New Hyundia KONA

I like this color. But towing capacity...."not recommended" :(

30428-18KONAGreenPRExterior137.jpg
 
I just read in the paper that GM will no longer offer the Chevy Sonic possibly the Impala and Ford is axing the Fiesta and possibly the Taurus.

Looks like SUV Crossovers are all the rage. Witness the demise of the Honda`s former (Accord) Crosstour, only to be brought back a "new" Crossover.

I saw a KIA Sportage that I swear took its styling queues from the Porsche Cayenne. Hey if you are going to copy something, might as well be highly desirable and stylish.

Does this Hyundia stand out from a Lexus RX200 or a Ford Escape or a VW Tiguan or Mazda CX-5 styling- wise? They all have that cookie-cutter similar look.
That reminds me of a cartoon where an eagle-like character was complaining to a restaurant valet that all the new cars (this was in 1988) look alike, and the cartoon did a masterful job of portraying that. He then asked for his `57 Desoto, which of course, stood out from the others in the next frame of the cartoon with its massive rear end and unique finned tail-lights protruding from the other cookie-cutter cars in the parking lot. As the valet stated, "Right away, sir!".
There was no mistaking THAT car for anything else.
 
Lonnie said:
I just read in the paper that GM will no longer offer the Chevy Sonic possibly the Impala and Ford is axing the Fiesta and possibly the Taurus.
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I`ve spent road time in the Chevy and Fiesta, and several times looked at static Taurus displays. Only the Fiesta ST will be missed. The other were poorly executed and there were reasons why they didn`t sell well beyond the US`s fascination with CUV`s.

Looks like SUV Crossovers are all the rage. Witness the demise of the Honda`s former (Accord) Crosstour, only to be brought back a "new" Crossover.

I saw a KIA Sportage that I swear took its styling queues from the Porsche Cayenne. Hey if you are going to copy something, might as well be highly desirable and stylish.

Does this Hyundia stand out from a Lexus RX200 or a Ford Escape or a VW Tiguan or Mazda CX-5 styling- wise? They all have that cookie-cutter similar look.
That reminds me of a cartoon where an eagle-like character was complaining to a restaurant valet that all the new cars (this was in 1988) look alike, and the cartoon did a masterful job of portraying that. He then asked for his `57 Desoto, which of course, stood out from the others in the next frame of the cartoon with its massive rear end and unique finned tail-lights protruding from the other cookie-cutter cars in the parking lot. As the valet stated, "Right away, sir!".
There was no mistaking THAT car for anything else.
Click to expand...

I`m not impressed with the styling of most, nor the form factor. The whole CUV/SUV craze leaves me cold and disinterested. The ONLY one I`ve found to have any redeming qualities I`ve driven lately was the CX-5. Looked good inside and out, handling/ride/steering/body control was better than some cars I`ve driven lately, but it still sat way to high for my liking and was underpowered.

I applaud Hyundai for building something with interesting styling, but I already drive a hatchback. I don`t really care for one with a lift kit.
 
I’m just not into SUV’s, and the market is flooded with them. How many copycat suv’s do we need? And ford needs to do an honest redesign on the Taurus. In general, Ford takes too long to redesign their cars.
 
Nice looking Crossover, saw one in Surf Blue this past weekend that caught my eye.

Despite the reviews, I`m always hesitant to purchase 1st year production vehicles.
 
SGM2008 said:
Nice looking Crossover, saw one in Surf Blue this past weekend that caught my eye.

Despite the reviews, I`m always hesitant to purchase 1st year production vehicles.
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Sadly still true of first year models. And notice all that plastic cladding along the wheel arches?
 
Never noticed the plastic wheel arches. Reminds me of a Subaru CrossTrek, which I really like (because I am a now-former Subaru owner) but the front fascia looks like an ocean stingray with its flat mouth open to swallow its prey. You sometimes wonder if Hyundia ran this styling past prospective-owner review-and-comment focus groups, and then said, "What do they know? We NEED that opening for engine cooling." I say that because many times in my engineering experience manufacturing or assembly personnel will ask (demand!) if a part or design can be changed for easier manufacturing or being able to service it (like how do I get my wrench in there to tighten or loosen that bolt?) .Sometimes you can, but sometimes you cannot and if the engineering calculations verify a certain design (for example, bearing mounting specs or bolt size and location to withstand the mechanical forces for proper machine operation and longevity at those sales-department "guaranteed" product production speeds) it may be that making a change is NOT in the best interest to make it easier. My point is that sometimes there are engineering calculations that determine design functionality which to the layman or "untrained" (politically-correct term for ignorant) personnel may not understand or even like. I STILL get "cussed" (forum software will remove the politically-incorrect "B"-word) at by factory machine service techs who cannot get their wrenches in certain areas OR need to disassemble half the machine JUST to change out a bearing or drive belt for routine service, and I did not even design the darn machine!! Guilt (or blame) by association.
(Or as one service tech said to me, "Do you know WHY mechanical engineers cannot play golf? They can`t tell their "anal opening" from a hole in the ground!")
 
Had a chance yesterday to take one out on a spin. I am sure it will evolve? JMO Very unremarkable in every category. The ride quality was really lacking. Compared to a JEEP RENEGADE. Nothing really stood out on it.
 
How was the cargo room behind the rear seats? Many of the small CUV`s seem to have less space than the cars using the same platform.
 
PA DETAILER said:
Had a chance yesterday to take one out on a spin. I am sure it will evolve? JMO Very unremarkable in every category. The ride quality was really lacking. Compared to a JEEP RENEGADE. Nothing really stood out on it.
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If the jeep renagade was better, then I really don`t want a Kona. I wasn`t impressed by the renagade in the least. That`s sad because I thought Hyundai had come further than that.
 
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