Hyundai Kona - with the new model back in front?

When most cars still have one Gas tank were traveling, Hyundai continued shortly after the initial appearance of its compact SUV with the name Kona a bold sign towards the future at that time. The customers were in fact free to choose whether to participate in the Gas station Fill up with petrol or diesel or get yourself into one Ladesäule want to tap their electricity. In addition to the classic combustion engines, there was a version with a plug-in hybrid for procrastinators, and a flawless electric car for pioneers.

In the first year of sales, 2018, there were just under 13.000 out of a good 380 models sold, but in 2022 around two thirds of all Kona customers decided in favor of the electric-Automobile. With a good 17.000 copies, the Korean hit sixth place in the German e-hit parade. A success story that the second generation wants to build on. After all, Hyundai has meanwhile come up with the more expensive ones Ioniqmodels a big foot in the door to electric happiness and is even with the Nexus traveling in the world of hydrogen. But for the vast majority of people with a normal bank account, the Kona must continue to play the role of the beginner, since with a base price of probably just under 40.000 euros, it should remain affordable, at least at the leasing rate.

For life after the second birth, Hyundai relies on the familiar. For example, the "double" rear, where the taillights grow out of the rear wheelhouse and nostalgically take the lower end of the tailgate in the middle. Below the rear window the Kona speaks the digital design language. A red LED band repeats the logic of the front end, on which a white light strip plays the role of daytime running lights. Below that is a pentagonal housing for the headlights. All this, together with a black, continuous panel on the long sides, makes for a very potent appearance, which some traditionalists might find too thick. Nevertheless, the Kona stands out visually from the herd of its rivals.

Im inner space on the other hand, things are much quieter. Thanks to the length increased by 15 centimeters, pleasant airiness is also popular on the rear seats, the monitor landscape behind the steering wheel and above the center console, which is now standard, creates a cockpit feeling and the rather dark covering of the dashboard is effectively beautified by red light strips. Since the direction of travel (forward, backward, neutral) control unit has swapped its place between the seats for that on the steering column, the Kona invites the couple in the front seats to contort-free hand-hold. A consequence of that sense of space.

Technology at a glance

Technically, the Hyundai is, as usual, up to date. Two battery sizes (65,4 or 48,4 kWh) ensure ranges of up to 490 kilometers, at least according to current regulations WLPT-Standard. The consumption of 15,7 kWh per 100 kilometers is also typical for the class. On board, all modern systems ensure safety or comfort. The Smartphone can replace the key or as Remote Control used when parking or exiting. Some details that can later be used for autonomous driving are also ready for use. This includes one Camera, which keeps an eye on the driver's face and sounds an alarm if he's not paying attention.

So the signs are good that the new Kona will repeat the success of its predecessor. Which is certainly also due to the consistency with which Hyundai tackled the Generation Two project. While the electric version of the first Kona was still a by-product of the dominant combustion engine models, engineers and designers focused on that first Stromer. The classics of yesteryear, which will still exist, have to take a back seat.

Peter Maahn / SP-X