Hyundai 2018 Kona small crossover offers all-wheel drive

FOR 2018, Hyundai has added a new subcompact crossover SUV to its line-up, with lots to offer for the money and features buyers want in a versatile family vehicle, as well as Hyundai’s excellent warranty.

The new Kona is available in four trims: SE, $19,500; SEL, $21,150; Limited, $24,700; and Ultimate, $27,400.

Front-wheel drive is standard, with allwheel drive adding $1,300. AWD comes with a more-sophisticated rear suspension for a morecomposed ride, and a locking center differential to enhance off-road traction.

Kona SE and SEL come with a 147-hp 2.0-liter four- cylinder engine, with a six-speed automatic transmission. Limited and Ultimate (the one I drove) have a 175-hp 1.6-liter turbocharged four- cylinder, paired with a seven-speed EcoShift dual- clutch automatic transmission.

Exterior styling includes heavy creasing on the hood, front and rear fenders, door panels and rear quarters to the taillights, and rocker panels. Gray body cladding extends from the wheel arches to include the headlight and taillight housings.

Five LED lights make up the distinct slim Daytime Running Lights at the junction of the hood and front fascia. Kona’s six-sided grille is trimmed in chrome and has a slightly curved side.

My Kona Ultimate with AWD was metallic Thunder Gray with Black leather interior (seating, steering wheel, shift knob) trimmed in Lime Green and Gloss Black. Lime Green on the lighted start button, round side air vents, elongated dual center vents, and shifter surround, along with piping and top-stitching on front seat bolsters, and front and rear headrests, and top-stitching on rear outboard seats added a touch of fun. Interior materials were average, with hard plastics textured for appearance and feel.

The five-spoke 18-inch wheels were attractive, with silver-painted machined fronts and gray painted pockets. The spokes were canted from the hub for an interesting effect. wheel and shift knob, heated front seats, BlindSpot Monitoring with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, and satellite radio over the base equipment on the SE. The sunroof and power-adjustable driver’s seats that were options were also added. LED taillights, 18-inch wheels, and leather upholstery were added above the SEL.

Also included were automatic wipers, Hyundai Blue Link communications, a Head-up Display, an eight-inch touch screen, a navigation system, a wireless charging pad on the center console, and a 4.2-inch color Multi-Information Display (shows distance to empty, average fuel consumption, average speed, elapsed time, and instant fuel consumption).

The Hyundai Smart Sense suite of advanced safety features including Forward CollisionAvoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Driver Attention Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, High Beam Assist, and an Infinity premium audio with Clari-Fi Music Restoration Technology, eight speakers including subwoofer and external amplifier were exclusive to the Ultimate.

Driver Attention Warning analyzes driving patterns and warns the driver via audible tone or visual alert on the instrument panel that it is time for a break. Kona Ultimate is the only vehicle in its class to offer wireless charging and the Driver Attention Warning system. All advanced safety features are well tuned to avoid annoying false alarms.

The eight-inch touch screen has a Rear View Monitor with parking guidance for safely backing up and parking.

Blue Link, Hyundai’s Connected Car Service, allows owners to start and cool or warm the vehicle with a few taps in a smartphone/smartwatch app or by saying “Alexa, start my car and set the temperature at X degrees.” The vehicle will run for 10 minutes, or a timer may be set, and the doors remain locked.

Also using a smartphone/ smartwatch/ connected home device and a PIN, doors can be locked/ unlocked. Doors lock after 30 seconds if not opened.

With an app or in- car voice commands, destination search by Google will help locate a restaurant, gas station, etc., and send directions to the vehicle’s navigation system. Blue Link will help locate your car – within a one-mile radius, and drop a pin on a map on your smartphone. A stolen car can be located sooner, its location provided to law enforcement, and the engine immobilized until it is recovered.

In case you need roadside assistance, Blue Link can provide an assistance staff member the exact location of your vehicle. Blue Link also provides parents with peace of mind with Geofence, curfew, and speed alerts to help keep track of young drivers.

Blue Link also provides automatic collision notification and assistance if an accident causes air bags to deploy. An SOS button allows the operator to contact 911 anytime. A text or email notification can alert a designated person/people if the panic button has been triggered.

Important information such as speed, cruise control, navigation turn-by-turn, and safety features such as blind-spot warning were projected on a pop-up transparent panel just above the instrument panel on the dash in the driver’s line of sight, so eyes never needed to leave the road.

Kona is a versatile vehicle, seating up to five, with above average cargo space at 19.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 45.8 cubic feet with the seat folded, while being small enough to navigate tight spaces and park easily.

The ride is smooth on most roads, but a little rough on broken pavement. Road noise came through on almost every surface, although not enough to be intrusive.

The drive was easy, with only a slight delay out of the gate, getting up to speed quickly and shifting smoothly. Visibility forward and around curves is good, with the rearview camera filling in the spaces while in reverse. Braking is appropriately firm, while poised and controllable under heavy braking.

Kona isn’t a serious off-road vehicle, but some of us like to take a road less traveled, and Kona does that with ease and comfort. Hill Brake Control was welcome on the steeper roads I encountered.

The Hyundai Kona has a 10 years/100,00 miles powertrain warranty, 5 years/60,000 miles new vehicle warranty, 7 years perforation warranty, and 5 years 24/7 Roadside Assistance with towing, trip interruption assistance (lodging if needed), help for a flat tire, dead battery, or if you run out of gas.