SUV Review: 2024 Hyundai Kona N Line

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The “U” in SUV is supposed to stand for utility, and yet so many of these vehicles lack that. So when I got into the 2024 Hyundai Kona and had a look around, I was impressed. It’s set up for people who actually use their vehicles to run errands and get groceries and put stuff inside, and does a very good job of it. For many people who prioritize usefulness, that’s half the battle won before they even start to drive. And then, the Kona does a decent job of that as well.

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The compact Kona was a new model for Hyundai for 2018, and now it morphs into an all-new version for 2024. Two gasoline-powered versions are available right now, while an electric-only model is coming soon. This new model was actually designed around a platform intended for that electric powertrain, and adapted for these gasoline versions.

The Kona’s engines carry over from the last-generation model. The base powerplant is a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that makes 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, mated to an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT), and in front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). It runs from $25,999 to $32,499.

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What’s special about the N Line?

The step up is the model I drove, the Kona N Line, which uses a turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder that creates 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. That’s also the same engine as before, but instead of a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, it’s now engaged to an eight-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is standard, and the N-Line starts at $35,499 and then goes to my Ultimate tester at $38,499. Mine was further upped with an extra-charge black roof for $450.

In addition to the upgraded engine, the N Line’s unique cues include its 19-inch wheels, body-colour cladding, black mirrors, dual exhaust tips, front and rear fascias, and rear wing. All Kona trims with either engine include heated seats, 12.3-inch centre touchscreen, and front and rear USB-C outlets, while most also add a heated steering wheel, sunroof, wireless charger, and dual-zone automatic climate control. On top of those, the Ultimate trim also exclusively adds rain-sensing wipers, power driver’s seat, ventilated front seats, Bose audio, navigation, auto-dimming mirror, and garage door opener.

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Styling is always subjective

There’s no question that Hyundai went out of its way to make its new Kona stand out. The rounded nose with its hood-wide strip of running lights gives way to sharp creases, exaggerated wheel arches (even more out-there on the non-N Line, where they’re painted dark grey), a similar rear light strip, and an overhang on the liftgate that tucks the release button up under it, but which looks oddly mismatched in profile, as if the piece under it broke off. It all obviously ticked enough boxes that Hyundai’s execs signed off on it, but it’s definitely not pretty, and I don’t think it’s a design that’s going to age gracefully.

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But oh, that interior…

The Kona’s cabin is all hard straight horizontal lines. If it was a building, it would likely be described as brutalist architecture. But here, it’s function over form, and that’s a beautiful thing in a vehicle segment with utility in its name.

First off, that large screen isn’t stuffed with all the car’s functions. The climate control, seat heaters and ventilation, heated wheel, parking functions (more on that later), and drive modes are all handled through buttons and dials, along with the screen menus. It’s all geared toward simplicity and reducing distraction, to the point where the automatic climate control has three fan settings, should you prefer faster heat-up or less fan noise – and rather than find that setting in the sub-menus, as is usually the case with other vehicles that offer the option, you just tap the “Auto” button again until you’re there.

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Small-item storage up front is beyond generous.  There’s an open dash cubby where you can stash your gloves or other soft items, and big door pockets. The centre console has coffee cup holders that swing out when needed, or push back in to increase the storage cubby. That console bin stretches back under the centre armrest, with a removable divider to better store longer or smaller items.

At the back, the Kona has a generous 723L of cargo space. While the rear seats don’t fold down completely flat, putting them down increases the available space to 1,803L. All trims include a dual-height cargo floor, which you can slide into its lower position for taller items, or into the higher position where you can hide items under it. If the hard cargo cover is in the way, there are clips so you can neatly and conveniently stash it against the backs of the rear seats. And there are grocery bag hooks, which you’d think would be don’t-even-need-to-ask-if-they’re-there items on every vehicle with utility in its name, but which are surprisingly rare. Some designer who’s actually familiar with everyday commuting and errand-running and grocery shopping put a lot of thought into this brilliant interior.

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What about passenger space in the 2024 Hyundai Kona?

The 2024 Hyundai Kona gains slightly more headroom in the front and rear seats, and even taller passengers should be fine with it. But while the automaker says the interior is “roomier,” there’s a bit more to it than that. While cargo space has improved considerably – the current 723L of space is up from the last model’s 543L – front- and rear-seat legroom actually go down a bit.

Hyundai’s explanation for “roomier” is that the front seats are thinner and the second-row seatbacks are straight. That said, the slimmed-down front seats still remain comfortable, and you can recline the rear seats, but it’s still a bit tight for those in the back chairs.

What’s the Hyundai Kona N Line like to drive?

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That 190-horsepower turbocharged engine is peppy and the transmission shifts smoothly, even if I’m not overly impressed with its gearshift-lever stalk, with its twist-to-shift and button-to-park operation, although of course owners will get used to it. That energetic engine is hobbled a bit by its acceleration characteristics – put your foot down and little happens, and then it all catches up and lurches ahead. It gets tiresome and smoother operation would really round out this vehicle very well.

It’s not quite a hot hatch, not in the way the Hyundai Veloster N could be way-too-much-fun tossed around, but this N Line takes curves with confidence and flair, and the brakes bite well and bring it to a smooth stop. The regular Kona gets a torsion-beam rear suspension, while the N Line upgrades to an independent multi-link setup. It gives it a smooth and well-planted ride most of the time, although it can get a little bouncy and clunky over rough pavement. The all-wheel drive distributes its power as needed for traction, and it can be locked at speeds of up to 60 km/h should you get bogged down in snow or muddy conditions.

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How is the 2024 Hyundai Kona N Line on fuel?

The Kona N Line receives an official rating from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) at 9.7 L/100 km in the city, 8.3 on the highway, and 9.1 in combined driving, and it does its thing on regular-grade gasoline. That’s not a huge penalty over the non-turbo Kona, which is rated at 8.6 L/100 in combined driving. In my week with the N Line, I averaged 9.3 L/100 km.

What are the 2024 Hyundai Kona’s safety features?

As of this writing, the 2024 Hyundai Kona hadn’t yet been rated by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in crash testing.

My Kona’s driver-assist safety features included emergency front braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, tire pressure monitoring system, and the mandatory rearview camera – and all of that except the adaptive cruise is standard on all Kona trims, and that higher-tech level of cruise control is only missing on the base one. But then the N Line exclusively adds highway driving assist, surround-view camera, parking distance warning, emergency rear braking, and a blind-view monitor that runs a live video feed in the instrument cluster, showing you what’s alongside whenever the turn signal is activated.

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Upper trims also include a digital key, which you activate through your phone or smart watch to unlock, start, or lock the vehicle without carrying the actual key fob. The phone feature can be shared with up to three other people.

Let’s go parking…

The N Line also exclusively adds remote smart parking assist. Once you’re out of the car, you can press a button on the key fob and your Kona will obediently back itself into a space, where you can remotely shut off the engine and lock it up. When it’s time to leave, you remotely start the engine, press a button for your Kona to move ahead, and you’re ready to drive.

Now, there are some limitations. You have to be pointed or backed straight towards the spot; it’ll straighten the wheels if they’re off a little, but it won’t turn a wide swath to get in from offside, as some driver-in-the-car self-parking systems do. And for safety’s sake, the Kona only moves as long as you’re holding the button – it slams on the brakes if you let go – and goes about eight metres before overriding you on the fob, if necessary, and stopping on its own. Now exactly how useful is it? It’s really one more of those steps toward the possibility of true self-driving cars. In real-world scenarios, it’s more of a trick to show your friends, because if you’re using it to park your Kona in a super-tight spot at the mall, the folks beside you won’t be able to get into their vehicles. But it could prove handy if you have a small garage and can’t fully open your doors once you’re inside it.

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What are the 2024 Kona N Line’s competitors?

With its new resizing, the Kona can be cross-shopped against many subcompact and compact SUVs – all of which seem to have broken the boundaries of what we used to consider small and smaller. At sister company Kia, the Kona shares its engine and numerous components with the Seltos SX and X-Line, which start at $35,795 and $38,395 respectively. Other competitors include such models as the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-30, Subaru Crosstrek, Toyota Corolla Cross, Volkswagen Taos, and others.

Final thoughts…

Many people who just want an everyday commuter will probably look at one of the non-turbo Kona trims to keep the price down, but if it’s possible, the step up to the stronger engine improves the drive. This redesigned Kona’s styling won’t appeal to all, but that fabulously-useful interior does a great job of making up for it. The Kona has some faults, but overall, Hyundai’s done a lot more right than wrong on it. This model has been the automaker’s best-selling vehicle for a while, and it looks like that will continue to be the case with this version.

Pros

✔ Super-useful interior
✔ Cargo space
✔ Great to drive

Cons

✘ Styling
✘ Not-so-smooth acceleration
✘ Less legroom than the last edition