7 December 2023
This November, I was lucky enough to be invited to the launch of Hyundai’s newest vehicle – the Hyundai Kona.
We met at Hyundai New Zealand’s Auckland head office, and after a quick driver briefing, we were paired up with like-minded individuals and into our choice of Kona, heading off into the great Auckland traffic abyss.
First stop: Okaeria Road in the Maramarua Forest. Turning into a private forest track just on the outskirts of Auckland, we were greeted by the one and only Hayden Paddon – a rally great and one of Hyundai New Zealand’s Brand Ambassadors – waiting at a fork in the road with one of his highly tuned rally cars.
After signing all the relevant paperwork, we proceeded to do a five-kilometre hot lap circuit at a mind-blowing pace. Hayden acted like he was on a Sunday drive – so calm and relaxed – while I don’t think I could have gripped the seat any harder. I can see why he is one of New Zealand’s top rally car drivers.
After coming back to reality, we continued our journey towards the Coromandel Peninsula, making multiple stops along the way to experience all three models and the different N-line packs the Kona has to offer (a 100% electric powertrain will be introduced in 2024).
We started with the Kona Active 2.0MPi, a two-wheel drive IVT Transmission with 110kW of power and 180Nm of torque. This model offers 7.3 litres per 100km at $42,990, while the N Line pack model steps up to $49,990.*
We then trialled the Kona Active 1.6 GDi Hybrid, a two-wheel drive with a six-speed dual clutch transmission. This model drops to 104kW of power but returns an increase in torque to 265Nm, offering three litres per 100km for $52,990*. The N line pack runs for $59,990, while the Kona Limited N line is $65,990.*
Finally, we got behind the wheel of the last power train option: the Kona Limited N line 1.6 T-GDI AWD 8 AT, with 146kW of power and 265Nm of torque giving you 8.5 litres per 100km for $64,990.*
Our last driver and vehicle swap of the day was in the township of Waihi, heading off towards the beautiful seaside destination of Pāuanui. The twisting Coromandel roads were a great place to trial out the third-generation Hyundai ‘K-platform’ on which these new Kona vehicles are built, and we were delighted to find the platform delivered a comfortable ride and smooth handling. Everyone that had a turn driving also noticed the size differences in these new Kona: 30mm taller and 145mm longer than the model it replaces, with a 60mm longer wheelbase.
After a brief overnight stay at the tranquil Grand Mercure Puka Park, we were off again, heading for our first stop in the beautiful seaside town of Whitianga. On this drive we made sure to trial the new Kona panoramic-view multimedia system, seamlessly integrated with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster display in the upper variants. This system has already won several Red Dot Brands & Communication Design 2023 awards – and after experiencing its intuitive design and advanced user interface, we could see why.
We also took note of the new SmartSenseTM advanced active safety and driver assistance technologies – such as the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) and the Forward Attention Warning (FAW) system – the latter monitors the driver's condition by tracking head, face and eye positioning using an in-cabin, infra-red camera, issuing an audible and visual alert for careless, distracted or drowsy driving.
After a great time trialling these new models in the Coromandel, it was time to head back to Hyundai New Zealand’s Auckland head office. We were all suitably impressed – the Kona handled the roads well and were packed full of features that made the journey an enjoyable one.
If you are looking for a mid-size SUV, I think the Kona could be the one you’re looking for. With so many different models, powertrain options and ten exterior colours to choose from, I’m sure there could be one for you.
*Pricing on all models subject to additional on road costs.