Experienced by Adrian McQueen
Photography by Adrenaline Lifestyles
Hyundai is keeping the industry buzzing with the 2024 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD. The Kona is debuting the completely new redesign that is based on the EV platform. The model that we are testing this week is the Limited model, which sits at the top of the trim levels.
The Kona is a SUV that falls in the subcompact crossover class. The first-generation Kona debuted in June 2017 and the production version was revealed later that year. It is positioned between the Venue and the Tucson in Hyundai crossover SUV line-up. The Kona is named after the western district of the island of Hawaiʻi in which the company states the name “reflects the lifestyle of modern customers”.
Upon first look you will think the Kona is an EV due to the design, but it is not. The Kona has a strip of LED lights above the grille for running lights. You will also see that it is a lot bigger than the previous Kona. The redesign has the 2024 Kona is 5.7 inches longer, 2.6 inches taller and an inch wider. The Kona has LED headlights, daytime running lights and LED combo tail lights. There are heated side mirrors and roof side rails. The Limited model that we received stands out with satin chrome window molding and a satin chrome rear spoiler. The model that we tested arrived in a denim blue pearl hue.
In the interior you will find H-Tex seating surfaces, heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. There is also ambient lighting, dual climate control along with front and rear usb ports. The infotainment system in the Kona comes with a 12.3-inch high-res instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touch screen display that offers navigation, track maps and lap-monitoring information. The Bose premium audio system fills the cabin with crystal clear tunes. The Kona also comes with SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay and Android compatibility along with wireless charging.
Under the hood is a turbocharged 1.6-liter I-4 engine making 190 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque and a new eight-speed automatic transmission. The Kona is fun to drive. It is peppy, handles the corners well and will get up to speed when needed.
Safety is high on Hyundai’s priority list and this is evident with the Kona’s safety and driver-assistance features such as standard lane-keeping assist and blind-spot monitoring, standard automatic high-beams, standard adaptive cruise control, rear cross traffic alert, rear parking sensors, highway driving assist, safe exit warning, rear view camera, forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, rear occupant alert, pedestrian detection and driver drowsiness monitoring.
The Kona receives the same impressive coverage as Hyundai’s other vehicles. This includes the Limited warranty that covers five years or 60,000 miles, the Powertrain warranty that covers 10 years or 100,000 miles, Anti-Perforation Warranty that covers 7 years or unlimited miles, 24-Hour Roadside Assistance that covers 5-Year / Unlimited Miles and the Complimentary maintenance that is covered for three years or 36,000 miles.
The 2024 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD has a powerful engine and futuristic design. During our review period, we received some inclement weather and it handled like a beast. The Kona is decent on gas delivering 24 mpg city, 29 mpg highway and 26 mpg combined. The Kona sits in a competitive class going up against the Kia Niro, Ford EcoSport, Chevrolet Trax, Jeep Renegade, Toyota C-HR, Honda HR-V, Nissan Kicks and the Subaru Crosstrek. The model that I tested came in at $35,445.00. The 2024 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD is fun to drive, quick and appealing to the eye. Please enjoy the photo gallery.
