© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
What Is It?
Hyundai introduced the original Kona for the 2018 model year, and with its unique styling and available bright colors, the compact crossover was an immediate hit. Now the Kona has been completely redesigned, entering its second generation for the 2024 model year. With fresh styling that still stands out from the crowd, as well as a range of improvements under the skin, the 2024 Hyundai Kona should continue to see success with the gas-powered model coming to market now and the Kona EV arriving later this year. (Note: this review is specifically about the gas-powered Kona — we’ll have a review of the Kona EV later in the year.)
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Building on Success
“The all-new Kona and Kona Electric continue to build upon our extremely successful first-generation model, with outstanding efficiency, innovative technologies, distinctive styling, and comprehensive safety features,” said Jose Munoz, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America. “The new Kona Electric represents the next step forward in eco-friendly mobility solutions, a key model in Hyundai’s rapid transition to clean mobility and progress for humanity,” noted Munoz.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Larger Dimensions
The new Kona is larger than its predecessor; its 104.7-inch wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer, while the overall length increases by almost 6 inches and width by 1 inch. This translates to a much more spacious cabin with three extra inches of legroom for rear-seat passengers. Cargo capacity grows by more than 6 cubic feet, with almost 20 more cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Styling — EV First
Not only does the 2024 Hyundai Kona stand out from other crossover SUVs, but it is also a significant leap in styling from the previous generation. Unlike former variants, the Kona was designed and engineered first as an EV rather than a gas-powered model. The result is a sleek, aerodynamic look with the same basic shape for both powertrains, and a low 0.30 drag coefficient.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Unique Front Design
The 2024 Hyundai Kona is easy to spot with its aerodynamic nose and narrow light bar that spans the width of the vehicle just below the hoodline. Headlights are placed at the outside edges, directly in line with the tires, which gives the new Kona a wide stance. A wide grille has the same styling on the SE, SEL, and Limited, while the sporty N Line and EV get different looks.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Character Line
One of our favorite styling cues on the new Kona is on the side. A line travels from the front of the headlights to the rear door handle. A crease line slopes down from the rear handle to the lower portion of the front door, then back again along the car’s base, creating a Z shape. This gives the Kona a sporty look. Also interesting in silhouette: the headlights and taillights are visible from the side.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Rear View
A light bar like the one up front spans the rear of the Kona, wrapping around the corners above the taillights, which are at the edges of the vehicle, again like the front. KONA is spelled out in large letters across the tailgate, so there will be no mistaking this car for anything else. While the exhaust outlets are integrated into the bumper on the sporty N Line, the rest of the lineup has no visible exhaust.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Model Lineup
Hyundai offers the 2024 Kona (gas-powered) in four trim levels: SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited. Prices start around $24,000 for the SE, while a fully loaded Limited AWD is around $35,000. All trims come with front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Under the Hood
Hyundai offers two engine options in the 2024 Kona. A 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque powers the SE and SEL trims, while a more powerful 1.6-liter turbocharged engine delivering 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque is standard equipment in the N Line and Limited. A continuously variable transmission gets matched with the 2.0-liter engine, while the more turbocharged powerplant has an 8-speed automatic transmission.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Fuel Economy
According to the U.S. EPA, the Kona FWD with the 2.0-liter engine is rated at 29 mpg city / 34 mpg hwy / 31 mpg combined, while all-wheel drive knocks the figure down to 27 / 29 / 28, respectively. Moving up to the turbocharged engine delivers 26 mpg city / 32 mpg hwy / 28 mpg combined with front-wheel drive. Numbers drop to 24 mpg city / 29 mpg hwy / 26 mpg combined for the AWD variant. During our drive in the Limited AWD, we saw about 29 mpg in a mix of highway and city driving, so that the EPA figures may be a bit conservative.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Inner Space
Larger than the previous version, the 2024 Kona features a roomy interior with commendable space for passengers and cargo. All versions get dual 12.3-inch display screens — driver and infotainment — housed behind a single curved screen, which gives the Kona a high-tech look. Hyundai’s infotainment system is one of the more intuitive on the market, and we like that the Korean company hasn’t completely eliminated physical controls as some brands have done. Controls for climate functions are kept separate for easy access, and large buttons with shortcuts to map, media, and home are front and center, along with volume and tuning knobs.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Android Auto / Apple CarPlay
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard, connecting wirelessly in the SE and SEL (system without navigation) but requiring a wired connection in the higher-level trims. Hyundai plans to release an over-the-air update early next year to add wireless phone integration to the N-Line and Limited.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Decent Storage
The new Kona offers decent storage for front-seat occupants, with a sizable storage cubby below the center armrest, a central open space with retractable cupholders, and large door pockets. The additional space is made possible by the gear selector moving to its new location on the steering column. A wireless phone charger is located at the front of the console, and dual USB-C ports help keep everyone’s devices powered.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Front Seats
We spent time in both the Limited and N Line variants, and both have comfortable front seats offering adequate support. The SE and SEL trims get cloth seats, while the N Line’s sport seats are trimmed in a leather/suede combination for a sportier look. The top-level Limited has H-Tex leatherette seating — H-Tex is Hyundai’s artificial leather trim, although most would be hard-pressed to tell that it’s not the real thing.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Rear Seats
The 2024 Hyundai Kona is larger than the previous generation, but it is still a compact crossover. We were pleasantly surprised by how much room the vehicle has for rear-seat passengers. Both legroom and headroom are plentiful. Two adults would be comfortable sitting in the back, although adding a third in the middle would make things a bit cramped. Dual USB-C chargers for rear seat passengers are standard on all trim levels.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Cargo Space
With its larger dimensions, the Kona’s cargo space is considerably larger than the outgoing model, adding to the overall utility of this stylish crossover. With 25.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, the Kona offers plenty of room for luggage or other gear, and the wider opening with a lower lift-over height aids in the loading. Folding the 60/40 split-folding rear seat results in an impressive 63.7 cubic feet of space — more extensive than just about any other vehicle in its class.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
On the Road
Hyundai invited us to Charleston, South Carolina, to fully experience the new Kona. Although we didn’t have the opportunity to drive the SE or SEL, we spent considerable time in the Limited and N-Line, both equipped with the more powerful turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive. The Kona isn’t exactly quick, but it isn’t designed to be a high-performance vehicle. Hyundai has offered a Kona N in the past with much more power, and we expect there will be a new Kona N announced within the next year.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Adequate Power
Even though acceleration isn’t strong, the 2024 Hyundai Kona has more than adequate power, easily reaching freeway speeds and perfectly happy to cruise at 70 mph. Power delivery is smooth thanks to the new 8-speed automatic transmission. At highway speeds there is a bit of road noise but nothing too intrusive. Driving through town or at high speeds, the Kona feels solid and comfortable, delivering a confident ride.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Fun Driver
We had the opportunity to push the small crossover on some backroads west of Charleston and found the Kona quite capable. The steering provides good feedback, and the suspension does an excellent job absorbing bumps without being too soft, making the Kona an enjoyable vehicle to drive.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Rating: 8.5
Hyundai did an outstanding job updating the Kona for the 2024 model year. The modern styling helps set the model apart in a very crowded compact crossover segment, standing out as much as the first Kona did when it was introduced. The updated interior has a high-tech vibe with a large display screen, and it’s comfortable for front and rear-seat occupants with plenty of storage space in the cabin and a sizable cargo area. Add to that the fuel-efficient powertrain and confident ride, and the new Kona should continue to see success in the new model year.
