The 2024 Hyundai Kona Is Bigger, Better, and Styled To Polarize
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ย. 2023
- For 2024 the smallest SUV in Hyundai’s lineup has grown, receives significant tech upgrades and a new engine and transmission. The combination makes it a solid and compelling small SUV, if you can handle the styling, which… Isn’t like anything else on the road. Tired of “me-too” designs, the Hyundai team pulled styling cues from their boxy Ioniq 5 EV and the sleek Genesis GV60 and mashed them together into the Kona. The look is OK to my eye, but not quite “sexy” and downright strange looking to others. That’s exactly what Hyundai wants however: design that elicits passion, both positive and negative.
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I bought a 2024 Kona SE in orange! I love it! It seems fully loaded to me and paid $25,400!! Such a sporty, yet beautiful car with a ton of safety features! 🧡
Hyundai and Kia always seem to be 5 years ahead of their competition when it comes to styling and interior appointments. This new Kona only reinforces that belief. The latest entries from Toyota and Honda already look like they need a redesign to compete even though they just came out a short time ago.
It wasn't always this way! I have a Kona whoseooks I love and often remind my wife of 36 years how we used to mock Hyundai cars for their horrendous design decisions back in the 2000s. Hyundai built cars only a mother could love, until they scalped a bunch of Toyota designers in California. Now, they are defining style, even if I'm not so crazy about the new Kona.
Alex, Once again we see another competitor that understands space efficiency much better than Toyota. Having said that, it is a big surprise they don't offer a hybrid Kona.
Almost every other brand has better space efficiency than Toyota 😂
I was just thinking the other day, I sat in a brand new Toyota RAV4 hybrid and my first thought was holy crap. It's very cramped in here! Glad I'm not the only one
@@DeadofWinter321 the older gen RAV4 is a lot more spacious
@@DeadofWinter321 When this generation of RAV4 arrived, the local Toyota dealer had a Yaris hatchback in their showroom. Guess which one had more headroom. 🤔
there might be a hybrid coming out, but not in North America. i guess they think it'd eat too much of the hybrid niro market.
The Hybrid Kona is sold in the EU and it has about 140 HP combined and a figure of about 10.5-11 sec 0-60 (much slower). I guess Hyundai figured that the US market would look down on those figures compared to the other hybrids in this segment. It has a 1.6L non turbo engine (105HP) mated with a 1.32Kw/h battery that provides 43HP on its own (combined 140HP). It has a rear multilink suspension and a 6 speed DCT. The rated fuel economy is at 50MPG for this model.
Sadly, Hyundai has no plans to import the Kona Hybrid into the U.S. They want to drive EV sales, but our infrastructure isn't ready for EV taking longer trips. I'd prefer a hybrid over ICE model and may look elsewhere for a hybrid in late 2024 when my current 2022 Kona lease is up.
No hybrid to compete with the Corolla Cross is probably the only miss with this car.
I’d rather sacrifice the hybrid to get a better car overall
Yeah, but it's intentional so that the full remodel will have a hybrid option to make a big splash
I have to say Hyundai did a fantastic job on the redesign of the Kona, it looks futuristic and sporty at the same time. That interior also looks pretty awesome. I haven’t been to keen on their designs as they always came off as over-styled with so many angles and cuts but their latest designs have been really good. I am bummed out we do not get a regular hybrid option. The only vehicle that offers that is the Corolla Cross, which offers about the same hp as the 1.6t but with almost double the mpg
But the corolla is far too compromised. You give up too much in many areas. Hyundai doesn’t have this issue
@@naveenthemachine to my knowledge the only thing the Corolla does not have is cooled seats which it’s kinda crazy that Hyundai offers that on a lower priced vehicle, apart from that the Corolla is very comparable imo
Alex I find your reviews more entertaining more informational and yes even more distinct as far as problems you're honest and I like that. Keep up the great work I watch almost all your reviews. Too bad that 10 year warranty on all Kia cars need you have to wait 10 months for a new part keep up the great shows. Mile marker Mikey Trenton Michigan🎉😅
Thank you for bringing back the steering wheel driving camera! It has been missed! Great first drive review Alex.
