The
Hyundai KONA is one of those multi-purpose cars that give brands such good
results. Its new generation comes loaded with new features that we have already
been able to test in the first person during its presentation.
Over
the last 30 years, the time that Hyundai has been in Spain, the car scene has
changed a lot. Today drivers look for purchases that did not exist before and
SUVs take the cat to water for their appearance and versatility. If we talk
about versatility, few can match the capabilities of the Hyundai KONA, a true
mechanical Swiss Army knife that is capable of offering a different solution
for each type of buyer. A new generation has already arrived on the market.
Before
starting to assess this new stage of the KONA, let's look back a bit to realize
the importance that this car has at Hyundai. The first time we learned about
the KONA was in 2017 during the Frankfurt Motor Show. As soon as it appeared
before the great German public, we all realized that we were facing a car of
volume. Its image was the first thing that attracted attention, but once you
went into detail you realized that it was much more than a different car, and
I'm not just saying this because of the conflicting name in Galicia.
Its
measurements have always been ideal for many types of buyers. The new generation,
the second, grows slightly, entering further into the European C-SUV segment.
Externally, its new dimensions take it up to 4.35 meters long (4.38 meters for
the N Line finishes), 1.82 meters wide, and 1.58 meters high. To these
measurements, we must add a wheelbase of 2.66 meters, 6 centimeters more than in
the already discontinued model. That will have an important advantage, as I
will tell you now.
Once
again the KONA does not try to go unnoticed. Hyundai designers have taken the
innovative concept of the first series and taken it to a new level of
extravagance. There is no way to define it or middle ground in terms of
taste. Either you like it or you don't, but based on the sales figures for the
first generation it is clear that it can be said that it has been liked.
Personally, this second generation seems more attractive to me, and in
person it earns more than in the images. Above all, I highlight the two strips
of LEDs that are used for front and rear lighting.
The
aesthetic renewal is not only on the outside. The cabin changes drastically,
adapting to Hyundai's new design policy. Clean lines and open spaces stand out
where digitization takes control. The presentation is very striking, although
it cannot be said that the quality is excellent. Hyundai has used too many
plastics in areas where they should not be like the dashboard or the front door
panels. They are plastics with a pleasant touch, but plastics nonetheless. One
more point of quality is missing, but it must also be taken into account that
it would eat Tucson.
As in
any modern car worth its salt, the digitization of the systems must be
highlighted. The screens allow you to reduce the number of buttons, but in this
case, Hyundai has sought a very successful middle ground. Instrumentation and
multimedia system are displayed on a continuous curved panel with separate
12.3-inch screens each. It is the same presentation that we have already seen
in other important products such as the Hyundai Tucson or the Hyundai Ioniq 6.
The screens stand out for their great amount of information, and good image
quality, although not so much for ease of use. It requires an adaptation time.
Obviously, the new
Hyundai KONA hides many more trinkets inside. There are several levels of
equipment, the usual ones in Hyundai: Maxx, Tecno, N Line, and N Line Style. In
the most complete finishes, we find such interesting elements as Full LED
headlights, a Head-Up Display, wireless connectivity for smartphones, browsers,
connected services, remote updates, digital key access, automatic climate
control, ambient lighting, and much more, including a package full of driving
assistants with a level 2 autonomy.
It must
be recognized that the interior space of the new KONA is better than that of
its predecessor. The larger glazed surface and the light upholstery generate a
greater feeling of spaciousness that is corroborated by the metro in hand.
The occupants of the rear bench will be more comfortable because they have more
legroom. The height is not a problem for taller passengers either, up to 1.85
meters can go very well. The width is the most limited dimension. Three child
seats do not fit and three adults will travel somewhat uncomfortable on long
journeys.
The
larger size of the new KONA also allows it to offer a significantly larger
cargo volume. With 466 liters of minimum capacity and 1,300 liters of maximum
capacity, it can be said that it has a lot of space to store objects. They are
almost 100 liters more than the previous generation. The model with the largest
cargo volume is the KONA Electric. In this case, the trunk expands its size to
at least 493 liters. The advantage is that it has a small front trunk of just
27 liters which is very practical when it comes to storing the charging cables.
Since
I'm talking about charging cables, it's a good time to tell you how the
mechanical range of the new KONA is distributed. It must be borne in mind that
for now, only thermal and hybrid units have come onto the market, but as in the
past, gasoline units, non-plug-in hybrids, and 100% electric versions are
expected. What is not confirmed at the moment is the arrival of a sports
version signed by N, although taking into account the good acceptance of the
range, it would not be strange to think that it will end up arriving.
