2024 Hyundai Kona Limited FWD - Review by David Colman +VIDEO

A Treat on the Eyes and Wallet

David Colman

Photos and Story by David Colman
Special Correspondent to THE AUTO CHANNEL

With its introduction of the 2024 Kona, Hyundai has made a raft of improvements to their subcompact SUV. Topping the list is a stretch in length of 7 inches which resulted in a wheelbase increase of 3 inches. Slimming the front seatbacks compounded the interior space gain, making life for backseat passengers more comfortable than before. If you select the top-of-the-line Limited model like the Cyber Grey Metallic example we tested, you also get a continuous 25-inch wide dash/navigation/infotainment display. From a visual standpoint, the revamped body of the new Kona retains several visual carryovers from predecessor models, with the black plastic over-fenders being the most notable feature.

Unfortunately, one item that did not make the transition into 2024 was the splendid 2.0 liter, 280hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine available in the Kona N. The top-rated Kona turbo engine in the new Limited displaces just 1.6 liters, and produces only 190hp. While that output may prove adequate for plunking around town, when you feel the need for speed, the loss of 400cc displacement and 90hp becomes instantly notable. The Kona N could zip to 60mph from a standing start in 5.5 seconds, while the same sprint takes the new Kona Limited 7.5 seconds. The 1.6 liter turbo drives just the front wheels of the '24 Limited.

Hyundai has abandoned the seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission of the previous model in favor of an 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters. Once "Drive" is selected via the steering wheel adjacent shift wand, the Kona slots into the highest possible forward gear. This gambit may do wonders for fuel economy (28MPG Overall), but little for your confidence when circumstances require immediate thrust. Playing with the paddles helps, but there's no apparent way to hold the Kona in a lower gear you've manually selected for more than a few seconds. Further complicating the process is Hyundai's insistence on converting tachometer readouts from numbers in the hundreds/thousands to double-digit simplifications. Hence an engine speed of 1000rpm appears on the tach face as 1.0. We combed the owner's manual looking for a way to convert this nonsense into accepted RPM practice but found no help from Hyundai.

Life with Kona was otherwise uneventful. The stretch in length has made the rear cargo area more useful for transporting large objects in the cargo bay. With the rear seats collapsed, you can now tote 64 cubic feet of goods on a conveniently flat parcel shelf. The Limited's standard "Hands Free Smart Liftgate with Auto Open" facilitates the loading and fetching procedure. With both rear seats erect, you still have 26 cubic feet of storage in the back, a useful 3.5 cubic feet more than the previous generation Kona. Rear seat occupants will enjoy their own air vents, and those up front will appreciate the Limited's standard dual automatic temperature control system. We commend Hyundai's excellent provision of discrete buttons for all HVAC endeavors. During a spate of recent 105-degree days, we especially appreciated the Kona's ability to reduce cabin temperature from unbearable to arctic in a matter of seconds.

The revised exterior silhouette of the Kona is a treat on the eyes. Especially noteworthy is the simplification of the former model's baroque front grill in favor of a more discrete orifice framed by a pair of pocketed LED headlights and surmounted by a full-width illuminated pinstripe separating the front clip from the hood. Trapezoidal shapes enliven the side elevations of the body and impart the illusion of forward motion even while the Kona remains parked. The plastic fender caps focus your gaze on 19-inch alloy rims with chunky aluminum spokes that kick-start the illusion of forward motion. Hyundai equips the Limited with Kumho Majesty 9 Solus TA91 radials (235/45R19) that are M&S Extra Load rated, and carry a treadwear rating of TW 540.

At $33,195, the Kona Limited undercuts the average new vehicle purchase by $12,000, which should tell you all you need to know about the value equation Hyundai has solved here. Among the available competition in the Subcompact SUV class (KIA Seltos, Mazda CX-30, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, VW Taos), the Kona stands well clear of the rest in terms of price, size and practicality. Only if Hyundai brings back the Kona N, can we add performance to that list as well.

2024 HYUNDAI KONA LIMITED FWD

• ENGINE: 1.6 liter inline-4, turbocharged and intercooled, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
• HORSEPOWER: 190hp@6000rpm
• TORQUE: 195lb.-ft.@1700 (1.7)rpm
• FUEL CONSUMPTION: 26MPG City/32MPG Highway
• PRICE AS TESTED: $33,195

HYPES: Spacey and Spacious Interior

GRIPES: Underpowered, Goofy Tach Readout

STAR RATING: 8 Stars out of 10

©2024 David E Colman