2024 Hyundai Kona hybrid (HEV) review

[@sachah2400]

Note Matt. We get 4.3 litre per 100km around the city in our new kona hybrid.

[@therightcar]

Good one!

[@scraverX]

Good to know.

[@VinayakTiwari-s6h]

I choose to go with Kona for my specific case coz of features that blows away competition > basically it has everything that regular person would need it > Feel so great as a daily driver and punches way above its weight ****Great **** -Memory seat > No other competition has it > it a must for us as its shared between two of us who have height gap of 1 feet. -Welcome seats > so easy in and out > no more steering hitting on knees -More leg room at back > better than any competition hands down -Small City Car which can go on a long drive as well without dramas -Bigger boot than any counter parts > usable to pick/drop someone from Airport -Cheap to run and accepts 91 fuel unlike VW/Skoda. I don't go below 91. -Wireless CarPlay > which is must have these days > so handy > u don't know until u use it...> yeah there are Chinese plug and play usb connector out in market > but I usually don't like have those connected to my phone -Features like high end cars in smaller package what else u need from a everyday car. -Auto dimming lights > but they are not as snappy as I would like -Handsfree tailgate > very handy > but a little slow -Ventilated seats great addition to long drives >really good feature for QLD heat -Heated seats > great when I am going on day trips and get wet > quickly dries me up in case I have not packed my clothes> that happened once -Engine noise very low -Great even though DCT doesn't feel as finicky as Skoda due to hybrid -Responsive screen -Welcome lights > nice handy feature > have used it a few times -Steering buttery soft > I love it > who cares its does not gives precision > after using it for long ull get used to it > dont bother what reviewers say > My Skoda feel I am drive a truck from olden days. ****Allright**** -Music > it sounds good > not it has become like any other sound system -Automatic cruise control with stop and go > little slow to my liking > I use it all the time in city traffic so handy> take bit of getting used to it > Skoda was slightly better. -Exterior > no a big fan -Bit of body roll due to soft suspension > ull notice when hard cornering -Sunroof could have been bigger > but it would cross Tucson territory -Blind spot camera > not use it that much > or may be have'nt got used to it -360 camera okaish dont expect too much -Service a 100$ expensive but liveable

[@davidtaylor3]

Great review Matt. I’ve ordered the Hybrid Premium model and am looking forward to getting it in the new year, although I’m NOT looking forward to all the bings and bongs. I don’t know how anyone could think that alerting the driver for going 1km/h over the speed limit is a good idea, especially when it doesn’t always get the speed limit right. It’s just not practical and is super annoying. Reviews like yours help to highlight the issue and hopefully encourage Hyundai to release an update to allow us to permanently mute the warnings. It’s a shame because the rest of the car is perfect for our needs.

[@HuyTranimal]

We will get the premium too (undecided about the sunroof as yet). We have an Ioniq and basically ignore the beeps and bongs 😂

[@mokurt2529]

@@HuyTranimal Do these warnings mute your music? I was considering this Kona; but I think I am going to pass because of all the warning sounds, they can get really annoying.

[@HuyTranimal]

@@mokurt2529 I think it makes the music softer so you can hear the alerts. You can just turn them off but again restart will turn it back on, until they push out an update to let you leave it off.

[@bevis90]

Can u permanately disable those beeps?

[@Dakoordinator]

Could you put tape over the camera that monitors you when driving to stop it going off?

[@Die-Sideways]

I’ve wondered that myself. I’ve also wondered if you can put tape over the camera/sensor that reads the speed limit signs. I won’t even consider buying one until they make some changes to those safety systems.

[@dointheokecoke5548]

print off some eyes & tape over its screen

[@richardstone7969]

One of the best reviews I've seen. Thank you, Matt. Mine's just arrived in port today. Any more tips on getting the onboard AI to quieten down would be much appreciated.

[@scraverX]

It's in the audio settings a few menus in iirc from a video I saw.

[@djmiles23]

Hi Matt. Love your reviews. Am looking to buy the base model hybrid but unsure if the recent SLA mute button fix on the new Tucson will carry over to the Kona.

[@therightcar]

Thanks for that mate. I believe the rollout of the mute button has made its way to Kona. Hopefully that’s the case!!

