Textual content by Tom Appel
2024 Hyundai Kona Restricted AWD
Specs
Class: Subcompact Crossover
Coloration: Mirage Inexperienced
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 194
Actual-world gasoline financial system: 27.8mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B+ |
| Energy and Efficiency | B |
| Match and End | B |
| Gas Economic system | B |
| Worth | A- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and will not replicate Shopper Information’s impressions of the whole mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | B+ |
| Tall Man | B+ |
| Huge & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” score primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 190-horsepower 1.6-liter |
| Engine Sort | Turbocharged 4 |
| Transmission | 8-speed automated |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline financial system: 24/29/26 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gas sort: Common
Base worth: $33,160 (not together with $1335 vacation spot cost),
Choices on check car: Flooring mats ($200)
Value as examined: $34,695
Execs and Cons
The good: Roomy and fashionable cabin, easy management format
The great: Enjoyable to drive, refined on the street, loads of energy
The not so good: Important worth bump for 2024
Overview
Children are rising up too shortly nowadays. Not can America’s teen be lured by the thriller of a chemistry set, the pleasant comfort of Saturday-morning cartoons, or the room-filling sound of a high-end part sound techniques. Sadly, at the moment there’s Youtube, streaming every thing, and Bluetooth audio system. The latter of which, I add, is a poor substitute for an actual, killer stereo.
However simply as children appear to develop up too shortly nowadays, Hyundai’s as soon as spunky Kona subcompact crossover appears to have skipped adolescence and has begun making use of for critical grownup work. Launched within the U.S. for the 2018 mannequin 12 months, the frisky, purposeful, and reasonably priced Kona went a long way in the direction of redefining what budget-friendly motoring meant.
Adjustments
Redesigned for 2024, Kona now rides on a wheelbase that’s virtually 2.5 inches lengthy than earlier than, and has grown in mass by 100-200 kilos relying on trim degree. This development spurt comes with a brand new, extra refined persona. The brand new Kona is rather less enjoyable to drive, however much more refined, particularly with AWD. Extra on that in a minute…
Adjustments to the 2024 Kona embody:
- A 6-inch stretch in general size
- Improved rear-seat legroom
- Improve cabin trim
- Distinctive front-end remedy for Restricted mannequin
- Enhance aerodynamics
Costs and Trim Ranges
For 2024, the Kona returns in 4 trim ranges: base SE ($25,645), common SEL ($26,995), sporty N Line ($32,195), and premium Restricted ($33,195). All are front-wheel drive, with AWD accessible for an affordable $1500.
Engines
A 147-horsepower 2.0-liter engine is the bottom powerplant for SE and SEL fashions. N Line and Restricted fashions are powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4 rated at 190 horsepower. All 2.0-liter engines mate to a CVT-style automated transmission, whereas 1.6-liter items include an 8-speed automated.
Shopper Information lately spent per week behind the wheel of a 2024 Hyundai Kona Restricted with AWD in Mirage Inexperienced. All informed, our check automobile got here to $34,695.
Room and Consolation
Whereas we by no means quibbled concerning the front-seat area within the Kona, we’re completely happy to report that, although technically a subcompact, the Kona boasts loads of up-front area, and simple cabin entry through giant door openings. Moreover, because of a beneficiant quantity of glass, Kona’s cabin feels brilliant and ethereal. As famous above, there’s more room within the second row, although we nonetheless assume attempting to squeeze three folks within the again must be act of final resort.
Controls
Kona’s instrument panel and center-console touchscreen are important a single assemble, and the impact is one in every of tidy effectivity. We discovered utilizing the contact display screen to be a easy affair. All the Icons are giant and simple to select, and the system itself features intuitively.
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First seen within the model’s Ioniq 5 EV, the Kona’s gear selector is mounted to the steering column, and features through a easy rotation of the stalks tip. Whereas this will likely initially appear odd, it begins to really feel regular after solely a brief time period, and we respect the shortage of muddle on the middle console.
Additionally, for many who case, the Bose-brand audio system, commonplace on the Restricted, punches above its weight class. This creator particularly appreciates the system’s devoted copy of classic-mid-century jazz.
Rear-seat lodging are additionally pleasant, with straightforward entry and exiting, and loads of knee and headroom. Cabin supplies high quality is first rate, and acceptable for the category, however possibly not fairly as premium as that present in different Hyundai merchandise. That stated, the Kona cabin comes off as clear and fashionable. And, we respect just a little automotive inside minimalism.
Journey and Dealing with
On the street, Kona continues to impress. Attention-grabbing little bit of tech: AWD fashions are fitted with a complicated multi-link rear suspension, this instead of the sold-beam system discovered on front-wheel drive examples. Whereas we now have not, but, evaluated a front-drive Kona, we got here away very impressed by the journey and dealing with our AWD check automobile. Credit score the suspension, quiet cabin, and comfy seats for this small Hyundai’s long-trip pleasant perspective.
Energy and Efficiency
And whereas the Kona isn’t any ball of energy in a straight line, the little turbocharged engine, and alert-shifting 8-speed automated transmission, pair effectively to ship helpful energy at any pace. Throttle response at low pace was superb, and energy away from a cease adequate to drag away from site visitors. Likewise, the Kona gives up adequate energy for fuss-free passing and merging actions.
Observe: Now we have not sampled the up to date Kona with the two.0-liter engine and its CVT automated transmission, however warning that critical consumers consider the car for prolonged check drive. Make sure you discover sufficient energy, and drivetrain refinement.
Evaluation
We reasonably miss the smaller, considerably punkier Kona of previous, however the updated-for-2024 instance makes for a wonderful step car for people already in a Kona, and a really good starter/commuter car for newcomers to the model. That stated, Kona is a lot refined sufficient for long-trim consolation. Yeah, the child grew up sort of quick, however we’re spherical of what she’s turn out to be.
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2024 Hyundai Kona Restricted Footage
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