THERE’S nothing like being bang on-trend, surfing the wave of modern life.

And when it comes to cars, you can’t be more on-trend than the burgeoning class of smaller SUVs that has in its ranks the likes of the SEAT Arona, Audi Q2, Kia Niro, VW T-Roc and more.

You can also include the Hyundai Kona, Weekend Wheels’ latest road test car, a stylish package of looks, goodies, practicality and driving pleasure.

With its bold front and rear, wide stance and dynamic lines, our Premium GT model came with a whole host of features.

They included electric adjustment for both driver and front passenger’s seats, which are heated and ventilated, climate control air con, automatic headlights with dusk sensor, automatic windscreen wipers with rain sensor, daytime running lights, LED front headlights and fog lights, cornering lights function, high-beam assist , solar window glass, privacy glass for rear-side and tailgate, rear air vents and an auto de-fog function for the windscreen.

On the tech front you will find the likes of Bluetooth, ?an 8in centre console display, touchscreen satellite navigation, a connectivity suite, head up display (projecting relevant driving information directly into the driver’s line of sight), eight-speaker audio system, steering wheel audio, phone and cruise controls, USB and AUX connections and a wireless phone-charging pad.

There is also a wide range of active safety features including autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert and lane-keeping assist.

Our car was fitted with an optional four-wheel drive, a choice which is unavailable on many cars in this class.

The Kona lives up to the ‘GT’ bit of its title, with a 177bhp 1.6-litre, four-cylinder in-line, turbocharged, petrol engine mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission giving a 0-62mph time of 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 127mph while returning 42.2 mpg on the combined cycle (manufacturer’s figures).

The cabin is roomy and accommodating, with leather upholstery and trim for the steering wheel, but some of the plastics lack soft-touch appeal.

The Kona combines its on-trend appeal with strong and enduring automotive qualities, while embracing the latest technology - and delivering pace, power, practicality, and comfort.

Price: £25,415