Driven: 2024 Hyundai Kona Limited Offers Quirk And Substance At An Affordable Price

The 2024 Hyundai Kona marks the second generation of Hyundai’s subcompact crossover, picking up where the original model left off with funky styling, a peppy powertrain (including an all-electric variant that will be reviewed separately), and a surprising amount of technology inside. The changes may not seem extensive on paper, but the Kona’s features add up to create one of the most compelling options in its segment.

Base models feature a four-cylinder engine producing just 147 horsepower, while the N-Line and Limited trims step it up significantly with a smaller turbocharged four-pot delivering 190 hp. DrivingOnRoad spent a week driving the 2024 Kona Limited, the highest-priced and most luxurious trim level, to find out how this second-generation model stacks up against the competition. The subcompact space already includes strong options, like the Buick Envista, Chevrolet Trax, Ford Bronco Sport, Honda HR-V, Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30, Subaru Crosstrek, and Volkswagen Taos to name a few. Should you consider the Kona in this crowded segment? We believe you should, and this is why.

Exterior: Funky To The Max

Polarizing: that’s the best way to describe the Hyundai Kona’s design. The original Kona divided opinions with its split headlights and funky wheel arches, but this new model takes those elements to new extremes. We happen to be on the ‘love’ side, but we know this design doesn’t appeal to everyone. This new generation is 5.7 inches longer than before with a 2.3-inch increase in wheelbase.

Hyundai says the second-generation Kona’s design language was inspired by electrification, with the gas-powered model looking like it could be an EV. We love the connected headlight and taillight bars, both of which give the car a futuristic look. As before, the main headlights are hidden lower on the car. 17-inch wheels make the SE look like it belongs on a rental car lot, while the SEL is upgraded to nicer 18-inch wheels.

The N Line is the most aggressive, with a unique front fascia, 19-inch wheels, and a pretty substantial rear spoiler. If you want to blend in a bit more, the Limited gets 19-inch wheels but without the sporty flare of the N Line. Speaking of blending in, that won’t really be possible if you opt for our tester’s Neoteric Yellow paint. This neon yellow draws stares wherever it goes, so choose it with care.

Hyundai has some other cool colors available, such as Denim Blue Pearl, Mirage Green, Soultronic Orange, and Ultimate Red Metallic. The rest of the hues are boring shades like black, white, gray, and silver. Opting for the N Line unlocks a two-tone black roof option for $470.

Interior: Cheap Thrills

No matter which trim you choose, the Kona’s cabin is hampered by some hard plastic surfaces that both look and feel cheap. Buyers can select either a black or gray interior on most trims, and we feel the gray option exacerbates the cheap feel, especially in places like the door cards. It’s obvious that Hyundai needed to cut costs somewhere because the Kona doesn’t skimp on features. Even the base SE gets a 12.3-inch touchscreen, which finally features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. That system is tied to six speakers on the SE and SEL trims or an upgraded eight-speaker Bose system on the N Line and Limited. We were surprised by how full the Bose system sounded in such an affordable car.

The SE and SE models use a simple gauge cluster with a 4.3-inch small helper screen, while the N Line and Limited trims (optional on the SEL with the Convenience Package) get a fully digital 12.3-inch gauge cluster. That cluster can even have Hyundai’s excellent blind-spot view monitor on the Limited trim.

Cloth seats come standard on the SE and SEL, while the N Line gains nicer leather/suede combination seats with red accents. Stepping up to the Limited rolls in H-Tex leatherette seats that are heated and ventilated up front. The Limited boasts other amenities like a surround-view monitor and a wireless phone charger. Both the N Line and Limited trims also borrow the column-mounted shift-by-wire from the Ioniq EVs, freeing up space in the center console for more storage. It’s a small change that could be worth upgrading if you value usable interior space.

Practicality: Maximizing Space

Thanks to an increased length and wheelbase, the second-generation Kona has more interior space than its predecessor. Legroom is generous in both rows with rear occupants getting access to rear air vents on all but the base model and USB ports on every trim. Headroom is also acceptable for front and rear occupants, though rear shoulder and hip room is tight, as is expected for a subcompact crossover – something competitors also have to deal with.

