Test – Hyundai Kona Hybrid (2021): armed to finally face competition?
No jealousy: despite a late arrival after the release of the model initially available only in thermal and electric versions, the hybrid version of the Hyundai Kona also has right...
22/12/2021
No jealousy: despite a late arrival after the release of the model initially available only in thermal and electric versions, the hybrid version of the Hyundai Kona is also entitled to a substantial aesthetic restyling. What give it a facelift to face competition that is finally coming? We got behind the wheel of it to find out.
Summary
1. Test – Hyundai Kona Hybrid (2021): armed to finally face competition?2. Hyundai Kona Hybrid (2021) – On the road: a perfectly mastered hybrid system3. Hyundai Kona Hybrid (2021) – Equipment: a new entry-level finish4. Hyundai Kona Hybrid (2021) - Competition, Overall Review, All Pricing5. Hyundai Kona Hybrid (2021) - Category evaluation: 37 criteria analyzed and scored6. Hyundai Kona Hybrid (2021) - Technical SpecificationsNote
of the editorial staff
15.2/20
Note
owners
16/20
In short
Hybrid urban SUV
From €27,000
141 hp and 4.9 l/100 km
There are restylings for which to embark on a game of the seven mistakes and spot with a magnifying glass a chrome insert which disappears in favor of a polished element or a light signature of the daytime running lights modified when viewed from an angle, but this n t is not the case of the Hyundai Kona which is entitled, four after its release as is the tradition but only two years after that of the hybrid version, to a cosmetic surgery operation which is not trivial.
dailymotionTest – Hyundai Kona Hybrid (2021): armed to finally face competition?
Indeed, the small urban SUV keeps its front headlights on two levels which are part of its trademark but that's it: the rest has been completely remodeled with overall simplification of the lines. It's more fluid and less cluttered, more elegant and less aggressive, but that doesn't come at the expense of its ever-present personality.
The Kona retains its lights on two levels at the front and rear.
Visible developments
outside
but more shy
inside
Inside, on the other hand, it's much more discreet: we notice above all the arrival of a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation from the second level of finish and that's it. Not really original here compared to the exterior, it's a pity that Hyundai has not extended the attractive floating center console of the electric to the entire range but the whole compensates for its sobriety with faultless ergonomics and the equipment is enhanced with rear cross traffic alert, vehicle exit assistance for rear passengers and active blind spot monitoring.
The changes to the dashboard come down to the now digital instrumentation and a larger central screen.
The Hyundai Kona retains its excellent habitability-to-space ratio: it may be only 4.20 m long, but it still pampers its rear passengers with room to spare on the knees, which can help to forget a bench seat that is too much closed. And that's not at the expense of the trunk since it can absorb 374 liters of cargo volume in five-seat configuration and up to 1,174 liters once the backrest is folded down, figures that are all the more respectable. .
Space in the back and in the trunk: the Kona has an excellent habitability/size ratio.
No change
under the hood
Under the hood, no change but we have a recipe that has been proven on a large number of models from the Kia Hyundai group. There is indeed a 105 hp 1.6 GDi 4-cylinder with direct injection and Atkinson cycle associated with a DCT-6 dual-clutch six-speed gearbox, and it is assisted by a 43.5 hp electric motor powered by by a small 1.56 kWh lithium-ion battery. The set develops 141 hp. Not enough to make it a racehorse, with a 0 to 100 km / h done in the best case in 11 seconds, rather a racing camel, since its official mixed consumption according to the WLTP cycle is established at 4.9 l/100km.
The recipe under the hood remains unchanged but works very well.
In terms of prices, the Hyundai Kona starts at €27,000, or €150 less than before its restyling. However, this comes from the fact that it is now offered with a new entry-level finish, Initia, when it previously started with Intuitive, which is therefore now the second level. The latter is now exchanged for €28,150, i.e. €1,000 more than before, but the standard equipment is enriched at the same time with digital instrumentation, LED position lights and a one-inch larger screen multimedia system.