- The brand new 2024 Hyundai Kona is bigger and extra luxurious than its predecessor.
- Its spectacular “seamless horizon” entrance gentle bar can be normal.
- Gasoline and EV variations will attain the U.S. by the top of the yr.
House owners of the previous-generation Hyundai Kona solely had two substantive complaints in response to the corporate’s vp of design Sangyup Lee. That was an absence of area within the subcompact SUV’s rear seats and in addition its restricted cargo quantity. You can be unsurprised that each these areas have been addressed with the brand new model.
This can be a light evolution of a profitable method quite than a radical transformation. The brand new 2024 Kona is as much as 6.9 inches longer than the outgoing model and sits on a wheelbase that has been stretched by 2.4 inches. Inside it contains a new design of slimmed-down entrance seats that are claimed to supply each the identical stage of consolation and help because the previous automotive however, being 30 % slimmer, additionally enhance rear legroom. Having sat in an early model of the 2024 automotive we are able to verify it does really feel a lot roomier in again. On Hyundai’s numbers trunk capability has risen from 13 cubic ft to 17 cubic ft with the rear seats in place.
Intergalactic New Face
The obvious design distinction for the brand new era is the arrival of a single full-width gentle bar on the entrance of the automotive—Hyundai calls this the “seamless horizon”—and an identical pink taillight graphic on the rear. Sangyup Lee mentioned that this new factor was the only most advanced function on the automotive. It definitely offers the entrance a really futuristic look, one we really feel we’ve seen on a personality in at the very least one Star Wars film. The precise headlights are a lot smaller items decrease down and mounted on all sides of the bumper.
As earlier than, each fuel and electrical Kona variations can be provided. Different elements of the world will even get a hybrid, however we’re advised that there is no such thing as a probability of that model making it to america. The obvious visible distinction between the EV and the common combustion model can be that the fuel vehicles get grey physique cladding whereas the Kona Electrical’s is physique coloured. That rule isn’t exhausting and quick, although: the range-topping N Line, which is a trim stage quite than a scintillating efficiency by-product, will even get body-color safety in addition to a cute (however faintly preposterous) two-piece rear spoiler and a extra sizable opening in its entrance bumper.
Nicer Inside
Inside design additionally feels considerably upgraded over the outgoing automotive. The brand new Kona will get twin 12.3-inch show screens, the one forward of the motive force displaying instrumentation and the central touchscreen dealing with infotainment features. Regardless of that, Hyundai hasn’t adopted the herd into digital-only management structure, with the Kona maintaining each a row of perform shortcut buttons and bodily local weather controls beneath these. We’re advised the corporate isn’t planning to interchange standard buttons in any of its forthcoming fashions, both, which is a plus in our guide. The Kona Electrical additionally advantages from a flat ground within the cabin, though the combustion variations proceed to have a compact tunnel.
We don’t have finalized U.S. specs but, however anticipate numerous elective gear within the pricier variations. The European-spec vehicles we noticed had energy entrance seats with each heating and air flow plus a 360-degree digital camera system. All variations will help over-the-air software program updates, and Hyundai can also be planning to permit it to be locked and unlocked via the NFC Close to Discipline Communication perform on smartphones and good watches. All variations of the brand new Kona get a compact gearshift selector on the facet of the steering column, with steering wheel paddles to permit gear choice in combustion variations, and ranging regeneration ranges within the EV.
Hyundai was keener to speak concerning the new Kona Electrical than its gasoline sisters. That’s as a result of the combustion variations are going to be considerably much like the outgoing model, with the selection of a fundamental 2.0-liter engine and a extra highly effective turbocharged 1.6-liter above this. Each front-drive and all-wheel drive will proceed to be provided, however we might want to wait till near the automotive’s formal unveiling on the New York auto present in April for finalized efficiency figures.
Particulars on the Kona EV
We do have extra numbers for the Kona Electrical, although. In some markets Hyundai plans to supply two completely different variations of the EV, however we’re advised to count on that solely the stronger model will attain the U.S. with its 65.4-kWh battery pack and a single entrance motor that produces 214 horsepower.
In Europe, Hyundai is focusing on a WLTP vary of greater than 305 miles—that may seemingly translate to an EPA ranking of someplace nearer to 260 miles (the present automotive has a barely smaller battery and is rated at 258 miles on the EPA’s take a look at). The Electrical’s charging port is on the entrance and, though it received’t have the ability to replenish as rapidly because the ultra-fast 800-volt structure of the Ioniq 5, Hyundai says it will likely be doable to go from 10 % to 80 % cost in 41 minutes on the highest price. That equates to a mean price of round 75 kW from a DC charger, or roughly half what the Ioniq 5 or Kia EV6 can do. The Kona Electrical will even help “vehicle-to-load” charging, principally permitting it to function an enormous energy pack.
Whereas there aren’t any fast plans to instantly substitute the Kona N, Hyundai admits that it could produce a extra highly effective EV model with all-wheel drive from a second motor on the rear. The corporate’s engineers admit that this automotive would appear ideally suited to hold N branding. Right here’s hoping that occurs, because the prospect of a 430-hp Kona is an intriguing one.
The brand new Kona can be launched within the U.S. within the third quarter of the yr, with pricing particulars to observe.
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European Editor
Mike Duff has been writing concerning the auto trade for 20 years and calls the UK dwelling, though he usually lives life on the highway. He loves previous vehicles and journey in unlikely locations, with profession highlights together with driving to Chernobyl in a Lada.