The new Hyundai Kona 2023 increases in size, making it an alternative to models such as the Seat Ateca or the Peugeot 2008.
In 2017, Hyundai revolutionized the B segment with the first generation of the Kona. Now, do it again with the second installment, jumping segment and pointing to the C-SUV. We are going to see the five worst rivals of the Hyundai Kona 2023.
The new Hyundai Kona 2023 increases in size to reach 4.36 meters in length, making it an alternative to models such as the Seat Ateca or the Peugeot 2008 which, in turn, has also grown.
As was the case with the outgoing generation, the new Kona can be chosen with gasoline, hybrid and fully electric versions. This makes it a car with a wide mechanical offer, with different types of technologies and C, ECO and ZERO Labels from the DGT.
The five worst rivals of the Hyundai Kona 2023: Toyota C-HR
We start this list with the five worst rivals of the 2023 Hyundai Kona with the Toyota C-HR, a model that received an update in 2020 with a new engine.
The Japanese compact SUV is only marketed with two electrified mechanics, a 122 CV hybrid and another 184 CV that responds to the CH-R 180H version. Thanks to this engine, the CH-R is one of the most pleasant models in its category to drive in the city, although it does not have as many advantages when driving on highways, where it becomes noisier.
The C-HR also stands out for its striking design, with a five-door coupe-style body, taller than a car, but without being a proper SUV.
Mazda CX-30
The Mazda CX-30 also has somewhat of a coupe look and is available only with gasoline engines, all electrified via a mild-hybrid electrical system. Therefore, it has an ECO Label.
On the one hand, it has the 2.0-liter e-Skyactiv G engine, with two power levels, 122 and 150 hp. On the other hand, the e-Skyactiv X, also 2.0-liter, with 186 hp. This is the famous gasoline engine that works by combustion.
Seat Ateca
The Seat Ateca is another of the worst rivals of the Hyundai Kona 2023, because it is a very balanced product. It has a spacious interior, good technological equipment and a complete range of engines. Of course, it does not attract as much attention or look as modern as the Korean SUV.
The Ateca offers gasoline engines, with 110 and 150 CV, and also diesel, with 115 and 150 CV, but none of them is available with hybridization, so they all carry Label C. Perhaps the absence of electrification is the only drawback of the Spanish model compared to the Korean one, although it will depend on the needs of each one.
Peugeot 2008
The Peugeot 2008 is similar in size to the Kona and compact with it, which, in addition to gasoline versions, also offers a fully electric version, called e-2008, with 136 hp and a range of 342 kilometers, according to the WLTP cycle.
However, there are two versions of the electric Hyundai Kona, one with a 48.4 kWh battery and 156 CV and another with a 65.4 kWh 218 CV battery. The brand has not yet provided official autonomy figures, but it is estimated that it will be greater than 490 kilometers. Therefore, clearly superior to the Peugeot e-2008.
Kia Niro
We ended up with a model with which it shares some development elements, a completely renewed model last year, with a much more modern design and available with a hybrid version, another plug-in hybrid and an electric version.
It must be said that the Niro is larger than the Kona, measuring 4.42 meters long, and this is noticeable in the passenger space, where the Niro is quite well resolved and is above average in its category. .
Curiously, the electric version of the Niro is the one that offers a larger trunk, 475 liters, to which must be added another 20 liters from the front. The hybrid Niro has 451 liters and the PHEV only 348 liters. For its part, the Kona has a trunk of 466 liters.
Mechanically, the hybrid Kia Niro has a 1.6-liter gasoline engine and 105 hp combined with an electric one, for a total power of 141 hp. The plug-in hybrid has the same heat engine, but a more powerful electric motor, up to 183 hp and an electric range of 65 kilometers. Therefore, it gets Label ZERO.
The electric Niro uses a 64.8 kWh capacity battery and a 204 hp motor. The approved autonomy is 460 kilometers.