2019 Hyundai Kona Ultimate 1.6T AWD – Re- Driven – Jolted Joe C- Ute

2019 Hyundai Kona 1.6T Ultimate AWD:

MORNING JOE WITH A KICK :  Well rested commuting connoiseurs of Mauna Loa arabica can contently sip their brew of normally aspirated. For them there is the standard strength of Kona as tasted in Roadblazing.com’s 2018 Hyundai Kona SEL Bottom Line Review.

What about the ones in need of that extra jolt prior to their morning and afternoon drives? A boosted cup of sub-compact urban crossover utility is available: the 2019 Hyundai Kona Ultimate 1.6T fortified with all-wheel drive.

Driving Hits:

  • 175 horsepower, 1.6 liter turbocharged I-4 gasoline engine option = +26 hp vs. standard 2.0L
  • Heady 195 lb-ft of torque at comes on at only 1500 rpm
2019 Hyundai Kona 1.6T Ultimate AWD:
  • Snappy 7-speed dual clutch automated transmission
  • Shorter final drive ratio
  • All-wheel drive inclement weather traction, w/ lock
  • 29 combined miles per gallon, exceeds EPA estimates by 7%
  • 440+ miles fuel tank range
  • All-wheel drive gains independent rear suspension
  • Roll and dive resistance improves given better wheel control
  • Linear steering reaction
  • Upsized brake rotors: front vented 12.0″, rear solid 11.2

Driving Misses:

  • Despite wet clutch type, DCT still lurches with hesitation off line
  • Long throttle tip in
  • Lower profile 235 45R 18 rubber slaps more over expansion gaps
2019 Hyundai Kona 1.6T Ultimate AWD:

What It Has Got:

  • Low price: from $20,970 (incl. destination) for a 6-speed automatic 2019 Hyundai KonaSE. 2019 Kona Ultimate AWD tested suggested retail price = $30,005
  • Fully cladded, rugged look from designer of many a Lamborghini
2019 Hyundai Kona 1.6T Ultimate AWD:
  • Eye catching colors (Lime Twist of the tester)
  • Common sense arrangement of instruments
  • Detail in cabin materials & contrast
  • Low cargo load floor handles taller items
  • Accomodating seating position and adjustment
  • Holds 4 adults their stuff for a weekend
2019 Hyundai Kona 1.6T Ultimate AWD: 60/40 split folding 2nd Row seat backs for extra cargo oomph
  • A 7.0″-inch tri-pane touch LCD media display = epitome of simple use
  • Above par standard feature set
    • Cruise control
    • Air conditioning
    • Bluetooth handsfree connectivity
    • Power windows full express x 4
    • Android Auto, AppleCar Play phone projection
    • USB-A x 2
  • Acceptably good safety features & ratings
    • IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus
  • Driver assist tech included
    • Collision avoidance pre-braking, lane keep, driver attention, rear cross traffic warning (2019 MY SEL and up, std. 2020 MY), Rear camera w/ predictive grid
  • 10 year / 100k miles drivetrain, 5 year / 50k bumper to bumper warranty

What It Has Not (or Not Preferred):

  • No manual transmission offered
  • Lots of hard plastic cabin pieces
  • Seat cushions need to yield more
  • Fixed front center armrest
  • Adaptive cruise control only on Ultimate (MY 2020)
  • No lane keep steering
  • Drivetrain warranty halves upon resale

Standout Kona Ultimate Feature(s):

  • Tilt and slide power moonroof
  • Heads up display
2019 Hyundai Kona 1.6T Ultimate AWD: Heads Up Display
  • Adaptive cruise control (2020 MY)
  • 8.0″ tri-pane touch LCD media display/ w HDD GPS navigation
2019 Hyundai Kona 1.6T Ultimate AWD: 8.0″ touch LCD media screen w/ HDD GPS navigation
2019 Hyundai Kona 1.6T Ultimate AWD: weather, traffic, TravelLink (subscription)
  • Sirius XM TravelLink weather, fuel, streaming music, sports, movies (subscription)
  • 315 W, 8-speaker Infinity ClariFi audio
  • Leather seats, heated front, 8-way power driver’s
2019 Hyundai Kona 1.6T Ultimate AWD: Leather seats, lime piping, heated front, 8-way power driver’s
  • Lime contrasting stitching and dash vents
  • Sub-cargo floor storage (donut spare replaced by inflator kit)

ROADBLAZING.COM’s Summary: Urban adventurous little ute which packs aplenty, more winter grip, lots of safety, more features and a bigger Java jolt.

Top trim 2019 Hyundai Kona Ultimate AWD = more java jolt and frills for urban commuting adventure.

SEE ROADBLAZING.COM’s COMPLETE BOTTOM LINE REVIEW AND PHOTO GALLERY OF THE 2018 HYUNDAI KONA SEL BELOW

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WHAT: All-new 2018 Hyundai Kona 2.0L SEL sub-compact sports activity vehicle, hot-stamped on the GB platform shared with the overseas market Kia Stonic and Kia Rio city subcompact.

Standard Power: 1999 cc, dual VVT-i DOHC 16V I-4 cylinder gasoline engine = 147 hp/ 132 lb-ft + 6-speed planetary automatic transaxle;

Optional Power: 1591 cc, turbocharged, direct injected, 2 x VVT-i DOHC 16V I-4 gas engine = 175 hp/ 195 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm + 7-speed automated dual clutch helical transaxle;

Optional Drivetrain: PTU to viscous multi-clutch differential all-wheel drive.

WHAT (A) STYLING DIFFERENCE: Luc Donckerwolke, who shaped Lamborghini Diablos, Muricielagos & Gallardos, adapted a dimensionally deeper Tiger Nose to Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture language.

WHY: A more mellow aroma of personal crossover ute

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING ROADBLAZING.COM 2018 HYUNDAI KONA SEL BOTTOM LINE REVIEW

An automotive enthusiast since an orange toy VW Beetle ended up in his playpen and following him everywhere, George Straton has been chief editor at ChicagoNow.com/Drive-He-Said automotive lifestyle blog since 2010. In 2017 George established Roadblazing.com, dedicated to accurate automotive reviews, news and road trip stories. George is a member of the Midwest Automotive Media Association and the Phoenix Automotive Press Association. George also happens to be an attorney and Loyola University of Chicago Ramblers fan. Present ride: 2022 Mazda 3 Turbo AWD Hatchback.

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