The Hyundai Kona is again, larger than ever.

Though it solely launched in Australia in 2017, the Kona is a stalwart in one of many nation’s best-selling SUV segments – however it’s one which has quickly been made to look a bit quaint by newer rivals.

From the larger Kia Seltos and the extra luxurious Mazda CX-30, to the hybrid-powered Toyota Corolla Cross, the sport has modified and the Kona was getting left behind.

That’s the place the second-generation mannequin you see right here is available in. It’s larger in each dimension to raised battle the Seltos, includes a extra trendy inside to raised battle the CX-30, and packs a hybrid to tackle the – you guessed it – Corolla Cross.

It’s greater than only a box-checking train. Though among the key particulars have been reimagined to raised cowl off a contemporary crop of rivals, the brand new Kona options an angular design that builds on the muse laid down by the funky first-generation automotive.

It additionally debuts a brand new infotainment system for Hyundai, full with the power to wirelessly settle for software program updates all through its life.

There’s a little bit of floor to cowl right here.

How a lot does the Hyundai Kona value?

Pricing is up throughout the board for the brand new Hyundai Kona. The entry-level mannequin is $5100 costlier than the automotive it replaces, whereas on the high finish the N Line Premium is $3300 pricier than the mannequin it replaces.

It now begins at $32,000 earlier than on-road prices for the entry-level petrol, climbing $46,500 plus on-roads for the flagship N Line Premium with both 1.6 Hybrid FWD or 1.6T AWD drivetrains.

Even within the context of the value hikes hitting most automobiles in Australia, that’s important – though Hyundai defends it by arguing the brand new automotive is greater and higher outfitted than earlier than.

On the backside finish, it’s aligned with a Kia Seltos Sport ($32,700) and Toyota Corolla Cross GX 2WD ($33,980 ).

On the high finish, it goes head-to-head with the Seltos GT-Line ($44,900) and Corolla Cross Atmos 2WD Hybrid ($47,030), together with the Nissan Qashqai Ti ($47,390) – all costs exclude on-road prices.

2023 Hyundai Kona pricing:

• Hyundai Kona
  • 2.0 FWD: $32,000
  • 1.6 Hybrid FWD: $36,000
• Hyundai Kona N Line
  • 1.6 Hybrid FWD: $40,000
  • 1.6T AWD: $40,000
• Hyundai Kona Premium
  • 2.0 FWD: $39,500
  • 1.6 Hybrid FWD: $43,500
• Hyundai Kona N Line Premium
  • 1.6 Hybrid FWD: $46,500
  • 1.6T AWD: $46,500

All costs exclude on-road prices.

What’s the Hyundai Kona like on the within?

The most important problem with the final Kona was an absence of area inside. The brand new mannequin resoundingly addresses the issue.

It appears to be like and feels considerably extra grown up up entrance, and there’s lastly sufficient room within the rear to comfortably carry adults behind adults. Just like the Kia Seltos and newest Nissan Qashqai, it feels extra like a smaller mid-sized SUV than a grown-up compact.

It’s additionally rather more trendy up entrance, with a model of the dual-screen show rolling out throughout the Kia and Hyundai ranges. Even base vehicles get a high-resolution 12.3-inch central show and a smartly-integrated ‘primary’ digital speedo, whereas higher-end fashions have twin 12.3-inch screens.

Presentation is spectacular throughout the vary. The clear design appears to be like flashy, and options like dual-zone local weather management even on base fashions go some strategy to justifying a part of the value rise.

The flip aspect? There’s nonetheless plenty of low cost, arduous plastics, from the perimeters of the dashboard to the highest of the doorways.

Base fashions function a T-bar shifter and an open centre console with first rate cupboard space, however transferring up the vary will get you an e-shifter on the steering column that frees up a wide-open centre tunnel that calls to thoughts the electrical Ioniq vary.

The view over the broad bonnet is extra commanding than earlier than, and it’s simpler than ever for taller drivers to get comfy.

Hyundai’s newest know-how is a step ahead, with flashy graphics, easy menus, and a full function set. It’s additionally the primary to get touches for right-hand drive like shortcut buttons on the right-hand aspect of the display screen, in simple attain, moderately than hidden away on the top-right nook.

Base fashions with out satellite tv for pc navigation get wi-fi Apple CarPlay, and it’s coming to higher-end fashions with navigation later this 12 months – lastly. It’ll be out there for anybody who collects their automotive earlier than the rollout, doubtlessly with an over-the-air replace.

