The Hyundai Kona is the Korean brand's small SUV, which sits above the city-sized Venue, and under the mid-size Tucson, seven-seat Santa Fe, and full-size Palisade.
The Kona competes head-on with the Honda HR-V, Toyota C-HR, Mazda CX-3 and Mitsubishi ASX, and is available in base, Active, Elite, N Line, Highlander, and N Line Premium trim levels. Buyers can choose between two petrol engines and two- or all-wheel drive drivetrains.
The zero (tailpipe) emissions Kona Highlander Electric launched in Australia in late 2019.
This vehicle is also known as The Hyundai Kona is also known as Hyundai Kauai (Portugal), Hyundai Encino (China) in markets outside Australia..
The Kona’s interior has a restrained, relatively low-key feel. However, the dash treatment is cool and contemporary, comprising a wide wrap-around instrument and media screen panel next to a narrow tray on the passenger side.
Even though the Kona measures a relatively modest 4350mm end-to-end, it offers up copious amounts of interior space with lots of breathing room up front and generous rear room more in line with a next-size-up medium SUV.
Available colours across all Kona models are ‘Ecotronic Grey’, ‘Mirage Green’, ‘Abyss Black’, ‘Ultimate Red’, ‘Atlas White’ and ‘Denim Blue’.
The Kona’s boot capacity is healthy at 407 litres (VDA), expanding to 1241L with the 60/40 split-folding second row seat folded.
At a minimum all Konas feature alloy wheels, six-speaker audio with digital radio, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, keyless entry and start, premium cloth trim, heated power-adjustable exterior mirrors and dual-zone climate control.
Higher grades feature built-in navigation, eight-speaker Bose sound, leather-appointed trim, power front seat adjustment, a hands-free tailgate, heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel and more.
I can understand why the crank angle sensor was the first thing to be changed. These often start to die and the first symptom is an engine that stops after running for a while. But you’re right to be sceptical about the timing chain as there’s a theory that says if the engine runs properly at all, then the issue won’t be anything fundamental. Which is to say, if the timing chain was stretched beyond the point at which the engine could function properly, it wouldn’t function properly at all, regardless of how long it had been running.
A good workshop should be able to scan the car’s computer. If the timing chain really is stretched, then the computer should have logged this as a problem. If not, then you’re looking for something else. Of course, what that something else is the million-dollar question. Don’t rule out basic things like a dirty fuel filter which can allow fuel to flow for a while before the rubbish in it clogs the flow after a few minutes running.
That said, if the engine can’t locate the correct signal from the camshaft (which is controlled by the timing chain) it will sometimes look for a stand-in signal somewhere else on the engine, allowing it to start but not run properly. An electronic scan is definitely the way forward.
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These modern active cruise control system rely on lots and lots of information from around the car to function properly. And unless all those camera, steering, braking and throttle position (and more) sensors are playing as a team, the car’s computer - acting as the onboard relationship manager - has no option but to disable some functions, as they become potentially flawed without the correct inputs.
That’s why the connection between the power steering and the cameras on your car is so critical, and also why the systems have shut down. The actual failure could be with either the steering or camera system, but it will need a deep dive at the dealership to figure out what element has caused the shutdown of the other.
In any case, this is pretty clearly a warranty job (unless the camera has been damaged by hitting something) but you need to be fair about it and give Hyundai every chance to make it right.
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Hyundai actually issued a recall for some Konas with the dual-clutch transmission on precisely this basis. At the time, the reason given was that electrical gremlins within the computer-control of the driveline could cause the transmission to lose drive. Obviously, if you’re merging into fast moving traffic or crossing an uncontrolled intersection at the time, a sudden loss of drive could be very dangerous.
To find out if a particular car was affected and whether or not it’s been fixed, you can quote the VIN to a Hyundai dealer who should be able to give you the good or bad news.
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There are three powertrain options available in the Kona - the entry model’s 110kW/180Nm, naturally aspirated 2.0-litre petrol four-cylinder, a 146kW/265Nm 1.6L turbo-petrol four in higher grades, and a 104kW/265Nm 1.6L naturally aspirated petrol-electric hybrid.
Hyundai’s official fuel consumption figure for the 2.0L entry-grade Kona is 6.6L/100km which (with a 47L tank) converts to a theoretical range of 712km. The 1.6L turbo at 7.6L/100km drops that number to 618km. And despite a smaller (38L) fuel tank, the 1.6L Hybrid extends range to an impressive 974km.
The Hyundai Kona is a five-seat SUV, the front two combining good support with excellent long-distance comfort, while the rear is able to split-fold 60/40 to increase load flexibility.
Expect the entry-level, naturally aspirated Kona 2.0L to accelerate from 0-100km/h in around 9.5 seconds, the 1.6L turbo in roughly 8.0s and the Hybrid version in the high 10-second range with a top speed around 170km/h.