The
powers range between 120 and 218 horses. The thermal units mount the
turbocharged blocks 1.0 TGDI three-cylinder and 120 horsepower and 1.6 TGDI
four-cylinder and 198 horsepower. While the former can be associated with an
ECO tag MHEV scheme, the latter does not. The KONA HEV falls somewhere in the
middle of power. It offers the 1.6 GDI atmospheric gasoline engine that is
associated with an electric drive and a 1.56 kWh gross capacity battery. The
set develops a maximum power of 141 horsepower and is always associated with
the ECO label and a seven-speed DCT automatic transmission.
Regarding
the electric KONA, there are two models. The access version, called Standard
Range, has a 155 horsepower front motor and a lithium battery with 48.4 kWh of
gross capacity. The autonomy of this version has not yet been approved. The top
model, branded as Long Range, raises the power of its front engine to 218
horsepower and is powered by a lithium-ion battery with a gross capacity of
65.4 kWh. In this case, Hyundai applies an electric range approved in the WLTP
cycle of 490 kilometers. This a figure that looms as very real if we take into
account the records obtained during the previous KONA Electric test, with which
we were able to do 550 kilometers without stopping to recharge.
Behind
the wheel of the 2023 Hyundai KONA
After
the Hyundai Tucson, the KONA is the best-selling model of the Korean brand in
our country, but after trying the smallest model, one really begins to doubt
whether it deserves to make the leap to the best-seller. There is barely 15
centimeters of difference between them and 80 liters of cargo volume. That is
to say, it is not a really significant difference if we take into account that
both can be considered within the C-SUV segment. Where did we win with Tucson?
Well, I honestly think that the only advantage it has is in terms of quality of
finishes and space, but not that much either.
Behind
the wheel, you can tell that the KONA has taken a significant leap forward. The
growth in size allows it to ride more poised on the road at high speeds. The
insulation is very good, as is the stability. On the highway, it feels
comfortable as well as safe. The miles roll off easily and without any hassle,
even when the road gets especially rough or broken. The behavior tends to
comfort above any other quality, something that is duly justified considering
the general approach of the car.
During the national
presentation, I had the opportunity to test the version that for me is the
most recommended of all, the hybrid KONA. The ECO label is a great claim, but I
would also highlight its smooth and pleasant running behavior. It lacks some
punch at low speed. It is difficult for it to gain speed, but once it is
achieved it maintains it without problems and it does so by keeping the
consumption figures under control. You have to play a little with the change to
find the chicha and that's what the paddles behind the wheel are for.
The
levers act differently depending on the driving mode: Eco, Sport, Snow.
Although the response does not change much between each program, it does change
the response of the paddles behind the wheel. In Eco mode they allow you to
regulate the regeneration of the car when you lift the accelerator pedal. In
the Sport format, they do act directly on the six-speed dual-clutch
transmission. I liked the fact of being able to control the braking with the
paddles, something common in PHEVs but not so much in pure hybrids. It helps to
regenerate the battery at low speed and to extend the battery autonomy as much
as possible.
Despite
having increased its size, the battery does not offer a very large electrical
range, just a few kilometers that will depend to a large extent on the use we
make of the accelerator. If we ask for performance, the atmospheric gasoline
engine will come to life more than usual, which means higher fuel consumption.
During the presentation by Asturian Lands, there has been no place to check the
official data, but if we take into account that the objective has never been
savings, the computer has thrown data close to 6 liters on average per 100
kilometers.
Last
but not least, we must talk about the economic factor. The first generation of
the KONA was a success because it offered a lot for a contained price. For this
second edition, the Korean SUV starts its price at 25,190 euros, with offers
or promotions. That amount refers to a 120-horsepower gasoline model with
manual transmission and Maxx finish. The most expensive, for now, is the
141-horsepower KONA Hybrid which starts at 28,740 euros, with promotions.
Without a doubt, this is the most recommended unit for price, equipment, and
consumption.
Conclusions
Hyundai
already had a great car. His sales make it clear. So what I had to do to renew
it was as simple as it was complicated. The extravagant design is still there,
different, but still. The interior presentation has improved with hand
technology, although a little more quality is still missing in some areas. Rear
passenger space is greater, as is cargo capacity. His demeanor hasn't changed
much, keeping his many good things and some not so much. In general terms, we
are talking about a more mature car, which has not lost interest. Rather the
complete opposite.
EXPERT VIEWS
We liked it more
ride
comfort
equipment
Interior
space
We liked it less
indoor
plastics
hybrid
benefits
intrusive
assistants
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