Small SUVs are getting bigger. The 2024 Hyundai Kona is now bigger, taller, and longer than the small SUV it replaces. It used to be called a subcompact. But this is sometimes a good thing. The new Kona has a lot of space for people and things because its outside measurements are bigger.
By 5.7 inches in length and 2.3 inches in width, the Kona is now 171.3 inches long and 104.7 inches wide at the wheelbase. Because it is bigger, there is now an extra 25.2 cubic feet of room behind the back seat. With 6.3 more cubes than last year, this is better than rivals like the Subaru Crosstrek and Honda HR-V. The legroom in the back seat has also grown by three inches, making it a very nice place to be.
The house is simple, but it’s well taken care of. Metal, high-quality fake leather, and soft plastics are used to decorate the center console, door panels, and dashboard. Every surface feels better than the Kona that came before it. The front seats of this Limited version are also heated and cooled, which is the only thing of its kind in this class.
The dashboard has a big 12.3-inch tablet and a digital instrument cluster that is also 12.3 inches. Our test car doesn’t have wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto yet, but 2024 Kona models will be able to get them as an over-the-air update.
The already futuristic SUV looks even more futuristic with a very thin light bar that goes across the width of the hood and thick black plastic covering the front bumper and wheel wells to make them look more solid. Adding the Neoteric Yellow paint job makes it look even better.
The Kona is a great car for cruising. The improved 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbo engine in the Limited model makes 190 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. High rpm delivers a lot of power quickly, making it easy to pass on the highway. The base model no longer has a CVT. Instead, it has an eight-speed automatic engine that shifts quickly.
All-wheel drive can be added to any model level for an extra $1,500. All Limited cars, even the most expensive ones, come with standard front-wheel drive. The suspensions are different, though. AWD cars have an independent multi-link frame, while FWD cars have a torsion beam.
Adding AWD not only gives drivers more trust in bad weather but also makes the Kona run better overall. Until you throw the Kona in a corner, it feels even and balanced. There isn’t as much body roll as you think because the frame can handle rough roads and bumps well. The Kona has comfy wheels, even though they are too big (19 inches). The handling is normal for this class, even though the engine is crazy and turbocharged more than it needs to be.
There could be a better choice than the 1.6-liter engine with all-wheel drive. It gets 26 mpg overall, 29 mpg in the city, and 24 mpg on the highway. The base model could get up to 31 mpg overall. The Toyota Corolla Cross, Crosstrek, and HR-V are more fuel-efficient when they have all-wheel drive.
My plans for prices are likely known to you if you read my most recent piece, “Cheap Cars Are Dead.” When it first came out in 2017, the old Kona was priced fairly at $18,000. There is a base price of $25,625 right now, which covers the destination—more than a seven thousand dollar rise. The tested AWD Limited model costs $34,695 and doesn’t come with any extras. The only thing that can be added is a carpeted floor mat. The prices could be more fair.
But there’s a lot to like about the new Kona. Its eye-catching style and larger size make it bigger for both people and things. And with that paint job, you can be sure you won’t lose this car in a busy parking lot. In addition, driving is enjoyable. In this market, the Kona is the best option for customers who can afford the big price jump.
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