Vancouver, British Columbia. South Korean automaker Hyundai is falling behind in the subcompact crossover category, one of the most active segments in the industry in recent years, but now it’s here. Your new Kona 2018 can make things happen quickly.
According to Hyundai’s public relations, the interest in style is so intense that it is the most visited style on Hyundai Canada’s official website, ahead of the greats like the Santa Fe and elantra. The new Kona 2018 is now available to consumers, so we couldn’t wait to get in and see for ourselves if the new Hyundai has what it takes to attract the youngest it points to.
The look is not all Array … but it helps One thing is for sure: the Kona’s design obviously aims to differentiate it from the rest, with its wings regulated through black plastic (extending to the front) and the 3 rows of Lighting Accessories: a design detail that was first attempted at the Nissan Juke a few years ago. As in this model, the upper luminaires are the luminaires of the hours of sunlight; below are the lighting fixtures of the headlights and at the back are the fog lighting fixtures. It is also worth noting the new front grille, which in the past was noticed in other recent models of the logo and above which is a false inlet of air.
Another detail that is difficult to overlook is the C-pillar, a plastic insert that adds a small extra touch to the Kona’s silhouette. At the rear, the position lights are as thin as those found in the Tucson, while underneath, the black plastic wings surround the taillights, just as they do at the front.
Like many of its competitors, the Hyundai Kona is available in a number of eye-catching color combinations, no more on its face than acid yellow. Do you want to stand out on the road?
The 2018 Hyundai Kona comes to market in five versions (Preferred, Essential, Luxury, Trend and Ultimate). The latter two are supplied with a 4-cylinder turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and all-wheel drive. The other 3 are content with a 4-cylinder, 2.0-liter atmospheric engine, which, for the first two versions, buyers can charge the optional all-wheel drive.
Inside Once you enter the inside of the Kona, the first thing you notice is the very easy-to-use dashboard, whose main feature is the 7-inch center screen. I take my hat off to designers for adding a series of good-sized buttons to the sides, which makes everything less difficult to wear. In higher versions, you also get a front display screen; The translucent screen can be activated at the touch of a button. But unlike the Mazda CX-3, this display is sealed under a plastic panel when not in use.
The good news is that the Kona’s guide wheel is excellent for holding, a sophisticated signal that the manufacturer is attentive to the driving experience. Among frontline passengers, the console includes shift lever, heated seat controls and driving modes, and even wireless charging for smartphones equipped with this technology. To this end, Hyundai has also included two classic charging ports, an auxiliary input and a USB port. This SUV knows the connectivity desires of its target buyers!
After waiting a smart hour at the Kona for a ferry that would take me to Vancouver Island, I was able to verify the point of convenience of the front seats. At the rear, the area is surprisingly less generous and the seat less tight, however, is a must for all small urban SUVs. The same can be said of the safe; Like others in your segment, the shipping area is not impressive.
Two possible engine selections With the exception of two FCA models, the Jeep Renegade and the Fiat 500X, the 2018 Hyundai Kona 2018 is the only one in its segment that offers buyers a selection of mechanics. The default engine is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, which, in terms of numbers, strongly aligns it with the maximum of the engines offered in the class. It works with a 6-speed automatic transmission with manual mode available through gears. The two reduced versions are popular with front-wheel drive, however, Hyundai offers optional all-wheel drive. From the luxury model, this option is transformed into a popular equipment.
Another higher point, the Kona gets the 4-cylinder turbocharged 1.6-liter, which delivers 175 horsepower and a lot of torque (195 pound-feet). In addition, this edition features a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, more sporty than the base box.
At the time of the model’s launch, Hyundai Canada had all-wheel drive models available; we haven’t had the chance to see the front-wheel drive versions, which are content with a momentary turn bar shaft, a more rudimentary configuration than Konas’s all-wheel-drive multi-arm suspension systems.
At the wheelThis first drive of one of the most highly anticipated models of the past several months revealed to us a car that is as agile as advertised, whether you’re scooting around town or out on winding country roads. The drive modes (ECO, NORMAL and SPORT) do change the character of the vehicle somewhat, although this does not apply to the turbo model. Of the two, mind you, the latter is definitely the sportier sibling; its mechanics are much more supple than the basic 4-cylinder. Thanks to its much more efficient gear changing, that 7-speed transmission also makes the Kona a lot more fun to drive.
That said, the 2.0L has nothing to be ashamed of in relation to the turbo, even if the accelerations are a louder affair. This actually leads to a weak point of the Kona: sound insulation around the wheel arches is insufficient.
Although driving higher than a subcompact car, the Kona is incredibly impartial in high-speed corners. The force guide is precise, the suspension company reassuring. And as for braking, it’s enough even if the pedal is a bit heavy.
Conclusion Overall, the Kona evokes the Mazda CX-3, as it is the top sporting competitor in the category. The Kona turbo is stronger than what you get with the Mazda, but the CX-3 remains the benchmark for handling. Still, the Hyundai Kona scores trouble for the driving excitement it offers, which is more than can be said about several crossovers in those days. On the other hand, and not by chance, Hyundai Kona – as Mazda for that matter – loses to the Honda HR-V and its large trunk in terms of natural utility.