Test Hyundai Kona Diesel 1.6 CRDi (2018): a little extra stuff

The Concept

The Hyundai Kona already receives an upgrade after only a year spent in the showrooms. Nothing very revolutionary yet because the latter simply includes the addition of a new diesel block under the hood. For the real mid-career upgrade, the little Korean SUV still has a few years ahead of it. It is based on a brand new chbadis that offers a multi-link rear axle and, as an option, the all-wheel drive. His attitude of adventurer put forward by his wheel arches covered with raw plastic is therefore not purely unfounded. With its funky bubbles, its separate lights and its sparkling colors, the Kona disrupts the stylistic codes of the brand. A little pep in all these dull tones, it refreshes!

What's Changing

From the outside – as from the inside – this Kona update is completely unnoticeable … until the Start button is pressed. The small SUV then hears his rough voice. Housed in the engine compartment is a new 1.6-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine. It comes with two levels of power. First 115 hp and 275 Nm of torque at the entry level, then 136 hp and 320 Nm in "high" power version. The first variant is a traction and must be content with a manual gearbox while the second is equipped with a gearbox and dual clutch 7 reports. The AWD is also optional on this grind. Note that this block makes its first appearance under the hood of the Kona but it will replace the former 1.7 IDRC in the rest of the range.

How does it roll?

This little sixteen-hundred also introduces the technology that Hyundai calls SmartStream. It simply means that Korean engineers have optimized this block to provide greater efficiency, including working to reduce friction. This results in official consumption, calculated in NEDC converted, all relatively low. The 115 hp version displays an average of 4.1 l / 100km and 109 gr / km of CO2 while the other variant drinks a little more at 4.2 l / 100 km and 112 gr / km. Enough spoken numbers, let's take the road at the wheel of the entry-level. Nothing to say, the 1.6 liter is fit for the task. Admittedly, it is not a war lightning but his roundness and his couple complimented a cast pipe. Note its elasticity at low speed which avoids downshifting once pbaded below 1500 laps. Unlike the archetype of diesels, this Hyundai block is relatively discreet. Of course, he does not completely hide his nature and will hear his groan in charge.

Our verdict

With a new diesel block, the Kona adds a little more to its engine range – and it's not over! One thing is certain: factories that were already struggling to keep up with the demand will have to work hard.