A mature, concrete car, designed for everyday use, comfortable. And most importantly, it doesn't go unnoticed. Hyundai Kona Hybrid marks a decisive step forward for the Korean brand which now combines Asian philosophy with a look much more akin to the palates of Europe. It is no coincidence, in fact, that the design is curated by the Belgian Luc Donckerwolke, coming from Volkswagen, where he has dealt with both the Group's premium brands, such as Audi and Lamborghini, and with more popular brands, such as Seat.
The hybrid Kona, which we had the opportunity to test on a long test drive, the first after the pandemic, is a deeply European car. Not only in the lines of a small SUV, but also in the feeling. A car for every day, it was said: and in fact it is really so. High guide, four comfortable seats (as long as the driver is not over size, the fifth is still a bit sacrificed), advanced technological equipment. Brilliant engine, almost too much in some circumstances.
The signature of the exterior is the contrasting black roof. The sides, designed by a double profile line but without the excesses of the past, close in a front dominated by the large grille and characterized by the two bipartite full led optical groups that give personality. A small refinement, the aerodynamic eyelid that draws the direction indicators. On the rear, however, the lines open onto the large tailgate, which brings the load threshold as low as possible. The rear window is not wide, and the cameras are really useful when maneuvering. The design of the rear lights, also these full LEDs, draws heavily on European lines: almost a déjà vu. A few jolts in the purists of the lines can provoke the large plastic wheel arches. We do not mind and appear well harmonized with the rest of the car. After all, it is still an SUV, albeit of limited dimensions, which has practicality in its DNA.
Inside, in the Exellence 1.6 DCT version with Safety Plus Pack and Premium Pack of our test, nothing is really missing. from the 10.25 inch (otherwise 7 ") touchscreen display to the more advanced Adas, from the height and depth adjustable steering wheel to the electric parking brake (standard). The assembly is sufficiently cared for, and the driving feeling is immediate The 4.18 meters in length by 1.80 in width are dimensions suitable for everyday use, and the small turning radius makes parking easy.
The 141 hp hybrid engine, delivered thanks to the combination of the thermal 1.6 and the 44.5 kWh electric, responds well, with a decisive acceleration which does not counteract, however, the braking: sometimes it is too excessive , with the car tending to break down. In the city, thanks to the electric motor that takes over every slowdown, it is extremely quiet. Smooth six-speed DCT gearbox, at standard speeds. When you ask for more, and it is possible to do it thanks to the torque of 256 Nm, the answer is there but the gearshift is less effective and part of the quietness is lost, even in the speed of the motorway. Forcing the insertions in curves or changes of direction, also thanks to the height of the car, there is a tendency to lie down. Good steering. Consumption is really noteworthy: in our test we measured 6.3 liters per 100 km on the mixed road.
The Hyundai Kona Hybrid starts from 26,350 euros, the full optional trial version is close to 35 thousand.