The Hyundai Kona is full of Korean drama. Should you get one?

The Koreans have taken the same vim and vigour from the K-Pop scene and engineered that into their cars for a drive you might soon be raving about…

We won’t belabour the fact that the Korean automotive manufacturers have come a long way since the 1990s when they were known as the cheap alternative to Japanese automation.

But we will highlight that, in recent years, under the leadership of design maestros boasting CVs from luxury brand names such as BMW and Audi, they’ve more than turned the corner with stylish everyday cars that don’t just look nice, but drive great, and are arguably as good as the next Japanese-branded car.  

Flair in the every day

Trust the Koreans to bring the drama and excitement from the television screens and concert stages into the cars that roll off their production lines. Even with a car intended to be as functional as the Hyundai Kona sports utility vehicle (SUV) here.

First impressions certainly count, and the latest addition to Hyundai’s line-up here in Singapore will have passers-by giving its sleek, sporty features a second look. Striking colour options certainly help it stand out, but once it’s got your attention, you’ll immediately be struck by bold details, such as that cascading front grille, futuristic headlight design, and muscular ‘armoured’ look of the body. It’s even got seat trimming on the inside that matched the exterior body colour.

Fun in the drive

Keen drivers looking for a bit of engagement to match the Kona’s looks will be heartened to know that at the heart of the car beats a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine (there’s also a 1.0-litre option, available only in manual) that has been paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox for smooth shifting.

For all the 174bhp and 265Nm of torque the car produces, it is impressive how youthfully exuberant and responsive the car is, particularly when it comes to navigating tight corners in narrow carparks.

And with a choice of Comfort, Eco and Sport modes to suit needs, performance to be dialled to taste without compromising the car’s 6.7-litre fuel economy figures.

Practical concerns

Without skipping a beat, the car’s well-appointed interior will seat a family five comfortably with a decent amount of headroom and legroom in the rear. There are also the usual mounts for essentials like child seats and enough room in the boot for the usual things, such as prams and suitcases.

Fold down the rear seats for more real estate and one can even fit in a large mountain bike.

Where safety is concerned, the car even comes with a host of options such as blindspot detection, lane keeping assist and autonomous emergency braking. Besides the fancy features, you can expect parking assistance, reverse cameras and electric driver’s seats.

Should you get one?

Quite impressively, Hyundai has set the bar high for a car that’s both practical in function and attractive in form.

Avid drivers will want to consider the 1.6-litre version tested here, although if you’re focused more on getting from point to point, the 1.0-litre Kona would be way friendlier on your pocket, especially with an affordable motor insurance policy here at Budget Direct Insurance.

Get a quote on your car insurance for the Kona and call us today at 6221 2111.

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