Adventures in under-equipped off-roading

"JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t" (jawzx2)
10/04/2019 at 18:42 • Filed to: Hyundai kona, Off-Road, Off-roading

Featuring the 2019 Kona Limited and Vermont 4th Class roads....

DISCUSSION (12)

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
10/04/2019 at 18:51

I’m more interested in how you managed to get back up that hill.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
10/04/2019 at 19:02

Easy! I didn’t.

At first I tried to back up the hill after realizing the washouts further down were WAY too deep for the Kona to clear, but it became obvious that the tires were not going to get me back up that ledge, forward or backward... that’s when I decided to scout the fields. I was debating cutting the wire and then twisting it back after I got through, but I saw the gates further down and carefully skirted the first deep washout to get to them.

Thanks Farmer Lady for letting me drive on the hay field. If she hadn’t I probably would have had to walk home to get the big tractor (this road is only about three miles from my house) and haul the Kona back up the ledge with a tow strap.

Chuckles > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
10/04/2019 at 19:51

Are you still enjoying Kona ownership? One of my friends bought one last year and he seems pretty happy with his.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Chuckles
10/04/2019 at 19:55

It’s a great little CUV. Drives sporty enough to keep me from missing the FieSTa too much (yes, it will drift!) . Excellent AWD, really well judged suspension tuning with an excellent compromise between handling and ride. Comfortable, spacious enough given how small it is, and we are handily beating the EPA estimates for fuel economy without effort.

FrankAtlanta > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
12/05/2019 at 17:34

I’m thinking about a Kona LTD FWD for city driving and to give to my son when he goes off to school...is the handling/ride worth it to upgrade to AWD if use will be primarily city-based (in Atlanta, GA!)? Thanks!

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > FrankAtlanta
12/05/2019 at 17:46

I have only ever driven AWD Konas, We tested both an SEL and the Limited, and the 1.6t and 7-speed DCT were enough of an upgrade in our opinion to warrant the price increase over the 2.slow and the 6-speed auto (in all fairness the base driveline is entirely adequate, but Mrs. BoostAddict and I were both used to turbo engine performance) . We tried the SEL first and even with the kinda gutless base drivetrain the handling and ride quality were immediately evident vs. the competition. I have heard on some forums that people think the FWD Konas with the 1.6t are a little light in the ass-end, and possibly suffer from reduced overall grip, exacerbated by the use of a twist-beam rear instead of a full-independent multi-link as on the AWD models. I have NOT seen many complaints about poor(er) ride quality in the FWD models. I’d drive them back to back before I make the decision if I were in your position. With the 1.6t the hit to fuel economy for AWD is actually a smaller percentage than in the 2.0.

FrankAtlanta > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
12/05/2019 at 17:52

Thanks for the quick reply!

I did a test drive in the city , but I didn’t really get to feel much difference. I’m going to use it primarily as a city runabout car, so...not sure I need to spend the extra money.

It might be nice for my kid(s) though if they get into a sticky/slick situation. Thx.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > FrankAtlanta
12/05/2019 at 18:22

Yeah, Georgia is not a place you often feel like you need AWD, especially in a major metro area... I live on a gravel road in the snowbelt, so the AWD was a primary shopping driver, as at certain time of the year my FieSTa couldn’t even make it out the end of the driveway... The Kona is a surprisingly nice little AWD Tallish Thing, but I would have a hard look between the Kona and an E lantra GT if I were not concer ned about AWD. The N-Line Elantra GT is a great deal of fun for the money, and the GT has pretty much as much usable space inside as the Kona... it may actually have slightly more room behind the rear seat..

FrankAtlanta > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
12/06/2019 at 22:10

Thanks - good insight.

I won’t need AWD for running about the city , but the car will likely be used by one of my kids when they head off to school, so...I like the idea of them having some added capability in inclement weather .

I like and looked at the Elantra GT for the reasons you mentioned - it does have more space in the back compared to the Kona...however, the safety ratings on the Kona are better than the GT so the parental-gene is kicking-in...

Thanks!

FrankAtlanta > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
12/15/2019 at 23:21

Thx JawzX2 - I picked up a Limited AWD this weekend. The AWD and 1.6 turbo are nice - spent a bit of time bringing the car home this weekend and was pleased with its pep piness and handling.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > FrankAtlanta
12/16/2019 at 09:57

S weet! W hat color did you get? I t really does handle quite a bit better than you thin k it will given it’s classification as a CUV... Did yours come with the Goodyear tires or the Kumhos? I understand they are tire’ d differently depending on market destination in the US (the Kumhos are reputed to be a better tire, except on snow and mud, hence the Goodyears in northern locations ) ... the Goodyears that came on mine were “fine” but thankfully a pothole put a sidewall lump in one and I had an excuse to replace them with a set of General G-Max AS-05s. The improvements in ride quality and handling were significant . It’s got enough refinement in the suspension to take advantage of better tires, and the lateral grip and turn- in are frankly, surprising. Enjoy!

FrankAtlanta > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
12/16/2019 at 14:26

I picked-up a Lime Twist with the interior accents - not my normal color (I tend to go for blue metallic cars); however, I favored it for its fun factor.

I had to travel a ways as I couldn’t find AWD in the Southeast and my car came with Goodyears. I had ~500-600 mi drive home - but it was all really quite pleasant. The handling was very surprising for this car and t he change in car tech in the last 3 yrs alone has been tremendous...

Thanks for the advice - maybe I’ll see you on a Kona forum!