While certainly interesting looking, I wish they'd stop putting their lighting elements in such odd/arguably terrible locations depending on the Hyundai/Kia (and other manufactures are guilty of this as well, like GM as of late). This was an issue on the previous gen Kona as well, but god forbid you ever smack your car into anything or happen to get smacked! Those lights are the first thing to go instead of just being a bumper/fender replacement. But I suppose we're long passed the days of cheap repairs. Feels like any 5mph collision will nearly total new cars even compared to the days when IIHS used to test it, they honestly need to bring it back. 😅
totally agreed
Yep. The bumpers are the worst place to put lighting elements and it certainly doesn't help with lowering the cost of minor accident repairs. I welcome back 5mph government-mandated bumper standards. Once the auto industry lobbied for 2.5mph bumpers and the law was changed, we started getting all of these subpar bumper designs.
At first, I thought I wrote your comment. It's like they WANT those light fixtures to get broken!!! It's fine if you live in the middle of Nebraska, but not if you live in a congested urban area where you will have to constantly worry about someone hitting them while parallel parking.... costing you hundreds to replace. Absolutely ludicrous.
And yes, IIHS stopped doing bumper tests at least 10 years ago.
Alex, I want to thank you for your continuing campaign to raise awareness 21:22 about the virtues of an independent rear suspension. 👏👏👏👏At today's elevated prices, there is simply no excuse for the use of a retrograde torsion beam rear suspension in any car. 🤨
It's cheaper.... so more profit.
Putting in an independent rear suspension will increase the price of any vehicle. They often don't to cut the costs.
Well done Alex and team!!! Super pumped about this new generation.
In the Korean market, the Kona is still offered as a hybrid in addition to ICE, plug-in hybrid, and electric (as far as I know). Interesting Hyundai isn't offering it as a hybrid in the US 🤔
Alex, if I'd known you were in Baltimore I would have taken you out for a crabcake! Let me know next time!
Test drove a 2023 kona and referred a 2022. The seats were an absolute dream breaker. On an hour trip I had to get out and stretch because I hurt so much. The seats were very short. Did they fix the income seats in this model? Also a huge problem was the visibility out of the rear window. It was very difficult to see. Of course the trunk was very small but this version has a bigger trunk. Wow an I hearing no cvt? This will be a contender. Thanks for the great review!
Alright I'm confused, just bought a 24 Kona n line, would I get the wireless carplay OTA update? I have factory navigation
Absolutely the best auto reviews, thanks Alex.
7:45 Not sure why companies are so dumb that they keep putting the 60 part of the 60:40 split on the driver's side.
What difference does it make?
Because it is on the driver's side, for a RHD car, which is where they drive in Korea.
I leased a first generation Kona and the only downside for us was the space for sure.
The 1.6t engine and dct was a an excellent match.
I agree that there is clearly a Genesis-like look to this and it works really well.
I've never been so happy to own an older model of a new car. We actually bought it for my wife, but I quickly adopted it as my primary car and she happily inherited my Accord Coupe V6. After watching a few videos about the Kona's redesign, I'm not even sure why they called this a Kona?
I have a 2021 Kona Limited 1.6T AWD and its become one of my favorites. I didn't expect to love the Kona the way I do, having owned a myriad of sports cars (Miatas, 350Z, 370Z Nismo, BMW 540, among others) and a few midsize SUVs over the past 20 years.
I assumed the Kona would drive like a typical small SUV but quickly discovered how much fun this compact sport SUV was to drive. It's small, gets great fuel mileage and so much fun to drive. It was only after a few weeks of owning it that it finally dawned on me why I had so much driving the Kona: It's essentially an updated version of the "hot hatches" I owned during the 1990s.
The Kona perfectly emulates all the great Japanese imports of the 1990s like the Honda Civic Si, the Mitsu Eclipse, the Toyota Celica, etc. Those cars seem to gone forever, considering they dobt even make 2-door coupes anymore. The Kona is stiff & light, includes a turbo 4-cyl with lots of torque and even AWD and a dual clutch transmission that's admittedly finicky but still easy to live with. The interior is insanely comfortable and very ergonomic for driving. I don't even think Hyundai realized what they'd captured, as theyve already dropped the DCT and fattened up the Kona to... better compete with what? The dozens of other compact SUVs that have flooded the market?
