Hyundai Kona Tire Pressure (Recommended PSI)
TL;DR
Only the 215/55R17 first-generation Kona has a pressure figure we could verify in a source (36 PSI / 250 kPa front and rear). Other wheel sizes, trims, and the second-generation Kona vary by configuration and should be checked on your own vehicle.
There is no single Kona tire pressure
Hyundai builds the Kona across two generations, several trims, and multiple wheel and tire sizes (16, 17, 18 and 19 inch options depending on market and year), including the standard gasoline Kona, the Kona N performance model, and the Kona Electric. Automakers set cold tire pressure per tire size and per axle load, so a figure that is correct for one configuration can be wrong for another. This page states only what could be corroborated in a source, and flags the rest as unverified rather than guessing.
What we verified
An aggregator of published tire placard data lists the first-generation Kona (badged OS internally, sold roughly 2018-2023) on its factory-fitted 215/55R17 tire size at 36 PSI (250 kPa / 2.5 bar) for both front and rear axles.
| Generation / years | Trim or tire size | Front (PSI) | Rear (PSI) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st gen (OS), 2018-2023 | 215/55R17 (common SE/SEL-type fitment) | 36 | 36 |
| 1st gen (OS), 2018-2023 | 16-inch or 18/19-inch wheel trims | check placard | check placard |
| Kona N, 2022-2023 | 235/40R19 performance tire | check placard | check placard |
| Kona Electric, all years | All tire sizes | check placard | check placard |
| 2nd gen (SX2), 2023-present | All trims and tire sizes | check placard | check placard |
What we could not verify
We did not find a corroborated PSI figure for 16-inch wheel trims, for 18 or 19-inch wheel trims on the first-generation Kona, for the Kona N, for the Kona Electric (which often runs a different rear pressure to compensate for battery weight), or for any trim of the redesigned second-generation Kona. Rather than publish an invented number, we are telling you to read it directly off your vehicle.
Where to find your car's real number
- The driver-side door jamb placard (open the door, look at the sticker on the frame) - this lists the exact factory figure for your specific tire size and trim.
- The tire-pressure section of your printed or digital owner's manual, which also usually includes the spare tire pressure.
- The tire sidewall shows a maximum pressure rating, not the recommended one - never inflate to the sidewall number as your everyday setting.
Summary
| Verified figure | 36 PSI (250 kPa / 2.5 bar) front and rear |
|---|---|
| Applies to | 1st-gen Kona (2018-2023) on 215/55R17 tires |
| Not independently verified | 16/18/19-inch trims, Kona N, Kona Electric, 2nd-gen Kona (2023+) |
| Authoritative source | Driver's door jamb placard |
| Backup source | Owner's manual tire-pressure section |
| Check frequency | Monthly and before long trips, tires cold |
| Spare tire | Often a different pressure - check separately |
Full diagnostics
For the complete step-by-step diagnostic and repair guide, see Hyundai Kona: Common Problems, Fault Codes & Repairs.
Frequently asked questions
Is 36 PSI correct for every Hyundai Kona?
It is verified only for first-generation Konas (2018-2023) riding on the 215/55R17 tire size. Other wheel sizes, the Kona N, the Kona Electric, and the second-generation Kona (2023-present) may use a different figure, so confirm against your own door-jamb placard before relying on 36 PSI.
Where exactly is the tire pressure placard on a Kona?
Open the driver's door fully and look at the vertical face of the door frame (the jamb) where the door latches shut. The sticker there lists front and rear cold pressure in PSI and kPa for every tire size Hyundai offered on that specific trim and model year.
Does the Kona Electric need a different pressure than the gasoline Kona?
Electric vehicles frequently specify a higher rear pressure than the equivalent gasoline model because the battery pack shifts weight distribution, but we could not confirm a specific PSI figure for the Kona Electric in a corroborated source. Check the door placard or owner's manual on the Electric specifically rather than reusing the gasoline model's numbers.
Should I inflate my tires to the pressure printed on the tire sidewall?
No. The sidewall number is the tire's maximum cold inflation pressure, not Hyundai's recommended setting for your vehicle. The correct everyday figure is on the door-jamb placard or in the owner's manual, and it is usually noticeably lower than the sidewall maximum.