The Hyundai Kona is one of the newest contenders in the subcompact crossover SUV market.
From the armada of Cadillac Escalades invading mall parking lots across America to the millions of the car-based crossovers dotting the nation's driveways, SUVs are everywhere these days While the idea of the SUV within the collective conscious may be that of a rugged off-roader, the vast majority of SUVs sold in the US are actually car-based crossovers. In many cases, they are nothing more than economy hatchbacks with some extra ride height. This is especially the case for entry-level subcompact crossovers SUVs. But, these "cute utes" have become increasingly popular thanks to the recent tidal wave of demand for SUVs. According to data from Kelley Blue Book, the segment accounts for 3.6% of the American auto market. While it doesn't have the sheer sales volume of the compact SUVs and full-size pickup trucks, it is still a rapidly growing segment. In 2018, automakers sold nearly 620,000 sub-compact crossover SUVs in the US that's up more than 30% over the previous year. One of the newest additions to the segment is the Hyundai Kona SUV. The base 2019 Hyundai Kona SE starts at R293,000 while the top-spec Kona Ultimate starts at R403,000. The mid-grade SEL and Limited trims start at R319,000 and R374,000 respectively. All-wheel-drive is available as an R20,500 option. Here's a closer look at the 2018 Hyundai Kona. It's the entry-level crossover SUV in Group 1 Hyundai's lineup and slots in just below the Tucson compact crossover. Let's start with the most controversial part of the Kona. Its styling. It's quirky and unconventional. I have to admit the modern looks fit the upbeat personality of the car. The front end is the least conventional part of the design. Even though the hexagonal Hyundai corporate grille takes up the most real estate, it's the headlight setup that receives the most attention. The LED running lights are up top and the fog lamps are at the bottom. The actual headlamps are actually located midway between the two. The Kona is 4.18 m long and 1.55 m tall. The Kona's side profile is highlighted by its pronounced wheel haunches and short rear overhang and it’s spiffy alloy wheels.
The rear end is also modern and a bit unconventional. Inside, the Kona is far more conventional. The car's interior feels well-put-together with quality materials. The 8-way power leather seats are remarkably supportive. The cabin is well designed and easy to use. In front of the driver is a pair of clear and concise analogue gauges that flank a 4.2-inch colour information display. Lower-spec Konas come standard with a 3.5-inch display. Ultimate trim Konas come standard with this flip-up colour head-up display and is equipped with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment display. All other Kona trim levels come standard with a seven-inch unit. The infotainment system is remarkably easy and straightforward to use. The on-screen prompts mesh well with the physical buttons located around the screen. All Kona's come standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The backup camera also lives in the touchscreen. The Kona is also available with wireless charging. The Kona's second-row boasts ample room for two adults. There are 87.88 cm of legroom and 96 cm of headroom. You'll find 543,68 litres of space in the back. Fold down the rear seats and capacity goes up to 1296.91 litres. Under the cargo floor is a storage tray which covers up the spare tire. Lower trim Konas come with a 2.0 litre, 147 horsepower, naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that's paired with a traditional six-speed automatic. EPA fuel economy estimates for the AWD Turbo Kona are 11.05 kpl city, 12.33 kpl highway, and 11.48 kpl combined. For those who want to take the Kona off-road, there is 17 cm of ground clearance. The all-wheel-drive system comes with a locking centre differential. An uncommon sight in crossovers of its type. The Hyundai Kona is one of the most impressive small crossovers we've driven. The turbocharged engine and dual-clutch transmission work well together, delivering its bountiful power with aplomb. The chassis feels tight and well sorted. The torque vectoring system makes the already nimble little crossover even more capable around the twisty bits. To say we were surprised would be an understatement. The Hyundai Kona is a seriously good little crossover. What stood out to us was all the features one wouldn't normally find in a subcompact crossover. Features such as torque vectoring, a locking centre differential, a head-up display, and dual-clutch transmission. Hyundai certainly didn't cut corners with the Kona. So, if you're in the market for a fun little crossover SUV, don't worry about the funky styling, the Hyundai Kona is well worth it. Original article from: https://www.businessinsider.com/
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
|