Hyundai Kona Hybrid vs Renault Captur E-Tech Hybrid: the benchmark under threat?

Price of the versions tested Captur: €36,550 / Kona: €39,450

Reasons to choose the Kona…

At Kona, freshness as it is getting a makeover this summer. The difference is tangible in terms of style, which this Korean takes particular care of. Its distinctive mark is found at the front and rear lights in the form of fine borders, named on the bow “Seamless Horizon” (continuous horizon). The anglicism is a bit pompous but the aesthetic effect works. Moreover, its soft and modern shapes clearly turn heads. Inside, the same observation. The Hyundai reveals a dashboard with a very readable digital screen which extends to the central tunnel to display the infotainment. Each of these tiles measures 12.3”. A refined presentation that combines almost perfectly with beautiful materials like leather or flattering fabrics, and above all – you know, we love it – real buttons to control the air conditioning and vehicle settings. Only the lower part of the central console, which is quite crude, leaves a mixed feeling.

In terms of ergonomics, we only regret the positioning of the gear selector, which must be pivoted in one direction or the other to go forward or backward, but which tends to hide behind the spokes of the steering wheel when it is turned slightly. . It’s quite annoying, and above all very anxiety-inducing during rushed maneuvers, in town for example.

For the rest, the Kona outclasses its rival of the day thanks to an attractive layout evoking the famous Californian electronic devices marked with an apple. Ditto for its storage spaces, large and well thought out, or the trunk space, better on the Hyundai with a minimum loading volume of 466 l compared to 305 to 440 l for the Captur. Please note, to display this value, the Kona skips the spare wheel unlike the Renault which can have an optional wheel cover (€200). Its luggage compartment is also more practical with its lower loading threshold. This advantage in practicality, the newcomer owes mainly to its size since it has grown by 17 cm on this new generation, now displaying a length of 4.35 m. The Captur tops out at 4.23 m.

Its modernity, the Kona takes it on the road in the greatest tranquility. With its well-designed hybrid engine, it does better than its rival with, for example, exemplary soundproofing which would almost transform urban journeys into a moment of relaxation. To move around, the Korean can count on a 4-cylinder 1.6 hybrid developing a total of 141 hp. Its electrical part, powered by a permanent magnet synchronous motor, is powered by a battery with a capacity of 1.56 kWh. The Captur also knows how to be discreet, but its thermal engine operates more noisily and tends to vibrate when it passes the torch to the electric motor. The fault is its dog gearbox which grinds under heavy loads while the Kona inherits a more classic double-clutch automatic gearbox that is more pleasant to use.

Finally, to drive the point home, the Kona has a plethora of standard equipment on high finishes with, among other things, heated rear seats. An electric sunroof can be added for an extra €800 on the fanciest Executive and N Line finishes.

…or to prefer the Captur

If it accepts its growth crisis, the Kona also significantly increases the bill by appearing at €33,400 minimum in this 141 hp hybrid version, when the Captur starts at €31,070 “only” with its slightly hybrid mechanics. more powerful at 145 hp. The urban SUV struck with the diamond therefore trumps its competitor on the thorny question of price, which is today more than ever one of the main criteria in choosing a vehicle. By looking into the options catalog, the Captur quickly catches up with its rival whose fairly complete standard equipment avoids disappointments when checking out. However, for tight budgets, the French offers an attractive floor price.

This version of the Captur combines a 4-cylinder 1.6 petrol engine and an electric unit with a capacity of 1.2 kWh which is more lively than its competitor. It also completes the 0 to 100 in 10.6 s when the Kona claims 11.2 s with the 18” rims of our test version. Despite its age, Renault’s SUV still rests on a high-end chassis. Both comfortable and agile, it proves to be a powerful ally when it comes to leaving urban centers. Its steering, much more consistent and informative, even invites you to adopt a sustained pace which will delight drivers in a hurry.

The Kona, for its part, suffers from very little talkative steering and a hesitant front end which inflicts relatively marked understeer. It tends, moreover, to considerably broaden the trajectories anticipated with optimism. The Captur’s braking, biting and well calibrated, is also reassuring. Enough to consolidate the champion status of the tricolor SUV in terms of dynamism. If it is rather economical, with an average recorded of 6 l/100 km on our mixed test route, our Captur has a less frugal clutch box on expressways and therefore does less well than the Kona which is satisfied with 5.4 l/100 km on the same journey.

