Test Drive: Hyundai Kona

It’s the funkiest car in a funky segment. But what is it like to drive and live with, while trying (in vain) to go unnoticed?

Lets talk about that design shall we?  This has to be one of the most radical looking cars in any segment. Somewhat reminiscent of something Citroen would do but certainly not in line with any recent Hyundai products. But it does work.  Even in lime green.  The Kona stands out and does what few cars do well. It kind of looks more expensive than it is. It’s not as elegant as the top spec Mazda CX-3 but not as straight cut either.  In the case of Kona most of the money was most certainly spent on the design department, but what else is there to the Kona?

On the inside the colour coded interior is funky and fresh. Even the seatbelts and air vent surrounds are colour coded. Certainly not to my “mature” tastes but younger folks seem to really appreciate those touches. 

In keeping with it’s “in touch” nature ,the Kona tested came specced with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A fairly intuitive touch screen that also comes standard with this, the top of the line model. A Multi-function steering wheel and a host of other standard features such as reverse camera, Brake Assist and a sweet tyre pressure monitor make this car the kind of car any young up and comer can boast about. Surprisingly the Kona also comes with hill descent control. I’m really not sure why but again: #Braggingrights

I have briefly driven the manual version and although this model comes with 110kW and 180Nm it is by no means sporty, even in sport mode. The auto gearbox feels unmatched with the drive train and even though it is a 6 speed unit, always feels like its half a beat behind when trying to push on.  I hope Hyundai eventually offers this peppy 2.0 model with a manual gearbox. This setup does lend to decent fuel consumption at around 7l/100. Boot space in the Kona is quoted at 361 which compares well with the Mazdas 350 litres.

Thanks to a very impressive tyre and suspension combination the Kona feels sporty yet comfortable. Over bigger bumps one can feel the suspension to be firm but over smaller bumps the chassis absorbs and leaves the driver unbothered by any road imperfections. A really impressive balance of comfort and sportiness.

Kona is the mavericks choice if you have R399 600 at your disposal. There are many sensible options out there and that would make sense, but cars don’t always have to make perfect sense, do they?