Easygoing addition to a fierce market

The Kona brings good equipment and a pleasant drive to the dog-eat-dog world of compact SUVs, writes Rob Auchterlonie

Cut throat just isn’ t an adequate word when it comes to the compact SUV market these days.

Crammed might be better, because you’d be hard pressed to find a manufacturer who doesn’t have one vying for your attention in the pages of their glossy brochures or online.

It’s been too good a gig to miss out on, and the British public just can’t seem to get enough of them.

They’re all built on sound underpinnings – SEAT’s Arona is a pumped up Ibiza, Kia’s Stonic has morphed from the Rio and Hyundai’s Kona has its origins in the decent i20.

And this is where it gets interesting. You could go for the 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol. But why would you when at the top of the ranges its a175bhp 1.6- litre turbo charged petrol unit with a seven-speed auto box and four-wheel drive. Which makes it just a bit more interesting.

Like your cars to be compact yet roomy and zippy? Here it is, its only downside being the price is a bit stiff at £26,245 (as tested here). Still, you do get a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty to soften the blow somewhat.

It’s taller than your average hatchback body, meaning it’s a bit susceptible to leaning over – but not alarmingly so – if you’ re too enthusiastic through corners, but the 4wd hangs on well enough and its steering has that precision feel that gives you a good idea what’s going on at the front. Nicely weighted, it requires little effort.

And with a seven-speed auto box that changes swiftly the only thing that’ll really require your undivided attention – apart from everything else on the road–is th esp on gey nature of the brake pedal.

A body with relatively thin pillars and tall windows means visibility isn’t hampered too much apart from looking over your shoulder when the C pillar proves a bit of a hindrance. Thank goodness for rear park sensors and a rear camera.

Seats in the Premium GT version here are all electric and offer a wide range of adjustment, meaning drivers of all shapes and all sizes should be able to settle down behind the wheel in relative comfort.

Some cars seem to arrive in showrooms these days with steering wheels sporting more buttons than a big girl’s blouse, and Kona (a name that has unfortunate connotations in the homeland of a Portuguese friend) is no exception. There are also two big dials dominating the binnacle ahead of the driver, with the info at your fingertips displayed in between.

Top of the range models gets a eight-inch touchscreen system, wireless phone charging, an eight speaker Krell sound system( never heard of that one before) and an interior that feels well put together, even if there is an overuse of hard plastics.

In the rear you get a 60/40 split to the seat which you might need to utilise as the boot measures up at below the class average.

SE trim gets you get a seveninch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as 17-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, auto headlights, rear parking sensors and rear camera.

Premium trim adds 18-inch wheels, climate control and keyless start and entry, while Premium GT gives you power folding door mirrors, a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats.