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Hyundai Kona Active 2WD 2018 review

The Active 2.0 MPi front-wheel drive (FWD) is the most affordable Kona on sale.
EXPERT RATING
6.9
At the entry point of the Hyundai Kona 2018 range is the Active, with a 2.0-litre powertrain and front-wheel drive (FWD). Should you spend more on one of the higher-spec models?

The 2018 Hyundai Kona doesn’t fly under the radar, and that’ll either be your thing, or it won’t.

But it must be your thing if you’re reading this. And it seems like there are a lot of people just like you, because the Kona is going great in terms of sales, even though it's only just hit the market.

And it just so happens that this model is the most affordable Kona on sale, the Active 2.0 MPi front-wheel drive version (FWD).

Hyundai Kona 2018: Active AWD
Safety rating
Engine Type1.6L turbo
Fuel TypeRegular Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency6.7L/100km
Seating5 seats
Price from$21,340

Is there anything interesting about its design?   6/10

Do you really need to ask? This thing looks unlike anything else we’ve seen from Hyundai or, for that matter, any other car company on Earth. It's bound to be bold enough to get some interest when you're in traffic.

There are seemingly hundreds of talking points about its design, from the slit-like ‘eyes’ up high, to the acres of blackened body cladding surrounding the lower edges of the car. The intent is clear - this is an adventurous car for adventurous adventurers. Except this model is the FWD, which isn’t so adventurous.

  • There are hundreds of talking points about its design, from the slit-like ‘eyes’, to the acres of blackened body cladding. There are hundreds of talking points about its design, from the slit-like ‘eyes’, to the acres of blackened body cladding.
  • The intent is clear - this is an adventurous car for adventurous adventurers. The intent is clear - this is an adventurous car for adventurous adventurers.

The 16-inch alloy wheels on the Active model look teeny-weeny because there’s just so damned much plastic cladding. And I reckon the whole thing would look a lot more resolved if the lower grille didn’t taper in quite as much, and if the slot above the grille didn't exist, and if the bonnet line was more scalloped, and if it was just better looking in general. Also, the clash between the yellow halogen headlights and the crisp white LED lights at the front isn’t great: to me it's like a friendly smile ruined by bad teeth.

On the whole, I can’t say I find it handsome or even remotely pretty. It sure as hell is different, though. To be fair, in one of the other colours (there are nine to choose from) and in Highlander spec with the larger wheels and LED headlights it is considerably more attractive, that’s a bit jump up in price...

How practical is the space inside?   7/10

It's not as practical as some of the larger small SUVs you can buy, but you need to remember that the Kona is on the itsy-bitsy side when it comes to this market segment, at 4165mm long.

With external dimensions well shy of the Toyota C-HR, not to mention the Honda HR-V and Suzuki Vitara, the Kona doesn’t offer the amount of space on the inside you might hope for.

The 16-inch alloy wheels on the Active model look teeny-weeny because there’s just so damned much plastic cladding. The 16-inch alloy wheels on the Active model look teeny-weeny because there’s just so damned much plastic cladding.

But it is marginally more accommodating than a Mazda CX-3, even though I couldn’t slot myself in the back row without my knees being hard-up against the driver’s seat, which was set for my 183cm frame.

Headroom and toeroom in the back, though, is very good, and there are dual ISOFIX attachments and three top-tether points for those more diminutive rear-seat occupants. There are no rear air-vents, and nor are there map pockets.

You do get cupholders in the back, with a set in the flip-down arm-rest, and there are bottle holders in the doors, too. The front doors have bottle caddies, too, but the cupholders between the front seats are a little smaller than usual. The hard plastic linings of the storage areas - including the cupholders and also the bin and shelf in front of the gear-shifter - means things will move around when you’re driving.

There is only one USB port, which in a youthful car is a huge disappointment, but if charging rather than connecting is your focus, there are two 12-volt outlets. And the media screen has smartphone mirroring plus Bluetooth phone and audio streaming for disconnectaphobes.

