There’s a new small SUV on the horizon, with Hyundai Australia today confirming full details of its 2024 Kona range ahead of its launch next month.
Hyundai will be launching just two main variants of the 2024 Kona – Kona and Kona Premium – however, these will be offered with three different powertrain options and the N Line pack on each. Buyers will be able to select from a 2.0L MPi petrol, a 1.6L GDi petrol hybrid (a first for Kona in Australia), and a 1.6 T-GDi turbo-petrol with all-wheel drive.
All of these engines feature a different transmission, with an ‘IVT’ CVT auto for the 2.0L, a six-speed dual-clutch auto for the hybrid, and an eight-speed auto for the 1.6 turbo. That latter option follows the Kia Seltos, which recently switched from a dual-clutch to a conventional auto with the turbo unit.
How much power does the 2024 Kona offer? Well, in base form with the 2.0L it generates 110kW and 180Nm, while offering a fuel consumption average of 6.6L/100km. Stepping into the hybrid provides 104kW and 265Nm worth of shove, with a consumption rate of just 3.9L/100km. And lastly the turbo develops 146kW and 265Nm, and offers a fuel economy average of 7.6L/100km.
The hybrid and the upcoming fully electric Kona are scheduled to launch during the fourth quarter of this year.
Although these powertrain options are very interesting and new in the case of the hybrid, it’s the rest of the package that should impress buyers most. For example, the new model is quite a lot larger than the outgoing model, standing 30mm taller and 145mm longer, riding on a 60mm longer wheelbase.
This means interior room has increased, with more headroom, legroom, shoulder room and hip room in the front and back compared with the outgoing model. Boot dimensions are also increased, with 172mm added to the boot length and 187mm added in height. Capacity is up 33L to 374L, and up 85L to 1156L with the rear seats folded down.
The interior has also received a major makeover, with a new horizontally-themed dashboard featuring a fresh 12.3-inch touch-screen. Down below you’ll find a new button-operated gear selector system, like what is seen on the Santa Fe, with premium variants adding a Bose eight-speaker sound system and power tailgate.
Hyundai’s latest SmartSense safety suite is applied for added peace of mind, with autonomous emergency braking now equipped with motorcycle detection technology (stationary and moving), which is a first for the segment, as well as blind-spot monitoring and surround-view parking cameras.
For the driving enthusiast out there, the N Line option pack adds a sporty bodykit with skirts and spoilers, 19-inch alloy wheels (18s on the hybrid), colour-coded body trimmings, and three exclusive exterior colour options; Cyber Grey, Neoteric Yellow, Soultronic Orange.
Hyundai says the new Kona offers a more comfortable ride that coincides with more sophisticated handling, mainly thanks to the switch to the newer K3 platform. Noise and vibrations levels are reduced compared with the outgoing model as a result of sturdier construction and boosted refinement. The body structure’s average tensile strength has increased by 10 per cent, the company says, also improving safety.
The new model is available to order now, with the official launch taking place next week. See below for the starting prices (not including on-road costs):
2024 Hyundai Kona 2.0 MPi: $32,000
2024 Hyundai Kona 2.0 MPi N Line: $36,000
2024 Hyundai Kona 2.0 MPi Premium: $39,500
2024 Hyundai Kona 2.0 MPi Premium N Line: $42,500
2024 Hyundai Kona 1.6 GDi hybrid: $36,000
2024 Hyundai Kona 1.6 GDi hybrid N Line: $40,000
2024 Hyundai Kona 1.6 GDi hybrid Premium: $43,500
2024 Hyundai Kona 1.6 GDi hybrid Premium N Line: $46,500
2024 Hyundai Kona 1.6 T-GDi AWD N Line: $40,000
2024 Hyundai Kona 1.6 T-GDi AWD Premium N Line: $46,500
