The 2022 Hyundai Kona is here with a funky and modern design, excellent interior materials, composed driving dynamics, peppy available turbo mills, and good fuel economy. Those who like a livelier drive can opt for the Kona N (top-of-the-line variant), which should arrive at the South African dealerships this month. In this post, we discuss the salient features of this subcompact SUV.
Hyundai South Africa offers the 2022 Kona in mainly two trim levels at its website right now, but we are expecting the flagship Kona N hot SUV very soon.
The entry-level Hyundai Kona Exec features Hyundai’s new Smartstream 2.0 Nu Atkinson naturally aspirated petrol engine generating 110kW and 179Nm of torque. The engine mates to an IVT gearbox, sending power to the front wheels.
The high-end Exec model comes equipped with a 1.6-litre turbocharged mill pumping out 145.6 kW and 265 Nm of torque. The turbo mill pairs with an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
The upcoming 2022 Kona N is expected to feature a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol yielding 206 kW and 392 Nm, powering the front wheels through an 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The engineers have armed it with a high-performance suspension, electronic limited-slip differential, and performance brakes.
The fuel economy figure on the official website is 6.5 litres per 100km (for the standard model), but the stylish subcompact utility vehicle consumes between 7 and 8 l/100km at least in real-world testing. The turbo mill is thirstier with a claimed efficiency figure of 7.5l/100km.
The interior is cosy and modern, featuring high-quality materials with hard plastics found in spots not often used. The seats sport artificial leather and give you excellent support and comfort. While the boot space is enough for two, it is not very roomy at 544 litres with the seats in place. You can, however, use a 60/40 split to extend the boot capacity.
When Hyundai updated the Kona last year, they offered an improved 8.0-inch infotainment system. The system now offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in addition to a reverse camera. A wireless cell phone charging pad is another practical feature, along with a USB slot for the rear passengers.
Besides the upgraded infotainment system, other standard amenities comprise cruise control, automatic climate control, auto headlights, heated mirrors, tyre pressure monitor, six airbags, and ESP stability control.
The 2022 Hyundai Kona starts at R464,500 and tops out at R504,900 for the higher-spec model. Both models come with a five-year/150,000km warranty and a five-year/75,000km service plan.
The South Korean automaker already offers a total of six utility and crossover vehicles in South Africa, aiming for different customers with prices ranging from R262,500 to simply over a million rands. The Kona is relatively on the expensive side, but it tempts us through its agile handling, cosy ride, and robust engines, along with a user-friendly infotainment system and a range of standard and available facilities. (Prices correct at time of publication.)
Thinking of buying a new car this year? One of the most important things you have to do is research, research, research. The MotorHappy blog is a good place to start – every month we unpack and analyse the latest vehicle models available in SA.
Please note the imagery supplied in this blog was taken off www.topgear.com
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