Inside the look is clean and geometric with a two-level dash treatment dominated by the sizeable central multimedia screen, with twin displays creating a sleek, driver-focused digital band across more than half the car’s width.   

On all 1.6-litre Turbo models and Kona Premium grades a shift-by-wire gear selector has been relocated from the centre console to a stalk behind the steering wheel, a la Ioniq 6 freeing up space in the centre console, which we’ll get to when looking at practicality, shortly.

As well as a more aggressive exterior the N Line Pack adds a sporty vibe inside with dark brushed alloy-effect elements around the cabin as well as gloss red inserts, red highlights and contrast stitching on the Alcantara and leather-trimmed seats, plus alloy pedal covers and perforated leather grips on the steering wheel.

Standard equipment highlights for the Kona include dual-zone climate control air, a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen, six-speaker audio with digital radio, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, cloth seats, a leather-appointed steering wheel, a 4.2-inch display in the instrument cluster, four-sensor parking distance warning, 18-inch alloys, keyless entry and start as well LED headlights, DRLs and tail-lights. 

The Kona Premium adds a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, eight-speaker Bose audio, ambient lighting, heated, ventilated and power-adjustable front seats and heated outboard rear seats, sat nav, a 3D surround view monitor, six-sensor parking distance warning, ‘Remote Smart Parking Assist’, voice control and partial leather trim. 

The N Line pack brings body-coloured cladding and other specific exterior elements including the front bumper (with gloss black insert), side skirts, spoiler, rear bumper and gloss black mirror caps. Also included are unique 19-inch alloy rims, a sports exhaust, dual projector beam headlights and interior upgrades include, dark brushed alloy-effect elements around the cabin as well as gloss red inserts, red highlights and contrast stitching on the Alcantara and leather-trimmed seats, plus alloy pedal covers and perforated leather grips on the steering wheel.

The Kona and Kona Premium are offered with a naturally aspirated Atkinson-cycle 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine sending 110kW/180Nm to the front wheels through a CVT auto. Then, a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine pushing 142kW/264Nm to all four wheels via an eight-speed (torque converter) auto is in two N Line-only models across Kona and Kona Premium grades.

The entry 2.0L petrol and 1.6L turbo-petrol engines run happily on 91 RON ‘standard’ unleaded, or E10, and the Kona fuel tank holds 47 litres, which translates to a range of just over 700km for the atmo engine and around 600km for the turbo.

The Kona is a five-seater and the front seats, from the entry car up, are impressively comfortable and supportive even after long stints behind the wheel. The entry Kona’s seats are cloth-trimmed with the Kona Premium stepping up to partial leather and the N Line bringing Alcantara and leather-trimmed seats.

Expect the 2.0L Kona to accelerate from 0-100km/h in around 8.5 seconds with a top-speed of 195km/h, with the 1.6L turbo lowering that 0-100 time to approximately 7.5 seconds, with a top-speed of 205km/h.