Hyundai small SUV Kona 2nd gen is bigger and more attractive

2024 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD

Written by Marco Carvajal

The Hyundai Kona is an original, modern compact small SUV, with a unique cool, adventurous exterior design available for a low price starting at 24K.

The 2024 Kona is a 5-passenger crossover designed for people with an active lifestyle, keeping pace with modern technology and offering an ultra-modern design.

The new Kona had a major remake, now it is much bigger, with much more space inside and outside. The new Kona is very attractive and very futuristic-looking.

Looking at the Kona you feel that the old version was just a prototype and the new Kona, the 2024 Kona model is the real thing bigger and upscale.

The Kona is designed to attract young people, and that is the reason for most of the modern and futuristic design that Hyundai made on this interesting new car.

The appearance of the Kona is Hyundai’s first step in the SUV-B segment, which means very small SUVs, usually built with less cargo and passenger space, and smaller engines resulting in better fuel economy, however, as the Kona evolves into its new second generation we can see larger size and more cargo.

Hyundai developed the new 2024 Kona platform with an electrified powertrain first, as the company moves fast with its electrification strategy that will produce eleven new Hyundai EVs by 2030. However, the Kona I am test-driving is a gasoline model.

The 2nd gen Kona is bigger, rugged, dynamic, and upscale. The new Kona retains its character, supporting active lifestyles for customers of all ages but you can see that it tends to be a younger audience vehicle.

The new Kona offers innovative technologies and convenience features that provide a safe, connected, and comfortable experience.

Some of the new Kona upgrades include larger dimensions, a larger and dual, 12.3-inch panoramic display screen, Digital Key 2 Touch, Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates, and Hyundai’s next-generation infotainment system with more features.

Bigger Kona

The new 2nd gen Kona 2024 is bigger and has excellent space distribution that makes you feel you are driving a mid-size SUV while the Kona is still a small SUV. The cabin space and the front dashboard feels very large, and the cargo space is very good.

The 2024 Kona has larger dimensions and a larger interior volume. The Kona length is now 171.3 inches, 5.7 inches longer, with a wheelbase of 104.7 inches, a 2.3 inches increase compared to its predecessor, and its overall width is 71.9 inches, one inch wider than the previous generation.

There are a few details in the Kona where I see room for improvement, but overall the new version is a complete enhanced remake. It is a fun car and very practical to drive.

The Kona electric version has different measurements than the ones above.

Prices and Versions

I am more than impressed with the new second-generation Kona design and features. Besides several enhancements and and a more upscaled vehicle, pricing continues to be very affordable for the different four Kona trims.

The starting price of $24,100 for the Kona SE base model is very affordable, while the top-of-the-line Kona Limited I am test-driving has an MSRP starting price of $31,664.

The starting price of the Kona is very attractive for new car buyers, even if you want to go for the top of the line it has a low price, especially considering all the standard features included. It is fully loaded.

I think that the Kona has very smart and value pricing, I just wish there were a few very economical Kona versions like when it was released with some trim versions priced around $19K opening a wider price range.

There are 4 versions of the Kona, SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited.

2024 Hyundai Kona SE, MSRP Starting at $24,100
2024 Hyundai Kona SEL, MSRP Starting at $25,450
2024 Hyundai Kona N Line, MSRP Starting at $30,650
2024 Hyundai Kona Limited, MSRP Starting at $31,650

Kona offers a choice of two gasoline powertrains.

The 2.0-liter 4-cylinder Atkinson engine produces an estimated 147 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 132 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm, paired with a Smartstream Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) for maximum efficiency. The Atkinson cycle design maximizes the effective cylinder expansion ratio (compression stroke vs. power stroke) for greater efficiency.

N Line and Limited trims offer a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder direct-injected, turbocharged engine generating an estimated 190 horsepower at 6,000 rpm (vii) and 195 lb.-ft. of torque from 1,700-4,500 rpm for confident acceleration in city driving. Peak torque delivery starts at only 1,700 rpm and holds through 4,500 rpm, for low-RPM responsiveness in everyday driving conditions.

The Kona 1.6L turbo engine couples to an eight-speed automatic transmission for outstanding efficiency with smooth, for great shifting, and brisk acceleration.

Fuel economy ranges from 24 Miles per Gallon to 35 Miles per Gallon depending on the engine and trim you are driving, and FWD or AWD powertrains.

