2019 Hyundai Kona

Hyundai Kona

Hyundai's Kona lands in that sweet spot for South Africans who want a compact crossover without the bulk or fuel bills of a full-fat SUV. It's pitched against the likes of VW's T-Cross, the Nissan Magnite, and Ford's EcoSport, but on paper at least, it brings a slightly edgier vibe. All the local units are petrol-powered, with a mix of CVT, semi-auto, or dual-clutch gearboxes depending on which badge you pick. Thing is, you'd be hard-pressed to find one on the used market right now. Only three are listed, ranging from R239,500 to the eyebrow-raising R649,500 mark, with most hovering around R249,500. That tells you two things: either owners are hanging onto them, or they're not exactly flooding the market — and that's the point. If you're after value, the two 2.0 Executive models at R239,500 and R249,500 make the most sense. They're not showroom fresh, with average mileage at 78,538 km, but they pack the right spec for buyers who want an automatic and a proper engine, not a weedy three-pot. Then there's the wild card: the Kona N at R649,500. That's a 2.0 TGDI with a dual-clutch 'box, and it's what the Kona should have been from the start — a crossover with real intent, not just another raised hatch. The T-Cross can't touch it for driving excitement, and that matters, because in a country where every second car is some kind of crossover, the Kona gives you a reason to care.