The 2024 Hyundai Kona is a boxy soft-roader designed for the urban jungle, not muddy two-tracks, although it appears more rugged than it is. The new Kona shares the same gas-fed four-cylinder engine as the previous model. A 2.0-liter with 147 horsepower is standard; a more potent 1.6-liter turbocharged with 190 horsepower is optional. There’s also an all-electric Kona available, but we cover that vehicle separately. The Kona’s interior, which is centered around two 12.3-inch dashboard screens, also sports a more futuristic aesthetic. Because of its longer wheelbase and slimmer front seat backs, which provide more room for passengers in the backseat, the 2024 Kona is also more roomy than the model from the previous generation. We were so impressed with the updated Kona that we awarded it our Editor’s Choice award for 2024.
The World Car Awards have revealed the top five finalists in each of the six vehicle categories as well as the top ten contenders for the 2024 World Car of the Year award. World Performance Car of the Year, World Electric Car of the Year, and World Luxury Car of the Year are a few of these. As the field of competitors narrows down to the Top Three in the World, which will be revealed at the Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS) on February 26, the excitement will only grow. On March 27, 2024, at the New York International Auto Show, the winners of each category will be live-announced. Interestingly, this year marks the 19th anniversary of the World Car Awards’ partnership with the program.
Some significant highlights of the Hyundai Kona for 2024
What’s New for the Hyundai Kona in 2024?
For the 2024 model year, the Kona underwent a complete redesign that gave it a more contemporary look. Along with increased technology and a modern design, the cabin has also been upgraded.
Performance, Transmission, and Engine of the Hyundai Kona
The 2024 Kona retains both of its four-cylinder engines from the previous generation. The base engine will be a 2.0-liter with 147 horsepower; an eight-speed automatic transmission with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine producing 190 horsepower is an optional feature. A 2.0-liter Kona we tested in its previous generation had a fairly slow 60-mph time of 9.2 seconds. We believe the base engine of the new Kona will perform marginally better than the previous generation model’s 7.3 seconds to reach 60 mph; however, the optional turbo engine performed marginally worse at our test track. The eight-speed automatic replaced the previous generation’s seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, which is probably why there is a difference. Despite the Kona’s growth spurt, handling is still fairly nimble, but the larger second-generation model has somewhat lost its allure for highway driving.
Real-World MPG and Fuel Economy of the Hyundai Kona
The 2024 Kona has fuel economy ratings from the EPA as high as 29 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway; however, when all-wheel drive and the more potent turbo engine are added, those figures drop to 24 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. 31 mpg was achieved by the turbocharged Kona N-Line on our highway fuel-efficient route at 75 mph. To learn more about the fuel efficiency of the Kona, go to the EPA website.
Hyundai Kona’s Cabin, Comfort, and Interior
The interior of the 2024 Kona is larger than that of the model from the previous generation. That’s because the body is longer overall and the wheelbase is elongated. Additionally, according to Hyundai, it has a slimmer front seat-back design that gives backseat passengers a little more legroom. The Kona’s interior is simple but futuristic, with options for leather upholstery, a shifter mounted on a column, and ambient lighting that looks rich.
Hyundai Kona with Connectivity and Infotainment
The dashboard is dominated by two 12.3-inch screens that are set behind a single, continuous piece of glass. One is an adjustable gauge display, and the other is a sizable touchscreen for the infotainment system. We anticipate seeing an updated version of Hyundai’s UI here, along with wireless support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Safety and driver-assistance features of the Hyundai Kona
There are a number of driver-assistance features available for all Kona models. While some of those features—like automated emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring—are fairly standard, the Kona can also be fitted with self-parking and a driver-monitoring system. Visit the websites of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for additional details regarding the Kona’s crash test results.
The Hyundai Kona is covered by the same comprehensive 10-year powertrain warranty that the rest of the lineup enjoys, which is by now regarded as one of the most generous programs in the industry. In addition, the business now provides free scheduled maintenance, outperforming competitors in the mainstream market like Toyota.