Kona, Hawaii, is known for its coffee. It has great flavor, made in a beautiful place. The Hyundai Kona refresh wasn’t on my radar until I tested one. But just like I’d love a trip to Kona, Hawaii, I also fell in love with the Hyundai.
Many vehicles have started life with internal combustion engines, then retrofitted by the manufacturer with an electric powertrain. The Ford Focus electric, Kia Soul EV and Mini Cooper EV come to mind. Typically, the reengineering involves removing the gasoline engine and gas tank and stuffing a battery in the trunk. But in the case of the 2024 Hyundai Kona, the company flipped the script. They re-introduced the Kona and engineered it as an electric car first and foremost but offer it with two gasoline engine options for the U.S. market.
The plan isn’t as radical as it seems. Electric cars are developed for good aerodynamics and efficiency. They also typically come with the modern looks and aesthetics younger consumers want. I think this is why I enjoyed the Kona so much, with its super-modern amenities and interfaces in a perfectly sized package.
Let’s take a look at the new Kona with a gasoline engine and see why it hits the mark.
Power Up
The basic Kona gasoline model features a 2.0-liter engine. The Limited and Racing N Line version go with a 1.6-liter turbocharged mill. According to Hyundai, the four-cylinder direct-injected, turbocharged engine generates an estimated 190 horsepower at 6,000 rpm 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, seamless shifting and brisk acceleration.
All-wheel drive, standard on the higher models, works beautifully in this electric-inspired package. You can also opt for a fully-electric powertrain and the vehicle will also be great – the choice is yours.
Deceptively Large Interior
The hatchback liftgate shape of the Kona aligns it with trendy and practical CUV design. With the model’s upscaled dimensions and EV-derived universal architecture, Hyundai designed a larger interior “living space” to embrace a wider range of customer lifestyles. The driver-centric front row is accentuated by a floating horizontal display with dual integrated 12.3-inch panoramic display screens that affirm Kona’s high-tech character.
As part of Kona’s new ergonomic layout, the shift-by-wire gear selector has been moved from the center console to a stalk behind the steering wheel, allowing more storage in the open console area. I loved this layout and with it the benefits of column shifters of yore. The layout emphasizes Kona’s larger, wider interior, providing a versatile and comfortable space for driver and passengers.
Driver controls have been relocated around the steering wheel, creating space for a multi-use center console storage area with two cupholders that rotate and adjust for beverage size. There are hard buttons for heated seats, ventilated seats and a heated steering wheel. Fun ambient interior lighting corresponds to the drive modes, acceleration, or to suit the mood of the driver.
The front seats on the new Kona are 30 percent slimmer to maximize rear passenger legroom but are still comfy. The second row curveless bench seat also enhances available space and can be reclined or folded down completely for rear cargo.
Sounding Good
You can crank the tunes through the eight-speaker Bose Premium Sound System. There is a subwoofer, but there’s plenty of room in the cargo hold of the gasoline-powered Kona for bass with more muscle. There are two USB-C chargers (including one with data support) and a 12V power outlet in the front, as well as two USB-C chargers in the rear with wireless device charging capability. Kona also offers Wi-Fi hotspot capability. On the safety front, Hyundai’s SmartSense features keep occupants safe. SmartSense is coupled with the excellent navigation-based smart cruise control, which keeps the Kona centered even in stop-and-go traffic.
I was really impressed with how much technology is baked into the Kona. Fully loaded at under $35K is amazing for the amenities provided in a thoughtful package. The biggest decision is gasoline or electric!
