Overview
HYUNDAI has gone large with its all-new Kona small SUV vary, with the second-generation mannequin vary including extra powertrain choices, extra tech and security gear, and extra measurement.
The model says the brand new mannequin is ready to turn out to be the brand new ‘default small automotive’ in its line-up, as extra Australian new-car consumers transfer to small SUVs. And with a broader vary and extra choices obtainable to consumers, there’s a first rate likelihood that the majority might be catered for, and Hyundai goals to proceed to command at the least 10 per cent market share within the extremely aggressive small SUV area.
That’s what the last-gen Kona managed over six years on sale, and that was with a extra restricted mannequin vary. This time round there’s a line-up comprising petrol 2WD, turbo-petrol AWD, petrol-electric hybrid and EV variations, although the electrified variations are nonetheless months away from launching right here.
This evaluation, then, will deal with the petrol fashions. The entry-level engine possibility is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder ‘MPi’ with 110kW and 180Nm, which is teamed to a CVT automated transmission and is front-wheel drive, with official mixed cycle gasoline use of 6.6 litres per 100km.
The opposite petrol engine is the T-GDi 1.6-litre turbo-four, with 146kW of energy and 265Nm of torque, and it comes mated to an eight-speed automated transmission (not the lurchy dual-clutch auto), and it has all-wheel drive as normal. Official gasoline consumption for it’s pegged at 7.6L/100km.
Additionally normal on the turbo-petrol fashions is the N Line package deal, which features a set of 19-inch wheels, exterior physique equipment and styling package deal with color coded bumpers, a giant twin-fin rear spoiler, twin exhaust retailers, and inside it scores a black-and-red look with leather-based and Alcantara trim.
There are two totally different trim grades to select from, as nicely. The entry-level Kona begins at $32,000 (plus on-road prices) for the two.0 MPi and $40,000 for the 1.6 T-GDi N Line AWD. If you would like the N Line pack on the bottom petrol, that can value four-grand extra ($36,000 +ORC).
Hyundai’s rival to the Nissan Qashqai, Toyota Corolla Cross and Kia Seltos has grown to raised align with these automobiles, and together with increased pricing, the vary has seen a rise in normal gear on provide.
The entry-grade Kona has normal LED exterior lighting, 18-inch alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch touchscreen media system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry, push-button begin, dual-zone local weather management, fabric seat trim, a leather-lined steering wheel and shifter, and an array of security tech together with autonomous emergency braking, lane maintaining help, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, entrance and rear parking sensors and a reversing digital camera.
There’s additionally the much-maligned velocity restrict recognition and warning system which have to be turned off each time you drive the automotive if you happen to don’t need it beeping to inform you when it thinks the velocity has modified, otherwise you’re driving a few kays over what it believes is the restrict. It bought it unsuitable on a number of events in the course of the launch drive.
Additional, there’s now a driver monitoring digital camera for fatigue administration, and this can be very irritating, too,
When you step as much as the Kona Premium grade ($39,500 for the two.0 MPi, $46,500 for the 1.6 T-GDi) brings a totally digital instrument cluster (12.3-inch) with the Group’s camera-based blind-spot view monitor, a encompass view digital camera, facet parking sensors, LED dual-projector headlights and LED indicators entrance and rear, whereas inside you get a heap extra options like heated and ventilated entrance seats, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, electrical entrance seat adjustment, leather-based trim, an eight-speaker Bose stereo, sat nav, and an influence tailgate.
Choices obtainable embrace the N Line pack ($4000 on Kona, $3000 on Kona Premium), a sunroof ($1500), and there are 9 totally different colors obtainable, relying on the spec you select, whereas three totally different leather-based trim choices are additionally on provide, however once more it relies upon which model you purchase.
The step as much as the Premium grade actually does make the inside really feel significantly extra luxurious and upmarket, with the entry-grade Kona lacking some key objects like an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and tender padded armrests on the doorways. There may be additionally a special shifter within the base mannequin and which means you miss out on the extra sensible retractable cup-holders between the seats.
Again seat area has improved vastly over the first-gen mannequin. Whereas it nonetheless will not be as capacious as a GWM Haval Jolion within the again, this 182cm tester managed to fit behind his personal driving place with ample foot, knee and headroom.
There may be nonetheless a big transmission tunnel intrusion, so three adults throughout is likely to be a squeeze, however there are directional air-vents and two USB-C cost factors within the second row, together with mesh map pockets, bottle holders and the requisite child-seat anchor factors (ISOFIX within the window seats, three top-tethers) to make this an appropriate household automotive possibility.
Boot area has grown to a class-competitive 407 litres, too, and there’s a space-saver spare wheel beneath the adjustable boot ground, too. One good contact – as within the Venue – is that the parcel shelf might be eliminated and slotted behind the rear seats.
Hyundai is standing by its five-year/unlimited-kilometre guarantee, and consumers have a selection of pay as you go or pay-as-you-go servicing. The primary 5 providers are pegged at $399 per go to, whether or not you select 2WD or AWD. However word, the turbo AWD mannequin has shorter service intervals – 12 months/10,000km, versus 12 months/15,000km for the two.0 MPi 2WD.
When you preserve your car with Hyundai you rating lifetime roadside help, too.
Driving impressions
For many clients, crucial Kona mannequin has not but arrived. The hybrid is anticipated to account for greater than 40 per cent of gross sales, based mostly on Hyundai’s estimates. However for individuals who are searching for a extra conventional small SUV, the two.0 MPi or 1.6 T-GDi AWD – each acquainted from the Kia Seltos – provide rather a lot to love.
Beginning with the bottom engine and CVT, there’s ample pulling energy and nice refinement. It doesn’t really feel like a CVT from the dangerous outdated days; as an alternative, the transmisison makes actually good use of the modest energy and torque outputs, and whereas there’s a little bit of a raucousness to it beneath actually laborious acceleration, it is vitally habitable in city driving.
The turbo-petrol with all-wheel drive is definitely the fanatic’s selection, because it affords a heap extra punch and a extra pleasurable eight-speed auto, which affords snappy and good shifts in any respect speeds. The all-wheel drive system is fairly helpful within the bends, too.
Dynamics are first rate, with a firm-ish experience and light-weight however correct steering, although the steering is a bit missing in tighter corners.
The physique in all fairness nicely managed, although at occasions there is usually a little bit of an unbalanced sensation between entrance and rear axles in additional demanding street eventualities. The tyres on the bottom automotive aren’t spectacular by way of grip, both.
The refinement on provide, although, makes this really feel like a much more superior and polished small SUV than the primary Kona, and it is going to be very attention-grabbing to see how the hybrid and EV fashions stack up. Extra protection to comply with within the coming months.
