Hyundai Kona review

The driver's seat in the Hyundai Kona is mounted a few centimetres higher than it is in a Seat Arona or Skoda Kamiq, so you feel as though you're behind the wheel of something taller than a regular hatchback.

What's more, the driving position is fundamentally sound – the pedals line up neatly with the steering wheel and there's plenty of steering-wheel adjustment. Only SE Connect models miss out on adjustable lumbar support and you get electric seat adjustment if you go for the range-topping Ultimate trim.

Seeing out of the front and side of the Kona isn't too difficult because of its relatively thin pillars and tall windows. This is really helpful when you're pulling out of T-junctions and on to roundabouts.

When you look back over your shoulder, though, the Kona’s broad rear pillars and small rear screen restrict a lot of your view. Happily, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera are standard across the range. If you go for the Premium or Ultimate trim, you'll get sensors at the front of the car, too.

SE Connect models have an 8.0in touchscreen, which is mounted high up on the dashboard so it's easy to see and reach. The graphics are fairly sharp and there's rarely more than a brief pause between you pressing the screen and the system responding.

With any other trim level, you get a 10.3in screen with a built-in sat nav function. Either way, you get Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone mirroring,

Wireless phone-charging and an eight-speaker Krell sound system are standard with Premium trim. Its sound quality won't blow you away but it lets you crank up the volume when your favourite song comes on the radio, without too much fear of distortion.

Overall, apart from the more expensive Audi Q2 and Mini Countryman, the Kona has one of the best infotainment packages in the small SUV class.

The Kona's interior is a step behind the Skoda Kamiq’s for quality, with plenty of hard, scratchy plastic on the dashboard and the insides of the doors.

The leather on the steering wheel also feels a bit plasticky, but then it's not as though the interior of the Volkswagen T-Roc is in any way plush. At least everything inside the Kona feels sturdily assembled and most of the buttons, switches and dials feel fairly robust.