By Ian Strachan.
Hyundai is one of the leading Asian brands selling in Europe. And if its latest versions of the medium SUV, the Kona, are anything to go by, that trend is set to continue with the second generation Kona.
The Kona was first launched in Europe in 2017 and quickly set standards in safety and environmental performance. Now that’s just got better with hybrid and electric technology, some smart design features and improved performance. Plus the latest Kona is longer, wider and taller than its predecessor.
I tested the Kona Ultimate hybrid, powered by a 1.6 four-cylinder 141 bhp petrol engine, with an electric motor for short range driving and to improve economy.
This latest Kona is an attractive and capable alternative in the SUV B-segment, with sleek, eye-catching design, a comfortable interior and more than adequate performance. It is both pleasant to drive and frugal. The front end design looks, at first glance, like an all-electric vehicle with front full-width horizon daytime running lights and a low-slung black grille.
The exterior design is further aided by smart 18-inch alloy wheel, black wheel arch inserts, roof rails and rear spoiler with integrated LED brake light.
The host of safety features on the Kona includes blind spot monitoring with cameras, forward collision avoidance assist, intelligent speed limit warnings, parking and reverse parking collision warnings, rear cross traffic alerts and lane keep assist. In fact my only criticism of this excellent SUV is the cacophony of warning beeps and alerts which accompany your journey. When you look around the dashboard and cockpit to work out which beep means what, another beep from the Driver Attention Warning tells you to keep your eyes on the road. All well-meaning, but these noises can be a distraction in themselves.
The Kona Ultimate hybrid starts at £29,925.The Kona range starts at £25,725.
The interior of the Kona is light, pleasant and spacious. Load carrying capacity is good, and can be improved still further by dropping down the 60/40 split rear seats, which gives you a flat loading floor.
Equipment is impressive, with remote central locking, electric sunroof, climate control, all-round electric windows, electrically adjustable, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and steering wheel, leather seat facings, rain sensing wipers, automatic headlights, interior ambient lighting, front and rear parking sensors with rear camera and surround view monitor, smart cruise control, BOSE premium seven-speaker sound system Bluetooth and voice recognition and DAB radio, wireless phone charger and navigation system via a 10.25 inch touchscreen.
This being a Hyundai, it comes with their five year unlimited mileage warranty. This is a great peace-of-mind package which, sooner or later, all manufacturers are going to have to match or exceed.
I enjoyed this hybrid Kona, which moves this ambitious Korean brand further up the SUV choice lists.