The boot space is hatchback-like, at 361 litres - it’s as though Hyundai has prioritised boot room in favour of back-seat space… new parents should probably take note. Under the floor is a space-saver spare, and it has 60/40 split-fold seats.

  • With external dimensions well shy of the Toyota C-HR, the Kona doesn’t offer the amount of space on the inside you might hope for. With external dimensions well shy of the Toyota C-HR, the Kona doesn’t offer the amount of space on the inside you might hope for.
  • Headroom and toeroom in the back is very good. Headroom and toeroom in the back is very good.

Likewise, the plastics used on the doors and the dash are all of the hard, but textured, type - even the elbow-rests on the doors are hard. While that may be good for wiping off grubby-kid mitt marks, it doesn’t provide the sense of premium-ness we’ve come to expect from Hyundai’s products.

But then there are thoughtful things like the sunvisors, which can extend along the side windows to stop the sun blinding you if you’re driving in the early morning or late afternoon. The leather steering wheel cover and gearknob are nice touches, and the seats are comfortable, too.

Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with?   6/10

The Kona Active 2.0 MPi base model is listed at $24,500 (before the usual on-road costs), with the brand stating drive-away pricing of $27,000. It'll cost you more for the turbo petrol with all-wheel drive, and you can option a safety pack on this model - read about what that gets you in the safety section below.

The list of standard kit on the Active model includes those aforementioned small looking alloy wheels (with a space-saver spare), roof-rails, LED daytime running lights, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear-knob. There’s no push-button start or keyless entry, which you get in a Mazda CX-3 for less money, and the driver’s window is the only one with auto down, and it doesn’t go up automatically, which is just dumb.

Bluetooth phone and audio streaming is supported, but there is no proprietary sat nav available. Bluetooth phone and audio streaming is supported, but there is no proprietary sat nav available.

Inside there is a 7.0-inch multimedia screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto mirroring, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming is supported, but there is no proprietary sat nav available - you’ll have to stream maps from your phone.

What are the key stats for the engine and transmission?   7/10

This spec runs a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, with 110kW of power and 180Nm of torque, which is less grunt than you get in a base model i30, because it’s a different (read: older tech) engine.

The brand reckons it’ll run from 0-100km/h in 10.0 seconds. The brand reckons it’ll run from 0-100km/h in 10.0 seconds.

It is FWD only, and has a six-speed automatic transmission of the old-school torque-converter variety.

The brand reckons it’ll run from 0-100km/h in 10.0 seconds. Nothisng to beat your chest about there, then.

How much fuel does it consume?   7/10

Hyundai claims a rather high 7.2L/100km for the Kona 2.0 MPi - a full half-litre more than the heavier all-wheel drive turbo model uses. Most competitors claim below 6.5L/100km in front-drive guise.

Our loaner returned 7.4L/100km - not bad at all.

Over a mix of highway, traffic-clogged urban and flowing country road testing, our loaner returned 7.4L/100km - not bad at all.

What's it like to drive?   7/10

It would be too harsh to say it’s annoying to drive, but the drivetrain can certainly make it a frustrating experience in some situations. The 2.0-litre engine feels somewhat asthmatic, and can whinge like a teething toddler when you ask it for some performance.

  • The boot space is hatchback-like, at 361 litres. The boot space is hatchback-like, at 361 litres.
  • It's as though Hyundai has prioritised boot room in favour of back-seat space… new parents should probably take note. It's as though Hyundai has prioritised boot room in favour of back-seat space… new parents should probably take note.

That said, I live in the Blue Mountains, and the long-distance commute - with a lot of high-speed questions being asked of the Kona's engine and transmission - doesn’t really suit the 'urban lifestyle' user case. But around town, it comes into its own - if you’re cruising below 60km/h, this is a fuss-free drivetrain with smooth gearshifts and enough power to suffice.

