*I drove the 2018 Hyundai Kona for one week to facilitate this post.
The Hyundai Kona was all-new to the subcompact SUV category in 2018 and impressed car enthusiasts. Starting at only $20,999 it’d be perfect for a small family wanting the minimal cargo space of a sedan or hatchback, but with the higher viewpoint of an SUV.
In the above image, you can see the head-up display. On most vehicles that offer this feature, the image reflects off the windshield, but not on the Hyundai Kona. It’s a plastic ‘screen’ that comes up from the dashboard. I found it incredibly distracting and too ‘in my face’ so that was a negative for me. It doesn’t come standard on all models.
The lane keep assist could be a little less aggressive, I had to turn it off on the first day I had it for it kept ‘it’s’ hands on the steering wheel too strongly for my liking.
It’s a four cylinder with two engine options (175 HP on the 1.6L Turbo 147 HP on the standard 2.0L) offers great pep for a fun drive. I loved putting it in Sport Mode on our less busy country roads nearby. It’s agile and responds well. At 8.6L/100km it’s very good on gas for an SUV.
Cargo space is tight, comparable to a hatchback, but would still fit a stroller.
Hyundai says all Konas sold in Canada come standard with heated front seats and a backup camera (among other things), while a heated steering wheel is an option. Other interior niceties include a 7.0-inch touchscreen-based infotainment system that supports the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration platforms. Option your Kona with navigation and that screen grows to 8.0 inches in size.
What are you looking for in your next family vehicle? Is it cargo space, fuel economy, fun to drive? Tell me! I’ll be posting more vehicle reviews!
