Cheaper Hyundai Kona Go introduced

HYUNDAI Motor Company Australia (HMCA) has lowered the point of entry into its Kona small SUV by $1000 with the introduction of a new $23,500 before on-roads Go variant, while also increasing prices across the remaining line-up by as much as $3000.

Driving the front wheels, the new entry-level Kona Go is powered by a 110kW/180Nm 2.0-litre naturally aspirated MPi petrol engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission – the same powertrain available in the $25,500 Active (+$1000), $29.500 Elite (+$1000) and $35,500 Highlander (+$2500) variants.

All four model grades can also be optioned with an all-paw, 130kW/265Nm turbocharged 1.6-litre T-GDi engine and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic drivetrain for an additional $3500, resulting in an increase of $1000 for Active ($29,000) and Elite ($33,000) levels, while the top-spec Highlander ($39,000) jumps $3000.

At the base level, standard equipment includes automatic headlights, LED daytime running lights, black mesh grille, 16-inch steel wheels, rear spoiler, roof racks, centre console USB charging port, and 7.0-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

Stepping up to the Active variant adds an 8.0-inch infotainment system with satellite navigation, live traffic updates, digital radio, eight-speaker sound system, rear parking sensors, leather-appointed steering wheel and gear knob, second-row fold down armrest, and 16-inch alloy wheels.

Safety gear includes a reversing camera, six airbags, tyre pressure monitoring system and emergency stop signal, but buyers of the Go and Active grades can option in Hyundai’s SmartSense pack that adds driver attention warning, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist and rear cross-traffic alert, as well as heated power-folding mirrors.

Elite grades gains a number of premium touches such as leather-appointed seats, push button start, climate control and automatic wipers, as well as tweaked exterior styling thanks to 17-inch alloy wheels, front foglights, carbon-grey grille and rear skid plate.

The flagship Highlander meanwhile, nets 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail-lights, front parking sensors, head-up display, 4.2-inch TFT instrumentation display, heated, ventilated and power-adjustable front pews, wireless phone charger, and either a glass sunroof or two-tone roof pack.

Also standard in the Kona refresh is Hyundai’s Auto Link, a technology that pairs the small SUV with a smartphone via Bluetooth that can display vehicle data such as driving history, parking location, fuel economy statistics and maintenance reminders.

Top-spec Highlander variants gain Auto Link Premium, which features an in-vehicle sim card for functions such as starting the engine and adjusting climate control settings from your smartphone.

The updated Kona is on sale now and, like all new Hyundai models, comes with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty.

HMCA chief operating officer Scott Grant said the refreshed Kona line-up is positioned to be more attractive to inner-city customers.

“With the addition of a sat-nav infotainment system and premium audio from Kona Active upwards, and an accessible new Go range-opener, the refreshed 2019 Kona builds on the model’s terrific value and appeal for active urban buyers,” he said.

HMCA has sold 9569 Konas since its launch in October last year, 6874 of which were sold in the first seven months of 2018.

So far this year, the Kona trails the sub-$40,000 small SUV segment-leading Mitsubishi ASX (11,053), Mazda CX-3 (10,048), Nissan Qashqai (8418), Subaru XV (8135) and Honda HR-V (7203).