Introduced in 2017 for the 2018 model year, the Kona slots between the Venue and Tucson in the subcompact segment. No fewer than six trim levels are offered in the United States, and even the base version is worthy of your attention because it offers a lot of stuff for $20,500.
Tommy Mica of The Fast Lane checks out the entry-level Kona SE in the following video, starting his review by waxing lyrical about “a good old-fashioned key and a good old-fashioned ignition.” The checkered pattern on the seats, white trim on the dashboard and door cards, power windows, power mirrors, and LED running lights are pretty neat as well at this price.
As opposed to many automobiles on sale today, the Kona SE comes with a proper spare wheel instead of a repair kit. Hyundai didn’t mess around with the HVAC either, preferring three knobs instead of touch-sensitive buttons or media system-integrated controls. On the other hand, the steering wheel could’ve been a little better because the plastic rim looks and feels cheap.
If safety is your primary concern, fret not because the subcompact crossover features anything from overhead and side-impact airbags to forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and driver attention warning. Instead of a three-cylinder turbo, as you may find under the hood of the Chevrolet Trailblazer, the Kona SE comes with a free-breathing lump with four cylinders, 2.0 liters of displacement, and a six-speed automatic.
Its 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet (179 Nm) of torque won’t get you anywhere fast, but these figures are more than adequate for a curb weight of 2,890 pounds (1,311 kilograms). The N/A engine also happens to match the 1.6-liter turbo in efficiency thanks to 30 miles per gallon (7.8 liters per 100 kilometers) on the combined driving cycle. Opting for all-wheel drive drops the rating to 27 mpg (8.7 l/100 km), which still is alright by all accounts.
Tommy, who is 6’1” or 185 centimeters tall, also fits in the rear with room to spare with the front seat in his driving position. The rear seats fold down perfectly flat, of course, and other goodies that need to be highlighted include a 12-volt cigarette lighter, two USB slots, an AUX audio input, a 7.0-inch touchscreen, as well as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay mirroring.
Although the driver's door armrest isn't the most comfortable out there, Tommy says that the Kona"is my favorite crossover in the class."
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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