Hyundai is Adding to the Right Part of the Market

In a market that brings us the driving and value-oriented lineup of the Sonata, Elantra, Santa Fe, and Tucson, Hyundai has found a way to do it again.
They are adding a new subcompact crossover SUV to the mix for the 2018 model year to give us an impressive model that can be the right choice for the drive that we want to have when we head out on the road. This new SUV is called the Kona and it brings with it the qualities that more of us search for in a vehicle today.

The circle has completed itself once again. If you look at the automotive market in the US, we went from the heavy and large muscle cars, station wagon, and body on frame trucks and SUV to the small and efficient foreign hatchbacks and compact trucks between the 1960s and 1980s. Once we got past the emissions and fuel mileage issues, we turned to larger models again and larger engines only to find that we desire SUVs that are smaller and more active on the road, which brings us back to the small models and the popularity that’s grown in the subcompact SUV segment.
This makes the new Hyundai Kona an impressive choice for the drive when you want a cabin that’s versatile, a drive that’s efficient, a vehicle that’s active on the road, and one that will fit wherever you need to go. This little SUV is powered by an impressive 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 147 horsepower and 132 lb.-ft. of torque while being attached to a six-speed automatic transmission for the drive on the road. There is also a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine offered that increases the power to 175 horsepower and 195lb.-ft. of torque while using a seven-speed dual clutch automatic for the drive.

Taking the Drive in a Hyundai

One of the benefits you can have for the ride you’ll make in this little SUV is a part-time AWD system that’s offered with either engine. This system can be electronically locked to give you more traction by using a switch. The ride you’ll experience is firm and planted which is what you want when you’re looking to have this little SUV be active. You’ll quickly get used to this planted drive and be able to challenge this SUV when you see a corner on the road ahead of you.
When you get behind the wheel, you’ll have a cabin that resembles many of the others you see from Hyundai, which makes it a cheerful and intuitive place to have the drive you’re looking for. This cabin isn’t going to win any style contests, but it is nicely laid out and impressive for the drive you need and the low price you pay for the vehicle. There are four trims for you to choose, the SE, SLE, Limited, and Ultimate models to make it possible for you to have the items you want when it’s time for the drive you’ll make in the Kona.
The middle SLE trim might be the greatest value for you. This model offers you the power of the base engine, a set of 17-inch wheels, rear cross traffic alerts, blind spot monitoring, roof rails, push-button starting, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and automatic emergency braking. Moving up to the Limited trim offers you the most powerful engine, a power sunroof, LED headlights, and 18-inch wheels for the drive. At the Ultimate level, you’ll have wireless charging, lane keep assist, a reverse sensing system, the premium Infinity sound system, and an eight-inch touchscreen for your driving pleasure.

The Stylish and Refined Hyundai Sonata, Tucson, and MORE

You might not think of a subcompact crossover SUV as one that should be described as being stylish and refined for the drive, but this one certainly is. This impressive little car shows up in the price range you expect and is situated in the lineup below the Tucson. This is the first of several models that will be added to the market from Hyundai to be the brand that will give us a large number of impressive new models over the next few years. Check out the Kona at your nearby Hyundai dealer when you see it near the Sonata, Tucson, and Elantra models.