The new Kona lacks much of the *unique* style of the previous model. I've had numerous strangers ask about it while topping off the tank or loading tools at Menards, which was completely unexpected when I bought it a few months back. Its sad that there are so few entry level sport cars for folks to consider. The sport cars that do remain are difficult to find at MSRP as dealers charge extra for them. The Kona reminded of me of what we've lost over the past decade or so. The automotive market is nothing like it used to be and unfortunately it seems its we consumers who are getting the short end of the stick. I genuinely hope that Hyundai remains adventurous in their plans to promote affordable sport cars & SUVs, like the Veloster (with its quirky appearance) all the way to the incredible N Vision 74 concept. I'm already shopping for a 2023 Kona N. It will be my next car.
I have a 22 model and love everything but the often glitchy navigation system. Glad the new one is larger and quieter. Not thrilled with the rear corner lights. Kind of odd looking. Glad the transmission has been updated too.
Appreciate the packaging magic Hyundai has done here. Hood struts at the price is also a pleasant surprise.
Marvelous content with my new dream SUV.
I don't get it ... wireless carplay in the Kona, but the more expensive models like the Ioniq 5 and 6 are still waiting for it even though it's been a "coming soon" feature for a long time.
Customer interest is hard to gauge. Apple claims that even in cars that offer wireless, wired CP is used more often (excepting wireless only cars)
@@AAutoBuyersGuide probably because their charging trays have no cooling so cook the phones. :p
It's to do with the licencing cost, which is according to screen size.
Nice review! As an Impreza owner I laughed out loud at 7:50
Is the 1,6 liter turbo a reliable engine ?
I want to add towing capability, do you think the Kona 1.6Lt front wheel drive will be able to tow a trailer weight 300Kgs unbraked.
I reside in Michigan I rarely have a need for AWD. So, I should save some money, get better mpg and go with standard FWD? Thanks for your comments.
Look front face for inoniq 7 hints
Ok one thing I don't get is you can choose to look your new Kona premium from outside with n line or premium with inside with limited I don't know what are they doing with this kind of spec there should have been N line limited option too with ventilated sits
The Koreans are so creative and couragous. I love the simple, space saving design of the column shifter and the flexibility of the center console! Our US auto companies seem so slow to innovate, at least the sub $40K cars.
Do Hyundai & Kia still offer the in dash sideview mirror images that the did several years ago? I have not seen them mentioned in reviews over the past year. They seemed like a fantastic idea that I expected everyone would mimic but it doesn't seem to have caught on as best I can tell. Are them some issues with that system?
My wish would be an updated Crosstrek Plug-in Hybrid, but alas not going to happen for 2024. But I would love to see the 2024 Crosstrek eBoxer here.
Which of these two is much more spacious and has higher elevation form the drivers seat? The Kona or seltos?
The 2.5T engine paired with Manual, AWD and bigger turbos would make an Awesome KONA N
I agree!
11:11 looks like that phone would just fall to the floor during acceleration.
"Bake to convection cook" is such an Alex thing to say. Love it.
The exterior design is love-it-or-hate-it, but I personally love it overall. It looks like nothing else. They're offering it in some very fun, unique colors. The interior is beautiful, distinctive, and functional. Hyundai does a top-notch job with thoughtful interior design and great interior build quality. Toyota needs to take notes. If it drives at least as well as my 2018 Elantra, which I'm sure it does, I'll be smitten. I'm looking forward to learning more about the base SE trim when it's released because that'll probably be all of the Kona I want or need. This new 2024 Kona makes the Toyota Corolla Cross and Honda HRV look incredibly lackluster.
