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
- 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
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
- 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
- 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
- Adaptive cruise control (2020 MY)
- 8.0″ tri-pane touch LCD media display/ w HDD GPS navigation
- 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
- 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.
