For those who’re out there for a refined and reasonably priced small SUV, then feast your car-shopping eyes on the 2 automobiles we’re about to check. The 2024 Hyundai Kona and Volkswagen Taos are subcompact SUVs with room for 5 and a stunning quantity of area inside. This holds true whether or not your driving routine entails toting alongside a full complement of passengers or loading up the cargo maintain with baggage and packing containers.
Need to see how they examine? Be part of us for a tour of highlights of the Hyundai Kona and Volkswagen Taos.
2024 Hyundai Kona
There’s a complete lot that’s new with the 2024 Hyundai Kona. This mannequin yr ushers in a whole redesign that brings with it an attention-grabbing exterior and a large improve in onboard tech. Pricing begins at $25,625 for the entry-level mannequin, together with automobile supply charges. 4 trims are supplied: SE, SEL, N Line, and Restricted. The Kona can also be accessible as an all-electric automobile.
Hyundai Kona Highlights
Extra legroom, further cargo area: As a result of it’s 5.9 inches longer and rides on a wheelbase stretched by 2.3 inches, the up to date Hyundai Kona has significantly more room inside than its predecessor. In comparison with the first-gen Kona, there are 3 extra inches of rear legroom and about 5 cubic ft extra cargo quantity.
Accessible turbo energy: If you wish to hold the worth low, the usual 147-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder is completely succesful. It’s commonplace within the SE and SEL. For individuals who like stronger acceleration and added passing energy, we propose attempting the accessible 190-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine. It comes with the N Line and Restricted trims.
Guarantee protection: The Hyundai Kona has one of the crucial complete warranties amongst small SUVs. You get 5-year/60,000-mile primary protection and 10 years/100,000 miles of powertrain protection.
Upgraded inside tech touches: Sitting proudly atop the dashboard can be found twin 12.3-inch screens. One serves as a digital instrument cluster; the opposite is the infotainment touchscreen. This glossy setup wouldn’t look misplaced in a automobile costing hundreds extra. Wi-fi smartphone connectivity, 4 USB-C ports, and automated high-beam headlights are additionally newly commonplace.
Verify this week’s Truthful Buy Value or see the Kona fashions close to you.
2024 Volkswagen Taos
The 2024 Volkswagen Taos doesn’t get fairly as complete a makeover because the Kona, although there are some noteworthy updates this mannequin yr for VW’s smallest SUV. To begin, the IQ.Drive suite of driver aids is now commonplace and consists of features corresponding to adaptive cruise management and lane-keeping help. There may be additionally the SE Black Version trim, which, as you might need surmised, comes with Darth Vader-approved beauty touches like black alloy wheels, a black roof, and black exterior trim and badging.
The Taos is accessible in 4 trims: S, SE, SE Black, and SEL. Pricing begins at $25,420, together with vacation spot payment.
Volkswagen Taos Highlights
Peppy to drive: The Taos comes with a 158-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and, in front-wheel drive configuration, an 8-speed automated transmission. That’s stronger than the bottom engine within the Hyundai Kona. All-wheel drive (AWD) is non-obligatory on the S, SE, and SE Black, whereas it’s commonplace on the SEL. Choosing AWD brings alongside a 7-speed dual-clutch automated transmission. Throughout miles of street assessments we’ve discovered the Taos has the solidly buttoned-down, European-style driving dynamics anticipated from a VW.
Digital Cockpit: The Taos additionally comes with a sexy digital instrument show. It spans 8 inches within the S, SE, and SE Black trims and 10.25 inches within the SEL. Digital Cockpit places driving data the place it needs to be, straight forward of the driving force. This implies much less glancing away from the street forward to verify a centrally-mounted dashboard display.
Free upkeep: True, the Hyundai Kona scores the general guarantee win. However it’s price noting that Taos consumers get 2 years/20,000 miles of free upkeep, whichever comes first. Who doesn’t like not having to pay for an oil change, proper?
Cargo area: The Taos continues to supply among the most cargo quantity you’ll discover in a subcompact SUV. Behind the second row is 27.9 cubic ft of room. Fold the seat again down, and the area expands to 67.9 cubic ft. That’s numerous room and barely higher than the Hyundai Kona.
Verify this week’s Truthful Buy Value or see the Taos fashions close to you.
Similarities
The Kona and Taos routinely shock us with their practicality, versatility, and easy-going driving manners. Their latest spherical of enhancements load in additional tech objects and we predict every is worthy of a check drive in case you’re out there for a small SUV.
Conclusion
This wasn’t a straightforward choice, with each of those small SUVs scoring huge factors. We love the Taos’ agile dealing with and ethereal cabin. It’s merely satisfying to drive and nice for these instances if you want numerous baggage area in a automobile that isn’t XL-sized and cumbersome.
The Kona’s visible transformation alone is certainly one of its most defining options. That makes it slightly extra polarizing, although there’s numerous substance beneath this Hyundai’s sheet steel. They each have high-tech instrument shows, however the Kona has the benefit of getting a extra highly effective engine choice. Its improve in dimension additionally makes it equally able to carrying individuals and all their stuff. The Kona’s unbeatable guarantee additionally offers it an edge and helps make it our top-rated subcompact SUV and the winner of our Finest Purchase Award in its section.
| 2024 Hyundai Kona | 2024 Volkswagen Taos | |
| Beginning Value | $25,625 | $25,420 |
| Widespread Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | Turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 147 hp @ 6,200 rpm | 158 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm | 184 lb-ft @ 1,750 rpm |
| Transmission | CVT | 8-speed automated |
| Gasoline economic system MPG | 28 metropolis/35 freeway/31 mixed | 28 metropolis/33 freeway/31 mixed |
| Additionally Accessible | Turbo 1.6-liter 4-cyl., AWD; EV | 7-speed automated, AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Fundamental Guarantee | 5 years/60,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Guarantee | 10 years/100,000 miles | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| NHTSA Total Security | NA | 4 stars |
| Max Seating Capability | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 104.7 inches | 105.9 inches |
| Total Size | 171.3 inches | 175.8 inches |
| Width | 71.9 inches | 72.5 inches |
| Top | 62.2 inches | 64.4 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 34.8 ft | 37.6 |
| Headroom, Entrance | 39.9 inches | 40.7 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 38.3 inches | 39.8 inches |
| Legroom, Entrance | 41.7 inches | 40.1 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 38.2 inches | 37.9 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Entrance | 56.8 inches | 56.5 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 55.2 inches | 55.2 inches |
| Cargo Quantity | 25.5 cubic ft | 27.9 cubic ft |
