The New 2019 Kona
January 08 2019, Max Landi - TheDriveGuy
OVERVIEW
2019 KONA
The Hyundai Kona is a new frontier for the Hyundai brand. It's their first small subcompact crossover, whilst debuting the new design direction for the South Korean brands other SUVs in the lineup. The 2019 Kona is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configurations with the choice of two different engines. The entry-level 2.0L naturally-aspirated engine and the 1.6L turbocharged engine are both 4 cylinder offerings. The Hyundai Gallery in Calgary's Southeast handed off the keys to an aptly named Ultimate trim, the Kona's top of the range model. With 5 different trim levels (Essential, Preferred, Luxury, Trend, Ultimate in that order), the Kona stacks each trim level with different pieces of equipment and powertrain setups. The Essential with FWD and the 2.0L with 145 horsepower and 132 lb/ft of torque has the desirable 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration with heated front cloth seats as standard features for a starting price under $22,000CAD
For any trim with the 2.0L, an additional payment of $2000, can upgrade the Kona from FWD to AWD. Moving up in the range to the mid-spec Luxury introduces the more powerful 1.6L turbo motor with 175hp and 195lb/ft. Not only does the turbocharged engine come fixed with AWD, but also adds in Hyundai's EcoShift Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) with a multilink rear suspension system. The reserved pieces of equipment for the Ultimate trim include the wireless phone charger, the heads up display (HUD) screen, the larger 8-inch infotainment touchscreen and automatic high beams. The latest iterations of the Hyundai's SmartSense Safety systems can be found in the Kona as well, such as Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Warning, Forward Collision Warning and much more is available. Notable premium touches available for the Kona include a leather-wrapped heated steering and seat surfaces, LED lights front and rear, a moonroof, and keyless entry.
The Kona's interior reveals a surprisingly spacious front row for taller passengers. Six-footers won't feel cramped in the driver or front passenger seat. The centre console featuring the shifter, and ample storage helps divide the front row space significantly. With an easy-to-learn button layout, sturdy surrounds and good visibility, the Kona's interior is a welcoming space to any driver.
The distinctive exterior design of the Kona hints towards its rugged abilities. With substantial body cladding covering the lowest parts of the body, and a couple of buttons for AWD Locking and Downhill Brake Control lends itself to a subcompact with greater than average off-road potential for this category. A firmer suspension with darty steering all contributes to the Kona's engaging driving dynamics. A car that easy to drive and fun to throw around all at once.
That's the brief overview of the Hyundai Kona. To test drive this exact vehicle or any other vehicle in Hyundai's lineup, check out Hyundai Gallery on Lake Fraser Drive.
