We take a look at essentially the most reasonably priced model of the brand new Kona to see how a lot it has matured in its non-electrified type
December 23, 2023 at 11:58
The Hyundai Kona acquired an overhaul for its second era earlier this yr, and now targets the higher finish of the subcompact SUV phase with its bigger footprint and extra spacious cabin. We spent a few weeks within the base-spec model of the Kona with the two.0-liter gasoline engine, in a quest to find if the brand new mannequin has sufficient charisma to face out in a crossover-crowded world.
A Extra Futuristic Styling
The styling of the unique Kona was type of polarizing when it first got here out in 2017, as a result of cut up lighting models and the heavy dose of plastic cladding across the bodywork. The second era presents these options in a extra futuristic means, combining them with sharper surfacing and an EV-like stance. One other signature trait is the full-width LED bars on each ends. Lastly, the usual 18-inch alloy wheels intensify the trendy fashion with their futuristic sample.
Different choices within the lineup embrace the the N Line trim that appears like a spaceship as a result of body-colored cladding and the outstanding aero, and the Kona Electrical which additionally has a novel bodykit to distinguish itself from its ICE-powered and hybrid siblings. General, we imagine that the usual Kona (SE within the US) and the higher-spec Kona Premium (Restricted within the US) have essentially the most wise seems to be, at the very least for followers of crossover styling cues.
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Extra: 2024 Hyundai Kona Electrical Begins At $32,675 And Affords Up To 261 Miles Of Vary
Whereas it nonetheless doesn’t appear like a giant automotive, the 2024 Hyundai Kona has a bigger footprint in comparison with its predecessor. Together with the sharper styling, it now seems to be extra like a child Tucson, whereas making a protected distance from the smaller and cheaper Venue. To be exact, the Kona measures 171.3 (4,350 mm) lengthy, 71.9 inches (1,825 mm) extensive, and 62.4 (1,585 mm) tall, with a 104.7-inch (2,660 mm) wheelbase. This makes it 7.3 inches (185 mm) longer than the earlier era, with 2.3 inches (58 mm) of this additional size being added between the axles.
Spacious Cabin, Beneficiant Customary Tools
Inside, the improve in comparison with the unique Kona by way of design, expertise, and accessible house, is clear at first look. The centerpiece is the 12.3-inch infotainment show which seems to be crisp and has easy-to-navigate menus, whereas the wi-fi Android Auto (and Apple CarPlay) proved to work seamlessly each single time. The bottom-spec mannequin we’re testing doesn’t have the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster however the neatly built-in digital dials that change colour relying on the drive mode (eco, regular, sport), and the fundamental 4.2-inch journey laptop between them will do the job for most individuals.
The one row of shortcut buttons and knobs on the middle console which is roofed by fake aluminum trim is a pleasant contact, though their response might be quicker. The toggle switches of the local weather controls are all the time inside attain, and the general ergonomics are good. Having stated that, I would like the digital handbrake to be positioned within the middle console as a substitute of the correct aspect of the steering wheel (RHD mannequin).
The usual tools of the entry-level Kona is superb for the value level, because it contains options that you just usually need to pay for, even in bigger segments. Apart from the 12.3-inch touchscreen, the bottom equipment contains dual-zone A/C, wi-fi charging, 4 USB-C shops, a six-speaker audio system that sounds surprisingly good (higher-spec fashions improve to an eight-speaker Bose audio), and a variety of ADAS.
As for the accessible house for the rear passengers, you possibly can really feel the development in comparison with the outgoing Kona in each knee and headroom. The width has additionally been elevated, contributing to an ethereal feeling in each rows. Lastly, the boot can now maintain a good 407 lt (14.4 cubic ft) of cargo which is 33 lt (1.2 cubic ft) greater than earlier than. There’s a sensible internet holding issues in place and a space-saver spare tire beneath the boot flooring. In-cabin practicality is common with 4 cupholders, just a few small cubbies, a not-so-useful tray on the dashboard, bottle-friendly door pockets, and rear seats that fold flat.
One factor that exhibits the budget-friendly character of the Kona is the exhausting plastics that cowl nearly all the inside surfaces. Hyundai designers tried to camouflage the scratchy materials by including fabric-style textures on the dashboard and fake aluminum trim on the middle console. Nonetheless, there are a lot of uncovered areas on the doorways and the decrease a part of the middle console taking away from the high-end seems to be. For instance, it could be nicer if there was a touch of soft-padded materials on the door playing cards for the driving force’s elbow. Fortunately, the whole lot appears to be properly put collectively as confirmed by the shortage of squeaks and rattles if you fiddle round with the inside trim.
