The Hyundai Kona has firmly established itself as one of the most sought-after small SUVs on the market. With its appealing design, roomy interior, advanced infotainment system, and diverse engine options, it continues to win over customers.
Hyundai Kona 2024
The second-generation Kona, introduced in June 2023, builds upon the strengths of its predecessor, offering even more allure and competitiveness. In this comprehensive review, we'll delve into the 2024 Hyundai Kona, focusing on the base model equipped with the 2.0-liter petrol engine.
Stylish and modern design
The 2024 Kona boasts a modern and stylish design that resembles a scaled-down version of its larger sibling, the Tucson. Sporting slim LED headlights and taillights, an attractive grille with an electric car-inspired design, and curved metallic and plastic elements around the wheels, the Kona exudes contemporary appeal.
The base model features 17-inch wheels, roof rails, a subtle rear wing, and color-matched accents, contributing to its overall aesthetic. Convenience is also a priority, with keyless entry and self-folding mirrors enhancing the user experience.
Spacious and comfortable interior
Thanks to its increased dimensions compared to the previous generation, the new Kona offers a notably roomier and more comfortable interior. Passengers in both the front and rear seats benefit from increased legroom and headspace, owing to the 145mm longer overall length and 60mm longer wheelbase.
The cloth-covered seats, which can be customized, are not only comfortable but also provide adequate support. The use of similar cloth material on the doors and dashboard adds a touch of sophistication to the cabin, offsetting the presence of hard plastics. The materials are robust and well-crafted, with frequently touched surfaces adorned in leather-like textures.
Storage options are plentiful throughout the vehicle, including a spacious center console, a wireless charging area, an open compartment above the glovebox, and multiple cupholders.
Advanced Infotainment and Connectivity
The 2024 Kona comes equipped with an intuitive and user-friendly infotainment system featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a digital instrument cluster. The display boasts swift responsiveness, straightforward menus, and crisp visuals. It offers compatibility with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as Bluetooth, USB-C ports, and a parking camera.
The digital instrument cluster provides essential information such as trip data, driving modes, speed, and RPM. The display adjusts its color scheme based on the selected driving mode, with Eco (green), Normal (blue), and Sport (red) modes changing the visuals accordingly. The steering wheel incorporates buttons and knobs for convenient control of various functions, including lane assist, radar cruise control, audio settings, and voice commands.
One standout feature of the new Kona is its ability to receive over-the-air updates, ensuring that the vehicle remains up-to-date with the latest technological advancements, enhancing longevity and future-proofing the driving experience.
Additionally, the Hyundai Bluelink app allows users to connect their smartphones, enabling remote control of various vehicle functions, from starting the engine and locking the doors to checking the car's location and adjusting the interior temperature. The app also provides valuable data such as driving statistics, tire pressure monitoring, service reminders, parking history, and fuel level information.
Performance and fuel efficiency
The base model of the 2024 Kona is powered by a 2.0-liter gasoline engine known for its fuel efficiency. With 110 kW of power and 180 Nm of torque, it offers adequate performance for everyday driving, although it may feel somewhat underpowered and noisy under heavy acceleration. The engine is paired with a continuously variable gearbox (CVT) designed to provide smoother driving and the option for manual gear changes using steering-wheel-mounted paddles.
The CVT tends to maintain higher RPMs under heavy loads before settling into regular cruising speeds, which may be perceived as a minor drawback. The base petrol model achieves an average fuel consumption of 6.6 liters per 100 km, which, while not exceptional, is reasonable for a petrol-powered SUV. It's worth noting that fuel consumption may increase when driving in urban settings or when carrying heavy loads.
For those seeking more power or greater efficiency, alternative engine options are available. The 1.6-liter hybrid variant, boasting a remarkable fuel consumption rate of just 3.9 liters per 100 km, offers an excellent blend of performance and economy. Meanwhile, the 1.6-liter turbo-petrol engine delivers 146 kW of power and 265 Nm of torque for those desiring enhanced performance capabilities.
Safety and reliability
The 2024 Kona has received a coveted five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on testing conducted in 2023. It comes equipped with an array of safety features aimed at protecting occupants and enhancing overall driving safety. These features include six airbags, an anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), traction control system (TCS), hill-start assist control (HAC), downhill brake control (DBC), a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, forward collision avoidance assist (FCA) with detection of vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists, lane-keeping assist (LKA), lane following assist (LFA), driver attention warning (DAW), leading vehicle departure alert (LVDA), smart cruise control with stop-and-go (SCC), blind spot collision warning (BCW), and rear cross-traffic collision warning (RCCW).
Hyundai Kona 2024 price
Moreover, Hyundai offers one of the industry's most impressive warranties for the Kona, featuring a five-year, unlimited-mile warranty. This warranty includes lifetime capped-price servicing and a decade of roadside assistance, providing added peace of mind to Kona owners.
Regular servicing is recommended every 12 months, or 15,000 kilometers, with service costs varying depending on the engine type, ranging from $259 to $375 per service for the first five years. This comprehensive coverage underscores Hyundai's commitment to delivering a reliable and worry-free ownership experience.
