Hyundai Kona 1.0 T-GDi Premium SE 2017 review

By Mustaqim Jaed at July 07, 2020 Post a Comment

Hyundai's funky-looking Kona crossover with a peppy three-cylinder engine makes all the right noises for the car to be a success in a crowded segment Hyundai’s compact crossover – which has been a significant absentee from the brand's range – will now provide a direct alternative to the Vauxhall Mokka X, Renault Captur, Nissan Juke and plenty of other rivals in this fast-populating segment, not least the Stonic from sister brand Kia.It rides on all-new platform architecture – unlike the Rio-based Stonic, curiously – provisioned for a full-time four-wheel-drive option and the underfloor space to accommodate a sizeable battery pack for an electric version. That motive force arrives next year, along with two brand new diesel units of 116bhp and 134bhp. The engine line-up for now runs to a 118bhp 1.0 turbo triple and a four-cylinder 175bhp 1.6 turbo, both petrol.The 1.0 litre will account for the bulk of UK sales and comes with a six-speed manual gearbox driving the front wheels. The 1.6 is limited to the higher trim levels and can be ordered with on-demand four-wheel drive, complete with differential lock and electronic hill-descent control; the 4x4 version comes with a seven-speed dual clutch automatic. This all-wheel-drive Kona also has a multi-link rear axle, the 1.0’s rear end suspended by a coil-sprung torsion-beam axle.Electronics and connectivity feature heavily on the Kona menu. There are 5.0in, 7.0in and 8.0in infotainment displays according to trim level, the base option including Bluetooth. The larger touchscreens provide a reversing camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the 8in one has navigation and seven years' free subscription to real-time traffic, weather and speed camera location updates.Other features include head-up display and LED headlight options, a Krell sound system, an inductive charge phone pad and two levels of electronic safety systems that include forward collision assist with pedestrian protection, lane-keeping assist, blindspot monitoring, rear cross-traffic assist and so on.More immediately obvious than these features is a colour palette far brighter than Hyundai’s usual offering, these shades set off by a contrast colour roof. Inside, the upholstery stitching and various decor elements complement the exterior hue, with this theme optionally – and a little startlingly – extending to the seatbelts.