Hyundai Kona – What you need to know

The popularity of SUVs remains unabated, and the Hyundai Kona has cemented its position as the country's third-most popular small SUV in 2019.

Like most brands, Hyundai offers a range of Kona variants, any one of which will likely suit all but the most demanding buyer.

Available in four grades with prices from $24,000 to $39,500 the 2020 Kona range comes with a raft of up to the minute safety technologies, so let's explore the lineup and discover what features are in which model.

The most affordable Hyundai Kona is the $24,000 (plus on roads) two-wheel drive, 2.0-litre Kona Go, with a six-speed manual transmission. For that you get the following standard features:

• Seven-inch infotainment touch screen,
• Apple CarPlay and Android auto compatibility,
• Auto dusk-sensing headlights,
• Rear view camera,
• Lane keep assist,
• Cruise control,
• Six airbags.

Premium paint adds $595 to five of the nine colours available.

All My2020 Hyundai Kona variants come with six airbags, stability and traction control systems, and anti-lock brakes. Driver-assist systems on all models include a camera-based, forward-collision warning and avoidance assist system, rollover sensors, hill start assist, downhill brake assist, a driver attention warning that monitors you when behind the wheel, plus lane keep assist.

A step up to the Kona Active snares you reverse parking distance warning with guidelines, while finding the extra cash for the Kona Elite adds a radar and camera-based forward collision warning and avoidance system, rain-sensing wipers, adaptive cruise control, rear cross traffic alert and blind spot warning.

Exclusive to the top of the heap Kona Highlander variant are auto high-beam headlights and front parking distance warning with guidance. All models come with ISOFIX child seat anchor points for the outboard seats in the rear.

Standard features comprise music streaming, Bluetooth phone and music connectivity plus other functions that are also available through Apple CarPlay or android Auto. In the Hyundai Kona Go and Active trim levels, these are operated through a seven-inch touchscreen. Throw a few more dollars in so you can drive a Kona Elite and you get satellite navigation and live traffic updates on an eight-inch touchscreen. The Kona Elite also comes with a premium eight-speaker audio system, digital radio and radio data system.

While the Kona Go and Active variants feature manual air-conditioning with vents in the second row, the Elite and more expensive Highlander add to the specification with (single-zone) climate control that automatically demists the glass, as required.

While the Kona Go makes do with cloth trim, the Kona Active ups the interior ambience with a leather upholstery for the steering wheel rim and gear knob, but if you want the full monty, buy the Kona Elite to get the leather trimmed pews.

Is there anything better than a heated seat on a cold day or a cooled seat on a hot one? If that sounds like you, then drift over to the Kona Highlander, which also has a heated steering wheel.

Privacy and solar control glass are helpful in repelling prying eyes and heat, but you will have to stump up for a Kona Elite to get them, along with one-touch power windows and an auto-dimming rear view mirror.

The Kona Highlander is the only model offering the handiness of powered driver and front passenger seats – 10-way for the driver, with lumbar support, and eight-way for the passenger. Another convenience exclusive to the Kona flagship is a phone charging pad in the centre console, along with a sunroof and, for a bit of 'Top Gun' feel, head-up instrument display.

The Kona Go and Active models are recognised by their black grille and black surround, while the Kona Elite and Highlander wear a grey grille with chrome surround. While the Kona Go rides on 16-inch steel wheels, the Kona Active rides on 16-inch alloys. Another trim level up from the Kona Active brings with it 17-inch alloys for the Kona Elite and beyond that, the Kona Highlander boasts 18-inch alloys. All have a temporary spare tyre.

The Hyundai Kona range is offered with two engines available in all models. Powering the two-wheel drive Kona variants is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 110kW and 180Nm. This engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

All-wheel drive models have a 1.6-litre direct injection four-cylinder engine under the bonnet, rated at 130kW and 265Nm. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is standard and the four-wheel drive system features a 50:50 front-rear on-demand lock mode.

Go AWD 1.6-litre seven-speed DCT – $27,500
Active AWD 1.6-litre seven-speed DCT – $29,000
Elite AWD 1.6-litre seven-speed DCT – $33,500
Highlander AWD 1.6-litre seven-speed DCT – $39,500

While the 2.0-litre engine is slightly thirstier than the 1.6, if I were being careful with my pennies, I'd grab a 2WD Kona Active, with its decent level of features for a sub $30k by the time you've paid the on-road costs.

However, the one that really grabs me is the AWD Kona Elite. For a saving of six grand over the Kona Highlander you still get a long list of standard features and plenty of comfort plus the convenience of all-wheel drive, should you decide to get adventurous.