2024 Hyundai Kona: Updated Performance, EV Offers Estimated 260 Miles of Range
Hyundai first teased the new 2024 Kona in December with a smattering of images, then revealed more details on the interior and European range figures in March. For the 2023 New York International Auto Show, the automaker revealed most of the U.S. details on the revamped subcompact SUV, which will offer three trims (SEL, N Line and Limited) and an EV variant — at least to start.
Related: More 2023 New York Auto Show Coverage
Revamped Performance
Performance for the 2024 Kona lineup comes from a choice of two gas engines or, for the Kona Electric, either of two available battery packs. The base SEL once again gets a 147-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission; the sportier N Line and uplevel Limited lose 5 hp from their 2023 counterparts, however, with a 190-hp, turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder paired to an eight-speed automatic.
The Kona Electric, meanwhile, uses a front-mounted electric motor, and two battery packs are now available: The base 48.6-kilowatt-hour battery allows the Kona Electric to make 133 hp, while the larger 64.8-kWh battery boosts output to 201 hp. Hyundai claims that the 64.8-kWh battery can achieve a maximum estimated driving range of 260 miles and 197 miles with the 48.6-kWh battery, but official EPA estimates are not yet available. Gas-powered variants come with front-wheel drive standard or optional all-wheel drive; the EV is front-wheel drive only.
New Styling and EV Capabilities
The front fascia of the new Kona retains its odd headlight positioning and features a slender, wraparound light bar with headlights mounted lower into the front bumper. The side profile is smoother than the outgoing model’s, and the rear also incorporates a small light bar. It comes equipped with 17-, 18- or (on the N Line) 19-inch wheels. The N Line also adds a roof-mounted spoiler, dual exhaust tips, body-color cladding, more aggressive front and rear styling, sport seating with red accents, aluminum sport pedals and a Bose premium audio system.
Hyundai says it designed the 2024 Kona to be an EV from the ground up, which allowed the company to create a larger space for occupants. Backseat passengers benefit from the reworked floor and have more knee- and legroom than in the outgoing model. The rear seats can also fold fully flat to provide up to 63.7 cubic feet of storage, according to Hyundai’s measurements.
Meanwhile, the Kona Electric comes with active grille shutters and a frunk, as well as bidirectional charging capability to charge devices and electrical equipment via the front charging port with up to 1.7 kilowatts of power. The EV will also offer a one-pedal driving mode to allow drivers to accelerate, decelerate and stop without having to touch the brake pedal, and the regenerative braking function will automatically adjust depending on real-time traffic data. Additionally, battery preconditioning will be available, and a new charging port door lamp aids visibility when plugging in at night. Hyundai says the Kona Electric will be able to charge from 10% to 80% in less than 45 minutes with a 400-volt DC fast charger.
Pricing and Release Date
Pricing for the 2024 Hyundai Kona will be released closer to when the SUV goes on sale later in the summer; the Kona Electric will be available in the fall.
Conspicuously absent from the New York show announcement are two additional variants of the Kona: a hybrid, which Hyundai confirmed in December would feature as a third powertrain option in the 2024 lineup, and a performance N version, which topped the lineup for 2023 but hasn’t yet been confirmed for 2024. Stay tuned for more.
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