The News (New Glasgow)

Kona’s bold style matched by its agility

- RICHARD RUSSELL

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 twopositio­n 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-centimetre 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 convention­al six-speed automatic transmissi­on on the first three trim levels, and a turbocharg­ed 1.6litre 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, wellequipp­ed and competitiv­ely priced cute ute will quickly move to the top of the sales charts.

 ?? HYUNDAI PHOTOS ?? Thanks to its light weight and the added poke from the turbo engine, the 2019 Hyundai Kona is a lively sub-compact utility vehicle with good power and a comfortabl­e ride.
HYUNDAI PHOTOS Thanks to its light weight and the added poke from the turbo engine, the 2019 Hyundai Kona is a lively sub-compact utility vehicle with good power and a comfortabl­e ride.
 ??  ?? The Kona beats the competitio­n when it comes to standard equipment at all price points.
The Kona beats the competitio­n when it comes to standard equipment at all price points.

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