2024 Hyundai Kona | MotorWeek Road Test

We’ve now reached the point in time where instead of integrating electric drivetrains into existing internal combustion vehicles, carmakers are engineering new platforms for electric propulsion first and then adapting them to ICE drivelines. And that’s exactly what Hyundai has done with this new Kona. So, let’s see what this approach means for this small, already appealing, SUV.

Stay connected with MotorWeek on social media!

MotorWeek, PBS' award-winning weekly automotive magazine provides unbiased, consumer-oriented car news with feature stories on related topics.

[mbox]

I really wish John Davis would narrate every video.

[windwalker]

I'm looking forward to John Davis narrating the review of a full-electric Toyota Cam-ray!

[gmoney]

My ‘24 N-Line is unquestionably THE best small SUV I’ve owned. It’s a pure joy to be in and drive.

[isweetyman]

I purchased the 24 Kona N Line in red back in November, I've enjoy every bit of it! My car right before this was 2013 Genesis 2.0T. It by no means was a rocket but it had 289 HP to the rear and was a 6 speed. Although I do miss the RWD and 6 speed, the power from the Kona has been more than great and with living in the PNW the AWD is definitely appreciated. Was hoping they would make a full N Kona but once I seen they confirmed they would in fact not be making one and the N Line was it, I settled there. I believe it was either an Electric or an N and we know what they choose.

[andrahbell]

I watch motorweek too much to notice John used that line before about artists second album. Still one of my go to auto review show

[chrisphilhower]

I am on my 2nd Kona. 1st was a 19 SE AWD. POS in the Reliability Dept. Within 15k Miles I had the Steering Shaft and Brake Booster replaced. By 30K I had a Stuck Open Thermostat in the Winter. My current 22 Kona SEL is in the process of a Lemon Law over a Coolant Leak at 16k Miles. And Damaged Parts by the Dealer. The Dealership I Leased from doesn't want to touch the car now.

[RA-wlvt]

I don't like the position of the taillights and the headlights on the edge of the bumpers as they would be vulnerable to parking lot damage and expensive to replace

[NGMonocrom]

They made it bigger.... Brilliant! So if you want a genuinely compact SUV, sorry; you'll have to look elsewhere. Also, the equivalent 2023 version of the Kona compared to the 2024 one tested in the video, was 1 second faster 0-60mph. So the 2024 Kona is both bigger and slower.

[Unchainedmaple]

I really hope Hyundai changes it's mind and makes a new Kona N. This would look so good in that baby blue and definitely a lot better than the previous gen Kona N.

[stephenwinter]

Greetings from southern Ontario Canada I really enjoyed the video looking forward to seeing this crossover here

[phlyingphalanges]

That spoiler is rather large for a humdrum Crossover. It makes me wonder how big the spoiler on the N version will be...

[Butchcub]

Im not a fan of CUVs or the ever few SUVs remaining, but I really like Hyundai and Kia's new styling. This is a cool design. Now just those soft cams in the first gen Kona was fun to drive even w/o being the N.

[rabit]

Very busy design. Huge grille, headlamp configuration, tail light and body creases. Dashboard infotainment looks legible.

[zaraboz]

Is Kona becoming the old Tucson? Seems they're all getting bigger over the last few years.

[mumwifeteacher]

They need to update their logo. I still think cheap when I see it.

[mumwifeteacher]

The column shifter is totally convoluted. Instead of moving it up and down like every similar shifter you have twist it. That makes it easy to switch to the wrong position and it sticks way out and looks out of place.

[churchofmarcus]

I like the look of the old model better. I do like the interior of this new one, though.

[reddfoxx]

N line looks very appealing. Imagine that with the 7 speed dct but more reliable and smooth. Hyundai and mazda are mini bmw's.

[Vailwine]

How about a AWD 'N' model???

[mbox]

There really should be some sort of qualification process for new shifter designs. I know electric cars and electronicly controlled transmissions can shift with any soft of button or screen or knob or dial but shifting is serious business and can get people killed if mis used but they keep inventing novel shifter designs that are prone to misuse. Traditional column and console shifters are hard to mess up and I wish they would leave that aspect of the interior alone. No one gets into a car and complains that the shifter is too boring.