2024 Hyundai Kona Review
Pros
- Roomy interior for people and cargo
- Comes standard with many technology and driver assist features
- Also offers some upscale features absent from rivals
Cons
- Underwhelming acceleration from base engine
- Ride can get a little unsettled or bouncy over bumps
What's new
- Redesigned, inside and out
- Added passenger room and cargo space
- Debuts new technology features
- 2024 model kicks off the second Kona generation
Overview
With this 2024 redesign, the scrappy little Hyundai Kona grows up. It is still Hyundai's second-smallest SUV but it is now larger in size, has more interior room and offers more cargo space. Importantly, it provides a few more inches of rear legroom than before, resolving a significant complaint of ours with the first-generation Kona. It can also carry 6 more cubic feet of cargo behind the back seat, the 25.5 cubic feet expanding to a substantial 63.7 cubes when you fold it down. Hyundai has also improved the way the Kona drives and given it an infusion of the latest technology.
Edmunds spotlight: More tech for the new Kona
The Kona will definitely appeal to you if you like technology features. Most trim levels come with an integrated screen setup that combines a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch center touchscreen. It gives the Kona a modern and upscale look for sure. Digital key technology is also available, allowing you to unlock, start and drive the Kona using your smartphone. We also like the Hyundai fits the Kona with plenty of driver assistance features that can help make driving easier and safer.
Competitors to consider
Though it's bigger than before, the 2024 Kona still lines up against other extra-small crossover SUVs. Key rivals to cross-shop include the Buick Encore GX, Chevrolet Trax, Mazda CX-30, Kia Soul and Subaru Crosstrek. Check back soon for our test team's full evaluation of the Kona where they report on its comfort, practicality and more.
Which Kona does Edmunds recommend?
We think the Kona's midlevel SEL trim provides the best value of the Kona lineup. It's reasonably priced to start, and you can add the available Convenience package if you want more features. It lacks power, however, so you'll need the sporty N Line or top-of-the-line Limited if you want quicker acceleration
Hyundai Kona models
The 2024 Hyundai Kona is a small crossover SUV available in SE, SEL, N Line and Limited trim levels. Hyundai also offers an electric version of the Kona, which we discuss in our separate Kona Electric review. A 147-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is standard with the SE and SEL trims, and it powers the front wheels using a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The N Line and Limited benefit from a 190-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. An all-wheel-drive system is optional with all trims. Keep reading for our breakdown of the Kona's significant features and options.
SE
The most affordable version of the 2024 Kona comes with:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights with automatic high-beam assist
- Keyless entry
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone (both with wireless connectivity)
- Four USB ports
- Complimentary connected services
The Kona SE also has several standard driver assist features:
- Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)
- Forward collision warning with automatic braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
- Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
- Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)
- Lane centering system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
- Rear seat reminder (alerts you to check the rear seat before exiting the vehicle)
SEL
Moving up to the SEL gives you these upgrades:
- 18-inch wheels
- Roof rails
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Power-adjustable driver's seat
- Rear seat air-conditioning vents
A Convenience package is available for the SEL. It adds:
- Ambient interior lighting
- Digital instrument panel
- Heated front seats
- Integrated navigation system
- Voice recognition system
- Removes wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (a wired USB connection still works)
- Wireless smartphone charging
- Expanded subscription-based connected services
- Digital key capability (allows you to use your smartphone as a key to enter and drive the vehicle)
- Intersection collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision during a left turn and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
- Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Hyundai and the car in front; can also automatically reduce speed in curves)
N Line
This is the sporty Kona, featuring the turbocharged engine and:
- Contents of the SEL Convenience package
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Sportier styling details
- Sunroof
- Microsuede seat trim
- Eight-speaker Bose premium sound system
Limited
For all the features the Kona has to offer, the Limited is your ticket to:
- Upgraded exterior lighting
- Synthetic leather upholstery
- Ventilated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Kona and its surroundings in tight parking situations)
- Blind-spot camera (displays an image of the vehicle's blind spot in the instrument panel when you activate a turn signal)
- Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
- Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)