[OlaKona]

Right now the reviews are booming for the Hyundai Kona and for people like me who live in NA, this is about as good as it'll get until dealers start collecting them over here, whenever that may be.

So here's one from KBB (Kelley Blue Book)

There's not much information, but they do have a sort of brief recollection of their test drive with it.

Apparently, the suspension does a great job absorbing road imperfections and actually is quite quick (for what it is obviously) on the straights. Nice weighted steering wheel was also noticeable and, for me at least, a huge plus.

Also a reminder that the Kona will not be available with ACC or paddle shifters.

https://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/2018-hyundai-kona-first-look/2100004326/

 

[Crona]

I'm fine with the lack of paddle shifters and ACC, instead we get a dedicated button to turn on the all-wheel drive system, a feature that's more likely to be used by me on a daily basis.

 

[OlaKona]

Being from Canada, it's something I'd be using quite often as well in the winter time. Not so much the other seasons though as there's no reason for it and you'd probably just end up burning more gasoline for now reason.

 

[HKSKS]

I'm fine with the lack of paddle shifters and ACC, instead we get a dedicated button to turn on the all-wheel drive system, a feature that's more likely to be used by me on a daily basis.

Do you have experience with their AWD systems? My main concern here is that its not too front wheel drive biased. I hate systems like that but being this cheap of a product, we are susceptible

 

[OlaKona]

It's very possible and it's almost guaranteed that it'll be a FWD biased system. If you'll really notice it is going to be the determining factor as a lot of people really won't notice it at all.

 

[mechanic80]

4WD and news of arrivals

Press releases indicate more of a 4wd than awd with a 50/50 split when 4wd is selected. BUT here's the better news: spoke with a regional Hyundai rep today when I was in town at the dealer, and he indicated that detailed build sheets of deliveries should be available in October with actual drop-off before the end of the year. We'll see. :smile:

 

[HKSKS]

Press releases indicate more of a 4wd than awd with a 50/50 split when 4wd is selected. BUT here's the better news: spoke with a regional Hyundai rep today when I was in town at the dealer, and he indicated that detailed build sheets of deliveries should be available in October with actual drop-off before the end of the year. We'll see. :smile:

Thanks for that bit of information since that's really what most of us were waiting for.
By those dates provided I guess that means next month we might start seeing reviews coming out from publications via a Hyundai media event.

 

[mechanic80]

I thought y'all would be interested in that "from the horses mouth" bit of info. I'll be scouring the net for more reviews and pricing. From what I can gather from the publications so far, I'll be looking for the Limited model, 4WD with the (automatic) turbo in anything but black or that bug-splat green. That metallic blue is really sweet.

 

[OlaKona]

Greatly appreciate all of the updates and a 50/50 split sounds perfect to me. Sometimes I would rather something like a 40/60 FWD/RWD split but this works. Definitely safer but maybe a little less fun

 

[HKSKS]

The nearly 200 lb-ft of torque its putting out will help in that 50/50 feeling I bet! I'm big on torque and a compact city car like this putting out those numbers will be fun. With this sort of upscale drivetrain and power to complement it, what model of tires could we expect?

 

[OlaKona]

Because it's AWD, a set of all-seasons is what I'm going to be expecting. In the tires thread on here, we've discussed Continental tires as that has been shown in their teaser images from before

http://www.hyundaikonaforum.com/forum/121-wheels-tires/817-hyundai-kona-tires.html

 

[Crona]

Well, we can't expect track like performance from all season continental tires, but they're fine for everyday use and there shouldn't be any tire slips.

 

[OlaKona]

There shouldn't be slips at all with the AWD system. Maybe a little flick of the rear or whatever in wet conditions and a lot more throttle input but if you're driving regularly, you should be all good.

 

[HKSKS]

People living in more wet conditions might want to suggest to their local dealer that getting a different tire will be better. Easier to get that done while placing your order or basically before taking delivery. If you have a good dealer that might work.

 

[npaladin2000]

What's with people leaving out ACC when the radar and camera systems are already in place? I'm considering this car to sit next to my Cherokee in the parking lot (should look good next to each other) but I love the ACC system in the Jeep, use it daily...

 

[HyundaiGuy]

What's with people leaving out ACC when the radar and camera systems are already in place? I'm considering this car to sit next to my Cherokee in the parking lot (should look good next to each other) but I love the ACC system in the Jeep, use it daily...

I think it might be something they want to include as a premium feature unless there are some issues with integrating it that we don't know of yet. Being something that's still working to become the norm, I can see how that's the case.

 

[npaladin2000]

I think it might be something they want to include as a premium feature unless there are some issues with integrating it that we don't know of yet. Being something that's still working to become the norm, I can see how that's the case.

Well, it's somewhat normal in the next size up, I've got it in my Cherokee, and Subaru offers it in the Crosstrek and Forester. Hyundai doesn't offer it in the Tucson though, and I haven't seen any subcompact SUVs offer it yet (though some count the Crosstrek as a "Subcompact SUV" for some reason.)

 

[HKSKS]

Well, it's somewhat normal in the next size up, I've got it in my Cherokee, and Subaru offers it in the Crosstrek and Forester. Hyundai doesn't offer it in the Tucson though, and I haven't seen any subcompact SUVs offer it yet (though some count the Crosstrek as a "Subcompact SUV" for some reason.)

Bad move for Hyundai because of all things I have seen take place in the market that is becoming a standard offering. Even worse that the Kona doesn't have it.
If it won't be a mid-cycle refresh feature then I don't know what to think of the brand at all.

 

[Crona]

ACC isn't really becoming a standard feature, something you can usually add on for an additional charge, but not really a standard feature and I don't expect to see that change anytime soon unless required by law.

 

[HKSKS]

With the increase of self driving tech and much lower forms of it with things like this, its what I have been seeing and what will be used more as the years go on. Its just one of those things that will become standard, that's just how the industry is.