Hyundai's Kona is a winning newcomer

A menu of Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen on the Business page of The Sacramento Bee’s website – www.sacbee.com/news/business/article4005306.html

Sacramento, California -- Hyundai calls its all-new 2018 Kona SUV an auto perfect for "urban adventures" and "the small crossover with a big personality."

I call the compact sport-ute the latest smart move by an automaker that has rarely put a foot wrong over the past quarter century.

My tester was the 2018 Hyundai Kona Ultimate AWD, and you could almost hear it coming with its eye-popping "Lime Twist" exterior paint job.  I discovered that the saucy, sporty look of the little SUV and its lime-overload paint scheme prompted instant reactions from observers.

They either loved it or disliked it, in a heartbeat.

I ended up in the former category, especially when I stepped into the cockpit and sampled the super-generous lineup of standard perks.  That included a head-up display, a 315-watt audio system with eight speaker, a power tilt/slide sunroof and rain-sensing windshield wipers.  All this and more -- including Hyundai's exceptional warranties -- for a sticker price of $29,775.

This Kona is straight out of the Hyundai playbook.  Build a good-looking model and stuff it full of standard features that will cost you much more in the equivalent model built by the competition.

You might expect Hyundai to make up some dollars by installing a tepid power plant.  You'd be wrong.

The 1.6-liter turbo-4 rated at 175 horsepower was a more-than-willing engine.  It sprinted admirably off the line and hit the hill climbs with gusto ... make that surprising gusto, in my book.

With multiple infotainment features, the Kona is marketed as the near-perfect CUV for young folks.  To which I say: Why let them have all the fun?  The Kona stacks up as a fun daily driver for retired folks who periodically like to hit the road on a moment's notice for weeklong outings or make weekend trips to visit the kids and grandkids.

And despite its compact label, the Kona is surprisingly roomy inside.  Fuel mileage is pretty impressive as well as 26 miles per gallon in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

Overall, Hyundai has come up with another winner.  Like yours with a Lime Twist?  I'll drink to that.