[OlaKona]

After browsing through the photos of the Hyundai Kona, I started looking for what tires it was running as typically manufacturers would at least leak the brand of tire they're running on the vehicle, even if they don't get the model and/or tire size.

Hyundai definitely did this time around as well, and we can see that the Kona will be coming with some sort of Continental tires.

From some pretty terrible images, I'm going out on a limb and thinking that they will be Continental ContiPro Contact All-Season tires. But again, not too sure.

 

[mechanic80]

Continentals are good tires but all season tires are only so-so for a 4WD machine that sees significant snow in the 7300' elevation east mountains outside of Albuquerque. There are now CUV tires from some makers in smaller sizes with a more aggressive tread. Maybe I can get a trade allowance from my regular tire store and upgrade the skins.

 

[mechanic80]

tire sizes

Tire sizes are as follows (from the factory) Continentals shown; 235/45R18, 215/55R17 and 205/60R16 I have yet to find AT tires in these sizes. All Season tires, no problem except that the tread pattern isn't quite agresive enough. Sorry, but I have no idea the wheel style for either of the mentioned sizes. I'll keep searching for All Terain tires and post results.

 

[OlaKona]

Those 16s would be great for the winter time but I would definitely love the 235s for the summer. Love wider wheels and how they look even on an oem level.

 

[HKSKS]

Tire sizes are as follows (from the factory) Continentals shown; 235/45R18, 215/55R17 and 205/60R16 I have yet to find AT tires in these sizes. All Season tires, no problem except that the tread pattern isn't quite agresive enough. Sorry, but I have no idea the wheel style for either of the mentioned sizes. I'll keep searching for All Terain tires and post results.

I might reserve my own take on the tires till I get a chance to test it on the Kona because depending on how they tune it and what pushing the Kona through turns those tires might prove to be enough. Often car makers include tires meet a lot of need....i'm not much different from the typical owner.

 

[Crona]

You don't really need anything performance orientated for the Kona. I'm most likely going to get a set for winter and keep the factory set for the other season. This is most likely what a majority of people will do unless they want something with deeper treads for some cottage roads.

 

[HKSKS]

You don't really need anything performance orientated for the Kona. I'm most likely going to get a set for winter and keep the factory set for the other season. This is most likely what a majority of people will do unless they want something with deeper treads for some cottage roads.

True still a lot we don't know about the Kona so testing for ourselves in environments common to us will be a key factor to this. I just hope dealers allow us to test drive these long enough, personally a couple hours would do it for me.

 

[HyundaiGuy]

i hope they plan on releasing some sporty trim along the lines of a Lexus F-Sport because doing that could get the extra moment needed to push a new hot product
hyundai has a lot of catching up to do and this will be the booster pack they need.

 

[HKSKS]

a lot of recent concepts have teased something like that is in the pipe line so we can either just take what we have right now or wait who knows how much longer for those higher performing trims, i won't wait.

 

[Shel]

Just purchased the 1.6T but not keen on the low profile 235' 18" tires/rims. They look great but with our rough roads and my occasional recreational use on secondary and gravel roads, the ride is rough and I'm just asking for rim damage. The salesman thinks I'm nuts but I'm swapping for the 17" with a half inch higher sidewall. Perhaps a handling trade-off, but, hey, it's not a Ferrari.

Shel

 

[tobidog123]

I'd plan to get the limited for the turbo engine option and I'd love to get the 17 or even 16 inch wheels to replace the 18s. I don't know if a dealer would do the swap for free.
The low profile tires provide a minor advantage in handling for someone who always drives the car full out, but are not as comfortable and easier to suffer damage from bad roads.

 

[Shel]

Yes, the salesman thought it would be expensive but the manager said no cost swap (they should almost pay me). Several reviews say it makes quite a difference:

https://www.whichcar.com.au/car-reviews/hyundai-kona-review

Does any upgrade have a down side?

The Kona Active models ride more comfortably on their 16-inch wheels than the Elite and Highlander ride on their 17s and 18s, because the lower profile tyres on the bigger wheels have less rubber and air cushioning the wheels from the road. The difference is most pronounced at city speeds.



https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/hyundai/hyundai-kona-review-small-suv-big-appeal-style-conscious/

Our test car definitely didn’t benefit from being on 18-inch wheels, which made the ride too firm at low speeds and barely any better on the motorway. Thus configured, this small SUV borders on uncomfortable, although it does a good job of shutting out wind and road noise, and would almost certainly improve on the smaller 16- or 17-inch wheel options.



Hyundai Kona Review | Auto Express

Tyre size will play a part in this, of course. S and SE models come with 16in and 17in wheels respectively, and we'd strongly recommend you ask for a back-to-back test before committing to the 18in items that come with Premium, Premium SE and Premium GT versions.



The 18's are pretty thin - see comparison image:

 

[Shel]

Sorry -- tire image didn't work -I'll try again

 

[Macan GTS 204]

GF just bought an Ultimate, we drove FWD found it road the worst (has different rear suspension and bounced a lot ). AWD preffered road better with 17s on it. But for some reason Ultimate we felt road best with 18's on it. Dealer claimed it had a softer spring to make up for shorter side wall. Not sure about that one.

 

[Shel]

Interesting. Both the US and Canadian Hyundai sites show that the rear suspension is upgraded to multi-link in the AWD's regardless of engine choice, but the tire/wheels go to the 18" with the 1.6 turbos, regardless of FWD or AWD. No particular mention is made of springs.

Certainly worth knowing if there is special suspension/spring tuning for the 18".

 

[Macan GTS 204]

Ya not sure if it was just salesman talk or what! Or just us imagining it road better. Regardless she chose the turbo ultimate in red. Won't get it for at least a few weeks as it was on order.

 

[Shel]

I see you're in Winnipeg, so get as much snow or more that us, so likely you will get winter tires on a 16" or 17" rim anyway.

But here our summer potholes left over from winter freeze /thaw (chinooks) are deadly.

I didn't get a chance to try the 17" on an AWD for comparison --dealer didn't have one.


And the wait is a couple of month's here.

 

[Macan GTS 204]

I see you're in Winnipeg, so get as much snow or more that us, so likely you will get winter tires on a 16" or 17" rim anyway.

But here our summer potholes left over from winter freeze /thaw (chinooks) are deadly.

I didn't get a chance to try the 17" on an AWD for comparison --dealer didn't have one.


And the wait is a couple of month's here.

Yes in Winnipeg, not sure about winter tires yet. Will have to see how good original tires are on ice and snow. Our pot holes make yours look small, our streets have gotten so bad I don't know how they will ever catch up on repairs needed.

 

[Shel]

Well the "conventional" wisdom for winter tires is you want narrower so they cut through / or bite, and don't ski over the snow, and a bit "deeper" - ie sidewall - so if you are going with your all seasons all year, then note that the 18" are wider and shallower than the 17's.

 

[Macan GTS 204]

Well the "conventional" wisdom for winter tires is you want narrower so they cut through / or bite, and don't ski over the snow, and a bit "deeper" - ie sidewall - so if you are going with your all seasons all year, then note that the 18" are wider and shallower than the 17's.

Yup, just not sure it will need winters yet. We will see, I have winters for my truck now ( factory 22's summers on it) and she had winters on her Ford escape too. They do make a difference no doubt about it, but her driving is mainly city so haven't decided yet. Probably will end up getting winters as you can finance them with insurance company ( gov. insurance here). For little to no cost over 3 or 4 years. My Porsche is a little different, probably won't put on that as it would cost an arm and a leg for winter tires and rims on it.