Though the essential dials are neat sufficient, the digital sprint provided in higher-end fashions does liven the cabin up. Within the N Line, flicking into Sport offers you a red-and-white kerb define across the rev counter and speedo… though we’d nonetheless prefer to see extra customisation potential, as is obtainable in Volkswagen Group merchandise.

Rear seat area is miles higher on this Kona than the final, beginning with the wider-opening doorways.

Adults don’t have to contort themselves to squeeze in anymore, which is a step ahead, and as soon as again there you get ranges of legroom and headroom similar to a Kia Seltos.

The air vents and USB-C ports are family-friendly touches, and the broader rear bench will maintaining warring children at bay extra successfully than earlier than.

ISOFIX on the outboard seats and a trio of top-tether factors are current, as is a fold-down central armrest.

Boot area within the Kona has improved from 374L to 407L with the arrival of the bigger new second-generation automotive right here. With the rear seats folded there’s 1241L of area.

It’s a way more usable area than earlier than, with a height-adjustable ground and a slot in the back of the boot to retailer the bags cowl.

What’s below the bonnet?

The entry-level engine within the Kona stays a 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol making 110kW of energy and 180Nm of torque.

It runs the extra environment friendly Atkinson Cycle, and is mated with a CVT – recognized within the Hyundai world as an IVT – with eight digital steps.

New for Australia is the choice of a hybrid powertrain within the Kona Hybrid. It combines a 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine with an electrical motor, hooked as much as a 1.32kWh battery pack.

The electrical motor makes 32kW of energy and 172Nm of torque; mixed system outputs are 104kW and 265Nm. It’s hooked as much as a six-speed dual-clutch transmission – you’ll discover the identical drivetrain within the associated Kia Niro HEV, in addition to the upcoming Hyundai i30 Sedan Hybrid.

The range-topping 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol makes 146kW of energy and 265Nm of torque, mated with an eight-speed torque converter automated. Gone is the previous seven-speed DCT.

Claimed gasoline financial system within the base 2.0L petrol is 6.6 litres per 100km on the mixed cycle. That jumps to 7.6L/100km within the 1.6L turbo, and drops to a thrifty 3.9L/100km within the hybrid.

How does the Hyundai Kona drive?

There’s a definite distinction between the bottom Kona and the 1.6-litre turbo.

We began within the base mannequin, which instantly thwacked and thumped its means down a few of Sydney’s worst roads in chilly, moist climate.

Not the very best first impression – though the automotive settled down properly as soon as we’d moved away from tarmac that appeared prefer it’d not too long ago been shelled.

Hyundai says it’s put actual effort into refining the most recent Kona, and there’s little doubt the entry-level engine is extra polished than earlier than. It’s quieter below gentle masses, and the CVT is an efficient instance of the breed.

It doesn’t simply flare revs right away, as a substitute leaning on what restricted torque there may be earlier than doing a fairly convincing impression of a torque converter, full with slurred shifts.

For all that Hyundai has improved, the two.0 nonetheless feels extra enough than standout. It’s happiest at metropolis speeds, the place it could possibly slur round with out feeling too strained, however while you put your foot down it feels as if it’s working arduous.

Overtaking at freeway speeds takes a little bit of planning, and also you’ll should be keen to place up with a little bit of noise within the cabin.

If that’s not an issue, the Kona is in any other case effectively arrange for lengthy stints behind the wheel. It handles pimply Australian nation highways remarkably effectively, with an unruffled manner that evokes severe confidence.

It tiptoes the tough tightrope between management and luxury remarkably effectively for a (comparatively) inexpensive, (comparatively) compact SUV.

Shifting to the 1.6-litre turbo N Line with all-wheel drive brings a wholesome improve in punch.

The on-paper enhancements (36kW and 85Nm) are felt instantly in the actual world, the place the N Line accelerates extra effortlessly – even while you squeeze the accelerator moderately than stamping on it.

The loss of life of the dual-clutch transmission – changed with an eight-speed torque converter – has made it friendlier on the town. The final N Line was vulnerable to jerking off the road, and might be flummoxed when you lifted off the throttle on the flawed time.

This time round, it feels extra comfy in stop-start site visitors.

Though it’s barely slower to shift on the transfer, Hyundai’s DCT was by no means as fast or intelligent as a Volkswagen unit anyway, so the loss isn’t as keenly felt.