Civilized Street Manners, Not Sufficient Punch
Our entry-level Kona options the non-electrified naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 147 hp (110 kW / 150 PS) and 132 lb-ft (179 Nm) of torque. This powertrain is solely mated to a CVT gearbox sending energy to the entrance wheels. Australian consumers miss out on the AWD choice that’s accessible within the US with the entry-level setup, though it’s provided with the stronger turbocharged 1.6-liter engine of the Kona N Line.
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The engine and gearbox mixture of the bottom mannequin is extra appropriate for laid-back drivers, as the shortage of a turbocharger to spice up the low-end torque and the sluggish CVT make the Kona really feel slower than numbers counsel. The Sport mode retains the revs larger making the SUV barely extra wanting to speed up in comparison with the Regular and Eco settings which prioritize quietness and gasoline consumption relatively than efficiency. As an alternative of pushing the engine with out the fascinating end result, I discovered myself utilizing the Regular mode for many of my time with the Kona, adapting to the relaxed character of the powertrain. Because of this, in a mixture of city and freeway driving I averaged round 7.5lt / 100 km (MPG) which isn’t unhealthy for a non-electrified car of this measurement.
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The 2024 Hyundai Kona is among the few subcompact SUVs – alongside the Toyota C-HR and the VW T-Roc – which’s platform is derived from a compact hatchback relatively than a supermini. Apart from the spaciousness, this has a optimistic impact on the journey high quality and the dealing with credentials. The suspension setup has a superb steadiness between consolation and driving dynamics, with not a lot physique roll within the corners. Within the largely freshly paved roads of Melbourne, the Kona’s springs felt plush over longer bumps, however the sharper street imperfections have been noticeable contained in the cabin. On the freeway, the SUV exhibited superior journey and noise insulation in comparison with some rivals, making longer journeys nice and enjoyable.
As we talked about earlier, the brand new Kona comes filled with ADAS, displaying how far a subcompact SUV can go by way of security options, even within the least expensive accessible trim. Throughout my time with the Korean SUV, nearly all of the driving force help labored nice, enhancing security for the occupants and different street customers. The one draw back is the fixed beeps which could be irritating at instances. These largely originate from the driving force monitoring digicam which could be very strict with conserving observe of your eyes and may misjudge squinting in opposition to the solar for sleepiness. One other comprehensible however frequent case of beeping was going 1 km/h over the pace restrict which is notoriously low in Australia and may occur even when the adaptive cruise management is about correctly. Nevertheless, some beeps and whistles are greater than welcome, like those from the rear-cross-traffic alert system that are mixed with vibrating pedals when a automotive approaches from the edges when you’re making an attempt to reverse.
Rivals And Pricing
The 2024 Hyundai Kona has a reasonably intelligent positioning, protecting the center floor between the subcompact (B-SUVs) and compact (C-SUVs) segments. For a superb measure, it’s longer than the global-spec Honda HR-V, Renault Captur, Peugeot 2008, and Dacia Duster, however 0.4 inches (10 mm) shorter than the Toyota C-HR.
From a worth level perspective, the brand new Kona is usually a value-for-money proposal relying in the marketplace and the trim. In Australia, the 2024 Hyundai Kona 2.0 CVT begins from AU$32,000 (US$21,066) earlier than on-road prices and that is the precise worth of the pictured press automotive. Whereas there are cheaper small and subcompact SUVs on the market, the expertise, practicality, and well-rounded character of the Kona make it a compelling choice at this worth level. Nonetheless, with the extra highly effective and fuel-efficient 2024 Hyundai Kona Hybrid beginning at AU$36,000 (US$24,348), I’d in all probability spend the additional AU$4,000 (2,705) for the electrified mannequin which is considerably cheaper than the mechanically associated Kia Niro Hybrid.
So far as different markets go, the equal US-spec 2024 Hyundai Kona SE with the identical engine and gearbox configuration has a beginning MSRP of US$24,100 excluding vacation spot expenses. Patrons within the Outdated Continent don’t have entry to this setup however the indicative beginning worth of the entry-level turbo 1.0-lite EU-spec Kona in Germany is €26,900 ($29,344).
Verdict
The 2024 Hyundai Kona is a completely improved subcompact SUV that at the moment sits among the many finest choices within the phase. It drives properly, seems to be fascinating, and has loads of room inside, whereas the beneficiant tools of the entry-level trim makes it a value-for-money proposal. On the draw back, the shortage of pleasure from the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine and the CVT gearbox steal the limelight from the succesful chassis, making the marginally pricier however cheaper to run Kona Hybrid a wiser selection for many drivers.