The interior of the Honda hrv is closer to the Hyundai which is a good thing
Toyota couldn’t afford to take notes to compete with the best. Because they know other brands are far better
@@naveenthemachine I agree about the HRV interior being closer to the Kona in terms of interior quality and design. Toyota makes great cars mechanically, but their interiors tend to be among the worst for thoughtful design and build quality. Personally, I'd rather drive a Kona for 150k miles and actually enjoy the driving experience than own a Corolla Cross for 250k and prolong how much I hate driving it.
Idk man, we have a 23 Palisade Calligraphy cos everyone swore it was better than the Highlander but it creaks everywhere, the technology isn’t all that good. We’re now looking to get a Grand Highlander
@@alwaysiyi272 really? What exactly happened?
I’m sure the Toyota will have some rattles
@@naveenthemachine the interior was fine at first, everything worked well, but as the miles started to creep up, things started to rattle, and I’m very aware things will come loose but this didn’t sound right, rattles and creaks everywhere, it had more rattling than my 2005 ES330 that we have as a backup car, which was very interesting because our 2008 Hyundai Azera, has been pretty flawless and it’s at 216,000 miles so I was very surprised the Pallisade didn’t have the interior quality I was hoping for. Hopefully the Grand Highlander is a lot better, the hybrid max power train was the biggest draw for us
Alex, can you explain why a torque converter is responsible for a 2 mpg drop in combined fuel economy? I understand how a torque converter works, and I thought that today's modern TC locked up early and often, improving their efficiency. So is it the guts of the 8-speed automatic that contribute to the lower mpg, or truly just the TC? Thanks.
You’re still pumping fluid around when locked so there is always more loss. Also, planetary gears have more loss vs a DCT which internally is a manual transmission. It’s a variety of factors
Not wild about the exterior design, but the interior looks great, especially all those metal fininishes. One note: those are not cobblestones - they're setts. Cobblestones are naturally rounded rocks - worn down by rivers. Setts are roughly cut into rectangles. They come from quarries.
The best Kona review on the web. Thank you.
Alex - What exactly sort of payload are you carrying in A Kona that you couldn’t just toss the cover on to??
Okay Hyundai really should've waited until this new gen Kona to make a Kona N, it's so much better inside and out than the old Kona. This would look so damn good in the baby blue color of true N cars.
The Honda HR-V seriously needs a turbo engine or a hybrid option to compete with this. The HR-V is so wimpy compared to the Kona N-Line
Is there a reason some manufactuerers put the middle seat belt in the ceiling? Are their seats not secured to the car as well or some other safety reason, or is it just a choice?
I love the rounded boxiness Kia/Hyundai are going with. I LOVE a box on wheels with sharp angles, but I know that isnt aerodynamic at all. So smoothing it out, but still keeping it boxy and adding sharp angled within the design is 10/10
I got to drive an Ioniq 5 today and I have to say I dig the stalk shifter a lot more than I thought I would, mostly because you rotate it forward to go forward and backward to go backward. Some of the toggles that other companies have been doing, I know all they did was move Park to a button, but then you're pushing forward to go backward and backward to go forward and my brain gets it wrong every time.
How does the Kona have more ground clearance than the Palisade, Telluride, and Pathfinder?
I agree, but very likely you wont as there are sensor even for basic kona to prevent you from bump into anything unless you are hit by someone or something, in most case it will be repaired by insurance coverage
Why no ratings??
In 22, we chose the Seltos SX (which we love) over the Kona because of the size difference, and better looks. Now that Hyundai has brought the Kona size up to that of the Seltos, if we replace our Seltos, it would likely come down to who has the best deal.
I have the old Kona and it is paid off already. I really don't want a car payment, but the new model really looks good. I will only get the new one if the dealership gives me a deal which I doubt.
Don’t like the headlights and taillights at the extreme corners. This is where cars end up getting banged and damage to lights will cost a lot more to fix than a couple scratches on a bumper
The 4 dots on steering wheel they are from morse alphabet meaning H form hyundai
Beautiful
N please :D
I’d much rather get this over the cross.
Wait, the hybrid 2024 kona is now available in Europe ! Why not in N.America ??
Probably too costly to mod for LHD. Same reason we can't get a Tesla model S RHD in the UK.