The punchier powertrain is backed by a steering and suspension tune that makes the N Line really feel extra purposeful. It doesn’t go so far as the previous-generation Kona N, however there’s positively a sportier bent that can please eager drivers.

Given we don’t know if Hyundai will develop a correct Kona N for this technology, anybody who desires extra may want to begin trying to the aftermarket to make your N Line a bit angrier.

Frequent to the entire vary is Hyundai’s suite of SmartSense energetic driver assists.

The adaptive cruise management does job sustaining a spot to the automotive in entrance, and the lane-keeping help decisively nudges you again between the white traces when you stray.

Hyundai’s lane-centring system, which extra actively controls the automotive’s place within the lane moderately than intervening while you stray, is a bit too hands-on for my liking, although.

The driving force consideration monitoring can be vulnerable to false positives, flashing while you truly are wanting on the street… which makes you look away. Extra refinement is required.

What do you get?

Kona highlights:

• 18-inch alloy wheels with 215/55 tyres
• LED headlights, daytime working lights
• LED tail lights
• Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors
• Keyless entry and begin
• Twin-zone local weather management
• Rear air vents
• 4.2-inch digital instrument show
• 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• Bluelink related companies

Kona Premium provides:

• Blind Spot View Monitor
• AEB in reverse
• 3D surround-view digicam
• Aspect parking sensors
• Acoustic entrance windscreen
• Rear privateness glass
• Darkish gray cladding, silver skid plates
• LED dual-projector headlights
• LED entrance, rear indicators
• Energy tailgate
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• Bose 8-speaker premium sound
• Leather-based upholstery
• 10-way energy driver’s seat
• 8-way energy passenger seat
• Premium rest entrance seats
• Heated, ventilated entrance seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Heated rear seats
• Auto-dimming inside mirror
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Ambient lighting

N Line Package deal provides:

• Exterior
  • N Line bumpers, skid plates, aspect skirts
  • Gloss black rear spoiler
  • N badging, wheel caps
  • 19-inch wheels with 235/45 tyres (2.0 MPi)
  • 18-inch alloy wheels (Hybrid)
  • Chrome twin exhaust
  • Black mirror caps, beltline
  • Physique colored cladding
• Inside
  • Leather-based/Alcantara trim
  • N steering wheel
  • Crimson air vents, seat highlights
  • Darkish metallic trim highlights
  • Black headlining
  • Alloy pedals
  • Sports activities scuff plates
• 2.0 MPi extras:
  • LED dual-projector headlights
  • LED entrance, rear indicators
  • Energy tailgate
  • 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
  • Auto-dimming inside mirrors
  • Rain-sensing wipers

Is the Hyundai Kona protected?

The brand new Kona hasn’t been crash-tested by Euro NCAP or ANCAP but.

Normal security gear contains:

• 7 airbags incl. front-centre airbag
• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
  • Pedestrian, Bike owner detection
  • Ahead, Reverse
• Driver consideration monitoring
• Blind-spot help
• Lane-keep help
• Parking sensors
• Protected exit warning

How a lot does the Hyundai Kona value to run?

The Hyundai Kona is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.

Upkeep will probably be required each 15,000 kilometres or 12 months within the 2.0-litre petrol and 1.6-litre hybrid, and each 10,000 kilometres or 12 months within the turbocharged petrol.

The primary 5 companies in each the two.0 and the 1.6T will set you again $399 every – though that’s good for 75,000km of motoring within the 2.0, and 60,000km within the 1.6T as a consequence of their completely different distance necessities.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Hyundai Kona

The brand new Hyundai Kona strikes on from its predecessor in a variety of key methods.

It’s larger in and out, and the powertrains on provide at launch have been polished relative to people who got here earlier than.

Though the appears to be like received’t be for everybody – particularly in tennis ball yellow – it additionally presents effectively in individual. Hyundai and Kia are taking some calculated dangers with their newest designs, and that method has paid off right here.

What’s to complain about? Properly, that further area and polish comes at a price. Regardless of which means you spin it, a $5000 hike on the backside finish of the vary hurts.

Should you can dig deeper into your pockets, you’re getting a way more resolved little SUV – a head-to-head with the Kia Seltos and Mazda CX-30 beckons…

Click on the pictures for the total gallery

MORE: Every part Hyundai Kona