“The all-new Kona and Kona Electric continue to build upon our extremely successful first-generation model, with outstanding efficiency, innovative technologies, distinctive styling, and comprehensive safety features,” said José Muñoz, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor North America. “The new Kona Electric represents the next step forward in eco-friendly mobility solutions, a key model in Hyundai’s rapid transition to clean mobility and progress for humanity.”

Back in 2017, The first Kona

2017 was the year of birth for the Urban Compact CUV for Active Lifestyles, the first ever made, the 2018 Kona was available for purchase since 2018 in the United States.

The name KONA comes from a coastal district in Hawaii, in the idyllic west-coast region of the Big Island. The Kona region in Hawaii attracts endurance triathletes and thrill-seeking travelers.

Hyundai took this energetic image of Hawaii’s Kona area to associate it with the new innovative and functional design of this active-lifestyle CUV. A very interesting and innovative concept at that time.

The Kona was part of Hyundai’s strategy to keep expanding the segment of compact crossovers, with automobiles like the Tucson, Santa Fe, and the new Kona.

The new Kona

The new Hyundai Kona is bigger, it continues to be a 5-passenger crossover designed for people with an active lifestyle, keeping pace with modern technology. The Kona provides comfort, safety, and entertainment for all passengers on board.

I like how Hyundai gives you a lot of features included on each Kona, you get a lot for your money when buying a Kona. The different trims of the Kona come with tons of standard features that could be optional and more expensive in other compact cars.

Even with the Kona’s compact dimensions and low roof line, the Kona’s interior feels spacious and comfortable due to a very smart design with great space distribution. This is a nice car with a practical design for running everyday errands. with good storage space and space distribution.

Exterior Design

The new Kona’s exterior is bright and sporty, futuristic, and very original. The interesting exterior design reminds me of some of the vintage cars from 5 decades ago but re-made with a completely modern design.

The Kona’s body exterior is very different from other Hyundai models. The KONA is stylishly modified for performance with aggressive features and accents to create a sporty and modern look.

Some of the exterior details of the Kona include narrow slots of navigation lights, located above the main headlights, LED fog lights, a radiator grille cascade, a bumper that looks solid and strong, large 16-18 inch wheels, and a cup-shaped roof line.

Interior Style

The Kona crossover has a nice interior with high-quality materials and a lot of equipment and features like climate control, a high-tech instrument panel, and convenient multifunctional steering wheel, and front heated seats.

The driver-centric front row is accentuated by a floating horizontal C-Pad with an integrated, dual 12.3-inch panoramic display screen showing the Kona’s high-tech character.

The Kona easy-to-use interface includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and it shows performance information like oil temperature and boosts pressure.

Adding more style to your performance, you can use vivid animations and color themes for each drive mode.

The Kona Limited I am test driving has is smart and modern 12.3 inches advanced touchscreen display with navigations that puts at your fingertips a custom drive mode menu and performance features.

The shift-by-wire gear selector has been relocated from the center console to a stalk behind the steering wheel, allowing more storage in the open console area.

The interior of the Kona is very spacious for its segment as new Kona models are offering more space.

The front seats of the new Kona are thirty percent slimmer to maximize rear passenger legroom and the second row.

The Kona feels even bigger and is very versatile, with the fully foldable second-row seat and rear compartment providing 25.5 cubic feet of rear cargo volume with rear seatbacks up and 63.7 cubic feet with seatbacks folded down.

The available Smart Power Tailgate enhances cargo space access and makes loading easier.

Safety Features

The new 2024 Kona comes with several features like an Autonomous Emergency Braking system, Driver Attention Alert, Smart Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detector, intelligent Assistant with Rear-Cross Traffic Alert maneuvering to see all objects 180 degrees behind the car, High Beam Assist, and more.

Keeping with modern safety technologies, we find the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection (FCA-Ped), with the help of the front camera and a radar to detect and prevent collisions or minimize the consequences by autonomous braking. There are also other safety systems that use the front camera to enhance safety and convenience.

Among many safety features included in the Kona, the Driver Attention Warning System prevents driver-related danger, for example, it detects driver fatigue or negligent driving.

The Lane Following Assist (LFA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), function Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist (BCA) recognizes road markings and recognizes cars in your blind spot, and automatically steers the Kona if necessary.

Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assistance (RCCA) gives you a warning of vehicles approaching on either side and applies the brakes automatically when needed.

One safety feature that can avoid small accidents is the Safe Exit Warning (SEW) which will give you a warning while the car is parked, its radar detects vehicles approaching from behind.

The Kona is a modern-designed small SUV. It is a fun car to drive with its multiple performance and safety features with an innovative and original design.