The Hyundai Kona is back on the Italian market: the second generation of the SUV is ready to consolidate its commercial success thanks to a modern look, richer technological equipment and a wide range of engines, including hybrid units and, in the future, a 100% electric version.
Despite the new model, the Kona has retained and consolidated the qualities that made it popular, including its family-friendly size and futuristic design.
Discover its features with us on the road on the shores of Lake Orta. From design to ergonomics, the Kona reveals a satisfying maturity.
Hyundai is ready to launch the second generation of the Hyundai Kona, a B-segment SUV that is poised to consolidate its commercial success thanks to the many merits and trump cards that this new model will exploit to counter increasingly fierce competition. In addition to boasting a modern and distinctive look, the new Kona brings a richer technological equipment and a range of engines that includes hybrid units and in the near future a 100% electric version. We drove to the shores of the picturesque Lake Orta (Italy) to experience the qualities and features of this promising car for the first time.
Despite being a completely new car, the new Kona has refined the qualities and features that distinguished the version it replaces, becoming a more complete car thanks to a fully achieved 'maturity'. To achieve this, the Seoul-based company listened to Kona owners, with the aim of understanding what could be improved on an already particularly good product. First of all, the focus was on dimensions: while remaining in the B-SUV segment, the new Kona grew by a good 15 centimetres in length, reaching 4.35 metres (4.38 metres for the N-Line version because of the sports bumpers). Width increased by 2.5 centimetres to a total of 1.82 metres, height came to 1.58, while the wheelbase reached 2.66 metres.
The luggage compartment has also grown by about 100 litres, offering a total of 466 litres with the rear sofa in use, with the latter being divisible (40/20/40) so that even long and narrow objects can be stowed without sacrificing as many as two rear seats. The aforementioned increase in size gives those in the back more legroom, which is especially appreciated by those who are up to six feet tall.
Turning to aesthetics, looking at the new Kona from the outside, one can appreciate how its futuristic and original design recalls that of the generation it replaces, while bringing with it eye-catching design solutions that also recall the Korean manufacturer's latest design language. First of all, one notices the light signature that is distinguished by a long horizontal LED, chosen to characterise both the front and rear. The rest of the light clusters are integrated into the large wheel arches. The interior has undergone a real leap forward: entering the passenger compartment one immediately gets the impression of being in a higher segment car.
The dashboard has been completely redesigned and is dominated by the 12.3-inch dual display dedicated to the 100% digital instrumentation, with graphics that can be set according to taste and need, and the infotainment system. The latter allows control of satellite navigation, the high-fidelity audio system and smartphone connectivity compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The engine range includes a 120 hp petrol entry-level engine, a mild hybrid also with 120 hp and a 140 hp full hybrid at the top of the range. In 2024, a 100 per cent electric version will arrive in two power variants, namely 151 and 218 hp.