Courtesy of Hyundai
As people continue to flock to smaller SUVs and crossovers, refreshes continue to come to vehicles in this segment to maximize their appeal.
For Hyundai, that means a new version of the 2024 Kona has hit the showrooms, launching the second generation of this subcompact SUV.
I recently spent some time behind the wheel of a 2024 Hyundai Kona N Line, which offers a bold update on a strong competitor in this class that definitely makes it stand out. Upgrades were made inside and out, and the difference is very clear.
It’s one of the better redesigns I have seen in a long time, but it still faces a lot of tough competition in the segment. Read on to see how it competes against other strong mini-ute competitors — including Chevy Trax, Mazda CX-30, Volkswagen Taos, Honda HR-V and more.
FYI
- Vehicle: 2024 Hyundai Kona
- Price as tested: $34,145
- Best feature: Sharp looks, solid tech features
- Rating: 4 out of five stars
- Who will want this vehicle?: Drivers looking for a smaller ride with a funky design, advanced tech and safety offerings, and decent power
LOOKS
Hyundai delivers an impressive new identity with the 2024 Kona redesign.
The 2024 Kona N Line I tested featured a cool, two-tone exterior design, with Red Metallic paint all around, paired with a black roof.
It’s quite a funky design, in a good way — including a rear spoiler and unique rear lighting designs, and sharp wheel designs, plus bold angles on the front grille. All together, this is a home run of a look that stands out in the class of mini-crossovers.
Exterior features on the vehicle included: 19-inch N Line alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, LED lighting all around, automatic headlights, high beam assist, power sunroof, and roof side rails.
It’s on the lighter side in the vehicle spectrum, coming in at around 3,500 pounds, which helps with maneuverability.
Moving inside the Kona, reality is that all subcompact SUVs are going to be tight in the back seat. As one of the smallest members of Hyundai’s SUV lineup, it’s best to put the kids and smaller adults in back for maximum comfort and keep the taller folks up front.
But on the plus side, they are definitely trying to address this. Hyundai has stretched the wheelbase on the new 2024 Kona by several inches to add a bit more room in the rear vs. previous models.
One unique setup on the Kona is the shifter location. It’s not in the center console like most vehicles, instead located on a rotating lever on the steering wheel stalk. This turns out to be a helpful setup in terms of opening up space in the center console, but it takes time to not want to instinctively reach down in the center of the vehicle to shift.
There is a unique storage shelf in front of the front seat passenger, and generally a good amount of small storage space up front. Cup holders can be launched and retracted in the center console.
While not overly fancy, the Kona does deliver a modern, classy interior design that stands out in segment. My test vehicle featured attractive red stripes on black cloth seats. Also available are leather seating, and adjustable ambient lighting in the vehicle.
Other features in the Kona N Line were a leather-wrapped steering wheel, alloy sport pedals, dual automatic temperature controls and rear air vents, and heated front seats. Cargo space is also decent in the 2024 Kona N Line, with 25.5 cubic feet in the trunk, and 63.7 cubic feet when you fold down the back row.
HOW’S THE RIDE?
The 2024 Hyundai Kona N Line comes with a couple of engine options. I tested the upgraded engine, a 1.6-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder power plant, which was paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
My test vehicle featured paddle shifters on the steering wheel, and also came with all-wheel drive, but front-wheel drive is standard on the Kona unless you upgrade.
Output from the N Line’s engine was a respectable 190 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. Lower trim levels will get a less powerful, non-turbo 2.0-liter engine offering 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet, numbers which will likely disappoint most buyers. And if you’re feeling eco-friendly, you can opt for a full-EV version of the Kona (delivering 260 miles of range).
I found the experience driving the 2024 Kona N Line to be a positive one. It delivered enough power to go 0-to-60 in just over 7 seconds. While not super powerful in the grand scheme of things, it also never feels slow.
As a smaller car with low weight, the Kona N Line handles curves well and is nimble when zipping through traffic. The AWD option was helpful in bad weather, and the brakes work effectively.
Drive modes can be adjusted by a switch in the vehicle and include Snow, Sport and Normal modes.
TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY
The 2024 Kona infotainment system is centered around a 12.3-inch touchscreen that is user-friendly and can display multiple features at once (radio plus weather, for example). The voice commands in the Kona worked well for me without any major issues, and there are physical buttons that augment the touchscreen commands, including some for climate.
There’s also a wireless phone charger, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity for phone mirroring.
An additional 12.3-inch screen is found in front of the driver, and is part of the same massive piece of glass that houses the center screen. The Kona features a Wi-Fi hotspot, USB ports, a trial of satellite radio, and a Bose premium audio system.
Safety ratings are exceptional, with the 2024 Kona being named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.
It features an impressive amount of safety features for a vehicle this small, including many not on most rivals.
These features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking
- Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Available adaptive cruise control
- Front, front side and side-curtain airbags
- Forward collision-avoidance assist
- Rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist
- Safe exit warning (warns of oncoming traffic when you are exiting vehicle)
- Driver attention warning
There is also a rearview camera that offers several views and comes in handy for parking situations. And the safety features included are not overly sensitive or intrusive, instead working only when they need to.
Highway Driving Assist is another feature that was helpful on the freeways, helping keep the vehicle moving within the proper lines without driver input. And Hyundai even offers the ability for the Kona to park itself with a touch of a button on the key fob.
MPG
The official fuel mileage numbers on the all-wheel-drive 2024 Kona N Line are 24 city/29 highway/26 combined. In my testing, I average a bit less at 23 miles per gallon. These are decent, but not spectacular, numbers for the segment.
On front-wheel-drive versions of the Kona, numbers officially reach as high as 29 city/34 highway/31 combined, which are solid numbers.
PRICE
The 2024 Hyundai Kona N Line that I tested was priced just over $34K, and its base price for the Kona is about $25K. This price range is in line with most rival subcompact SUVs, though some do undercut it.
Trim levels offered on the Kona include SE, SEL, N Line and Limited.
My recommendation for anyone picking up a Kona is to upgrade to the N Line version with its turbo power, as the base engine isn’t what you’ll want to take home. N Line trim level starts around $32K.
The prices did go up a bit for 2024, but that’s not a surprise with all the impressive upgrades made on the 2024 redesign.
As always with Hyundai vehicles, the warranties are industry-leading, including:
- 5-year/60K mile new vehicle warranty
- 10-year/100K mile powertrain warranty
- 7-year/unlimited mile anti-perforation warranty
- 3-year/36K mile complimentary maintenance
- 5-year/unlimited mile roadside assistance
This level of coverage is a big part of why Hyundai has been making strides in the auto industry, as it’s great to have peace of mind.
BOTTOM LINE
The redesigned 2024 Hyundai Kona N Line features sharp looks, respectable power with the turbo engine, and a solid tech experience. It’s among the best options for car buyers on a budget who are OK with a smaller ride and space limitations.
Matt Myftiu’s past reviews can all be seen online at autotechreviews.com. Follow AutoTechReviews on Instagram at @Autotechreviews.
