New Hyundai Kona vs Volkswagen T-Roc: practicality
Fuel efficiency is at the heart of Hyundai’s new small SUV, but does it have enough strings in its bow to beat the five-star Volkswagen T-Roc? Let’s find out...
Space and practicality
Front space, rear space, seating flexibility, boot
Take a look at our interior measurements and you’ll see that the Hyundai Kona is the bigger car. However, the Volkswagen T-Roc still has plenty of leg and head room up front. And while the Kona’s extra width is nice to have, it’s not like you’re banging elbows with your front passenger in the T-Roc.
Similarly, there’s no shortage of head room in the back of either car, but while a six-footer will fit behind an equally tall driver in the T-Roc, the extra knee room and space for your feet that the Kona offers are welcome on longer drives.
Middle seat passengers have to contend with a hump in the floor in both cars, but the T-Roc’s is tall and slim, rather than low and wide like the Kona’s, so it’s easier to straddle. Then again, the Kona’s extra width means slightly more shoulder room for three people sitting side by side.
Boot space is a T-Roc strength, with it being able to swallow seven carry-on suitcases, compared with the fairly pedestrian five that you’ll fit in the Kona. Considering that the Kona’s boot is both longer and wider than the T-Roc’s, the difference might come as a surprise, but it’s due to the Kona’s boot being much shallower.
When you need more space, you can at least take advantage of the Kona’s 40/20/40 split-folding rear seatbacks, which allow you to slide longer items between two rear passengers, whereas its rival has a less versatile 60/40 configuration.
The T-Roc goes some way to compensating by having a ski hatch; this gives you a small gap through which you can poke long items from the boot.
Boot space
Hyundai Kona
Boot capacity 466-1300 litres Suitcases 5
Volkswagen T-Roc
Boot capacity 445-1290 litres Suitcases 7
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