Hyundai Kona

Hyundai Kona makes sense as a small crossover for people who want a car that sits above a hatchback without becoming bulky. By our assessment, it does its best work in city use and day-to-day commuting, where the easy seating position and upright shape matter more than flash. The trade-off is that this class usually gives up rear-seat stretch and boot room compared with larger SUVs, so it can feel tight once passengers and luggage pile up. In practice it is the kind of car that is simple to park, easy to place in traffic, and less tiring than a bigger SUV in crowded streets. Against rivals, it lives in the busy middle of the compact-crossover field rather than trying to be the cheapest or the most serious off-roader. It suits drivers who want a neat all-rounder and do not need a large family box, and the Kona name sits firmly in the mainstream end of the segment.