2024 Hyundai Kona Hybrid - Warts and All

The new Kona was not an immediate hit in our household after its launch. It looked a trifle awkward, but it slowly grew on us. Buying a car is such a personal thing even if it is a workhorse, so having a Kona hybrid in the range changes the game completely.

Hyundai has always been decent value even in the upper-range models. They have a ton of gear, a fun drive and low price. Although the Hyundai group has slowly raised prices, it remains a value proposition.

The bold body-width lines of light front and back have become a bit of a thing, and Hyundai is running with it. Kona lacks the cutting-edge look and feel of the electric-only cars in the group, but will still turn heads for one reason or another.

What we like:

Although not “matrix” headlights, the LEDs are incredibly bright. In fact, all lighting is LED including the mood lighting in the posh models.

The standard Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto is a must have, but the Bose speakers from the range toppers vastly outshine the pov-models. None the less the base model was OK, and as farmer Hoggett said, “that’ll do pig.”

The well-designed cabin is spacious with plenty of clever storage including whisk-away cupholders and a front shelf over the glove box. Seating is comfortable with top models gaining heat and cooling functions.

There are is USB-C and Qi charging, and the naff Sounds of Nature tracks that can be played when you’re already bored rigid.

There are far too many functions to list so check out the full specifications for all Kona models HERE: KONA (SX2) ICE & HEV Specifications – June 2023

ABOVE: 2024 Hyundai Kona Hybrid

The Drive:

The hybrid gains many features over the petrol-only versions, not the least being the ability to glide in silent EV bliss, even if only for short distances.

The tiny battery gathers up all the energy otherwise lost in coasting and braking, and stores it for later. The electric motor can then help the petrol motor, charge the battery, or go it alone. The diminutive 32kw electric motor is surprisingly perky, and the total output is 104kw/265Nm.

Hybrids are just the ticket for folk who wince at the thought of lining up at a charger, regardless of CO2 killing the planet. We’ve chosen not to use the term “electrified” because it only confuses punters. Hybrids still use old bits of dinosaur, and Kona hybrid officially burns it at 3.9L/100k. Our trip was 4.8L/100k and the long-term average was 4.9L/100k.

Handling is great in those tight bends and although Kona Hybrid is no sports car, makes a decent job of almost everything else thrown at it. Despite the rear multi-link suspension, the ride still tends to be firm. Those of you who like it firm will be pleased.

Acceleration is a raucous affair as the 6-speed DCT automatic churns through gears. Despite the hullabaloo, the time is not especially fast, yet will satisfy the miserly.

The Cottage Compound is now deep in winter mode. Nights plummet below survivable temperatures so our fires are raging by 5pm, just in time for cocktails. We roasted hot dogs over the fire pit, trying not to drop tomato sauce on our blankies. Despite the southward temp trend, martinis were still the go-to. It always brings out the best comments

What The Boys thought:

Casper

I like unusual looking cars, and Kona is certainly that. It has that blunt, non-nonsense design that appeals to my OCD side. Though, it does rather look as if some miscreant nicked the headlights during the night.

I love the cabin, but will always prefer the top model for the audio and sunroof. I’m a flexible top lover, as everyone knows, but that’s a story for another time. Alan hates sunroofs, but that simply adds a touch of verisimilitude.

Matrix lights would be nice, but you can’t have it all. Although I didn’t sit in the back, Nico and Raff said it was cosy and comfy. They spent the entire weekend bitching about their ex’s habits, and by ex, I mean the same boy. Yes ladies and germs, they both dated the same man from a hook-up app.

Meanwh, back to the Kona:

The quiet mode was used on the way home but in such a small car, made little difference. It dims the front speakers and cuts off the rear ones completely.

Kona Hybrid is very economical, and although uses the cheapest petrol, the greenie in me wants the full EV experience.

Luke:

Man, what a head spin that face is!

I’m going to say it – it has a face only a mother could love. It is saved by its fab drive, which considering the tiny power figures, still has plenty in the pot for later. I like a beefier feel under my foot yet Kona Hybridt does the trick, and despite being a front wheel drive, rarely loses its cool.

Steering feels slightly numb, and I really hate the 1-pedal driving. It gives me the irrits in all EVs because I never know exactly where the car will stop.

City driving and parking is fairly easy, and the view all around is great. The camera has good resolution and it makes close movements easier to judge. When reversing into my parking spot at the cottage, the rear braking mistook a bunch of low leaves for a brick wall. It slammed on the brakes so hard that some wee nearly came out.

