In the US, Kauai is the name of the oldest and fourth largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago. An island that became internationally famous thanks to the Jurassic Park and King Kong saga (1976). In Portugal, the story is different. Kauai isn't just the name of an island, it's also the name of Hyundai's latest SUV.
An SUV that, like the island that lent it its name, promises to "shake the waters" of a boiling segment. Just this week we went to the French capital to see the new Citroën C3 Aircross, and soon we will get to know the new SEAT Arona.
It is in this context that Hyundai goes for the first time "in play" in the segment of compact SUVs. No fears. Also because in the history of the 4th largest car manufacturer in the world, the word “SUV” is synonymous with “sales success”. Since launching the Santa Fe in 2001, Hyundai has sold more than 1.4 million SUV’s in Europe alone.
If there were any doubts about the importance of the new Kauai in the Hyundai range, the words of Thomas Schmidt, CEO of Hyundai Motor Europe, are enlightening.
“The new Hyundai Kauai is not just another model in Hyundai's SUV range – it is an important milestone in our journey to become the number one Asian car brand in Europe by 2021.”
a daring dose
Aesthetically, the Hyundai Kauai adopts a young and expressive language, betting on differentiation to succeed in a segment eager for bold solutions. At the front, Hyundai's new cascading grille is the focus of attention, flanked by dual headlamps with LED daytime running lights positioned above the LED headlamps. The practical result is a presence that conveys strength and modernity.
The body, with a short rear section and a voluminous look, can be customized in ten different colors, always with the roof in a different color.
Peter Schreyer, Head of Design at HyundaiI want the Hyundai to be the expression of a passion and this Kauai captures that emotional force well.
Inside, the Hyundai Kauai is characterized by soft surfaces with colored accents that carry the irreverence of the exterior lines to the interior, while the black elements take on a more robust and sober character, conveying solidity. As on the outside, you can choose different color combinations.
The quality of assembly and materials is in line with what the brand has become accustomed to, and is nothing like the «German school». Moving to the rear seats, we found more space than the outside dimensions suggest. The luggage compartment doesn't disappoint either, thanks to its 361 liters capacity, extendable to 1,143 liters with the rear seats folded down (60:40).
Technology and Connectivity
Also in the passenger compartment, the 8-inch “floating” touchscreen on the dashboard concentrates all the navigation, entertainment and connectivity features. The Hyundai Kauai integrates the usual Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity systems. And for the first time at Hyundai, a head-up display (HUD) system is available that projects the most relevant driving information into our field of vision.
Hyundai's new SUV also debuts a wireless charging station for mobile phones, with a small charge status indicator light and an alert system to ensure that the mobile phone is not left in the car.
Of course, the new Kauai features the brand's latest safety systems: Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, Lane Maintenance System (LKAS) (standard), Control System Automatic High End (HBA), Driver Attention Alert System (DAA) (standard), Blind Spot Detector (BSD), Rear Cross Traffic Alert System (RCTA).
State-of-the-art Hyundai all-wheel drive engines
In Portugal, the new model will be available in October with two turbo petrol options: the 1.0 T-GDi 120 hp with six-speed manual transmission, and the 1.6 T-GDi of 177 hp with 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (7DCT) and all-wheel drive. This all-wheel drive system assists the driver in any situation with up to 50% torque on the rear wheels.
As for the Diesel offer, the 1.6 liter version (with manual or 7DCT gearbox) will only reach the national market in a year from now (summer 2018). Now we just have to wait for our first dynamic test on the Hyundai Kauai, to confirm if the good impressions left in this static presentation are confirmed on the road.
Portugal, the name “Kauai” and the importance of our market
Portugal, in terms of sales, is a minor market for the accounts of most car brands. There are European cities that alone sell more cars than our entire country. That said, I was impressed by Hyundai's commitment to renaming Kauai for our market.
As you know, the name of Hyundai Kauai in other markets is Kona. The South Korean brand could have simply changed the model name and period. But in this presentation he revealed an extra attention… the one that makes the difference. In more than two hundred journalists, bloggers and guests, Hyundai was careful to prepare all the material that gave to the small Portuguese entourage (pen’s, pens and notepads) under the name Kauai.
As the famous Belgian writer, Georges Simenon once said, it is “from any detail, sometimes insignificant, that we can discover great principles”. A writer who was inseparable from his pipe, but that is an insignificant detail.