2024 Hyundai Kona

Overview

The boxy 2024 Hyundai Kona looks more rugged than it is, as this subcompact soft-roader is made for the urban jungle—not muddy two-tracks. Like the previous generation, the new Kona will be powered by one of two gas-fed four-cylinder engines. A 2.0-liter is standard, but a more powerful turbocharged 1.6-liter is optional. An all-electric Kona is also offered, but we review that model separately. The more futuristic styling of the Kona extends to the interior, which is designed around two 12.3-inch displays on the dashboard. The 2024 Kona is more spacious than the last-generation model too, thanks in large part to a longer wheelbase and slimmer front seat backs that free up more space for rear-seat riders.

What’s New for 2024?

The Kona is completely redesigned for the 2024 model year and features a more modern appearance and a new hybrid powertrain option.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

SE

$24,000 (est)

SEL

$26,000 (est)

N Line

$29,000 (est)

Limited

$32,000 (est)

Hyundai hasn’t released pricing for the 2024 Kona yet, but we know that the N Line model will continue to be part of the lineup. We expect to see a luxury-focused Limited trim as well. When we know more about the new Kona’s various trim levels and features, we’ll update this story with details.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Both four-cylinder engines from the previous-generation Kona carry over to the 2024 model. The entry-level offering will be a 147-hp 2.0-liter; a turbocharged 1.6-liter mill will be available as an option. In its last generation, a Kona we tested with the 2.0-liter engine recorded a fairly languid 9.2-second 60-mph time. The turbo was considerably perkier, hitting 60 mph in 7.3 seconds. We’ll have to wait and see if the new Kona will offer better performance, but given its growth in size, we’re not confident we’ll see much improvement. When we get a chance to sample the new 2024 version, we’ll update this story with driving impressions and test results.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

Neither Hyundai nor the EPA has released fuel-economy estimates for the 2024 Kona, but we expect to see similar figures as last year’s model, which was rated as high as 30 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. When we have a chance, we’ll take the Kona on our 75-mph highway fuel- economy route and update this story with its results. For more information about the Kona’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The 2024 Kona boasts a more spacious interior than the previous-generation model. That’s thanks to a stretched wheelbase and a longer overall body length. Hyundai says it also adopts a slimmer front seat-back design that adds a little extra legroom for rear-seat passengers. More cargo space is in the cards this time around too, but don’t expect Chevy Suburban levels of space behind the back seats. The interior design is straightforward but futuristic, and the Kona features rich-looking ambient lighting, a column-mounted shifter, and available leather upholstery.

The Car and Driver Difference

Infotainment and Connectivity

Dual 12.3-inch displays dominate the dashboard and are sandwiched behind one continuous piece of glass. The first of the two is a reconfigurable gauge display, while the second is a large touchscreen for the infotainment system. We expect to see an updated version of Hyundai’s user interface here and are hoping to see wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the menu too.

How to Buy and Maintain a Car

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

All Kona models come with a suite of driver-assistance features. Some of those—such as automated emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring—are fairly common, but the Kona can also be equipped with a driver-monitoring system and a self-parking feature. For more information about the Kona’s crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

Standard automated emergency braking Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist Available adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

By now, Hyundai’s 10-year powertrain warranty is well known in the automotive industry as being one of the most generous policies available, and the Kona receives the same coverage as the rest of the lineup. The company also now offers complimentary scheduled maintenance that bests mainstream rivals such as Toyota.

Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles Complimentary maintenance covers three years or 36,000 miles