[@AhmedFahmin]

Great review mate. Ordered the base model. I was told it will arrive late December. Let's see. Initially interested in corolla cross, but couldn't find one 😂 Comparing the base models, I think the cabin looks more better in kona compared to cross.

[@peoplelikeus3684]

Hi, how was the Corolla Cross Hybrid compared to the Kona Hybrid? Which drove better and had now noise-vibration intrusion?

[@scraverX]

Hybrid, Premium, N-line (yeah I’m a sucker for all the tech) was told 6-9 months in December last year so September at the longest. Waiting for an update.

[@peoplelikeus3684]

Thank you. @@scraverX

[@laiktan9474]

Hi Matt, why do you rate the Corolla Cross hybrid over this car? I’m considering both but finding it hard to pick one.

[@andrewlavender4311]

Nice review Matt. What drives better…kamiq 110tsi or this…..?

[@therightcar]

I think Kamiq is a nicer all-round drive mate.

[@lisawoolfrey4067]

I have ordered hybrid premium nline in the orange, very excited for its arrival next year.

[@scraverX]

Same but in the Neoteric Yellow. Looking at September.

[@Greggie_D]

Drove both the hybrid and petrol Konas ended up buying a CX-30 Evolve mild hybrid with vision pack for $5000 less than the Kona Hybrid (no wait time either) A couple of litres better economy per 100km (real world) than the 2L Kona but it uses 3L more than the Hybrid Kona. Worked out I need to drive 45,000km (4 years for me) for the fuel savings in the Hybrid Kona to catch up on $ before it started saving on fuel. Don’t use the back seat so not an issue. All the binging and bonging can be adjusted or turned off in the Mazda and doesn’t reset when you turn it off and on again.

[@CarolLeslie-x5n]

I like my Hyundai Kona hybrid automatic 2021 the only annoying thing is that it beeps at you but you don’t know why! Be good if it told you on the screen.

[@Coastmac2001]

Polarising design, but an excellent vehicle overall. Fuel consumption looks very decent

[@brendansmith1982]

I bought the hybrid premium n-line model, The Corolla Cross is dated on the inside and has a small back seat, so if you have adults or teens it is not practical. We have been happy with ours and fuel wise we are getting 600km off a fuel tank in city driving. I bought this over a Rav 4 as you have to wait 18 months to get one which is a joke, the only thing the Rav 4 had that was better than the Kona was the boot space and a slightly better engine my past two cars have been toyota but in my opinion the tech is rubbish

[@wojciechzajda5794]

I placed an order for Hybrid, for 31k euros u can't get better deal. That's includes all the tech features. Skoda, VW, even Kia Niro looks outdated when comparing to any EV. 2gen kona was design as EV first and you can tell :) I love new design, to the point that Im changing my current Kona EV for it.

[@saligaurav]

Is there head up display or AWD option in kona hybrid? Thanks

[@rubyred8845]

It looks good. But for the quality and money I'd choose the Corolla Cross.

[@therightcar]

I can understand that.

[@scraverX]

I was tempted but the Corolla Cross but I couldn’t find one to test drive.

[@colinpirie8403]

I just had one as a courtesy car and agree with most things you said, but the handling is definitely sub par compared to my 2020 I30 , great a to b car and a fantastic reversing camera.

[@ljkv2022]

Hi Matt, i love this car but what other hybrid car can you recommend that is similar to this but had the option to permanently disabled the annoying safety features??

[@therightcar]

Thanks for the question! Yaris Cross and Corolla Cross both have safety tech that's not annoying. Far more liveable.

[@timothybush7050]

Cant it come with cooling steering wheel instead of heated. Summer is 3/4 of the year . Needs to be cold not hot

[@therightcar]

It’s made for THE WORLD not just Australia. They use heated seats and wheel because it’s considerably more efficient than cooling the air in the car.

[@scraverX]

Tell me you live in QLD, NT or WA without telling me. Some of us live in parts of the country where summer is 1/4 of the year at best and the cold gets into your bones, and the ground.