I thought Kona was noisier than it should have been and the chip-surface tarmac was horrible especially for anyone in the back.

Nico:

I love it, but then I love all hybrids. They’re a great idea if you can’t be arsed schlepping around to a charger that doesn’t work. Our experience with electric cars has been speckled with fabulous failure. The apps are useless as tits on bulls, and tesla owners, though they have more choice, insist on clogging chargers only available to non-tesla owners. They all want a good slapping.

The interior is great quality for an under 40 grand wagon. We never felt fleeced as you do with certain Japanese and German brands whose cabins are thoroughly shoddy. Knobs feel solid, and I do love a solid knob. I’ve had one come off in my hand, in a German car I mean. Now I think of it, I could have worded all that better so I’ll get Al to catch it in the edit: AL CATCH THIS IN THE EDIT, CHEERS PATS.

The Kona will go as far is the thimble-size petrol tank will let you so range anxiety isn’t a thing..

I like the DCT too. CVT automatics a horrid and must all die. Why car manufacturers insist on using the is beyond me and I notice Hyundai has one of the Konas using just such a tranny. No thanks. Its enough to put a man off his lunch.

Raffy is much the same but is a bit easier going about it. The audio system is easy to use, but Hyundai could have made the whole screen LCD instead of using the strange dials for speed and revs. I love the gear selector too. Putting it on the steering column leaves more space in the console.

Driving in 1-pedal mode is not a smooth experience. Maybe the user needs more time to adjust, but I was all over the place. It was jerky and temperamental so I left it off after some experimentation.

Raffy:

Kona is kinda cute in a strange way, like the rescue dog with a tooth missing that you love anyway. I can’t really see the point to hybrids though. Either start pissing, or get off the pot. Get an Ev and be done with. Having a foot in both camps is that mate that you want to slap because he bangs on and on about being a vego, then nicks your bacon at brekky.

Kona Hybrid was a bunch of fun in the mountains because sport mode holds the gears. It also gets more grunt from the electric motor despite the tiny battery.

I’m a beach bum at heart, so AWD would be handy but it would mean sacrificing the space saver spare. Why oh why do we have to make such awful choices. The boot has plenty of space, with more room under the floor laid over the tyre.

I’d like a go in the Premium because the sunroof makes a big difference. I also like heated seats, and the extra doh isn’t such a big ask. Only a cad-and-bounder buys cheap when using their own money, so splash out. You can’t take it with you.

Alan:

We cycled through the car up at the farm. A conglomeration of dodgy roads brought out the best and the worst in the Kona Hybrid. There was a great deal of skipped-do-dah when meeting bumps in bends so taking corners at warp 9.99 is a non-starter. That’s just as well because with 5 boys aboard, Kona Hybrid was a little bothered when trying to be butch. Acceleration is best done with planning, and plenty of it. Save the sporty stuff when your solo trips.

We did an emergency winery run down to our cellar door. When I say we, I mean me. I hadn’t yet had me first martini and our wine had run out. Big sausages without wine is against the law in these parts.

As Raffy pointed out, Kona is not a babe-magnet, so it makes up for it by being thrifty and fully loaded. While Casper always goes top drawer, I’m happy with the base model. The only rider on that was Saturday morning was -1c, so I had to lay a hoodie on the seat. It was like sitting on an ice bucket otherwise.

The highway assist was excellent. The speed and lane control was taken car of even in gentle bends. High beams were flashed on and off, but a couple of chippy truckies got spots on the liver and started flashing their beams like demented Christmas lights. The system wasn’t fast enough for their tastes apparently.

Conclusion:

We liked Kona Hybrid as a flexible, thrifty runabout suited to all types.

The very-active among us can throw watersport gear in the back without fear of being yelled at. Shoppers can stow a bevy of bags, and silver surfers can treat their retirement funds with care.

The DCT was universally greeted with glee, and the 1-pedal mode was loved by almost all. Hyundai consistently kills it in the JD Power ratings, there is good support, and parts are fairly cheap and abundant.

We compared to others including Toyota and Kona Hybrid was favoured.

Download specifications here: KONA (SX2) ICE & HEV Specifications – June 2023

Powertrain	KONA		KONA Premium
Powertrain		+ N Line pack		+ N Line pack
1.6 GDi Hybrid	$36,000	$40,000	$43,500	$46,500

Option Pricing	KONA	KONA Premium
Wide glass sunroof	–	$1,500
Metallic / Mica premium paint	$595	$595
Light Shale Grey / Sage Green interior	–	$295