Last week I thought I was getting into the new electric Kona, but it was the Hybrid version that was waiting for me at Hyundai’s headquarters on JFK Drive just off the Naas Road.
When I switched on the ignition, the engine was really quiet, but of course if it had been an EV there would be no need to press an ignition button as most electric cars start once you engage the ‘drive’ button. In the Kona, the ‘drive’ button is located to the right of the steering wheel, similar to their Ioniq models.
Yes, the car is very quiet and the range with a full tank of petrol was showing 668km, which was excellent. It meant that I would have no ‘range anxiety’ for the remainder of the week.
The Kona could be described as medium-sized SUV that slots into the Hyundai range between the Bayon and the Tucson. It has been a good seller for Hyundai in Ireland since it was launched here in 2017 and was only outsold in the Hyundai stable by the massive Tucson.
The second-generation Kona is much bigger car than the first one; it’s longer, wider and taller, which makes it a lot more spacious and practical than the previous version.
The new version takes inspiration from the brand’s latest models with dramatic lighting and even more pronounced squared-off wheel arches finished in thick cladding for a classic crossover look.
There is now a longer wheelbase, so leg and headroom has improved. It’s also a bit wider so even seating three adults across the rear seat is not a problem. There’s a centre armrest, USB ports and separate vents for rear seat passengers.
My test car came in very attractive shade of light green. Inside the seats are dark, but white stitching on the seats and a white roofline helps to brighten the décor.
The 12.3-inch infotainment screen on the dash is user-friend with all controls clearly marked. And then to top it off you get two old-fashioned buttons to adjust the volume for the radio and to scroll through the wavelengths.
All versions of the new Kona come well equipped. Standard features include automatic climate control, cruise control, high beam assist and a parking camera.
Elegance models add features like heated front seats, heated steering wheel, driver lumbar support and wireless smartphone charging. The boot is a decent size, but no spare wheel, which is normal nowadays.
It’s a lovely car to drive with three settings: Eco, Sport and Snow. We all know that sport means speed, while we are unlikely to get much snow in Ireland, so last week I was an ‘Eco Warrior,’ which meant no reason to visit any forecourts. Fuels consumption averages about 4.9 litres per 100km.
Prices start at €30,895 for the 1.0-litre manual version, which I think is great value. The Hybrid range starts at €34,295 for the Signature version, while the 1.6-litre Elegance version that I drove will cost you €36,045. Road tax is €140.
I loved self-charging hybrids. It’s definitely the way to go; no need to spend an hour charging the car so that you can get maybe 50km in pure electric mode. The Kona’s main rivals are the Ford Puma, VW T-Roc, Seat Arona and possibly the Toyota Cross and C-HR.
Meanwhile the fully electric version of the Kona, with a range of approximately 500km is expected to go on sale in Ireland at the end of October.
