THE AUTO PAGE
By
John Heilig
- MODEL: 2019 Hyundai Kona Ultimate AWD
- ENGINE: 1.6-liter turbocharged 4
- TRANSMISSION: 7-speed automatic Ecoshift
- HORSEPOWER/TORQUE: 175 hp @ 6,500 rpm/195 lb.-ft. @ 1,500-4,500 rpm
- WHEELBASE: 102 in.
- LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT: 164 x 71 x 61 in.
- TIRES: P235/45R18
- CARGO CAPACITY: 22.5 cu. ft.
- ECONOMY: 26 mpg city/29 mpg highway/23.4 mpg test
- FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 15.0 gal. (est.)
- CURB WEIGHT: 3,145 lbs.
- TOWING CAPACITY: Not recommended
- COMPETITIVE CLASS: Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3, Buick Encore
- STICKER: $30,005 (includes $980 delivery, $125 options (carpeted floor mats)
- BOTTOM LINE: While the Hyundai Kona may seem like a small SUV/CUV, it is in reality a compact car with issues.
When I approached my test
Hyundai Kona, I couldn’t avoid a sticker on the side window that proclaimed it
the “2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year.” I wonder who voted and
how desperate were they to select this vehicle. Kona is a decent compact car,
but utility vehicle, no!
First, the Kona is
subcompact, so utility is compromised. Second, although it has a locking
differential, 4WD, or even AWD capability is questionable. So I wonder….
Our tester wore a “Lime
Twist” exterior, which is by itself worth a visit to your local Hyundai dealer.
It’s great for finding the Kona in a crowded parking lot. The color does make
for striking interior accents, however.
The 1.6-liter turbocharged
four under the hood offers decent power, but you can hear or feel every
transmission shift. The engine is noisy anyway, but the shifting gets old fast.
The engine is bad enough in normal mode, but in sport mode it’s even noisier.
On Kona’s plus side is that
it is filled with useful features. I mentioned the locking differential, but it
also has a blind spot monitor, lane assist, and a heads up display that
consists of a glass panel that rises from the top of the dash.
The driver faces clear
white-on-black instruments. In the center of the dash is a standard infotainment
screen with the usual options.
Front seats are comfortable
and heated with the lime stitching and trim. In our tester, the driver’s seat
was powered but the passenger’s wasn’t, and my wife couldn’t figure out how to
raise it to a decent height. Rear seat legroom is very tight. Four assist
handles aid in entry and exit.
Interior storage consists of
a small center console/arm rest and a cubby at the base of the center stack
with two 12-volt outlets, AUX and USB. All doors have room for water bottles.
Cargo capacity is okay, but
really not in the “utility vehicle” class. Besides, I had to lower a rear seat
back to fit my golf clubs. There are four tie-downs in the cargo area. An
interesting nod to relationships was the Kia-branded ice scraper under the
cargo floor.
The Hyundai Kona is touted
as a utility vehicle (it even has the award to show for it) but it’s severely
lacking in my estimation. It is, however, okay as a subcompact sedan.
(c) 2019 The Auto Page Syndicate
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