5 Details the Hyundai Kona Gets Just Right (and What It Needs to Fix)
Attention to detail is where a lot of car companies, and humans, actually, fall apart.
Where a car could be an otherwise fine vehicle, poor attention to detail can really be a dealbreaker for many drivers. Hyundai, however, has put a lot of thoughtful details into its new subcompact crossover, the Kona, which makes it stand out in its segment.
Here are 5 details I love about the 2018 Hyundai Kona (and a few that need to be fixed).
1. Cloth Seats
Opting for the entry-level cloth seats typically results in a something that looks like you cheaped out. Not in the Kona. The cloth seats in the Kona are done in a charming houndstooth pattern, which is a great way to liven up the interior and make the base cloth option actually look cool, like you paid extra for them. And you know what other automaker does houndstooth in their seats? Porsche.
ALSO SEE: 2018 Hyundai Kona Review
2. Colorful Details
The Kona can be optioned with matte lime green trim pieces inside, which livens up the interior and gives it some personality. If you opt for the leather seats, it also gets some excellent lime green piping and contrast stitching. Where most other cars in this segment have drab and cheap-looking interiors, this splash of color makes it look more expensive and makes it feel more exciting to be in, which is unusual for a car that costs under $30k.
I do wish, however, that Hyundai offered this cool trim in other colors and not just lime green so it could match the other exterior paint finishes offered.
3. Head Up Display
The fact that it has a head-up display at this price point is incredible, but it gets even better because of the information it displays. The most thoughtful and useful part of the HUD is that it shows if there’s a car in your blindspots. This is great because all you need to do is glance down briefly to see if the left or right blindspot indicator is showing in the HUD to see whether or not you should think of changing lanes. Of course, it’s not a replacement for doing a shoulder check and looking at your side mirrors, but it’s a very useful indicator.
4. Funky Colors
I love that the Kona is available in fun colors like Pulse Red, Surf Blue (called Blue Lagoon in Canada), and Tangerine Comet (only available in Canada), and Lime Twist (called Acid Yellow in Canada). It’s also available with a black contrast roof, which is a cool design detail.
5. Hidden Storage
Trunk space measures in at 19.2 cubic feet (544 L) with the seats up and 45.8 cu-ft (1,296 L) with the 40/60 seats folded down. But there’s a handy hidden storage compartment under the trunk floor, which is a great place to stash valuables you want to keep hidden. The compartments can be big enough for a laptop or some tablets.
And here are a few details on the Kona that could be improved.
1. Only One USB Port
The whole car gets only one USB port, and it’s not even a fast charging one. Although a 12V plug is nice and can be useful, we don’t need two of them front and center. A fast charging USB port would be much more useful in the dashboard area. Having a wireless charger is handy, however, and helps alleviate having just one USB port.
2. Fake Hood Scoop
This is just a personal pet peeve, but I hate that the hood scoop isn’t functional. I like how it looks, but it bothers me that it serves no purpose other than looking cool.
ALSO SEE: 2018 Hyundai Kona Pros and Cons
3. DCT Transmission Judders
A common problem with dual clutch transmissions is that they judder at creeping speeds, which is the case with the Kona. Although in the Kona it’s not bad enough to be a dealbreaker, a smoother transmission would make the Kona feel even more refined.
4. No Adaptive Cruise Control
With adaptive cruise control becoming more and more common, even at this price range, it’s something that a lot of people are looking for these days. Not having it seems like an oversight, although I understand the need to cut it to help keep the Kona affordable. To be fair, I love that the Kona is available with rear-cross traffic alert to help you when you’re backing out and can’t see if there’s a car coming. I often find this much more useful than ACC.
Discuss this article on our Hyundai Kona Forum
Jodi has been obsessed with cars since she was little and has been an automotive journalist for the past 12 years. She has a Bachelor of Journalism from Ryerson University in Toronto, is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), and a jury member for the prestigious North American Car/Truck/Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY). Besides hosting videos, and writing news, reviews and features, Jodi is the Editor-in-Chief of AutoGuide.com and takes care of the site's day-to-day operations.
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Agree with the 5 good things. I think more than 1 USB port would be superfluous. The fake hood scoop isn't that bad (are we sure it's fake?), It's certainly better than than the new Corolla hatchback's fake exhausts. DCT Judders? Just stick with the regular automatic, it's supposed to be a value oriented SUV thing anyways, who would fully spec this? Adaptive Cruise is for the lazies.
Just a suggestion, can you please take a photo of the trunk with two large suitcases? So many times I can't tell whether they will fit based on their photos included in your articles