<p>Full disclosure: Our first drive of the all-new 2018 Hyundai Kona subcompact SUV lasted about eight minutes and was of a Korean-spec vehicle.</p>

- Alisa Priddle

Still, that was enough time to notice the steering’s heft, which pegs this as a more mature cute-ute player than, say, the Nissan Juke and Toyota C-HR.

Our mini test drive included some uneven surfaces and crowned roadways. The suspension sopped it up fairly well, but those settings could change for the U.S. market.

The base engine is a 147 hp, 132 lb-ft 2.0-liter four cylinder—on par with the Honda HR-V (141 hp) and Toyota C-HR (144 hp). However, the preproduction models we drove, which could take on the Jeep Renegade, had an upmarket 175-hp, 195-lb-ft 1.6-liter turbo-four mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. All-wheel drive is optional on all trim levels. The Kona has Sport, Normal, and Eco driving modes, which change the torque distribution and gearshift settings. But Eco will not be offered in the U.S.—to avoid people unwittingly leaving it in that setting and complaining that the vehicle is underpowered.

The base SE still requires a key in the ignition, rides on 16-inch wheels, and has cruise control, Bluetooth, and a 7.0-inch floating infotainment screen. Step up to the SEL for push-button start, 17-inch wheels, roof rails, and safety systems such as blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert.

Limited and Ultimate trim levels have the turbocharged engine and seven speed transmission, 18-inch wheels, leather seats, a power sunroof, and LED headlamps and taillights. Ultimate also offers rear parking sensors, lane keep assist, rain-sensing wipers, an 8.0-inch navigation screen, and a wireless ch

This story is from the September 2017 edition of Motor Trend.

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