Sharper type, roomier, safer and smarter, however does the all-new pricier Hyundai Kona reduce it as a small household SUV? We pattern the entry-level petrol mannequin.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
IAIN: I’m face-to-face with the brand new Hyundai Kona and all I’m seeing is Robocop.
JULES: Snap out of the 80s. It’s such a cool design. Big LED gentle strips entrance and rear, and massive slice-like creases alongside its sides.
IAIN: I like its entrance and rear easy edges, daring alloys and low-mount headlights, however spare me the large slabs of gray plastic across the wheel arches.
JULES: However they’re for defense and ruggedness, as it is a go-anywhere SUV, proper?
IAIN: Oh, completely. Two-wheel-drive, 170mm floor clearance and thin highway tyres. Anyway, you want the $4000 N-Line pack to get body-coloured facet bits, however that additionally provides leather-based inside. I’d tick that field.
JULES: The brand new Kona’s already elevated round $5000 over previous. Ours eclipses $36,000 drive-away with crimson metallic paint, and it’s simply the entry-level.
IAIN: Life will get ever pricier. Key rivals, for comparable cash, are the Kia Seltos, Toyota Corolla Cross and Mazda CX-30 – high quality competitors.
THE LIVING SPACE
JULES: Ah. I see why the worth rise. The dashboard is extremely hi-tech.
IAIN: Two 12.3-inch panels merge into one massive, curved display. These home infotainment and a smallish customisable digital driver show.
JULES: It’s a powerful promoting level. As are a wise rubber pad for wi-fi charging, wi-fi CarPlay/Android Auto and user-friendly local weather buttons.
IAIN: Earlier than I put the boot in, I like the large Boeing 747 throttle-like gear shifter, Hyundai’s new easy steering wheel emblem and useful shelf in entrance of the passenger for a cellphone, sweeties or the vape confiscated out of your children.
JULES: And the unhealthy stuff?
IAIN: Hyundai actually ought to have achieved higher with the seat materials and too-hard cabin plastics. They really feel manner too entry-level and fundamental.
JULES: Zero padding for door armrests, and the centre relaxation has wafer-thin padding. My elbows weren’t joyful.
THE COMMUTE
IAIN: Acquainted previous 2.0-litre non-turbo four-cylinder petrol right here. It’s essential spend extra for a zestier 1.6-litre turbo or hybrid.
JULES: It’s noisy when pushed, and the CVT auto was jittery and lazy at low speeds once in a while.
IAIN: But it surely’s enjoyable on the town, handles nicely and, wind noise apart, a massively cozy and competent freeway cruiser.
JULES: Till Nanny pipes up.
IAIN: Ah sure. Its lane maintain system is just too aggressive and beepy because it tries to maintain you in lane, however then this automotive appeared to beep at me continuous.
JULES: That’s the velocity warning. Any new velocity restrict signal it sees, it beeps to warn you. In a 60 zone, go 1km/h over and it begins flashing; 3km/h over and the beeping begins.
IAIN: We shouldn’t be dashing, nevertheless it often will get the velocity signal incorrect. Infuriating. I counted seven maddening steps by the menu to show all of it off.
JULES: I managed to make it the shortcut button to avoid wasting our sanity.
THE SHOPPING
IAIN: The Kona’s mad seems to be means it’s at residence outdoors fancy boutiques.
JULES: Actually good boot dimension for a small SUV too. And two useful plastic bins in there to cease groceries rolling round.
SUNDAY RUN
IAIN: Its 110kW and 180Nm hardly imply an exciting drive, however the brand new Kona is a peach by corners. For extra enjoyable, you want the turbo mannequin.
JULES: It’s fairly fantastic on lengthy highway journeys. The radar cruise management’s glorious, however the serenity is oft disturbed by extra beeps.
IAIN: I found peak Nanny. I stored wanting down on the driver show to work out why I used to be being beeped at, then it beeped at me some extra because it detected my eyes have been off the highway. Noise cancelling earphones are required.
THE FAMILY
JULES: Glorious security, together with key stuff I need like blind spot warning and rear site visitors alert. Good options.
IAIN: Our entry-level misses a 3D encompass monitor and the useful reside footage of your blind spot. The pricier Premium fashions convey these.
JULES: We returned 6.6L/100km after 500km; bang on Hyundai’s figures.
IAIN: However there’s a Kona Hybrid giving 3.9L/100km. It’s well worth the $4000 additional if you happen to do numerous city driving and plan on conserving the automotive some time.
JULES: Not like many small SUVs, this Kona’s again seats are good locations to journey.
IAIN: Agreed. Plastics nonetheless are rental automotive low cost, however head, leg and toe room are nice and there’s a central armrest, air vents, two USB-C ports and a slot for cell phones. The children have been nicely accommodated.
JULES: But it surely’s not an affordable SUV to purchase, and it’s $1995 for 5 years servicing.
THE VERDICT
IAIN: No revolution, however the Kona stays probably the greatest small SUV selections. For the cash I’d need a greater cabin end and turbo engine, however the glorious inclusions and standout type compensate.
JULES: I’d fortunately personal one. These dramatic LED gentle bars are unbelievable. It’s roomy and secure for the household; I simply want the nannying beeps would give me some peace.
HYUNDAI KONA
PRICE: About $36,000 drive-away
WARRANTY AND SERVICING: 5 years/limitless km guarantee, $1995 for five years/75,000km plan
ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4-cyl petrol, 110kW/180Nm
SAFETY: 7 airbags, rear digicam, AEB, blind spot avoidance, consideration warning, junction help, velocity restrict help, rear cross site visitors help, secure exit warning, radar cruise management, park sensors entrance and rear.
THIRST: 6.6L/100km
SPARE: House saver
BOOT: 407L
