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2020 Hyundai Kona Ultimate Review by Mark Fulmer +VIDEO


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A Snazzy Subcompact Crossover with a Lime Twist

By Mark Fulmer
The Auto Channel


Even if, with your hands full of bags, you've forgotten where you parked in a mall parking lot, this "Lime Twist" colored Kona is easy-peasy to spot. And that's not the only thing you're going to like about the 2020 Kona Ultimate. Hyundai brought this subcompact crossover to America two years ago and its look and usefulness is catching on.


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Snazzy looks. Lights, and grooves, and vents, oh my. The exterior received positive feedback from the younger members of the neigborhood which bodes well for Kona's appeal to that segment of the driving public. Standard exterior features for the Ultimate include trim LED headlights, tail lights, and daytime running lights, heated side mirrors, and body-color door handles. Also a a power tilt and slide sunroof, roof rails, rear privacy glass, and shark fin antenna. The interior is more straightforward and practical.


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Engine. Due to the Kona's featherweight, the 175-horsepower 1.6T turbocharged engine does quite well in city or on freeway, with a 0-60 time slightly exceding 6 seconds. That thrust is delivered to a seven-speed EcoShift dual-clutch transmission. The ride is handled well up front by the independent MacPherson strut with coil springs, while the rear independent multi-link and torsion beam axle makes for smooth riding. Mpg numbers come in at 26/29/27.


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Safety. The heads-up display appears on a clear plastic panel (pictured above) and it can prevent speeding tickets. Automatic emergency braking is standard, and the adaptive cruise control and active lane control will be your best friend on moderately busy freeways on long trips that include night driving.


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Cargo. The Kona has 19.2 cubic feet of trunk space with the rear seats in the upright position. Lower the 60/40 split fold-down rear seat, and the Kona you have a very useful 45.8 cubic feet of space. There is also a dual-level cargo floor for a few cubic feet of storage under the trunk floor.


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With competitive pricing (27K base) and a top of the line warranty, the Kona is a cool little customer, indeed.