Significantly updated Hyundai Kona here, but dearer

HYUNDAI Motor Firm Australia’s (HMCA) considerably up to date Kona compact SUV has arrived Down Below brandishing an all-new look, all-new powertrains, new variants and a brand new opening pricetag of $26,600 plus on-road prices.

Now $2300 costlier than earlier than, the base-model Kona together with the Energetic ($28,200), Elite ($31,600) and Highlander ($38,000) are all now powered by an Atkinson-cycle 2.0-litre petrol engine creating the identical 110kW of energy and 180Nm of torque because the earlier mannequin, nonetheless gasoline financial system has been slashed by a claimed 14 per cent to six.2 litres per 100km (mixed).

A superb portion of this improved financial system determine may be chalked as much as the brand new constantly variable transmission (CVT) which replaces the outgoing mannequin’s six-speed torque converter computerized, however nonetheless sends energy to the entrance wheels.

These chasing an all-wheel-drive configuration for his or her Kona will now need to step as much as the – new – performance-minded N-Strains, each of that are powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine good for 146kW/265Nm which drives all-four wheels by way of a seven-speed dual-clutch computerized transmission.

As with different N-Strains in HMCA’s portfolio, the Kona N-Line ($36,300) and N-Line Premium ($42,400) experience on a sportier multi-link rear suspension set-up than the remainder of the vary and brandish extra aggressive styling all-round courtesy of larger (18-inch) alloy wheels, decrease experience peak, N-Line-specific bumpers and aspect skirts in addition to gloss-black mirror caps.

The common variations have been made to look extra aggressive and ‘subtle’ in their very own proper with a totally new entrance fascia headlined by the redesigned – wider and thinner – grille and headlight design.

Including to the brand new look is a recent vary of alloy wheel designs and a tweaked rear bumper that includes an imitation skid-plate.

What’s extra, the entire package deal has grown by 40mm (size) leading to improved legroom and rear cargo house, nonetheless precisely how a lot additional room is but to be confirmed.

Consistent with the upper asking worth, HMCA says each variant has been handled to extra normal gear than earlier than, with the bottom Kona now that includes an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, 4.2-inch TFT color supervision cluster, adaptive cruise management with cease and go perform, Qi wi-fi smartphone charging, digital park brake, 16-inch alloy wheels, ‘quiet mode’, rear USB charging port, passenger seat peak adjustment and driver’s one contact auto up/down window.

Different (carried over) options encompass computerized headlights, rearview digital camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, energy home windows and roof rails.

Security has been stepped up too with ahead collision-avoidance help, lane following help and rear occupant alert becoming a member of the prevailing six airbags, driver consideration warning, digital stability management, downhill brake management and hill-start help management.

Issues are predictably stepped up all through the vary with the Energetic including 17-inch alloys, rear park help, heated exterior mirrors, leather-appointed seats and steering wheel, rear privateness glass, entrance seat again pockets, photo voltaic management glass, rear centre armrest, leather-based gear knob and energy folding exterior mirrors.

The Elite goes one step additional with an even bigger 10.25-inch infotainment system paired to an eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, blind-spot collision-avoid help, entrance foglights, rear cross-traffic alert, keyless entry and begin, gloss black radiator grille, collision-avoidance help, distant begin, gray exterior cladding, protected exit warning, local weather management, tailgate and aspect garnish insert and rain sensing wipers.

As common the Highlander is probably the most generously specced providing.

In comparison with the Elite, the non-sporting range-topper provides 18-inch alloys shod with premium Continental tyres, 10.25-inch instrument digital cluster, head-up show, entrance park help system, energy adjustable heated and ventilated entrance seats, ambient lighting, LED headlights, entrance indicators and tail-lights, sunroof, heated rear outboard seats, excessive beam help, heated steering wheel and an electrochromatic inside mirror.

Additionally utilizing the Elite as its foundation, the N-Line comes with the aforementioned performance-oriented underpinnings and extra energy in addition to different sporting paraphernalia together with Continental rubber, sports activities entrance seats, crimson stitching, crimson inside accents and alloy pedals.

The N-Line Premium in the meantime aligns extra carefully with the Highlander, mixing most of the luxurious providing’s options with the sporting theme of the N-Line.

Normal equipment right here over the common N-Line consists of the ten.25-inch digital instrument cluster, head-up show, energy adjustable heated and ventilated entrance seats, heated rear outboard seats and steering wheel, electrochromatic inside mirror, ambient lighting, entrance park help system, LED headlights, entrance indicators and tail-lights, excessive beam help and sunroof.

HMCA chief government Jun Heo stated the Kona had grown to grow to be one of many model’s hottest fashions in simply three years with the brand new mannequin certain to construct on that success.

“New 2021 Kona builds on the qualities which have drawn small SUV consumers to the mannequin, with an attention-grabbing new look, new N Line sports activities variants, and extra normal consolation, comfort, know-how and SmartSense security options,” he stated.

HMCA bought 64,807 new vehicles nationally final 12 months, 12,514 of which have been Konas, making it HMCA’s third best-selling mannequin behind the i30 (20,734) and Tucson (15,789), occupying 12.9 per cent of the sub-$40,000 compact SUV section.

2021 Hyundai Kona pricing*