This car rides well over bumps and body roll is nicely controlled through turns, even repeated ones, as the weight begins to shift. It’s a fun drive … as long as you’re willing to deal with some road noise at higher speeds. Wind noise isn’t too bad as the Kona’s slippery shape helps it carve through the air with less resistance … not only does that front end look cool, it serves a purpose.
The Hyundai Kona has been the third bestselling Hyundai ever since it debuted in 2018 as a new entrant in the burgeoning subcompact crossover class. Since that time not only has it been a big seller at Hyundai, but one of the segment’s most popular models.
For 2024, Hyundai has gone back to the drawing board with the Kona and made it longer, wider, taller and with a longer wheelbase than previous. It’s bigger in every way, and they’ve packaged it all in a redesigned body that’s both tough and techy.
For ’24, we see the return of plastic fenders and rocker panels … on some models. The base Essential ($25,999 FWD; $27,999 AWD) and Preferred ($29,499 FWD; $31,499 AWD) trims get the look, while the N and N Line Ultimate ($35,499/$38,499, AWD only) trims get body-coloured fenders. All get fenders that have been made to look chunkier and more robust for ’24 and they’re complemented by an appealing angular crease across both the front and rear doors that borrows some of the tech-origami from the Ioniq 5. The two N Line models — that’s “N Line” as opposed to “N” — get an aggressive rear spoiler as well as a dual-exit exhaust and special 19-inch, two-tone wheels.
Kona’s new fascia is a real departure from what came before it. You still get the narrow daylight running lights (DRLs) sitting above the bumper-mounted headlights, but it’s all been taken to the nth degree in the tech sense by blending the DRLs into a full-width light bar sat atop a blacked-out grille. It’s as futuristic as anything you’ll see in the segment today and matched by a full-width light bar across the rear deck.
Inside, there’s more rear legroom thanks to the longer wheelbase as well as narrower seatbacks, and, crucially, an extra 179 litres (6.3 cubic feet) of cargo space behind the rear seats. The extra volume is great, but the way they’ve lengthened the cargo load floor is the key to make for easier loading. There’s also extra storage below the floor, but no power tailgate option. Does it need one? Not really.
Space in the front cabin is the same, but the dash has been totally redesigned, highlighted by the addition of twin digital displays measuring 12.3 inches on N-Line models, while the two base models get a smaller digital gauge cluster. There’s a host of hard buttons for climate and infotainment controls, which are great to have, but they do make for a somewhat busy centre stack. To reduce interior clutter, the gear select lever is now a stalk you twist to select a gear.
As all models get the larger infotainment display, it means that they all get the latest in Hyundai infotainment; it’s faster than before, has a more user-friendly interface, and, on Ultimate models, a 360-degree parking camera, a Kona first. Those get upgraded Bose audio and navigation, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the range. Only models without navigation get a wireless connection, but that may be coming in a future over-the-air update.
While the seatbacks are narrower, the seats remain comfortable and supportive and also provide a great view out. N Line models, meanwhile, get red interior accents on the seats, dash and steering wheel as well as seat embroidery and unique kickplates.
Power for the ’24 Kona comes from two sources: either a two-litre, inline, four-cylinder engine, good for 147 horsepower and 132 pounds-feet of torque (or motive force), while N Line models get a turbocharged 1.6-l engine good for 190 hp and 195 lbs.-ft., fed to the wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The seven-speed dual-clutch auto from last year is no longer. You do still get paddle shifters with the eight-speed and the shift response they provide is enough to provide just that much more driver involvement if desired.
(A new Kona EV is coming, but not until next year.)
I was given the keys to both the N Line and N Line Ultimate versions; both come standard with the 1.6-litre engine and AWD, two factors that are enough to get you up and going in short order from a standing start. Even when at speed, there’s a well of power deep enough to get you past that semi in short order and that’s all that’s really needed.
The ’24 model is slightly heavier than the old model, so they’ve tuned the suspension to compensate for that. That’s really the extent of the chassis mods for ’24.
It’s not just the front-end that looks cool; the whole Kona looks cool and, indeed, especially in N Line form, it’s a pretty cool car. Great features, good interior space and all-new infotainment … it’s an update well done.
Editor’s note: Please be aware that availability of vehicles depends on supply.
2024 Hyundai Kona
Type: Five-door, subcompact crossover, front engine, front- or all-wheel drive
Engine: Two-litre, inline four-cylinder, 147 horsepower, 132 pounds-feet of torque; 1.6-l, turbo, inline four, 190 hp, 195 lbs.-ft.
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Cargo: 723 litres, or 25.5 cubic feet
Price: $25,999
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