The Korean giant has thrown a 'spoiler' into the vibrant small SUV market, the Hyundai Kona, where it goes toe-to-toe with the segment’s most dominant player, the Mazda CX3.
Year-to-Date in Australia (at end September
2017), the market is flat, but so far this year 75,584 small SUVs have been delivered,
versus 75,378 to the same point last year. This is one hot market sector!
The absolute leader of the segment in
September was the Mitsubishi ASX, but its fortunes rise and fall
month-by-month; and it’s Mazda’s CX3 which everyone is chasing.
So, where does Kona sit – by comparison?
The Hyundai scores a great big plus over most of its competitors. The new SUV
from Korea is based on the outstanding Hyundai i30, which provides more
interior room, more practicality and a much more comfortable ride.
Most of the competing models sit on
platforms donated by smaller models – for example the Mazda CX-3 is based on
the Mazda 2 car platform. Others have platforms unique to the model, but the
way manufacturing efficiencies are developing all carmakers will be moving to
completely modular architectures. That development was originally led by the
Volkswagen Group, but many other companies are continuing to refine the
technique.
To hit the hot buttons in the small SUV
segment it seems Toyota and Hyundai are following a pattern set by the
excellent Suzuki Vitara.
Although my test car was the base model
Kona – in basic black – Toyota, Hyundai and Suzuki are offering a multiplicity
of color choices, contrasting trim dress-up kits, and interior tweaks aimed at
stimulating market choices. The exterior color combinations are brash, bold and
ensure you won’t lose your car in a car park.
Here’s how Hyundai’s Kona shapes up against
Toyota’s very impressive C-HR.
The other impressive standout of the Kona
is the ride and handling, and the performance. It’s basically the i30
powertrain package, complete with Hyundai’s own, excellent 6-speed auto. The
power steering is beautifully weighted, and all up it is probably the most
pleasant car in this group of small SUVs.
The Kona has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto,
and quite frankly unless you lust after bold color combos and more tech, the
base model Kona (maybe in a brighter color) will prove to be capable, economical and reliable.
That’s all
you want for your dollars, right?
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