The occupants of the tricolor SUV will not taste the bright and trendy charm of the Kona but the driver will appreciate finding, as with his rival, physical controls and above all much simpler access to deactivate the driving aids which, in both cases, come back as soon as the contact is turned off. However, the Korean becomes horrifying by requiring you to go to submenus accessible from the touch screen to cut off alerts like the one that beeps as soon as you take your eyes off the road, if only to adjust the air conditioning… Yes , as mentioned above, the Kona has a larger trunk, it is barely better in terms of roominess for rear passengers despite its larger size. In addition, the Captur offers a one-piece, manually sliding rear seat which will appeal to small families.
in search of modularity without fuss.

Finally, if the Kona has the merit of having attempted a bold design, some more conservative customers will undoubtedly prefer the Captur. Consensual without being outdated, Renault’s SUV has carried out its business without trembling and still sports lines in keeping with the times. Moreover, many customers shy away from originality to avoid standing out and, perhaps, count on a better residual value upon resale.

OUR VERDICT

Modernity wins in this duel which, in any case, confronted two very good alternatives on the urban SUV market. The equipment, freshness and comfort of the Kona will nevertheless have got the better of the Renault Captur, although remarkably equipped from a mechanical point of view.

Watch our video comparison here!

Hyundai Kona

WE love :

Modern drawing

Cargo space

Soundproofing

We like less:

Placid behavior

Rising prices

Intrusive driving aids

Renault Captur

WE love :

Dynamic behavior

Neutral design

Price content

We like less:

Dog box

Austere presentation

Sound volume on the hybrid

DATA SHEETS

Hyundai Kona

ACHETER

Prix : 38 900 €

Residual value after 48 months: €18,200 (60,000 km) – 46.8%

Hybrid range: 141 hp – from €33,400 to €39,900

Fiscal power (CV): 5

Warranty/mileage: 5 years, unlimited

Average consumption AM/manufacturer: 5.4/4.7

CO2 (g/km)/malus : 106-107/0 €

Revision interval: nc

Country of production: South Korea

Name of sales points: 201

VIVRE

5/2 chest (l): 466/1,300

Width of front/rear elbows (cm): 149/145

Rear leg space (cm): 74

Front/rear roof clearance (cm): n/a

EQUIPMENT

Climate. self. : series

Radar + reversing camera: standard

Hands-free key: series

Heated front seats: standard

Electric sunroof: €800

Metallic paint: €550

Aluminum rims: series (18”)

TO DRIVE

Kona engine: front, transverse, 4-cylinder, direct injection, 16 valves, variable distribution, 1,580 cm3 + permanent magnet synchronous electric machine.

Displacement (cm3): 1,58O

Transmission: traction, robotic 6 speeds

Cumulative power (hp): 141

Cumulative torque (Nm): 265

Empty weight (kg): 1,485

Long.xlarg.xhaut. (m)  : 4,35×1,83×1,59

Wheelbase (m): 2.66

Tank (l): 38

Turning Ø (m): 10.6

Vitesse maxi (km/h) : 165

0 to 100 km/h: 11.2

Standard tires: 215/55 R 18

Test tires: Nexen N’Fera Primus

EQUIPMENT

Semi-autonomous driving: series

Autonomous emergency braking: standard

Blind spot alert: series

Spare wheel: –

Renault Captur

ACHETER

Prix : 36 550 €

Residual value after 48 months: €14,800 (60,000 km) – 43.0%

Hybrid range: 140 to 160 hp – from €28,500 to €31,000

Fiscal power (CV): 5

Warranty/mileage: 2 years, unlimited

Average consumption AM/manufacturer: 6/4.9

CO2 (g/km)/malus : 107/0 €

Revision interval: nc

Country of production: Spain

Name of sales points: 3,750

VIVRE

5/2 chest (l): 305/1,275

Width of front/rear elbows (cm): 140/138

Rear leg space (cm): 58 to 74

Front/rear roof clearance (cm): n/a

EQUIPMENT

Climate. self. : series

Radar + reversing camera: standard

Hands-free key: series

Heated front seats: €450

Electric sunroof: €900

Metallic paint: €550/770

Aluminum rims: series (18”)

TO DRIVE

Engine: front, transverse, 4-cylinder, indirect injection, 16 valves, variable distribution, 1,598 cm3 + synchronous electric machine
with permanent magnets.

Displacement (cm3): 1,598

Transmission: traction, multi-mode automatic dog clutch

Cumulative power (hp) 145

Cumulative torque (Nm): 144 to 205

Empty weight (kg): 1,461

Long.xlarg.xhaut. (m)  : 4,23×1,80×1,58

Wheelbase (m): 2.64

Tank (l): 48

Turning Ø (m): 11.1

Vitesse maxi (km/h) : 170

0 to 100 km/h: 10.6

Standard tires: 215/55 R 18

Test tires: GoodYear EfficientGrip Performance

EQUIPMENT

Semi-autonomous driving: €900

Autonomous emergency braking: standard

Blind spot alert: €900

Spare wheel: €200