by Seán Creedon
Hyundai has a habit of naming their cars after different places around the world, Tucson and Santa Fe in the US for example. Last week I drove a Hybrid version of their Kona and was told the name Kona comes from the western shores of Hawaii.
I tested the fully electric version of the Kona last year and was very impressed with the range of approximately 470 kilometres. Naturally last week the Hybrid SUV was even better than the electric and thanks to sensible driving I never had to stop at a petrol pump.
There is a lot of talk about the country going fully electric by the year 2030, but in the meantime driving a Hybrid will ensure there is no ‘range anxiety,’ for drivers who have enough to worry about trying to get into work in the morning and home in the evening through narrow streets clogged up with traffic.
The Kona, which was introduced in 2017, shares its powertrain with the Ioniq Hybrid. It uses a 1.6-litre petrol engine, 1.56Kwh battery and 32kW motor to deliver a maximum system power of 141 brake horse power 265 Nm to the front wheel, via a six-speed dual clutch transmission.
At the front there is no mistaking that you are driving a Hyundai; the honeycomb-style grille is dominated by the Hyundai logo bang in the centre.
This Hybrid version is equipped with both a petrol engine and an electric motor. They work together with the support of a powerful lithium-ion polymer battery to deliver excellent fuel economy and reduce emissions.
And of course you don’t have to charge the battery; regenerative braking charges the battery for you.
The Kona is very neat four-door crossover. There is room in the back for two adults, three at a squeeze. You get a few useful safety touches, like Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), which will certainly keep you awake. The boot is average and while there is a ‘well’ for a spare wheel, none is provided, just a repair kit.
Available in two tone colour combinations, standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, climate control, electronic parking brake, cruise control, rear view camera, Apple CarPlay and a wireless phone charger.
My white test car came with a black roof and certainly was very attractive. There are also black-painted arches over the black alloys and they really compliment a white-coloured car.
I got quite a few positive comments from people of all ages in my local supermarket carpark where people often comment on my test cars.
If you wish you can combine ten exterior colours with two roof option to create different colour combinations. But don’t go mad, you will have to trade it your Kona some day and the next buyer may be more conservative than you.
Prices start at €28,745, which I think is reasonable. The PCP price is €260.42 per month for 36 months.
C02 emissions are only 101 and road tax is €190 per annum. Fuel consumption is given as 5.0 l/100km under WLTP. But if you drive sensibly I think that you won’t have to make many pit stops.
I think driving Hybrid cars is a good way to gradually prepare us for the day in 2030 when it’s claimed we will only be able to drive electric vehicles.
