As cars become more sophisticated, their prices drop, and this is proven with the Kia Niro and Hyundai Kona. Each of these cars costs less than $25,000 and is filled to the brim with modern features that used to only be included in a Mercedes-Benz. What's paramount, is that these manufacturers have the enthusiast in mind when designing even the most seemingly benign cars. Crossover SUVs aren't the most exciting cars in general, but even the most seasoned racetrack driver can find enjoyment in what the Niro and Kona have to offer. Enthusiasts with families won't have to look far to find something to be excited about with these cars.
10 Kia Niro: State Of The Art Safety Features
Kia goes out of its way to ensure that state-of-the-art safety features are affordable. The Niro uses automatic emergency braking assist, blind-spot detection, and lane-keeping assist. It also has a rear cross-traffic collision warning system, which alerts the driver to objects or vehicles approaching the car while it's driving in reverse. These objects are out of range of the car's cameras and could be coming from either side of the car. Rounding out the Niro's safety features is the Foward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with Pedestrian Detection. This system detects objects in front of the car and will in some cases apply brakes for the driver.
9 Kia Niro: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard
More common now is the ability for cars to use Apple's CarPlay and Android's Auto as standard equipment. Installing this software independently can cost upwards of $500. This software allows a driver to control their phone through the car's infotainment screen. CarPlay and Auto let drivers answer phone calls, answer texts via voice command, navigate to a location using whatever maps software exists on their phone or play music. CarPlay only allows music search through Siri, so it's still safer than typing in a search query.
8 Kia Niro: Dual-Clutch Transmission
Being the Niro is a crossover SUV, it's geared toward convenience and ease of use. A parent can't be bothered to change gears while they're trying to keep the peace between two rivaled siblings in the back seat. The Niro uses a dual-clutch transmission, which is, for all intents and purposes, a manual transmission that's shifted automatically. It uses two clutches, one for even gears and one for odds. Instead of using a torque converter, it uses two input shafts that allow quick shifting of planetary gears.
7 Kia Niro: Lots of Cargo Space
For a small car, the Niro packs like a mule. Folding down the back seats frees up 63.2 cubic feet. The Mustang Mach E only provides 59.7 and on a bigger platform. It's enough to fit enough luggage for two people on a road trip. It might be a little tight for two people to roll out some sleeping bags and snooze comfortably, but it's certainly doable, and one person can easily sprawl out and enjoy a good sleep. Even with the seats up, the trunk provides ample space to supply a four-person picnic, including a cooler and portable bbq.
6 Kia Niro: Remote Features
In addition to modern safety features, the Niro also provides owners with remote access. An Owner can perform tasks with the car through the Kia Niro UVO app on their smartphone. They can start the car, set the cabin temperature, unlock the doors and activate the lights. Owners can have turn-by-turn directions ready to go as well by using the Points of Interest feature through the app. These commands can be voiced into Amazon's Alexa or Google Assistant as well. Additionally, the app has a "Find My Car" feature. Those who forget where their car is parked can whip out their phone and locate it on a map.
5 Hyundai Kona: Included Maintenance Plan
One of the coolest ways Hyundai looks out for its customers with the Kona is its included maintenance plan. It's complimentary for three years, or 36,000 miles. This service includes engine oil and filter changes, as well as tire rotations. It also involves a multi-point inspection, which means the inspector will check a multitude of the car's facets. Inspection of the chassis, seat belts, and restraints, battery, steering and exhaust, air filters and belts, hoses, suspension, cooling system, drive train and engine, fuel system, and all fluids are included in the multi-point inspection.
4 Hyundai Kona: Optional All-Wheel-Drive
Crossover SUVs may have a hard time justifying their place in the world amidst sedans and full-size SUVs, but certain features help defend their case. For $1,400 extra, the Kona can come equipped with an all-wheel drive. While the Kona is probably not the best choice for off-roading, its all-wheel-drive configuration contends well with backroad driving and hooliganism. The Kona's not going to break any records, but equipped with all-wheel drive, its turbocharged engine, and DCT, it can zip around well enough for anyone's good time.
3 Hyundai Kona: Turbocharged Engine
In base form, the Kona comes equipped with a 2.0-liter inline-four. This engine only produces 147 horsepower. Granted it only needs to move just over 3,100 pounds, a little extra pep never hurts. Opting for the Kona N Line gets the driver a 1.6-liter inline-four, but produces 195 turbocharged horsepower. The base MSRP of the Kona is already cheap enough, and its turbocharged variant only requires a little $5,000 bump. That not only covers the engine, but also new sport seats, wheels, and the dual-clutch transmission.
2 Hyundai Kona: Safe Exit and Rear Occupant Alerts
Much like the Kia Niro, the Kona is packed with safety features. The Kona comes with what's called a Rear Occupant Alert (ROA), which reminds the driver to check the rear seats before exiting after the car is turned off. Additionally, the car comes with a Safe Exit Warning (SEW) system that activates after the car is parked, which warns the passengers of an approaching car before they open the door to depart. The Kona also comes with all the safety features that appear in the Niro.
1 Hyundai Kona: Intelligent Variable Automatic Transmission
The SE and SEL Konas come with what Hyundai is calling an Intelligent Variable Automatic Transmission (IVT). Similar to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), it uses a belt to shift gears, but the IVT modulates the pressure of the pulley system, and shifts gears based on the driver's input. The IVT's pulley system operates on a broader spectrum, thus it is equipped to eke out better fuel economy while preserving low-end performance. It also uses a chain belt instead of a push belt.