New Hyundai Kona makes its arrival on SA shores

by Leigh-Ann Londt

July 13, 2021

The new Hyundai Kona has made its debut, now with a variety of new upgrades, dynamic new looks and for the first time, a sporty N Line trim has arrived in South Africa.

According to Quickpic, the Kona N Line stands out with its sporty front and rear end, body colour and diamond-cut wheel design.

“Interestingly, there is a happy vibe that I feel is common with many Kona drivers,” says SangYup Lee, senior vice president and head of Hyundai’s Global Design Centre. “Our design inspiration stems from this positive spirit, and this is a dedication to all the adventurers out there who explore life with a smile.”

The new design offers a dynamic appearance, while an enhanced powertrain line-up provides both sporty and eco-friendly options to suit a diverse variety of buyers. Convenience features, as well as safety, have all been improved with new active and passive safety features.

The new Kona will be available in South Africa in three variants with two specifications and trim levels: Kona 2.0 Nu Executive with an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT); Kona 1.6 T-GDi Executive with a 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT); and the flagship Kona 1.6 T-GDi N Line, also with the DCT.

The latest model comes with an updated 17-inch wheel design for the Kona 2.0 Executive, and a different 18-inch wheel for the 1.6 T-GDi Executive and 1.6 T-GDi N Line.

Connectivity and convenience features

Several new convenience features allow for a more comfortable ride, including a second-row USB port for backseat passengers who can now charge their cell phones from a USB cable port in a centre console, with a place to store the phone. The new Kona Executive variants with manual seats have also improved. Front passengers can also now adjust their seat height.

As standard, the new Kona has been upgraded with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, meaning customers do not have to use a cable anymore to connect their phones to the 8-inch display infotainment system. A wireless cell phone charging pad in the centre console is also standard in all derivatives.

Advanced safety & driving assistance

The new Kona N Line has a range of Hyundai’s SmartSense safety and driving assist features that include:

  • Smart Cruise Control
  • Blind Spot Collision-avoidance Assist
  • Lane Keep Assist and Lane Following Assist
  • Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-avoidance Assist
  • Forward Collision-avoidance Assist
  • Safe Exit Assist
  • Fatigue Detection/Driver Attention Warning

All Kona derivatives have an Electronic Stability Program and Vehicle Stability Management, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Downhill Brake Control and Hill-start Assist Control.

Pricing

The suggested retail prices of the three derivatives in the Hyundai Kona range are:

Kona 2.0 Nu Executive (auto): R449 900

Kona 1.6 T-GDi Executive DCT: R499 900

Kona 1.6 T-GDi N-Line DCT: R579 900

Included in the prices are:

  • A 7-year / 200 000 km manufacturer’s warranty.
  • A 5-year / 75 000 km service plan.
  • Roadside assistance for 7 years or 150 000 km.

Picture/s: Quickpic