• Cabin feels solid if not particularly plush
• Good driving position with a supportive seat
• Reasonable quality touchscreen

How is the quality and layout?

Take away the brightly-coloured trims on some models, and the Kona’s interior isn’t as interesting as the outside. You’ll need to go for one of the higher-spec models for a nicer feel, but this can end up being pricey.

Quality inside is good, if not class-leading. It all feels solid and like it’ll last a long time, but there aren’t many softer-touch materials, and it can look quite grey and unexciting. Most crossover drivers will be perfectly happy with the interior of the Kona, but if you expect the personalisation options to provide you with a zany, high-vis finish, you may be disappointed.

Infotainment and tech

The Kona’s dash layout lends itself to being very easy to use, though. The infotainment screen is one of the most user-friendly in the business, with helpful shortcut buttons either side. The 10.25-inch media screen has a bright, crisp display and lots of functions. It really lifts the Kona’s interior. Connecting a phone to use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto works reasonably well, though the map isn’t as clear as it could be, meaning you have to be a little more on your toes to keep on top of where you’re going from the map alone.

There are also numerous buttons on the steering wheel to take advantage of much of the standard equipment. The sheer number makes it tricky to quickly select the button you want by feel, but you’ll quickly get used to this when living with the car. Aside from these, there are few other controls on the dashboard, making it easy to navigate when driving. Hybrid models get access to Hyundai’s BlueLink app. This allows owners to adjust the air conditioning, or lock/unlock their car remotely via an app on their phone.

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Comfort

• Comfortable seats
• Decent refinement
• Tightly controlled ride quality

We found the Hyundai Kona’s front seats particularly well designed, with plenty of side and back support and electric lumbar adjustment for providing greater support for your lower back. Whatever shape or size you are, therefore, you should be able to find a comfortable driving position. In fact, it’s the lower-spec models with cloth upholstery that offer the most comfortable seats.

Overall refinement levels are particularly good for the 1.0-litre, though, with little wind or engine noise being audible in the cabin, even at motorway speeds. The Hybrid is a different kettle of fish. It’s extremely hushed in town driving but accelerating hard onto a motorway brings with it lots of revs and noise from the engine. The gearbox, like the engine, is a joy when not being used harshly. But it is sudden and jerky when you want to get a move on.