Hyundai joins in SUV rush
DON’T worry, you’re not seeing things – this is a review of yet another supermini-sized SUV. Car makers have spotted that this is the fastest growing sector of the market and have rushed to fill it. In this case it is Hyundai’s turn with the Kona.
It will be aimed at a young audience, according to Hyundai. The Korean firm freely admits this does not mean it will only be bought by 20 to 30-year-olds, rather that the small SUV will be bought by those who feel young – and that could just as easily be a 50- year-old as someone in their 20s.
Hyundai believes there will be an even mix of people buying the model as their main family car and those looking to buy a second, smaller car for local and shorter journeys. It expects to sell 12,000 Konas a year with – at least for the first year – around 80 per cent being bought by retail purchasers.
The majority will also be sold with petrol engines in the first year, partly because that will be the only choice for the first six months before a turbo-diesel and a hybrid version are added to the range. However it’s also because petrol is becoming more popular than diesel and it better suits small SUVs.
In a sector rapidly flooding with new entrants, styling can be make or break a car. Overall the shape of the Kona looks purposeful on the road and is chunky enough to give the impression of a solid SUV.
It doesn’t have the standout flair of rivals such as the Nissan Juke but this may be a good thing as that can put off potential small SUV buyers. While styling is subjective, if you look closely at some of the detailing there are aspects of the Kona which work and other aspects that don’t.
The plastic wheel arches – particularly the front ones – are a perfect example of this. While they give a rugged look, the way the front bumper and the surround to the lower set of lights wrap into the wheel arch seems odd and jarring. On the up-side, the contrasting roof colour does a neat job of emphasising its body lines.
Hyundai is also being braver than most rival brands by offering the Kona in not just one bright launch colour but a host of hues beyond the usual silvers and greys. The Kona will launch with a choice