SPONSORED: The small SUV segment is bursting at the seams. Every brand has a player, but few have struck the same chord with Aussie buyers as the Hyundai Kona – and after living with the latest generation, it’s obvious why.
In a sea of sameness, the Kona is different. It doesn’t just follow trends – it boldly veers off-course, setting a new design benchmark in a segment that often plays it safe.
A concept car for the suburbs
That bold, ultra-modern front-end, punctuated by Hyundai’s Seamless Horizon Lighting – a full-width LED strip straight from the Ioniq playbook – sets the tone.
There’s nothing conservative about it. It’s clean, sculpted, progressive… It’s a very cool light signature that’s just as visually captivating at the rear.
Look closer and you’ll notice split LED headlight clusters up front, sculpted wheel-arches, and even active aero flaps in place of a traditional grille.
It looks like a concept car brought to life – not in 2030, but now. And in eye-catching hues like the Soultronic Orange paint you see here, it’s likely to generate FOMO.
The N Line edge
Want more edge? The N Line package dials up the aggression, adding exclusive bumpers and side skirts, plus twin exhaust outlets and a centre-mounted rear-positioning LED.
Inside, it’s just as sharp. There’s quality leather and Alcantara trim, dark metal accents, and sporty touches that wouldn’t look out of place in a hot hatch.
And, crucially, the N Line look and feel isn’t locked away only for top-end variants. You can spec it across multiple trim levels – a clever move that Hyundai’s rivals haven’t quite matched.
Interior: Premium without pretension
Step inside, and the Kona continues to punch well above its price tag.
Even the base model feels tech-rich and well-finished, with standard features that would’ve been luxuries a few years ago – like dual-zone climate control, Smart Cruise Control with stop/go, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, stylish 18-inch alloys, LED lighting, remote engine start and both front and rear parking sensors.
But go Premium and the whole Kona experience is noticeably elevated. You get ventilated and powered front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, 64-colour ambient lighting, a BOSE premium audio system, powered tailgate, and Hyundai’s clever Remote Smart Parking Assist – yes, the Kona can reverse itself out of a tight spot while you stand beside it. Forwards too.
Even the interface feels high-end. Twin 12.3-inch displays (in the Premium grade) stretch across the dash, offering slick graphics and intuitive menus. The shift-by-wire gear selector not only looks and feels modern – it frees up space in the centre tunnel for open storage. Everything feels designed, not just assembled.
Bluelink: A smarter connection
Hyundai’s Bluelink connected services come standard across the range and improve everyday usability.
Forgot to lock your car? Do it from your phone. Want to start the engine and cool the cabin before you leave the café? Easy. Can’t find it in the Westfield carpark? Flash the lights and beep the horn remotely – it’s dead easy.
You can even use the smart key to move the car forward or back into a tight space without sitting inside. It’s intuitive, seamless and once you have it you won’t want to live without it.
The Kona also benefits from over-the-air updates (OTA), delivering the latest software (including new features) wirelessly.
Surprisingly roomy, seriously practical
Despite being under 4.4 metres long, the new Kona is deceptively spacious.
Hyundai has stretched the wheelbase and widened the cabin, meaning more legroom, headroom and shoulder room for everyone – even with the optional sunroof. Hip room is up on its predecessor, too.
Cargo space has also improved. The boot has grown by 33 litres to 407L, and with the rear seats folded you get a massive 1241L.
Load height is lower and the opening is wider, making it far easier to handle groceries, prams or gear. It’s practical in all the right ways.
Powertrains for everyone
Where the Kona really blows past its rivals is powertrain diversity. There are three distinct drivetrains: a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (with 2WD), a punchy 1.6L turbo-petrol engine (with AWD), and the hero of the lineup – the 1.6L hybrid.
The hybrid offers the best of both worlds: strong off-the-line performance (even in Eco mode), paddle-controlled regenerative braking, and outstanding economy – Hyundai claims just 3.9L/100km (we saw 4.0L/100km).
Even more impressive? You can get the electrified drivetrain from the base grade.
There’s also an all-electric Kona and it’s available in multiple trim grades, but the petrol and hybrid variants are compelling enough on their own.
Refined and rewarding
The Kona doesn’t just look and feel like a premium car – it drives like one, too.
Built on Hyundai’s third-generation K platform, Hyundai’s latest small SUV is quieter, more rigid, and more responsive than before. Wind and road noise are down thanks to better insulation – including sound-absorbing pads under the carpet. It’s next-level refinement for the category.
Handling is tidy, steering is accurate, and the ride is composed – whether you’re navigating backstreets or chewing through highway miles. There’s confidence in the chassis and maturity in the way it responds to Aussie roads.
It’s comfortable, too, thanks to the softness of the Alcantara trim and generous seat support, even after hours behind the wheel.
Safety without shortcuts
Of course, all this is backed by a full suite of Hyundai SmartSense safety features and seven airbags.
The long list of safety features includes Forward Collision Avoidance, Lane Following Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance, Driver Attention Warning, and Safe Exit Assist.
It’s not just safe – it’s cleverly safe. The suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) work smoothly and don’t over-police the driver like some rivals do. Hyundai gets the balance pretty much right.
Verdict: The new benchmark
With its head-turning design, feature-rich cabin, generous space, and unmatched drivetrain choice, the Hyundai Kona feels like it belongs in a class of its own.
It’s premium without the price tag, smart without being complex, and practical without sacrificing personality.
There really is a Kona for everyone – from tech-savvy urban drivers to families wanting safety and space, and hybrid converts demanding efficiency without compromise. And all of them will find it genuinely fun to drive.
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