Driven: 2019 Hyundai Kona Bold style matched by agility
Good things do indeed come in small packages. That is certainly the case with the Hyundai Kona. The company may have been a bit tardy in joining the sub-compact utility vehicle fight, but the Kona fits right in with the looks, features and pricing to compete.
Let there be no doubt, this is the category where the action is, it has grown from fewer than 25,000 units in 2013 to 70,000 last year and expected to pass 100,000 units by 2020.
The Kona really is a cute ute. Its exterior design, under the guidance of Peter Schreyer, ensures it stands apart from the pack.
The interior is a different story — entirely mainstream. Quality materials, applied with precision to a conventional layout — a full width character line and round instruments and elements.
Perched above the centre stack is a large, full-colour screen to control infotainment (audio and navigation) systems that include provision for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There are nice, big round knobs for major functions. The HVAC system has its own area in the centre stack, again with knobs for control. The driver faces a pair of large instruments for engine and vehicle speed with fuel and temperature indicators in their lower quadrants.
Upper trim levels come with a bright and clear heads-up display. It places vital information on speed, navigation, lane departure warning and audio high up in front of the driver; it is thus not necessary to take your eyes off the road to read this information elsewhere.
Those with a newer smartphone will welcome the available wireless charging system on all trim levels. Positioned at the front of the centre console, it will advise you when the phone is charged and give an audible warning if you attempt to leave the vehicle with your phone still on the charging pad.
The Kona is one of the new sub-compact utes. But you don’t get that impression from the front seats. The second row is class competitive. Two will fit easily but three will be uncomfortable. The cargo area is commensurate for a vehicle casting a shadow this size and mid-pack versus the competition. The two-position cargo floor allows you to hide objects below from prying eyes or place in a lower position to maximize cargo space.
There are five trim levels. The Kona beats the competition when it comes to standard equipment at all price points.
Even the most basic version (Essential, $21,000) comes with a 17-cm touchscreen with Apple Carplay and Android Auto compatibility, rear-view camera, automatic headlights, wireless connectivity, cruise control, heated front seats, remote keyless entry, power windows and locks.
As you move up the trim and price ladder you add: Preferred ($22,749) — heated steering wheel, alloy wheels, rear park assist, heated mirrors; Luxury ($27,500) AWD, power sunroof, leather seats, a/c, power driver’s seat, lane keep assist, forward collision avoidance, autonomous emergency braking, and satellite radio; Trend ($26,899) — turbo engine, heads-up display, larger alloy wheels, unique front and rear appearance, automatic climate control; Ultimate ($31,800) — LED headlights, larger info screen, wireless phone charger, premium sound system, LCD instrument cluster, and automatic temperature controls.
Depending on trim level, there are two engines. A normallyaspirated 2.0-litre four sends up to 147 horsepower to the front or all four wheels through a conven- tional six-speed automatic transmission on the first three trim levels, and a turbocharged 1.6-litre four putting out 175 horses, comes in the top two trim levels. AWD is a $2,000 option in the two lower trim level and standard on all others. A seven-speed dual clutch automatic comes with the turbocharged engine.
The test vehicle came in Trend trim with the turbo-four, AWD and seven-speed automatic.
Thanks to its light weight and the added poke from the turbo engine, this is a lively little ute with good power and a comfortable ride. Models with AWD get a different rear suspension — multiple links in place of a solid axle. This aids both handling and ride quality. The Kona is built on a new platform developed specifically for utility vehicles.
The structure is extremely stiff, with more than half made from high strength steel. The rigidity is readily apparent when you come across nasty surface changes.
The Kona is the fourth and smallest member of the Hyundai’s utility vehicle line. The company thinks it will attract singles and pre-children young couples. I predict this good looking, well equipped and competitivelypriced cute ute will quickly move to the top of the sales charts.
The specs
Model: 2018 Hyundai Kona
Trend 1.6T
Engine: Turbocharged, 1.6-litre, four-cylinder, 174 horsepower, 195 lb.-ft. of torque, regular fuel
Transmission: Seven-speed dual clutch automatic
NRCAN rating (litres/100km city/highway): 9.0 / 8.0
Length: 4,165 mm
Width: 1,800 mm Wheelbase: 2,600 mm
Weight: 1,517 kg
Price: $26,899 as tested, plus freight
Competition: Chevy Trax, Ford Eco Sport, Honda HR-V, Jeep Renegade, Kia Soul, Mazda CX-3, Subaru Crosstrek
Standard equipment: 18-inch alloy wheels, blind spot collision warning with rear cross-traffic alert and lane change warning, heated front seats, mirrors and steering wheel, remote keyless entry, 20-cm touchscreen, rear view camera, Android Auto and Apple Carplay connectivity, tilt and telescope steering wheel, cruise control, power windows, locks and mirrors, rear park assist, power sunroof, automatic climate control, power driver seat, autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, driver attention assist, satellite radio, luggage net
Options on test vehicle: None