The Kona can squeeze 25.5 cubic feet behind its second row or 63.7 cubes with the seats folded. Its platform stablemate, the Kia Seltos, boasts a cube more behind the second row but less space overall (62.8 cubic feet). Both the Ford Bronco Sport and Volkswagen Taos are slightly more spacious. Opting for the Kona Limited adds a hands-free liftgate that isn’t available on other trims.

Performance: Trading Fun For Smoothness

SE and SEL trims use a carryover 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine with no turbocharging or supercharging, delivering a modest 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel-drive is standard with optional all-wheel-drive, both going out through what Hyundai calls an intelligent variable transmission (or continuously variable transmission), which differs from last year’s six-speed automatic. This setup isn’t particularly sporty with no quoted 0-60 mph time from Hyundai, but we expect the sprint to take somewhere near ten seconds.

Upgrading to the N Line or Limited trims actually decreases the engine size to a 1.6-liter, though a turbocharger helps pump out 190 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. That’s actually fewer horses than last year’s Kona, which developed 195 hp. The turbo four-cylinder is also paired with a new transmission, ditching the outgoing model’s seven-speed dual-clutch in favor of a conventional torque converter eight-speed automatic. This setup is noticeably more sluggish than the previous DCT, but what it trades off in sporty acceleration, it delivers with smoother gear changes, especially in stop-and-go traffic. Sadly, you pay a price in quickness, with the 2024 Kona taking an estimated high-seven to low-eight seconds hit 60 mph, compared to 7.2 seconds in the previous model. In our testing, turbo lag prevented the Kona from hitting its predicted time, taking 8.48 seconds to reach 60 mph.

Efficiency-conscious buyers will prefer the base powertrain, which delivers 29/34/31 mpg on the city/highway/combined, dropping slightly with AWD. Those numbers dip a little more with the turbocharged engine to 26/32/28 mpg with FWD. We’d love to see Hyundai introduce a hybrid powertrain, but the Kona Electric is a great affordable option for buyers who are looking at their first EV.

Driving Impressions: Begging For N Treatment

Though the straight line performance is less than stellar, the Kona hasn’t lost any of its sporty handling. The steering is surprisingly sharp, especially in Sport Mode where it feels heavier. You get an adequate amount of feedback through the wheel, making it easy to place the car through corners. The tires aren’t too sticky, but they hug on enough for how most owners will push the Kona. Driving this car makes us yearn for a new version of the Kona N – a high-performance version that has a hotter engine, bigger brakes, and suspension upgrades. The new styling and upgraded interior would translate perfectly to the N treatment, and we really hope Hyundai brings this model back.

As a daily driver, the Kona excels with smooth acceleration and adequate ride comfort. The suspension never feels bouncy even over rough pavement and the cabin stays quiet even at highway speed. Driver assistance technology such as Highway Driving Assist and adaptive cruise control make the Kona an excellent commuter, whether that be city or highway driving.

Pricing & Verdict: Easy On Your Wallet

Pricing for the 2024 Kona ranges from very affordable to relatively affordable. The SE trim, which is still well-equipped, starts at $24,250. We’d recommend stepping up at least to the SEL for $25,600 to get larger wheels, a leather steering wheel, power driver’s seat, and more. The $2,200 SEL Convenience Package is also worth considering, since it adds a digital instrument cluster, digital key, adaptive cruise control, shift-by-wire, built-in navigation, LED interior lights, a wireless phone charger, HDA, Wi-Fi hotspot, paddle shifters, and heated front seats.

Pricing for the sporty N Line starts at $30,800, and the luxurious Limited trim is only slightly more expensive at $31,800. Adding AWD to any of these trims costs $1,500. No matter which trim you choose, the Kona is among the most feature-rich crossovers in the subcompact segment and its priced well despite its wealth of content. If you want great bang for your buck, the 2024 Hyundai Kona is a value-laden option.