Ha! Thanks! Yep, total dag. RB

Thank you, kindly. I think you'll be happier with the performance too - compared with the Veloster Turbo. RB

CarsGuide with a tune and a intake I think the kona can achieve to 201hp the Veloster Turbo has

Hell yeah. Well stock, the 1.6-litre is making about 170 hp, so that's almost there - wouldn't take much to get to 201+ me thinks ; ) RB

Kinda wish they used the Veloster turbo's 1.6T..

Well, the good news is it is the same engine. They are both the same 1591cc T-GDi four cylinder with the same bore and stroke, just a different compression ratio. Even the gear ratios for the seven-speed dual clutch are identical. Try it and see, I reckon the horsepower is more than adequate. RB

I'm just a man, but thank you kindly. RB

LOL! Awww... Thanks. RB

Totally agree..!!

Thanks. I think you'll like the Kona. And thanks for subscribing, too. Feel free to ask me anything and I'll try to cover it in my reviews. Well maybe not anything. RB

Thanks heaps mate. RB

CarsGuide richard your reviews are refreshingly great - like the way you tell it the way it is in a quirky manner at the same time being professional. If you had to spend your own money would you buy the top spec kona or the top spec subaru xv - both about $39k drive away

Thanks John, glad you like my reviews. Top spec Kona or XV? OK, that's a good question. The XV has more cabin room, more rear legroom, but the Kona has a bigger boot (361 litre v XV's 310). The XV has a CVT which makes the car feel under powered, while the Kona's dual clutch is a bit jerky but hooks up for great acceleration. The AWD system in the XV is excellent (Suabru's Symmetrcial system) and the ground clearance of the XV is impressive at 220mm. The Kona would be my pick - the CVT in the XV is a deal breaker for me I'm afraid. But if you're going to spend $39K take a look at the bigger Hyundai Tucson or Mazda CX-5, too. The CX-5 Maxx Sport 4x4 is $37,390 and the Tucson Elite AWD is $39,250 (the base spec Tucson is $28,590 by the way). Both the Tucson and the CX-5 are excellent and not too big. Check these out: Kona review www.carsguide.com.au/car-reviews/hyundai-kona-highlander-awd-61141 XV review www.carsguide.com.au/car-reviews/subaru-xv-54288 Tucson review www.carsguide.com.au/car-reviews/hyundai-tucson-elite-awd-review-49150 CX-5 review www.carsguide.com.au/car-reviews/mazda-cx-5-maxx-sport-awd-petrol-56942 Hope that helps, John. -

richard sounds like a 13 yo going through puberty the way his voice squeaks, haha. good review though.

Hi Dylan, thanks dude. Yeah, I've been in and out of a billion small SUVs this year and the Kona is outstanding - a good choice, but keep in mind it's pretty small. Now the i30N... that thing is a beastie! RB

The U.S. is getting the Veloster N

That would be cool. That car is crying out for more grunt to match its looks. RB

TidyBananas GTA You know I’m actually ok with the idea of a veloster N, though I probably would prefer the functionality of the i30N. would seriously consider buying either a used Veloster N or a used Stinger GT in a few years time.

Osoji we won't see the i30N here in the states

William. Nope, the sound system is pretty average - not the worst at all, but nowhere near as good as the new Volvo XC60's sound system. But you're paying about $75K. RB

You can optionally choose a premium sound system from the audio specialist KRELL.

thanks Richard I enjoy your reviews btw I like the artwork :)

Thank you, William. RB

It's a coincidence, I swear. OK, I like the Batman and the Dark Knights lots. RB

Much smaller cabin and boot. It's verging on too small for me and my little family. RB

CarsGuide Thanks for letting me know! I'd be really interested in checking this cute ute out, but I have a feeling the Tucson will be more practical in the end.

I think your instincts are working perfectly. The Tucson is bigger but still not considered big. Plus for the price of a Highlander you can get into a mid-spec Tucson. I had a Tucson for six months and really rate it. My long term review is here on the carsguide youtube channel (just search for Tucson and my name). cheers Richard Berry

CarsGuide Thanks Rich! I will definitely look for your long term Tucson review. What you said makes a lot of sense - for the money I think a mid trim Tucson would be a better buy than the top of the line Kona, at least that's the impression I get. Here in the states we have an SE Plus model of the Tucson with the 2.0 motor but many amenities from the Limited model, at an attractive price. I may just go for this. Thanks again and I'll check out your review of the Tucson!

I've just jumped onto the Hyundai USA website. Yup the SE Plus is the one I would buy. Sure it's $4050 more than the SE but you're getting leather upholstery, heated front seats, power driver's seat, 8-inch screen (rather than the 5-inch), Apple Carplay and Android Auto, a much better sound system, LED headlights plus a ton of other stuff above the SE. Yep, worth the extra money and adds great features. Smart choice. Good luck. Richard Berry

Hey Aldo, the Kona rocks but it is much smaller than a Santa Fe. Make sure you check out the Tucson, too, dude. Richard Berry

There would be a market for the Kona Vegan, I'm sure. While I'm not opposed to leather if it's obtained humanely it's interesting that car makers don't seem to offer an alternative to leather on top-spec cars. Could you get a Kona Highlander with cloth seats? I'm going to find out for you. Leave it with me. RB

CarsGuide usually i get mean responses from meat eaters. This is a refreshing change. If tesla can elimanate leather, why cant other car companies have a faux leather option? Sure base models get cloth, but i want some bells and whistles too.

OK Courtney I presented the question to a Hyundai's public relations people: is it possible to have a top spec Kona Highlander without leather seats? Their spokesperson said it could be done but it would require the dealer to retro fit cloth seats. But yes this is doable. sure you'd miss out on the heated and ventilated function but I think those things are a bit 'meh' anyway. Hope that helps mate. RB

CarsGuide great. Thanks for that info. I was more interested in tge ioniq. So i will be calling my local dealership.

Anytime, dude. Cheers RB

Well, I think they were going for Kona as in the place in Hawaii - that's Hyundai's story and they're sticking to it. Still not as bad a Pajero....Richard Berry

CarsGuide Yes, I know the Hawaii story, but still it's a bit of a fail at the end... 😂 Cheers

Ha! What would you have called it? Richard Berry

CarsGuide Well, KAUAI for everywhere! 👍