After nearly two years having had the opportunity to test the Hyundai Kauai Hybrid , “fate willed” me to meet him again after the South Korean model was the target of traditional middle-age restyling.
Compared to the car I drove at the end of 2019, more has changed than expected. At the front, the new front came to "freshen" the look of Kauai and, in my opinion, offered it a more accomplished, assertive and even sporty style, something that was welcome in an SUV/Crossover often praised for its dynamic behavior.
At the rear, the changes were more discreet, but no less achieved, with the more stylized optics and the redesigned bumper giving a welcome renewal to the style of the South Korean model.
On the face of it, and seen only from the outside, the Kauai Hybrid was beefing up precisely where it made the most sense. Faced with unrelenting competition, such as the Renault Captur or Ford Puma, the “fresh” look of the South Korean proposal gave it, once again, the ability to stand out in the crowd.
More technological interior, but practically the same
If on the outside the differences are evident, on the inside they are (much) more discreet. It is true that we have a new 10.25” digital instrument panel (complete and easy and intuitive to read) and, in the case of the tested unit, an 8” screen with a new infotainment system that is also easy and simple to use (the screen can optionally measure 10.25”).
Everything else remained the same. This means that we continue to have critic-proof ergonomics, a robust assembly, and a profusion of materials that are harder than soft to the touch, lagging a little behind in pleasing those offered by models like the Captur or the Puma (but in line with what it offers, for example, the Volkswagen T-Cross).
The cabin continues to have a modern look and, above all, good ergonomics.
As for everything else, everything I said almost two years ago remains unchanged: space is enough to comfortably transport four adults and the luggage compartment with 374 liters, although it can meet most of the needs of a young family, is a slightly below the segment average.
Efficiency and dynamics: a winning equation
Unlike the interior and exterior, if there was an area that remained untouched in this renovation, it was precisely the mechanics. Thus, we continue to have a hybrid system comprising a 1.6 GDI gasoline engine of 105 hp and 147 Nm and an electric motor of 43.5 hp (32 kW) and 170 Nm, which together offer a combined power of 141 hp and 265 Nm.
As the first time I came into contact with this mechanic, its main attribute is the smooth and almost imperceptible way in which the hybrid system alternates between the combustion engine and the electric motor. Also worthy of mention is the six-speed automatic gearbox that avoids the usual “auditory discomfort” caused by CVT gearboxes.
Despite the simple appearance, the seats are comfortable and offer reasonable lateral support.
All of this makes the Hyundai Kauai Hybrid present itself as one of the most economical proposals of the complete South Korean SUV/Crossover range. Throughout the test the averages went around 4.6 l/100 km, descending to an impressive 3.9 l/100 km in “Eco” mode and with a regulated drive.
In "Sport" mode, the Kauai Hybrid "wakes up" and becomes faster and ends up having mechanical arguments to explore the dynamic capabilities of a chassis already highly praised and which, according to Hyundai, was the target of improvements in this restyling ( the springs, dampers and stabilizer bars have been revised).
Differences from the past are difficult to detect, however this is a positive thing. After all, we continue to have a model that has a behavior that, more than effective, can even be fun, with a fast, direct and precise steering and a suspension capable of controlling the body movements well.
Find your next car:
Is it the right car for you?
Years pass, renovations arrive and the Hyundai Kauai Hybrid sees its arguments strengthen. Without wanting to be the most familiar of the SUV/Crossover, the Kauai Hybrid seems to have another objective: to captivate customers who, not wanting to give up good consumption, also don't dispense with a more captivating proposal than the average in terms of driving and behavior.
As a conventional hybrid, the Kauai Hybrid does not need to be “plugged in”. For those who drive many kilometers in an urban context, and the plug-in electric or hybrid option is still synonymous with constraints when charging the battery, Hyundai's proposal may be the right solution to achieve reduced consumption.
Furthermore, it also achieves a convincing performance outside the urban grid, achieving, for example, consumption at the level of a diesel on the open road.
If to this we add a good price/equipment ratio and the (long) warranty from Hyundai, the Kauai Hybrid continues to have “energy” to beat newcomers.