SA Road Tests

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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. I drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under real-world South African conditions. Many of the vehicles driven are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you get where you live.

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Pure: 2021 Hyundai Kona 2.0 Executive

Not as advertised

Posted: November 17, 2021

The numbers
Price: R459 900
Engine: Hyundai Nu GN4H, 1999 cc four-cylinder with CVVD, naturally aspirated
Power: 110 kW at 6200 rpm
Torque: 180 Nm at 4500 rpm
0-100 km/h: 9.7 seconds
Top speed; 195 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: About 7.5 l/100 km
Tank: 50 litres
Luggage: 544 - 1296 litres
Ground clearance: 170 mm
Turning circle: 10.6 metres
Maximum towing capacity, unbraked/braked: 750/1100 kg
Fit into garage? 4205 mm (l) x 1800 mm (w) x 1550 mm (h)
Standard tyre size: 215/55R17
Spare: Spacesaver
Warranty: Five years, 150 000 km plus further two years, 50 000 km on powertrain
Roadside assistance: Seven years, 150 000 km
Service plan: Five years, 75 000 km at 15 000 km intervals


This is a pure car. No excess toys or gadgets. No “wedge of lime.” It has proper analogue instruments with needles, an old-fashioned pull-up handbrake, manually adjustable front seats, an ignition key that fits into a slot and the bare, by today’s standards, minimum of electronic aids.

But you will find reversing beepers, Drive and Traction modes, plain cruise control and the usual safety kit like six airbags, hill hold, ESP and all those things. And a rearview camera because children and pedestrians appear to be genetically incapable of seeing reversing vehicles.

Unlike the turbo-Konas, this one is fitted with a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine with CVVD, or Constantly Variable Valve Duration. It works like this: “CVVD extends the time that a valve stays open. Specifically, it opens the intake valve during the middle and end of the compression stroke in order to reduce compression resistance when the engine is at constant speed and doesn't need maximum output. It’s a slightly different way of producing an Atkinson Cycle effect for best economy at the temporary expense of higher power.

Then, when the operator puts the hammer down the intake valve closes at the beginning of the cylinder's compression stroke, in the usual manner, to maximise the amount of available air and improve performance.
 
The gearbox is different too. Here’s one magazine’s description: “Hyundai’s Smartstream, 8-speed, Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) uses a chain belt, the first of its kind in the segment, instead of a metallic belt. Its main selling point is that it uses its own tension to adjust the pulley diameter, thus eliminating slippage and improving efficiency in power delivery.

“The Smartstream IVT reproduces a manual transmission’s shifting pattern to better reflect the driver’s intent and driving conditions, making it feel more responsive in general.”

Not all is quite as advertised, unfortunately. Like most other CVTs, this one behaves nicely while treated gently but can easily be caused to flare when pressed for quick results.

There is a further problem with it. Like many automatic gearboxes, this one provides an S position with “+” and “-“ options which would be fine if it delivered the goods. Unfortunately manual override at, for example, 100 km/h only permits upshifts from 6th to 7th and then to 8th. You cannot shift back down, even by one ratio, until the vehicle’s speed has reduced considerably. Conversely, manual upshifts at lower speeds simply aren’t allowed. The car’s computer decides what is good for you rather than permitting drivers full manual use of the ‘box. The situation remains the same in all Drive and Traction modes.

Apart from that, Kona 2.0 is a spacious and comfortable family SUV with acceptable performance, plenty of people- and luggage space and all the modern conveniences that any but the pickiest buyers could need.

I have just one suggestion: Dump the CVT because most of them only play nicely with turbocharged engines. Then drop in a six-speed manual transmission or perhaps a DCT. That way, you’ll preserve the car’s “purity” and give drivers what they really wanted in the first place.

Test unit from Hyundai SA press fleet



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This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.

Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads or goat tracks as well. As a result, my test cars do occasionally get dirty. It's all part of the reviewing process.

I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material.

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Comments or questions?
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