Overview
HYUNDAI has launched its all-new Kona Hybrid vary from this month (December), the petrol-electric (HEV) mannequin becoming a member of petrol (ICE) and battery electrical (BEV) variants in a complete vary that guarantees to swimsuit a wider buyer base than ever earlier than.
Priced from $36,000 plus on-road prices, the Kona vary asks solely $4000 extra for the extremely environment friendly Hybrid mannequin, which is predicted to compete with the likes of Small phase SUV rivals together with the GWM Haval Jolion (from $36,990 drive-away), Honda HR-V ($47,000 drive-away) Toyota Corolla Cross (from $36,480 + ORC).
Domestically, Hyundai will supply the Kona Hybrid in the identical trim grades as its petrol-powered sibling (which has been on sale right here since July), with Kona (entry), Premium, Kona N-Line and N-Line Premium variations out there.
Underneath the bonnet, a 104kW/265Nm petrol-electric hybrid mixture drives the entrance wheels by a six-speed dual-clutch transmission and is claimed to supply mixed cycle gas consumption of simply 3.9 litres per 100km – an enormous saving over the front-drive petrol model’s 6.6L/100km declare.
The newly provided Kona Hybrid combines a 1.6-litre petrol engine with a 32kW/170Nm electrical drive motor and 1.32kWh lithium-ion battery pack with 5.5Ah capability and 8kW/35Nm starter/generator for improved effectivity.
Additional, reverse gearing is dealt with solely by the starter/generator, permitting for easier operation and effectivity positive factors for the dual-clutch transmission.
The Hyundai Kona hybrid additional introduces three-stage regenerative braking with a brand new Full Cease operate and electrical dynamic torque vectoring management for enhanced dealing with and diminished understeer.
The brand new Kona measures 185mm longer, 20mm wider and 30mm greater than the outgoing mannequin and rides on a 60mm longer wheelbase.
Consequently, the second-generation Kona gives higher inside (+77mm extra legroom and +11mm extra headroom) and cargo house than its predecessor, the boot now 407 litres (+33 litres) with the rear seats in place and 1241 litres (+85 litres) all informed.
Cabin highlights embody a 12.3-inch infotainment array, BlueLink related automotive companies and shift-by-wire gear selector acquainted to different fashions within the Hyundai secure.
Kona Hybrid variants function 18-inch alloy wheels as normal gear alongside LED headlights and tail-lights and dual-zone local weather management.
The Premium trim provides an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system and a powered tailgate, whereas the N-Line bundle provides colour-coded physique cladding and aerodynamic enhancements, gloss black wing mirror caps, 19-inch wheels, twin projector-style headlights and a sports activities exhaust system externally with leather-based/Alcantara mixture upholstery and sporty garnishing inside.
Paint colors unique to N-Line comprise Cyber Gray, Neoteric Yellow and Soultronic Orange. Six hues can be found on Kona and Kona Premium grades together with Atlas White, Ecotronic Gray, Final Crimson, Mirage Inexperienced, Denim Blue and Abyss Black.
Inside finishes embody Obsidian Black fabric on Kona grades, Obsidian Black, Gentle Shale Gray or Sage Inexperienced leather-based on Kona Premium, and leather-based and Alcantara mixture upholstery on N-Line variants.
All grades obtain Hyundai SmartSense lively security applied sciences together with a 360-degree digicam system, adaptive cruise management, entrance and rear AEB, blind spot view and collision avoidance, lane following and maintaining help, rear cross-traffic alert, seven airbags, and extra.
Choices embody a panoramic sunroof ($1500), premium paint ($595), and Gentle Gray Shale or Sage Inexperienced inside ($295).
Driving Impressions
The preliminary leg of our drive in Hyundai’s latest Kona Hybrid passed off on the easily paved streets of Canberra the place the flowing roundabouts and flat pavement translated to a relaxed and quiet journey, usually with little petrol intervention.
It’s these eventualities to which a HEV is nicely suited – extra electrical bias, petrol as required – and the place the Kona Hybrid actually shines.
