6 Standout Features on the 2018 Hyundai Kona

Just by looking at it, you can tell the 2018 Hyundai Kona is a little different from other crossovers on the market. The Hyundai Kona made its debut today at the Los Angeles Auto Show in both Surf Blue and Lime Twist colors, highlighting the Kona’s propensity for boldness. Here are six features that make the Kona stand out from some of its rivals, for better or for worse.

Styling

We agree, it’s polarizing. You either love or hate the design of this new crossover. Perhaps most notably, the Kona has extreme body cladding that Hyundai calls “urban smart armor.” Also, the split headlight design looks harsh next to the wide, gaping grille. Those who don’t think this design is bold enough can opt for a color-contrasting roof.

Wireless phone charging

Nowadays, plenty of vehicles come with wireless smartphone charging, including the Hyundai Sonata and the Ioniq to name a couple. But Hyundai says the Kona is the first in its segment to get this feature. Drivers can put their smartphones on a pad in the center console storage area to charge their phones without the need for a cable. The Qi-compliant system will inform drivers when their device has been charged completely. It also warns drivers to take their phones with them when exiting the vehicle.

Driver attention warning

Car safety systems can have the most confusing names, but this one is pretty straightforward. The Kona comes with a standard feature that identifies when a driver isn’t paying attention. It analyzes a car’s steering angle and position in the lane to determine if a driver might be tired. In such a case, it will advise the driver to pull over.

Large head-up display

The Kona offers a head-up display that is quite large compared to other systems. Hyundai also claims it’s brighter than competitors’ offerings. With a projected image size of 8 inches, the display gives drivers information about the car’s speed, navigation, audio system, and lane departure warning status. When not needed, the display pops back into the dashboard.

Wheels and tires

Along with bold wheel arches, the Kona gets 18-inch wheels with 235/45R18 tires. As we noted in our U.S.-spec First Look, this combo promises segment-leading dynamic handling.

Two engine options

Rivals in this segment have just one engine option, but the Kona offers two. The first is a frugal 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, and this engine comes with a six-speed auto. A more potent 1.6-liter turbo produces 175 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque and is paired with a seven-speed DCT.