Introduced in 2018, the Hyundai Kona Ultimate is a sporty compact crossover that offers seating for five and feature-rich trims. For 2019 very little has changed from 2018 except for a few extra standard safety features.
It’s a zippy car with sport-tuned steering. It also offers a lot of bang for your buck with plenty of standard features and you can’t beat Hyundai’s long warranty.
With four different trims to choose from: SE, SEL, Limited and Ultimate, this review will focus on the Ultimate trim.
Loaded with rear parking sensors, pedestrian detection for the forward collision mitigation system, automatic high beams, automatic wipers, a head-up display, an 8-inch touchscreen, a navigation system, and a wireless charging pad, there’s a lot to love with the top-of-the-line trim. There’s also 18-inch wheels, LED headlights and taillights, upgraded exterior trim, automatic climate control, leather upholstery, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a universal garage door opener.
With a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, the Kona Ultimate gets a hefty 175 horses with 195 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired with a seven-speed dual clutch automatic trany. Expect to get 28/city, 32/highway, and 30/combined mpg.
The interior is a well thought-out place. The buttons and knobs are logically clustered and easily accessible. There is a plethora of hard plastic materials used, but the combination of padded and plastic lessen their impact. I’ve always found the Hyndai tech interface to be easy to use and the Kona is no different, the 8-inch touchscreen is bright and easy to read with an intuitive menu.
The leather seats in the Kona are firm and supportive, with plenty of adjustment for the driver. Backseat passengers may feel a bit cramped if they are of the taller persuasion. Cargo space is good with 19.2 cubic feet with the back seats up and 45.8 cubic feet when they are folded down.
Although road noise does tend to sneak in at higher speeds, regular driving around town is relatively quiet. The Kona offers a smooth ride, ironing out most pesky road imperfections. The turbocharged engine is a zippy number with quick acceleration and steering makes driving fun with sporty handling.
Looking for a feature-rich compact Crossover? Be sure and give the 2019 Hyundai Kona a test drive.