A Look At The All-New 2024 Hyundai Kona

The popular Hyundai Kona is getting completely redesigned for 2024, along with its Kona Electric sibling and with it comes a brave new face, a new interior, two gas engine choices and an overall look that borrows a few select details from the Ioniq line of electric vehicles.

Exterior Updates

Chief among the details shared with the Ioniq is a version of that line-up’s “Pixelated Horizon Lamp”, which is Hyundai’s way of describing the new Kona Electric’s full-length light bar that sits just above the bumper and is made up of a number of small, square lights for a unique look to the rear fascia. 

That’s equalled by a very unique front end that’s punctuated by headlamps that sit low and align with the tops of the fenders. On the Electric model, the grille gets replaced by a completely smooth panel, interrupted only by the front-mounted charge port for easy access when it comes time to plug in. Underneath the smooth hood of the Kona Electric, we find a “frunk”, or front-mounted storage area.

Other features include new wheels, special colours and an N Line model with enlarged rear spoiler, special 19-inch wheels and dual exhaust tips. 

Battery-Electric Powertrain

The Kona Electric is a fully battery-powered electric vehicle, or BEV. There is no internal combustion engine to speak of; instead, what we have is a 64.8 kWh battery good for an estimated 418 kilometres of range, 201 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque. According to Hyundai, it can be charged from 10-80 per cent when hooked up to a DC fast charger. 

Two Punchy gas engines

The base Kona gets a 2.0-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine good for 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, sent to the wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). That engine can be paired with either two- or all-wheel-drive. 

Upgrading to the N Line trim adds a 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes a strong 190 hp and 195 lb-ft, fed to the wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle-activated manual mode. 

New Interior

Inside, all Kona Electric models – no matter the exterior colour – get yellow accents on the steering wheel, dash and seats to differentiate them from the more monochromatic interior the non-Electric Konas get. The dash on every Kona, meanwhile, is made up of dual 12.3-inch displays for your gauge cluster and infotainment (which is of the next generation variety), canted slightly toward the driver for a more ensconced feel. In another nod to the Ioniq cars, they’ve moved the gear selector from the centre console to a wheel-mounted stalk, in an effort to de-clutter the dash and to also provide more storage inside. 

Pricing for the 2024 Hyundai Kona and Kona Electric will be announced soon, and we’re expecting to see them arrive later this summer.