Hyundai Kona SUV - Interior & comfort (2017-2023)
The Hyundai Kona is impressively refined but the ride feels too firm, especially on the bigger wheels
The inside of the Kona is less unusually designed than the outside. Generally, there’s a well judged mix of materials throughout, even if there’s some slightly drab grey plastic on the dashboard. There are some nice soft-touch materials on the doors and in less visible places where you wouldn’t find them in rivals, such as the Citroen C3 Aircross. It’s starting to feel somewhat dated, however, and the next generation of Kona is already poised to be a lot more modern, gaining the same fully-digital instrument panel as the Hyundai Ioniq 5.
The Kona is impressively hushed at high speed, thanks to the character of the 1.0-litre petrol engine and impressive wind noise isolation.
Hyundai Kona dashboard
The Kona’s dashboard is more about function than design panache, but that does mean everything is laid out logically; the eight-inch infotainment system has been placed high up so it’s easier to glance at quickly and there's a crisp 10.25-inch digital instrument panel. The system is fast to respond during use, but it’s likely you’ll want to switch over to Android Auto or Apple CarPlay if you have them, in order to get the latest mapping and traffic information.
Equipment
There are four trim levels to choose from; SE Connect, N Line, Premium and Ultimate. Entry-level SE Connect cars come with 17-inch alloy wheels, air-con, LED daytime running lights, automatic headlights, cruise control and a rear-view camera.
Moving up to the N Line trim adds a sporty makeover, along with rear parking sensors, automatic wipers, climate control, ambient lighting, a larger touchscreen with sat nav and the option to connect with Hyundai's BlueLink smartphone app. Buyers also get an upgraded sound system, with eight speakers, an amplifier and subwoofer designed with US audio specialists Krell.
Mid-range Premium costs almost the same as N Line but has a more comfort-orientated look and feel, and adds heated front seats, a speed limit warning and an electric handbrake.
At the top of the range, the Kona Ultimate has an opening sunroof, LED headlights, electric front seats and additional safety kit.
Options
Customisation is a key element of a car’s appeal in the small SUV market and there are plenty of ways to make your Kona stand out if you want it to. These include contrasting roof colours and pearlescent paint choices. You can also opt to order the car with a sunroof.
