Hyundai Kona review

The Kona’s seat is mounted a few centimetres higher than a Seat Arona's, but you still don’t really feel as though you’re driving a proper SUV. 

Regardless, the Kona's driving position is fundamentally sound; the pedals line up neatly with the steering wheel and there's plenty of steering wheel adjustment.

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From second-rung SE trim you also get manual adjustable lumbar support for the driver's seat. Meanwhile, range-topping Premium SE and Premium GT models have fully electric seats as standard, as well as a head-up display that shows driving information, such as your speed,  on the windscreen right in your line of sight. That means you don’t have to take your eyes off the road to read the speedometer.

Seeing out of the Kona to the front and the side is easy, thanks to relatively thin pillars and tall windows. This makes judging T-junctions and roundabouts a breeze. Look back over your shoulder and you'll find the Kona’s heavily styled rear end involves thick pillars and not much glass.

Happily, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera are standard from second-rung SE trim – this at least helps with the rear visibility problem. From Premium SE trim, Hyundai throws in front parking sensors, too.

Entry-level S cars get a 5.0in monochrome display, a DAB radio and Bluetooth, while a 7.0in colour touchscreen, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, is included with SE and Play trims. The touchscreen is pretty easy to use, although it's a pity that you don't get sat-nav unless you have the larger 8.0in system that's standard on Premium trim and above.

As well as the bigger screen, these trims also add wireless phone charging and an eight-speaker Krell sound system with a subwoofer. Sound quality won't blow you away, but it certainly lets you crank the volume up when your favourite song comes on the radio without fear of distortion.

The Kona's interior is a bit of a disappointment, with lots of hard, scratchy plastic on the dashboard and centre console. At least everything feels sturdily assembled and most of the buttons, switches and dials feel reasonably robust.

Hyundai hasn't forgotten about personalisation, offering interior trims and even seatbelts that match the Kona's bright exterior colours depending on the trim level you choose.