This 2021 Hyundai Kona Essential AWD represents the highly popular entry point into Hyundai’s award-winning subcompact crossover lineup. Famous for its nimble handling, tight turning radius, and quirky styling, the Kona treats its drivers to a car that handles like a sporty hatchback but sits on an elevated crossover platform.The Mechanical Surprise: Multi-Link Rear SuspensionThe Kona Essential is powered by a reliable 2.0L MPI 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, mated to a traditional 6-speed automatic transmission (delightfully avoiding the rubbery feel of CVTs found in many competitors).Important Mechanical Detail: Opting for the All-Wheel Drive (AWD) configuration on the Essential trim does more than just give you extra traction in the snow. It completely swaps out the front-wheel-drive model's basic torsion-beam rear axle for a highly sophisticated Independent Multi-Link rear suspension. This gives the AWD model a vastly smoother ride over potholes and noticeably better stability through sharp corners.Tailored for the Canadian Value BuyerThe "Essential" trim acts as the base gateway to the Kona lineup, but because this is a Canadian-market vehicle, Hyundai packs in standard cold-weather gear right from the factory floor:Winter Preparation: Comes equipped with multi-level heated front seats and power-adjustable, heated side mirrors to clear ice quickly.The Dashboard: Anchored by a crisp 7-inch color touchscreen infotainment system that fully supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, a 6-speaker audio system, and a rearview backup camera.Rolling Style: Unlike most entry-level crossovers that sit on cheap steel wheels with plastic hubcaps, the Essential trim rides out of the box on sharp 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels.Agile Footprint & UtilityThe Kona is unashamedly a subcompact, which means it’s a breeze to parallel park or zip through heavy downtown traffic. Despite its compact exterior dimensions, it offers highly respectable cargo flex.The cargo area yields 544 liters of space with the rear seats up, expanding to 1,296 liters when you drop the 60/40 split-folding rear bench completely flat. It also includes a hidden under-floor storage tray to keep emergency gear out of sight.Safety FeaturesThe 2021 Essential trim focuses on raw mechanical and structural safety. Built around a super-rigid "Superstructure" high-strength steel cage, it includes:6 standard airbagsDownhill Brake Control and Hill-start Assist ControlElectronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control System