Test drive Jeep Renegade and Hyundai Kona: As you like

This impromptu meeting of small SUV models features two different images.

The Jeep Renegade's sullen, solid facade and vertical glass bear no visual resemblance to the streamlined Hyundai Kona lifestyle, but both cars are powered by basic three-cylinder petrol engines.

Like “copier,” “tape recorder,” “hot tub,” and “felt pen,” the name “Jeep” is evidence of the iconic status of a company whose name has become a household name for a particular type of equipment or product. Due to the boom in SUV-like SUVs, the popular slang name has changed its meaning, and the G-Class and Land Cruiser are increasingly less often referred to as SUVs. Mercedes and Toyota.

While Jeep no longer has that symbolic meaning in this context, the company that bears the name continues to produce off-road and off-road models and, logically, nothing else. And as the youngest member of the Renegade lineup, there is a clear desire to flaunt the vision and posture of a solid and powerful Wrangler. In this he definitely succeeds, differing from the generally accepted graceful radiance of his peers and especially his surroundings. Fiat 500X - assembled on a platform by FCA.

At the heart of it all is the Renegade's angular design, which towers even over the VW Tiguan, despite the latter's much longer length. Driving pleasure is further enhanced by the horizontal bonnet, which the driver can easily see – of course, thanks to the rather vertical windshield and seating position where the driver sits 22 cm higher than the Golf VII and 9 cm higher than the Hyundai Kona driver.

Unlike the Renegade, the Korean model is far from such a solid format and was created as a competitive product within the framework of the generally accepted for this class. In this respect, it is closer to its fellow Hyundai i20 Active, which, however, takes on the role of a high-rise little hatchback. The Kona is larger and has the proportions of an SUV, but can be more correctly described as a CUV or crossover. Thanks to the rigid suspension, it moves according to its vision. Does not hide irregularities, but also does not transfer them too roughly to the body. Its tuning motivates for a dynamic driving style and provides relatively accurate cornering. Although the Renegade's chassis is softer and tilts slightly in corners, its behavior is perfectly acceptable. However, it should be borne in mind that the steering is not very responsive and gives feedback, but not so much through the necessary sense of dynamics, but due to the bumps that it transfers to the steering wheel.

Engines from small cars

The differences in the longitudinal dynamics are much less than in the lateral ones. With a volume of one liter and three cylinders, both petrol turbo engines do not show any power, but they are quite enough for everyday use. With its 998cc displacement and pleasant sound, the Kona leaves no room for the turbo pit to play an important role and creates a sense of decent traction. On the other hand, the lower rev range is clearly not a Jeep turbo favorite, and this is especially noticeable when accelerating from second gear and in corners. In such cases, the Renegade 3 kg certainly does not feel like a creature that loves to demonstrate sporting intentions.

In this case, the weight in question is achieved without the presence of a double gear. Such a system is offered by both models only in versions with four-cylinder petrol and diesel units. Does not add weight and automatic transmission, because in this case a six-speed manual transmission is used. Like the Renegade, the Kona surprises nothing, does its job precisely and delivers a light and pleasant shifting feel. The lighter 123 kg Kona not only consumes less fuel (7,5 versus 8,0 l / 100 km), but with its 36,5 meters it has a perfectly acceptable braking distance of 100 km / h. The Italian-American model, which has 37,9 .1,4 meters exceeds this value by XNUMX meters and is in a zone that is no longer acceptable today.

Practical cubic design

Although the space available in the Hyundai cabin is perfectly acceptable for this class, the Jeep sets the standard here. The design possibilities with right angles are maximized, and even a glass roof does not significantly degrade this state of affairs. At the rear, passengers have 5,5 cm more legroom, and the Limited also has a practical 40:20:40 split rear seat. They can also rely on a USB port, while Hyundai's rear-seat passengers will have to use either a Powerbank or a long forward cable. In both cases, the rear seats are devoid of additional air duct fans, but there are armrests with cup holes.

Behind the rear seats, both cars have a luggage capacity of about 350 liters, which is slightly more than the Jeep with the seats removed (1297 versus 1143 liters). It outperforms its competitor with an adjustable boot floor, and thanks to the vertical tailgate and the folding passenger seat next to the driver, it is more suitable for visiting furniture stores.

In the front seats, the Kona covers you tighter, and for an additional fee there is an option for electrical adjustment (no memory function). Precision here gives the Kona an advantage because the Jeep only electrically adjusts the lumbar support, and the vertical portion of the seat adjusts using a lever that's difficult to reach when driving.

In terms of managing other functions, both models excelled. In direct comparison, the Kona's simpler menu controls and accessible mechanical buttons for direct selection make for a positive impression, as does the high-mounted and direct vision of the driver's control screen. It also impresses with a pleasant detail in the on-board computer - the number of blinking turn signals can be adjusted when knocking down their lever (off, one, two, three, five or seven)

Abandoned Button

Jeep meters with other features, such as convenient and quick commands displayed in the panel with one touch of the screen. Logging through it is required only in the main menu - other functions can be configured using the rotary knob. In fact, Kona also offers a rotary knob, but it can only be used to control the radio or zoom in and out of the navigation map. It's a pity, because when driving, it becomes more convenient to adjust. There are two station select buttons on the left side of the monitor. On the steering wheel too. This is a bit redundant, because only by reprogramming an existing controller can an already good system become even better.

Let's close the topic with the praise of management. The driver does not need access to the glove compartment to disable the passenger airbag. If you put in a child seat, shutdown is done by a switch mounted on the side of the dash on the Kona, and digitally on the Jeep. As far as the rear view goes, Jeep still has the big glass advantage, but its camera has worse image quality.

Given the prices of the two cars, it should be noted that they are at a level where one-liter engines do not fit well into the picture, and this is more true of the turbocharged Jeep. The best alternative is a 177 hp four-cylinder petrol engine. and automatic transmission for Kona. In Renegade - 150 liters. and DSG transmission. Double transmission requires additional payment. But only Jeep needs it - not for anything else, but because of the iconic name.

CONCLUSION

1 Hyundai

In terms of both lateral and longitudinal dynamics, the Kona has a sportier setting, and shows minor flaws when driving. What gives way is flexibility and space.

2. Jeep

Plenty of space in a small footprint, a practical interior, convenient function controls and a well-tuned suspension. However, the stopping distance is long and the turbo hole is significant.

text: Thomas Gelmancic

a photo: Hans-Dieter Zeufert