Hyundai Kona (SCRIPT)

The side profile is also appealing as a result of the sporty silhouette, which is enhanced by bold creases and sharp lines running down the vehicle’s length. The standard alloy wheels are 16 inches, while the mid-spec premium and top-spec ultimate range wheels are larger at 18 inches. Roof rails, electrically adjustable doors, and heated door mirrors are all standard features. Privacy glass is also included on the rear and tailgate windows.

Dimensions: Now the Kona comes in at 1,565mm in height, 1,800mm in width and 4,205mm in length.

The rear of the vehicle has a lot to admire, with the prominent rear spoiler, the privacy glass rear window, the metallic rear bumper, and the rear taillights. Hyundia has done an excellent job with the overall appearance of the Kona.

Manually opening the tailgate reveals that there is no electrically operated option available; even with the highest specifications, you have 374 liters of capacity available. which is quite reasonable for a vehicle of this size, not to mention that none of the available space has been compromised in any way. Now, there are four hooks dotted around the boot where you can attach objects that like to roll around. I would have liked to see some netted compartments within the boot, but unfortunately, that is not the case.

To access the extended capacity, simply pull the leavers up from either side to release the seats, which will then slide down easily, giving you a capacity of 1,156L in total. Unfortunately, as you can see, there is a slight incline, making sliding anything up difficult. Now, practicality is not too bad, but how does the Kona drive? Stay tuned for the next part of the video, where we will take you for a test drive.

Interior

The Kona’s interior has a much more modern look and feel than its predecessor, but there is not much material variety. The available space is quite adequate; the driver has a nice sized compartment to play with, and headroom is very good, at around 5’11 I am very snug, so drivers over 6 feet should not have any problems.

The seats are manually adjustable as standard, but if you choose the top-spec ultimate grade, the driver’s seat can be adjusted electronically.

Unfortunately, lumber support is not included as standard; you must upgrade to premium or ultimate grades to get it, and you will also gain access to heated and ventilated front seats.

Black cloth-upholstered seats are standard, while black leather seats are available on higher-end models.

The Kona also comes standard with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob, and if you upgrade to the premium or ultimate grade, you can also have a heated steering wheel.

Behind the wheel, you’ll find a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster that displays essential driving information like how much electric charge is left, how efficient you’re driving, fuel efficiency, and data.

As we move on to the central infotainment system, we can find that it is also 10.25 inches. The infotainment system offers split-screen capabilities, allowing you to view multiple apps at once. The infotainment system seamlessly integrates with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as DAB radio and Bluetooth. Drivers can also use the voice recognition system while cruising, which works pretty well.

Hyundai’s software runs smoothly; it is simple to navigate the menus, and it does not take 3-5 business days to load each menu or option.

The Kona comes standard with a four-speaker setup, two in the front and two in the back, but if you want something more immersive, I recommend the eight-speaker Krell system, which is available with the premium and ultimate grades.

The Kona also has a wireless charging pad, and the ultimate trims include a heads-up display.

(notes: test cupholders, check for sunroof.)

Unfortunately, the rear area can seem confined, and while headroom is adequate, passengers 6 feet or taller may just reach the top. The legroom is adequate; I can stretch out quite a bit, but the rear bench is uncomfortable due to its height. The space is adequate, however I would not recommend it for a trip with three adults.

Driving the Kona.

The Kona is a 1.6L 4-cylinder petrol engine that is mated to a 49 horsepower hybrid motor and a tiny 1.56 kw/h battery pack.

So, while driving, the motor generates electricity, which is used to charge the battery pack, allowing the car to start from a stop and travel at a slow speed.

One thing that stands out is the seamless integration of petrol and electric power. This is noticeable in most hybrids, but not in the Kona Hybrid, Everything is very seamless.

It is worth noting that the Kona Hybrid is not a plug-in Hybrid vehicle, so you will not be able to charge it at home, work, or even the supermarket. Instead, while you drive, the tiny battery is constantly topping itself up by braking, coasting, and decelerating; all of these actions that would otherwise waste energy are actually harvesting energy back into the battery, allowing you to be more efficient.

This powertrain drives the front wheels, producing 139 horsepower and a 0-62 time of 11.3 seconds, which is comparable to rivals such as the Kia E-Niro but, to be honest, is quite sluggish.

The automatic transmission, like other self-driving hybrid vehicles, responds slowly, so you must carefully judge traffic gaps.

Nonetheless, the Kona Hybrid is clearly intended for cruising, letting you to maximize fuel efficiency to the fullest extent feasible. Hyundai estimates you can get up to 58 mpg on the combined cycle, which is comparable to the Kia E-Niro. The Kona’s CO2 emissions are up to 115g per kilometer, placing it in the 28% Benefit in Kind or company tax range for 2022-2023. So, if you want to take advantage of even more enticing savings, choose the Kia Niro’s plug-in hybrid option or the Hyundia Kona Electric.

The 6-speed dual clutch automatic transmission provides a smooth and responsive driving experience, but under heavy acceleration, the engine sounds rather coarse as it downshifts to increase revs. This is similar to other self-charging hybrids, such as the Honda lineup. This simply means that the driving experience is not as engaging or enjoyable as other Hyundia models in the lineup.

The Kona Hybrid has very light steering, making it easy to maneuver around narrow city streets, but it lacks a lot of presition and feedback from the front tires.

The Kona’s standard safety features include cruise control with a speed limiter, driver attention alert, forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane follow assist, lane keep assist, and hill start assist.

A significant advantage of choosing Hyudnia is their excellent 5-year ultimate mileage warranty, which includes 5 years of annual vehicle health checks. You also have the option of using roadside assistance, which provides 24-hour coverage.