Hyundai’s bigger ’24 Kona is surprisingly sporty
Hyundai’s subcompact Kona SUV gets bigger and better equipped for 2024, with a new model that adds technology as well as interior room.
The Kona competes with subcompact SUVs like the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Honda HR-V and Toyota Corolla Cross.
Despite growing considerably from the previous model, the 2024 is still shorter than any of those, though its 104.7-inch wheelbase is the longest of the bunch, a dimension that contributes to a tidy 17.4-foot turning radius that translates to good maneuverability in parking lots and tight spots.
I recently drove a nicely equipped allwheel drive Kona N Line from the cobbled streets of Baltimore’s quaint Inner Harbor to interstate highways and the corkscrewing hill roads of the surrounding Maryland horse country.
Gasoline-powered versions of the Kona are in dealerships now. An electric version will go on sale later this year. There is no hybrid Kona.
The 2024 Kona is 5.7 inches longer, 2.6 inches taller and an inch wider than the outgoing model. Cargo space grew about 6 cubic feet, making it big enough to hold two golf bags.
Curb weights increase about 100 to 200 pounds, depending on the model.
The additional size and weight exact a price in fuel economy, but not an unreasonable one. The 2024 AWD N Line I drove rated 24 mpg in the city, 29 on the highway and 26 in combined driving in EPA tests.
I got about 27 mpg in a day of enthusiastic driving.
Key features on the 2024 Kona include:
● 12.3-inch high-res instrument cluster
● 12.3-inch touch screen
● Ambient lighting
● Heated and ventilated front seats
● Heated steering wheel
● Dual climate control
● Bose audio
● Apple CarPlay and Android compatibility
● Wireless charging
● Kona SE FWD: $24,100
● Kona SEL FWD: $25,450
● Kona N Line FWD: $30,650
● Kona Limited FWD: $31,650
● Kona SE AWD: $25,600
● Kona SEL AWD: $26,950
● Kona N Line AWD: $32,150
● Kona Limited AWD: $33,150 (Prices exclude destination charge.)
The Kona N Line I tested was surprisingly sporty. The steering was very direct and nicely weighted, providing direct response at highway speed and around tight country curves.
The suspension was comfortable on rough surfaces and composed on hilly backroads. The N Line’s 19-inch tires have an acoustic lining contributing to a quiet interior that made for easy concentration. The eight-speed transmission shifted fast and smoothly.
The 1.6L engine delivered adequate power for highway acceleration, but the inevitable-but-unannounced Kona N performance model will be worth the wait for drivers desiring a zippy little SUV.
The 2024 Kona’s value, features and style make it a strong competitor for other subcompact SUVs.