My Thoughts Exactly: 2024 Hyundai Kona
It looks like history has repeated itself with this second-generation Hyundai Kona. There is a new design inside and out.
The Hyundai Kona. Its arrival for the 2018 model year came when the small SUV segment was growing. You can call it the right vehicle at the right time.
During its first generation run, Hyundai gave it basically everything. On one hand, you can get one in a battery-electric model. On the other hand, you have the Kona N with its 286-horsepower turbocharged engine.
In-between is a practical vehicle that was thoroughly enjoyed by its owners. Whether it run the streets of your city, or traveled for miles over stretches of Interstate highway, a Kona became your extension of your life. Especially with its unconventional looks.
It looks like history has repeated itself with this second-generation Hyundai Kona. There is a new design inside and out. Plus, a few mechanical changes to make this smallish SUV a better vehicle overall.
Is all of this enough to consider one of these new Konas?
The Kona follows a global design language that began with the Staria minivan and the latest Azera – which we no longer sell in this country. This is the first vehicle to arrive in our country with this latest design lingo.
You have LED light strips defining the base line of the Kona. Sort of like a dividing line that puts it altogether. This is followed by the main lighting units are below the LED “line.” The front LEDs may seem to be attached the front fenders instead of the front clip. The same with the rear taillight units. A “grille” is prominent in the lower part of the front end.
The side profile takes some of its cues from the IONIQ 5, with creases that are angular, creating more of a muscular profile. The door glass is quite large, and visibility is good until you get the C-pillar. There, the glass is triangular and defines a satin chrome strip that frames the lower glasshouse and the spoiler on top of the liftgate. Our Limited tester wears a set of 19-inch alloy wheels and a satin-finished lower front shield.
Stepping inside the Kona’s interior, you are greeted by a 12.3-inch fully digital and customizable instrument cluster. Shifting the transmission is done by a knob at the end of the lower rigid stalk on the right of the steering column, along with paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. Other controls operate the same as in the rest of the Hyundai lineup.
The 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen can now be mirrored to a smartphone wirelessly. Hyundai has finally listened to us and got with the program. Sound was emitted by an eight-speaker Bose Premium Audio system.
The seats are upholstered in this cream-colored perforated H-Tex faux leather. This upholstery helped the front seats in terms of comfort and support, while providing plenty of bolstering. Rear seat room is best for children and average-sized adults, although there is plenty of headroom to spare. For cargo room, there is 25.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats. Fold the rear seats down, and you have a maximum of 63.7 cubic feet available.
Our Limited tester came with the 190-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, putting down 195 pound-feet of torque. This engine is connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission driving all four wheels. The transmission replaced the dual-clutch gearbox that had been paired with this engine in the previous generation model.
There’s plenty of power from this turbo engine. The throttle just needs a little nudge will get the turbocharged Kona up to speed and making passing maneuvers. It can cruise nicely at highway speeds. The turbo Kona also earned an average of 26.0 MPG with a high mark of 27.8 MPG.
The ride quality was quite good. You may feel some feedback on rougher patches of road. Handling was on the soft side with some lean and roll exhibited when pushed to the limit on evasive maneuvers and some turns.
The steering system yielded a good turning radius and decent response to the wheels. On-center feel was fine, though a bit on the soft side. Brake pedal feel was fine with solid response to the wheels. The Kona turned in decent stops in normal and panic situations.
Pricing for the new 2024 Hyundai Kona starts at $24,250 It comes in four trim levels, with two different engines available. The turbocharged engine is standard on the N-Line and Limited trim levels. The Kona also comes in three additional electric models. Our Limited AWD tester came with a sticker price of $34,695.
Design sometimes will attract potential customers. We can agree that the 2024 Hyundai Kona has an unconventional look inside and out. Is it attractive enough to consider one? That will depend on your own worldview.
The Kona looks like it is from the future – even if the future is now. It breaks the mold for its class, while other cling on their own traditions design-wise. There may be a few details that might detract – such as the headlight and taillight placement and the transmission “shifter.” However, if you’re open to such details, then take a closer look at one.
DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by Hyundai Motor America
Photos by George Torline