Hyundai Kona Review (2018)
Read Caroline's Hyundai Kona review for everything you need to know about buying Hyundai's compact crossover in Ireland.
Hyundai has completed their SUV line-up with the arrival of the new Hyundai Kona compact SUV.
The Hyundai Kona
Hyundai Ireland has really ridden the wave of popularity for SUVs in Ireland over the last few years with the Hyundai Tucson holding the crown of Ireland’s bestselling car in 2016 and 2017. The C-segment SUV counted 4,908 registrations in 2017, with a considerable margin over its closest competitor the Nissan Qashqai.
Now Hyundai Ireland could replicate that success in the segment below. The new Hyundai Kona is a more compact B-segment SUV and is Hyundai’s first offering in this burgeoning class of vehicle, where the Renault Captur currently reigns supreme.
With pricing starting from €20,995 for a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol model with attractive spec and distinctive looks, the Hyundai Kona looks like the Tucson’s trendy younger brother.
Altogether more compact but still with seating for five, the Hyundai Kona has the aggressive presence of a small off roader. There are a range of eye popping colours including Tangerine Comet, Acid Yellow and Blue Lagoon (as well as some more sedate ones), and the option of a black roof on all but the base model for a fashionable bi-colour look.
Inside the Kona
Inside, the Hyundai Kona offers a respectable and logically laid out cabin, elevated driving position and good shoulder room between driver and passenger. A 7” inch touchscreen with Apple Car Play and Android Auto comes as standard on all but the base model. At night, the dials and switches are illuminated in attractive indigo, while the seats on my Premium model were of good quality and supportive for long journeys. Dark plastics prevail in the cabin but there is the option to add colour packs. Colour accents are featured on the air vent surrounds, around the gearshift, the engine start button ring, the stitching on the seats and steering wheel.
While space up front is generous, the compact nature of the Kona becomes more apparent when you sit into the back of the car, but two adults should be reasonably comfortable. Headroom is fine and the boot houses 361 litres with a flat loading sill for easier loading. 60:40 split folding rear seats reveal 1,143 litres of cargo space when flat.
For now, the Hyundai Kona is available with two turbocharged petrol engines, but there is a diesel on the way later in the year and an electric version is also in the pipeline. The efficient 1.0-litre three cylinder turbo petrol with 120hp and a 6-speed manual is likely to make up the majority of sales. There is a more powerful four cylinder 1.6-litre turbo petrol with 177hp mated to a 7-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox with 4WD but it is more expensive with steeper running costs.
Driving the Kona
On the road, the Hyundai Kona drives well with good composure over a variety of road surfaces and the refinement of a larger car on the motorway. The compact dimensions make it smooth and easy to drive and park, while the steering is not overly light so there is enough resistance for it to hold its own on Ireland’s twisty rural roads.
My test car was a top of the range 4WD 1.6-litre DCT automatic. The combination of the 177hp and automatic gearbox make for a powerful combination, but the 1.0-litre turbo petrol is going to suit the majority of buyers and is more competitive on price and running costs for the segment. The 4WD Kona has a more sophisticated multilink rear suspension than front wheel drive 1.0-litre models, but all indications are that the Kona is a pleasant little crossover with above average road manners.
Hyundai Ireland kicks off the Kona range in Ireland with a 1.0-litre Comfort model (from €20,995) with 16” alloys, air con, roof rails, cruise control, 5” chrome screen, LED daytime running lights, lane keep assist and a driver fatigue warning system.
The mid-range 1.0-litre Executive model (from €22,995) adds 17” alloys, privacy glass, touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple Car Play, front fog lamps, and rear view camera.
Premium models (from €25,995) add leather seats, 18” alloys, blind spot detection, front park assist, rear cross traffic alert, black coated grille, door sill inserts and skid plates.
The Hyundai Kona makes a style statement and is an excellent addition to the Hyundai range, arguably now the ‘coolest’ car in the Hyundai range with a lot of personality and design flair. The Kona has good perceived quality for its class and is an agile and comfortable compact SUV. A valiant assault by Hyundai on a new segment that should make real impact.