And, if the drivetrain’s eagerness to go for the highest gear gets on your nerves that much, you can put it in Sport mode, which allows it to rev out more and also makes the shifts, throttle response and steering all more urgent feeling.

The steering, though, is a bit hit and miss - it feels overly weighted, even in the non-Sport modes (Eco or Comfort): you might find yourself wishing it was a little lighter in its action, especially when you’re arm-twirling around roundabouts or into parking spots.

Under the floor is a space-saver spare, and it has 60/40 split-fold seats. Under the floor is a space-saver spare, and it has 60/40 split-fold seats.

The ride is largely inoffensive, and so is the handling - it hangs on like a regular hatchback in corners, and bumps are disposed of well, be it around town or at higher speeds - and that’s even with the less sophisticated torsion beam rear suspension (the AWD models have a multi-link rear). If you hit a sharp speedhump too quickly, you will notice the front end may double-down as it settles, but it’s never clumsy.

Warranty & Safety Rating

Basic Warranty

5 years / unlimited km warranty

ANCAP Safety Rating

ANCAP logo

What safety equipment is fitted? What safety rating?   6/10

There is no crash-test score recorded for the Hyundai Kona as yet, be that in Australasia, Europe or otherwise. We’d expect, given Hyundai’s recent run of form, that a five-star score would eventuate - but if a number from ANCAP matters to you, you may wish to wait for affirmation.

All Kona models come with six airbags, a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, hill-descent control, hill-start assist, ESC, and tyre-pressure monitoring.

The Active is available with a safety pack (the equipment of which is fitted, as standard, to all models from Elite up), and it consists offorward collision warning and auto emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, driver-fatigue monitoring, plus heated/power folding side mirrors. The pack is $1500, and it’s worth it.

What does it cost to own? What warranty is offered?   9/10

Hyundai is known for its excellent ownership potential, with the brand backing its cars with a five-year/unlimited km warranty and up to 10 years’ roadside assist. And then there’s the capped-price servicing plan, which can span forever!

Well, it’ll span the life of the car, and is transferrable, too. Maintenance for this drivetrain is due every 12 months or 15,000km whichever occurs first (though there is a run-in check-up at 1500km). The costs are considerate, too, with the first five visits to the service department averaging out at just $279 per time.

If you opt for the Active with all-wheel drive and the turbo engine/dual-clutch drivetrain, you’ll be required to get it serviced every 12 months/10,000km - a bit of a pain if you do a lot of miles.

Verdict

There is no denying that the Hyundai Kona has the looks to grab plenty of attention. And the low price point will also catch a few eyeballs.

However, I’d suggest you try out the version with all-wheel drive, which also has a better turbocharged engine; you might be surprised at how much of a difference it makes.

Is Matt crazy in his dislike of the appearance of the Hyundai Kona? Let us know if you like it or loathe it in the comments section below.

Pricing guides

$23,990
Based on 184 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months
Lowest Price
$16,999
Highest Price
$31,620

Range and Specs

VehicleSpecsPrice*
Active AWD 1.6L, ULP, 7 SP AUTO $21,340 – 26,950 2018 Hyundai Kona 2018 Active AWD Pricing and Specs
Active 2.0L, ULP, 6 SP AUTO $20,460 – 25,960 2018 Hyundai Kona 2018 Active Pricing and Specs
Launch Edition (awd) 1.6L, ULP, 7 SP AUTO $22,220 – 27,500 2018 Hyundai Kona 2018 Launch Edition (awd) Pricing and Specs
Active Safety (awd) 1.6L, ULP, 7 SP AUTO $20,570 – 26,070 2018 Hyundai Kona 2018 Active Safety (awd) Pricing and Specs
EXPERT RATING
6.9
Design6
Practicality7
Price and features6
Under the bonnet7
Efficiency7
Driving7
Safety6
Ownership9
Matt Campbell
Managing Editor - Head of Video

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Pricing Guide

$16,999

Lowest price, based on 168 car listings in the last 6 months

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Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication.  Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.