Hyundai’s new Kona offers serious fun • Exhaust Notes Australia

THE hugely popular Hyundai Kona small SUV has been comprehensively refreshed and upgraded for 2021, bringing sporty new N Line variants, an eye-catching new look, extra comfort and convenience features, and additional SmartSense safety technologies.

The line-up introduces the Kona N Line and N Line Premium, which boast a new 146kW/265Nm SmartStream 1.6-litre turbo engine, teamed with a DCT transmission and all-wheel drive, along with a sports-tuned chassis featuring a multi-link rear suspension.

The range opening Kona, and the Kona Active, Elite and Highlander variants feature a new SmartStream 2.0-litre petrol engine and CVT automatic pairing, driving the front wheels and using just 6.2-litres/100km.

The new Kona is the third SUV in Hyundai’s ‘18 models in 18 months’ product rollout, following the launch of the Palisade and next generation Santa Fe. This new-model offensive will include the introduction of Kona EV in March.

It will also see the arrival of the high-performance Kona N later in 2021.

The Kona range features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, an 8.0-inch multimedia infotainment system, a rear camera, a 4.2-inch TFT colour supervision instrument cluster display, and LED daytime running lights.

Also standard are a wireless smartphone charging pad, an electronic parking brake, a tyre pressure monitoring system, roof rails and alloy wheels. An extensive suite of SmartSense advanced safety technologies are standard across the range.

These include forward collision-avoidance assist, lane following assist, smart cruise control with stop/go, and rear occupant alert. Driver attention warning and lane keeping assist are also standard, along with front, side and curtain airbags.

The Kona Active adds leather appointed seats, a leather steering wheel and gear knob, a rear park assist system, power folding and heated exterior mirrors, and larger 17-inch alloy wheels.

The Elite features a standard 10.25-inch satellite navigation system, Harman/Kardon eight-speaker premium audio, climate control air-conditioning, a smart key with push button and remote start functionalities, and front fog lights.

It also brings additional SmartSense tech in the form of blind spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross traffic avoidance assist, and safe exit warning.

Exterior styling elements including carbon grey cladding a tailgate and side garnish insert, and a gloss black front grille have also been added.

The flagship Kona Highlander incorporates a host of luxury and convenience features, such as a futuristic 10.25-inch digital supervision instrument cluster, heated and air ventilated front seats, and heated rear outboard seats and a heated steering wheel.

It also adds LED headlights, front indicators and taillights, a head-up display, front park assist, powered adjustment for the front seats, a glass sunroof, and 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Continental tyres.

A high beam assist (HBA) system joins the SmartSense safety suite. The N Line offering features the same size sports alloy wheels, sports front seats, a unique cabin treatment featuring red stitching, piping and trim inserts, as well as alloy pedals.

As the sports flagship, the 2021 Kona N Line Premium brings a 10.25-inch digital supervision instrument cluster, heated and air ventilated front seats, heated rear outboard seats and a heated steering wheel, LED headlights, front indicators and taillights.

Also standard are a head-up display, front park assist system, powered front seats, and a glass sunroof. Depending on the variant chosen, interior trims include black cloth, leather and N Line sports leather, along with optional Highlander-exclusive beige leather.

The new look Kona features an impressive, futuristic bumper and grille, as well as a new design for the Hyundai-signature stacked headlights. Rugged wheel-arch cladding continues into the redesigned front bumper as well.

A widened cascading grille and a front skid plate project a low and wide stance, and the Elite and Highlander variants feature reworked front fog lights designed to further develop the 2021 Kona’s refined image.

Seven exterior colours are offered, with a no-cost optional two-tone Phantom Black roof for Highlander and N Line Premium. The range includes Atlas White, Dark Knight and Phantom Black, Surfy Blue, Dive in Jeju, Ignite Flame and Pulse Red.

Pricing for the 2021 Hyundai Kona starts from $26,600 (plus on-roads), through to $42,400 (plus on-roads) for the N Line Premium model. For further information, please contact your local Hyundai dealer.