Caroline Kidd
Model tested: Hyundai Kona Premium 1.6 T-GDI DCT auto
Price: €29,995 (€30,595 with two tone roof)
Engine: 1.6-litre turbo petrol
Power: 177hp
Torque: 265Nm
0-100km/h: 7.9 seconds
Top speed: 205km/h
Economy: 6.7/100km
CO2 emissions: 153g/km
Motor tax: €390 per year
Hyundai Ioniq Electric Review (2017)
For buyers looking to explore how an electric vehicle could cut their motoring costs, the arrival of the new Hyundai Ioniq Electric is very good news indeed.
With a practical five door hatchback shape and a theoretical electric range on one battery charge of 280km, the new Hyundai Ioniq Electric is well-positioned to attract buyers in Ireland looking to switch to zero emissions motoring.
The Ioniq is a real innovation for the Korean brand and it’s the world’s first-ever car to offer a choice of three efficient and low emission powertrain options in one body type: electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid.
But while the hybrids use a petrol engine with the support of an electric motor and battery to produce power, the Ioniq Electric runs on pure electricity only. It’s as simple as plugging in your car as if it were a huge smartphone.
The range on one battery charge is a key consideration when buying an electric car, as is your ability to manage that range around your lifestyle. Hyundai’s claimed electric range of 280km outshines current versions of similarly sized rivals like the Volkswagen e-Golf and the Nissan Leaf. 190km is more realistic in day to day driving, and that too will depend on whether you’re driving at low speeds around town or driving at high speed on the motorway.
Electric vehicles do make a lot of sense for urban dwellers or people with short commutes who can charge up at home and then again when they reach their destination. Ioniq Electric is agile, easy to drive and the instant torque from the electric motor allows for smooth, quick progress at low speeds around town.
The range drops more quickly on the motorway, which can lead to some tense moments in the cabin. For example my first journey in the Ioniq Electric was a 100km trip that included a significant chunk of motorway driving.
I reached my destination with 27% battery charge and an estimated 42km of range left. The rest of my week was spent doing short trips in and out of town with recharges from the domestic mains supply (about 10-12 hours for a full charge) and this was far more manageable and appropriate for living with an Ioniq Electric.
During my time with the car, I did find myself thinking a lot about the length of my journeys and adapting my driving style to include more gentle acceleration to conserve battery power. Driving electric is not without compromise and long journeys really will have to be planned around charge point access in towns and motorway service stations.
The Ioniq Electric operates in near silence with just a whoosh from the tyres but the road noise is never really a problem and it is a relaxing, capable drive. The low down weight of the car from the battery makes it steady through bends but it’s not sporty or particularly exciting to drive. For a boost in throttle response there is a sport mode but best keep away from that if you’re holding onto your battery power.
The Hyundai Ioniq Electric is priced at €28,495 and that includes the government grant of €5000 for electric vehicles. Motor tax is just €120 per year. The Ioniq Electric comes with a high level of equipment including 16″ alloys, twin LED headlights, dual zone climate control, auto lights, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, heated front seats, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, rear parking sensors and rear view camera, wireless phone charging pad, 8″ touchscreen infotainment with Bluetooth, navigation and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and keyless entry.
Hyundai has given Ioniq a quite conventional interior, so it is easy to interact with the controls and switches. It will not be much of a culture shock for anyone switching to an EV for the first time and the central touchscreen displays clearly information regarding the battery power, range and even a list of nearby public charging points and their distance. The Ioniq will seat five and the interior space is reasonable for a car of this size. The boot is 350 litres but it is quite shallow, though the hatchback opening and ability to fold down the rear seats boost practicality.
The Hyundai Ioniq Electric opens up the field a little more in terms of what’s on offer to EV buyers. The roughly 190km usable electric range gives it an edge on electric vehicles that currently occupy this end of the market. The Ioniq Electric won’t set your pulse racing with dynamic driver appeal but this is a conveniently sized, well-specced, and nicely styled car that is a viable option for anyone seeking to switch to electric motoring.
Model tested: Hyundai Ioniq Electric
Price: €28,495
Power: 120hp
0-100km/h: 10.2 seconds
CO2 emissions: 0g/km
Motor tax: €120 per year
Caroline Kidd