Certain, it might not have the gusto of some rivals, the naturally aspirated petrol engine and electrical combo wants a beneficiant prod of the throttle to carry out, however it isn’t a problem on Canberra streets, and never particularly in order we meander south by Cooma and past.
In testing the Kona Hybrid at launch, Hyundai was eager to show the mettle of its newly launched small-segment SUV, permitting GoAuto the chance to pattern the automotive away from its ‘pure’ atmosphere, the place maybe much less beneficial traits can be found.
It’s usually an enormous name – particularly at a launch – for an importer to take, however Hyundai needn’t have apprehensive.
The Kona Hybrid makes its strategy to freeway speeds successfully and cruises capably as soon as there. Bigger inclines and hurried overtaking manoeuvres might even see the gearbox work slightly more durable than was wanted on the town, however this doesn’t come as a shock – even when the feeling of a particular dual-clutch shift does.
Maybe the feeling is exaggerated within the absence of any evident transition between the petrol and electrical engine. In that respect, the Kona Hybrid is clean, and strikes out and in of combustion energy with little vibration or noise. It is just actually when pushed laborious that any signal of protest is heard or felt.
However depart the Kona Hybrid to do its factor and settle into the rhythm of the open highway and progress is swift and easy.
We did discover the lane maintaining, driver monitoring and velocity signal recognition techniques fairly overbearing, however luckily these might be dialled down (or off) upon beginning the automotive and can stay so till the engine is subsequent shutdown. Pleasingly, even with mentioned techniques muted, the adaptive cruise management and lane detection work splendidly nicely – including to, and never detracting from, the open-road expertise.
Because the Snowy Mountains become visible, and the corners and grades enhance, the Kona Hybrid once more finds a rhythm that’s simply settled into. The physique management and weight steadiness ahead to rear is much better than ought to be anticipated of a front-wheel drive hybrid. Adjustments in course move simply, the car’s pitch responding dutifully to throttle enter, even within the extra torpid Eco mode. Dial up Sport mode, and it’s stunning how a lot the Kona Hybrid has to offer – and virtually with out fully destroying the gas financial system common we’d labored laborious to realize.
There is no such thing as a doubt HEVs work finest within the lower and thrust of stop-start metropolis site visitors, and the numbers displayed on the Kona’s crystal-clear show screens show the speculation. On the town, we noticed as little as 4.3 litres per 100km with out actually attempting, whereas on the open highway, that quantity climbed a litre greater as much less electrical motivation was required.
Meandering southward, and because the situation of the highway degrades, it’s relieving to seek out the Kona Hybrid take Victorian “tarmac” in its stride. Excusing slightly tyre thrum, the 19-inch wheels of our N-Line check automotive are stored in test by the progressive nature of the damping permitting few laborious strikes to upset the journey.
The electrically assisted steering is raring, however not too sharp, providing the form of precision welcomed on winding stretches of nation highway. It’s not too gentle, both, providing a formidable degree of element to be felt from up entrance, one thing few on this class handle to muster.
Combining all of the above traits with sensible regenerative braking and a sweetly tapered brake pedal motion the Kona Hybrid is cohesive and pleasing to drive – way over an eco-flavoured SUV ought to be, actually.
We actually loved the cabin house and located the steering column adjustment and seating place nicely matched to lengthy stints on the wheel. There’s loads of lateral help within the driver’s pew, and a terrific view forward, helped alongside by that barely elevated place Aussie drivers appear to favor.
The secondary controls fall at hand simply, and with laborious buttons for local weather, quantity and different often-used controls there may be little must be consistently poking on the display screen. That mentioned, it’s one of many higher menu techniques to navigate being each well-presented and logical in its sequencing.
For those who’re the kind of driver who appreciates a succesful chassis, a cost-effective engine, and a snug cabin the Hyundai Kona Hybrid is nicely value a check drive. In our view it’s a lot higher introduced than a lot of its speedy rivals with a high quality match and end that belies its value.
Prime that with a protracted guarantee, glorious around-town gas financial system and stand-out seems, and we reckon the Kona Hybrid represents terrific worth for cash.