I wish the Limited also had the painted cladding, all that cladding looks cheap to me. Having a hard time deciding between the N Line or the Limited. Of course I won't be getting any if my area dealers are going to mark them ABOVE MSRP like by a few thousand dollars, can get a Tuscan or Santa Fe for what they are over charging.
Alex lost some weight. Looks good.
Would have been perfect if they had a hybrid version available 😢
Small displace engine but not less cylinders. That is the way power car.😮
Any word if Hyundai will be offering a N version for this generation?
For what it is, it has nice design and the interior was nice. Not the kind of vehicle I would buy.
We have the 2022 Kona Limited (1.6T) and really like it. Regularly 32+mpg and right at 40mpg on a relatively flat 3-6 hour trip. I had wanted a small car with good mileage to better go with our larger 13year old Acura MDX (which might turn into a 2024 Hyundai Santafe). Though slightly small, it does what I wanted with all the bells and whistles while still small and great mileage. This new slightly larger model would even be more appreciated by us. I especially like that electronic shifter moved to the steering column and out of the console. And the 12 inch monitoring and 360 camera.
Hyundai's styling is kind of hit-and-miss with me. I'm leaning towards hit on this one (although I still hate the creases). Too bad they don't offer a hybrid drive train. That's a dealbreaker for me.
Shame that every single car is getting so huge these days. Also, imagine making a car *less* efficient over time lmao.
Really missing the Elantra GT. 😢
You have lost weight. Great job
I'm getting Dodge Caliber, but in a good way.
Rear turn signals way too low down. An accident waiting to happen.
Good luck finding a Corolla Cross Hybrid.
The few die hard Toyota fans that buy them can have them. I honestly would never be seen in one 😂😂😂
You're not feeling 36K OTD for a Hybrid SE with $14xx of distributor / port added on crap & a $1500 ADM?@@DeadofWinter321
My dealer has 4 🤷♂️
@@AAutoBuyersGuideat how much $$$ markup?
N-Line mpg 26! 😅
I’ve been getting 36-38 mpg on my 22 NLine AWD.
It's not easy too trust Kia yet. You know it doesn't have resale value amd Toyota have best 2 option to choose. If you throw 10 grand more you will get better from Honda
That’s horrible fuel economy for the 1.6 liter.m
So to sum up. More expensive and less power than it's rivals in a budget segment. Buckle up folks. This is gonna hurt.
These auto reviewers make me laugh, what planet do they live in>, I don't know...."relatively inexpensive car"....35k is a lot of money for an average person.
Sadly not for the dermographic that actually buys new cars in 2023.....
@@AAutoBuyersGuide disagree. this is why the MG4 is so popular in the UK, because people can't justify paying 35-40k for a car.
Wow that is one ugly vehicle. It’s a good thing Hyundai re-styles their vehicles shortly after they launch them. Maybe better styling next time. The hardware looks good and the utility.
How do you lose weight? Good job
There are better alternatives.
I’m still questioning long term reliability of Hyundai
It's a legitimate concern.
I’m still questioning your comment 😂
@@naveenthemachine why? It’s a legitimate question as Hyundai/Kia are still going up in flames, and giving up the ghost before 100,000 miles
@@kevinW826 the older ones from 07-14 I agree but the newer ones seem to be fine.
@@naveenthemachine up here there’s still fires and recalls on the new 2022/23 models.
Even if they improved, Hyundai/Kia is telling owners not to park their vehicles in the garage
That thing is uuuuuggggglllllyyy
CX-30 wins!
By far
Too funky/ugly for my taste. Not in the same ballpark as the CX-30.
Stop calling this car a suv
I don't know. This car is hideous.
One ugly looking car IMO.
But way better looking than the corolla
@@naveenthemachinebut far more reliable. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder bro
@@moeanthony9308 in what world is a hyundai more reliable than a Toyota?? Toyota is consistently the most reliable brand you can buy...
@@Dreadpirateflappy Excuse me ? Who wrote that? Did someone say differently to your truth?
@@Dreadpirateflappy Corolla is far more reliable is it not ?