New Hyundai Kona Review

The Kona range has something for everyone thanks to its great performance, low running costs and latest updates. This month the 'standard' Kona with the new mild-hybrid engine tech is available to lease through the Motability Scheme with £0 Advance Payment, down from £399 (section updated July 2021).

Hyundai Kona Motability Advance Payment Offers  Hyundai Kona Hybrid Motability Advance Payment Offers Hyundai Kona Electric Motability Advance Payment Offers 

Every mainstream brand you can think of is investing in SUVs these days. But delve into the detail and you'll find that some are taking this segment more seriously than others. Hyundai is a manufacturer who knows just what a difference a car of this kind can make and their Kona is a product designed precisely for the needs of drivers in the fastest-growing part of this sector - that for smaller 'B'-segment supermini-derived designs. It was first launched in 2017 and 228,000 sales were registered in its first three years on sale prior to the launch of the revised version we look at here.

By the Autumn of 2020 when this updated model arrived, the Kona range had been usefully expanded with Hybrid and full-Electric variants. With mild hybrid tech also added to the mix as part of this facelift, Hyundai can now offer a wider range of powertrain options to customers than most of its rivals. And a much-improved showroom proposition. Let's take a look.

The key news here is the adoption of Hyundai's latest 48-volt mild hybrid technology which features on the most affordable 1.0 T-Gdi 120PS petrol unit that most Kona customers choose. If you want a little more in terms of electrification, the Kona continues to be offered in front driven full-Hybrid form, where you get a 1.6-litre petrol unit with a 105PS power output, electrified assistance and a 7-speed dual clutch auto transmission.

There's also a fully battery-powered all-electric version. Hyundai claims a driving range of up to 300 miles for the 64kWh variant.

Advanced multi-link rear suspension only features on the top full-Electric and sporty 'N' models. Otherwise, you get the kind of cheaper torsion beam rear set-up that features on less advanced rivals, though Hyundai says it's re-tuned it in order to improve driving comfort, modifying the stabilizer bars and the rear bump stop, bringing benefits for primary ride and lateral body control. As before, there's also an 'Advanced Traction Cornering Control' package to improve traction and damping in bends.

The Kona was always quite a bold looking small SUV: well, it's even bolder now, the facelift update package adding protective cladding panels at the front, while enhanced upper daytime running lights now flank fluted inlets at the front of the bonnet. Updated alloy wheel designs feature and at the rear, the re-styled tail lights feature horizontally-stretched graphics, plus there's a smarter bumper too. As before, short rear overhangs and a low roofline add to the purposeful silhouette, plus contrasting exterior accents and standard-fit roof bars inject a bit of all-important SUV flavour. In its dimensions, this updated Kona is 40mm longer than the previous version, giving it a more sleek and dynamic look to balance out its wide, strong visual stance.

Inside, the cabin gains a revised centre console and there's a higher quality feel thanks to the addition of fresh colours and materials, plus careful use of ambient lighting. An electronic handbrake switch is now standardised. The centre-dash infotainment screen is now much bigger - 10.25-inches in size - and can now be ordered optionally in AVN form with a split-screen function and multiple Bluetooth connections, plus the brand's latest suite of 'Bluelink' telematics - and there are extra voice recognition features too. Either way, the infotainment package is of course compatible with the 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' systems. As for practicalities, well there's space for a couple of adults in the rear to sit reasonably comfortably. Plus, there's a 361-litre boot that you can extend in size to 1,143-litres when the 60:40 split-folding rear backrest is flattened.

Hyundai knows it has to set the Motability Advance Payments for the Kona tightly, but the brand no longer feels it has to offer the most affordable choice in the segment. The main trim levels include versions like 'SE Connect' and 'Premium'.

As for equipment levels across the range, well Hyundai isn't holding back. Even base 'SE Connect' variants are well turned out. With these, the exterior is distinguished by its 17-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured door mirrors, LED daytime running lights, roof rails and rear spoiler with integrated LED brake light. Inside there is manual air conditioning, 60/40 split-folding rear seats, electric windows front and rear, a 10.25-inch Driver's Digital Supervision Instrument Cluster, USB port, automatic activation for the headlights, plus an 8-inch touchscreen Display Audio with rear-view camera and Smart Device Integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There's also front passenger-seat height adjustment, allowing occupants to ensure a commanding view out.

Safety has been a particular feature of the development of this car and freshly added features include 'SCC' 'Smart Cruise Control', 'LVDA' 'Leading Vehicle Departure Alert and 'LFA' 'Lane Following Assist'. Hyundai has also updated its 'FCA' 'Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist' autonomous braking set-up with cyclist detection. And added 'RCCA' 'Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist. Another unique feature to this latest Kona is Rear Seat Alert ('RSA'), which alerts the driver if someone or something is in the back seat when they go to exit the vehicle. Another safety feature primarily intended for the protection of children, Safe Exit Warning ('SEW') is intended to prevent passengers from exiting the vehicle if it is not yet safe to do so.

The introduction of 48V mild hybrid engine technology has kept Hyundai right on the pace of the class best when it comes to efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions. And it builds on a strong foundation. Let's get to the WLTP-rated figures. Even the entry-level 1.0 T-GDi petrol MHEV engine manages 47.1mpg on the combined cycle and 135g/km of CO2. Apart from the 48V mild hybrid system, fuel saving technologies used with all powerplants include Integrated Stop & Go (ISG), low rolling-resistance tyres, an alternator management system (AMS) and a drag-reducing 'active air flap' in the front grille. For the full-Hybrid model, the figures are 56.5mpg and 114g/km.

As for the all-electric version, well Hyundai says it has a driving range of 'up to 300 miles' in top 64kWh form. Charging from a 7kW wallbox will take around 9 hours for the uprated 64 kWh derivative. From a public 50kW charge point, either car can be charged to 80% capacity in 75 minutes.

With this improved Kona, Hyundai has clearly benchmarked what Motability customers want in this class, then ruthlessly set about providing it. Aggressive styling: tick. Trendy media connectivity: tick. Class-competitive safety: tick. Potential for fun handling: tick. It's hard to argue with the finished result. Surprise, surprise, it ticks a lot of boxes.

You can't always create a great product through this kind of process. We'd argue, for example, that the latest Nissan Juke has an extra dash of emotive spirit that doesn't come from working through a spread sheet. If you don't care about that though, this Kona makes a strong case for itself. We think it's a car that Motability drivers looking for a vehicle in this segment will continue to like, regardless of the version they opt for.

People with a disability and carers who choose a new Hyundai Kona through Motability will receive a brand new car, delivered by a Motability Specialist at a local Hyundai dealership, complete with insurance, servicing and maintenance, full breakdown assistance, replacement tyre cover, windscreen repair or replacement cover plus a mileage allowance of 60,000 miles over three years.