My last interaction with Hyundai’s new Kona was at the start of the year, where I took the 1.6T N-Line model for a jaunt. Its perkiness and sporty look was impressive but despite its ‘top of the range’ power, there was a little turbo lag and maybe, just maybe, my age dictates more subtle refinement. Introducing the Kona 2L Elite.
I won’t’ bore you with the core ‘space-age’ look, or dimensions information, but suffice to say that although it shares the 1.6T’s light bars, projector LED headlights, LED tail lights and giant Z shape design on its profile, the more sedate colouring (ie less red), and more subtle roofline spoiler made this fleet-orientated SUV inclusion into suburbia a lot less jolting. The 18-inch alloys are of particular note, not only are they polished and bling-worthy but also come with a 55 profile, so plenty of road-absorbing rubber.
The interior is less sporty-red too, substituted with a range of grey, black and chrome, while the steering wheel and seats come in a mix of genuine leather and leather substitute. As expected with an elite model, the tech is top of the line with a 12.3-inch touchscreen with all the bells and whistles and a Bose 8 speaker premium audio system including subwoofer, while the driver gets to gaze upon another 12.3-inch colour full TFT display – both have essentially all the information you need, and then some.
As with all new Kona’s the wheelbase is bigger than before, meaning that everyone, front and rear, has more room to breathe, but there’s also more space for ‘stuff’. Big door bins, big glove box, space for your phone, I think you get the point, it’s family-friendly. And to add to the sensation of space, Hyundai has removed the gear stick and handbrake from the centre console, with the former being relocated to the steering column.
Push button start and a twist forward on the column stick to Drive and I was off. Under the bonnet is a 2L engine mated to an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT), and together they provide 110kW of power and 180Nm of torque to the front wheels.
The Elite Kona comes with 7.3L/100km fuel-efficiency and 166g/km emissions and although I wasn’t keen to sniff its exhaust, I can confirm that having travelled 338km in the driver’s seat, my Kona’s consumption was sitting at a respectable 8.1L/100km. Not bad considering I had the family on board most of the time, and wasn’t frugal with the AC or my right foot.
As with the whole range of Kona’s, safety seems to be right up there and of course it comes with a plethora of acronyms and aids, but that also means that it comes with an annoying amount of ‘behaviour-correcting’ chimes – they can be (ahem) minimised, but this needs to be done for every new trip.
As for the trips themselves, my 338km had me up and down SH1 (using the smart cruise system), grocery shopping and running errands – but I have to say that despite not being as rapid as the 1.6T, I was far more relaxed and still got to where I needed to in time. Plus the suspension and rubber combination was noticeably smoother too.
From powertrain to spec levels, I believe there are eight models in the current new Kona line-up here in NZ, so that means that there’s plenty of choice for all. The 2L Elite sits near the top of the tree and although it’s not the fastest or the most frugal, to me it’s a compromise without compromising – if you know what I mean.
Words and photos by Dave McLeod