[@Die-Sideways]

Great review Matt, but I’m suspicious of why Hyundai chose Canberra to reveal the Kona hybrid to the motoring journalists. Is it because there’s very little stop-start urban driving in Canberra, and hence any flaws with the dual-clutch transmission won’t be revealed? Pairing the hybrid power unit with a DCT seems ridiculous to me. Hybrids excel in stop-start urban driving, the very driving environment that DCTs are least suited to! The cynic in me thinks Hyundai are only interested in looking good on paper. DCTs can use less fuel than other transmissions, especially in the way the “official” testing is done. But in the real world a DCT is NOT the best transmission for a hybrid.

[@therightcar]

It could be, mate, but the roads there are brilliant and there's a mix of terrains and surfaces that offers a good mix of driving. Sadly, I was unwell when the event happened, but I drove it after the fact around Sydney, where it was surprisingly fine to drive in most scenarios. I'd love to live with one for a bit longer in the day-to-day drudgery, to see if the DCT works well enough.

[@Die-Sideways]

⁠@@therightcaryep I’m keen to see a review of the Kona hybrid in the day to-day drudgery to see how the DCT performs. I’m very wary of DCTs. I’ve got a Corolla Cross on order (probably at least 12 months more to wait) but if the Kona transmission is ok then I could be swayed to ditch the CC for the Kona… but only if Hyundai does something about the annoying and intrusive safety technology. Compared to the CC the Kona has a much better interior, more legroom in the rear and a similarly sized boot. But the Kona seems to be a bit gutless compared to the CC. I’m just glad there’s now a decent alternative to the Toyota Corolla Cross. Maybe it’ll jolt Toyota into addressing its customer service and supply issues… although I won’t hold my breath!

[@davidtaylor3]

@@Die-Sidewaysjust take the Kona Hybrid for a test drive and see for yourself. I did and the DCT transmission was perfectly fine in stop-start traffic. The electric motor helps get the car moving off the line so it is smooth with no hesitation. And you can’t even tell when the petrol motor engages under normal driving conditions without looking at the revs on the dash. We had five people on board in the test drive and it handled it well without feeling sluggish at all in suburban driving where we spend most of the time.

[@scraverX]

@@Die-SidewaysI couldn’t even find a Corolla Cross to look at in person (I have a friend who bought one but I don’t like to impose). Kona was on the lot at my local Dealer (in base, premium N-line (1.6t) and Premium N-line Hybrid) I made a b-line for the Hybrid N-line loved the look, fell in love with the HVAC when the dealer invited me to sit in it (that Electric AC blasts). got the talk on the features and decided to take a test drive and that was it. Sold me.

[@Steve_in_NJ]

Came across your video and watched it (well, some of it). Sadly, the Kona HEV is NOT AVAILABLE in the U.S. Their loss -- as hybrids are big sellers here in America and after my 2022 Kona lease is up next year, I'm getting a Toyota HEV (Corolla Cross XSE) because they have them and Hyundai does not!

[@tonybennett638]

I reckon the hybrid with the dual clutch setup will be problematic out of warranty.....

[@Die-Sideways]

I’m also wary of DCTs. Pairing the hybrid power unit with a DCT seems non-sensical to me. Hybrids excel in stop-start urban driving, the very driving environment that DCTs are least suited to! I’m looking forward to a review of the Kona hybrid in stop-start, congested big city traffic conditions. I’m predicting some negative comments about the transmission in those driving conditions

[@tonybennett638]

@@Die-Sideways Another drawback with the Hyundai system is with the single electric motor the engine still has a starter motor and alternator unlike the Toyota and Honda type E - CVT's

[@Die-Sideways]

@@tonybennett638 yep you’re right. You’ve obviously done a bit of research. The Hyundai hybrid system is needlessly more complex than Toyota’s and Honda’s. The “Car Care Nut” has a great comparison of the Hyundai and Toyota hybrid systems (kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIundpl8jbKcd9Usi=j92jhC-ufQ47udOO)

[@johnmartin7158]

@@Die-SidewaysDCT are awesome transmissions.

[@Die-Sideways]

@@johnmartin7158just ask Ford, VW and Hyundai owners what they think about DCTs - unreliable, expensive pieces of crap! DCTs are not suited to stop-start urban driving. They’re for performance vehicles on highways and country roads.

[@atan5207]

Matt can please do a review of new Lexus LBX (hybrid)

[@therightcar]

I will be! Replied to your other comment :D

[@larryousman]

I like the look

[@therightcar]

It’s grown on me!

