Bigger but also more mature?
Usually a new model is a fraction larger than its predecessor. At Hyundai they are not childish: the new Hyundai Kona is making a significant growth spurt: from B to C segment. How does that work out with a hybrid powertrain?
Is the larger Kona also roomier?
The new Hyundai Kona shares its base with the Kia Niro. The new Niro appeared last year, now it’s the turn of the Kona. The new Hyundai has grown in all directions, within the gap in the Hyundai range between the Bayon and the Tucson, it has grown closer to the latter: from B-segment crossover it has now almost become a C-segmenter. The more generous exterior dimensions translate directly into a more spacious interior. In the front we have enough space in all directions and we also hold out well in the back. If there is anything to complain about, it is about the seat length of the front seats, which is quite modest. The luggage compartment also benefits from the growth spurt, which has grown by no less than 30 percent. Under the loading floor we see space for loose items and the Kona Electric also fits a charging cable. Although you can also store the latter in the electric version in a practical storage compartment under the hood.
The interior offers enough space, only the seat cushions are on the short side.
How is the handling of the new Hyundai Kona?
The interior is sleek and businesslike, with a neat blend of different types of plastic. Partly because the direction selector button is on the steering column, a spatial effect is created that makes the car appear even more spacious than it already has become. The instruments and infotainment screen – both 12.3 inches – are together behind one large glass plate. All information is clearly displayed and the multimedia system is easy to operate, it works quickly and the menu structure is one of the more logical kind. Incidentally, there are still enough physical buttons left: in addition to the main functions of the various menus, they are also there for operating the air conditioning. This requires hardly any attention, so you can continue to concentrate on the road.
Ease of operation has been a top priority in the interior design.
What powertrains are there?
Like the previous generation, the new Kona is available with three different types of powertrain: a 1.0-liter three-cylinder (120 hp) in combination with a six-speed manual transmission, a hybrid (141 hp) with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder and a six-speed automatic and it is electric. The Kona Electric comes with two battery variants: a version with a 48.4 kWh battery and one with a capacity of 65.4 kWh. In the first case you have a WLTP range of 377 km and in the latter case you should be able to get 514 km away. These are decent values, especially for a car in this market segment. With the small battery, the engine peaks at 156 hp and with the large battery you have 218 hp. The maximum torque of both engines is the same and is 255 Nm.
The electric version has a frunk at the front, a handy storage compartment for the charging cable.
How does the new hybrid Hyundai drive?
The hybrid powertrain has a maximum power of 141 hp. The petrol engine and electric motor work together almost seamlessly. You have to look at the easy-to-read instruments every now and then to see which engine is working at what time. The six-speed automatic transmission also contributes to this. Switching from comfort mode to sport mode does not immediately make a world of difference, but the powertrain responds a little bit brighter to the accelerator pedal and the steering feels a bit heavier. Not that the steering is immediately very communicative, it remains distant. This is completely in line with the comfortable but certainly not too soft chassis that is just nice and middle of the road, it does not challenge and it does not offend anyone. The behavior of the powertrain and the chassis are neatly in line with the larger Kona.
Powertrain and chassis are neatly in step with the larger Kona.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl