the most dependable crossover SUVs on the market. Earlier models equipped with the 2.0-liter engine suffered some dramas with dodgy piston rings, but the turbocharged 1.6-liter unit has proven largely bulletproof when properly maintained. Some earlier models also fall foul of various electrical and quality issues due to small details not having been ironed out yet, so make sure to test all the car's onboard systems and fixtures to ensure that there are no hidden ailments.Additionally, it's not a bad idea to check out the underside of any AWD versions you examine. The extra traction afforded by the all-wheel drive system may have led to its owner taking it off-road, but the Kona's relatively low ride height means it's more susceptible to impacting the ground as it drives along. Make sure there's no structural damage to the car as a result, or anything like missing wheel arch liners, as this could lead to premature wear on other components further down the road. Beyond that, ensure that the car has been frequently serviced, so that you can be confident the mechanicals have been running optimally.The Kona is a solid and reliable compact crossover even in its most basic form, but a well-kept used Kona Ultimate not only provides a better engine and more equipment than a new base spec car, but also a considerable saving. It may not come with the untouched magic a new car can offer, but you'll soon forget about that once you glance back at your bank account and see those saved thousands sitting pretty.Sources: Hyundai.