[@kennethbrown5374]

I would pick the Standard Hybrid version

[@omarcruz4652]

I look like the safety features 😂 only in Australia anyway people in the cities can not even spead, pressing the gas to overtake 2 hatchbacks who are respecting the limit doesn't mean you are speeding 😅

[@Donster888]

I would go for the premium, not sure of the wait times though

[@therightcar]

Yeah, wait times should be better for the new Kona!

[@HuyTranimal]

Around 6 months? 9 tops.

[@scraverX]

I was told 6-9 months when I ordered in December. Hybrid, N-line Premium.

[@GlowingTube]

I have to say that I don't like the styling, even after seeing a few on the road. Putting subjective things aside such a styling this looks like a compelling offering. I ended up buying a VW T-Roc City Life, the price of $36,990 on road along with its extensive feature set and immediate availability sealed the deal. Will the VW prove to be reliable long term, hard to say but the 1.4TSI engine is now sorted and the 8 speed Asin torque converter auto is solid.

[@therightcar]

Fair point mate. It’s a great thing!

[@iEnofadov]

I was tossing up between the Volkswagen T-Roc CityLife 110TSI and the Skoda Karoq Style 110TSI, I like both, but ended up with the Skoda, as it's got a bigger boot and the rear seats are able to be completely removed, making it very practical. Good choice though!

[@GlowingTube]

@@iEnofadov The Skoda is very well designed and very practical, great choice. Me I’m a cheapskate… 😀

[@teslabot6517]

Show me the EV! Whoo hoo

[@dann5515]

well if it only 2 L difference from hybrid and petrol per km... approximately $3.50 for 2 L saving...thats about 2300L for $4000. 2300L/50L fuel tank = 46 times to refill. A normal family urban driver may takes up 2 years or more to used up 46 time to refill. guess normal family who dont drive more than 400KM per week dont need to pay an extra 4k for hybrid then.

[@therightcar]

If the maths works for you!

[@infeltk]

400km tygodniowoto w roku 52x400 = 20kkm to daje $1400 oszczednosci rocznie. To prawie 3 lata. Ale oszczędzasz też na hamulcach. Masz komfort jazdy na prądzie i podtrzymanie klimatyzacji przy wyłączonym silniku. Jeżeli nie jeździsz duzo po mieście to sensu za dużo nie ma. Ale tu w Polsce Roznica nie hybryda z automatyczna skrzynia biegow vs hybryda to 5000PLN czyli jakies 1270 USD, to zaczyna mieć sens, bo np. wymiana przednich hamulcy (tarcze, klocki) po 50kkm kosztuje prawie połowę tej kwoty w autoryzowanej stacji. A ruszanie na prądzie jest przydatne przy dynamicznej jeździe miejskiej.

[@Eric.Zais..0_0]

A bit more research about the car would have helped you

[@therightcar]

A bit more explanation about this comment would help, too

[@nicos59home]

⬅ ✔Thanks mate, a great review! 21 km per litre is very good, and It wil be even better driving in the city only... I ordered one in the same green colour but with a black roof on it. I am from Holland in Europe, Hyundai is a very popular brand over here. I, am driving a Tucson 2,0 diesel automatic now at the moment, a diesel engine is very mutch less popular here now, all those diesel cars are gonna be exported to Afrika! But I think i will be happy with my new Kona Hybrid also... Alright mate, 👍thanks again! 🖐

[@andrewlucan9017]

I could only buy this with the N Line package so as to cover those hideous plastic wheel arches. Look! I don't mind if their designers want to have a bit of a puff on the bong pipe but please, not when they're on the job 😵‍💫😵‍💫

[@therightcar]

Wow some strong feelings there

[@scraverX]

I certainly prefer the N-line, which I why I ordered mine as an N-line.

[@radissimo1]

seem like N-line package (and EV) gets rid of the ugly cladding around the wheel arches. Hyundai ! decide if you go futuristic all the way or butcher it with some retro/offroad looking nonsense.

[@therightcar]

Yep, the N Line models have a full-colour approach.

[@HuyTranimal]

This sucks! Wife wants premium but doesn't care for N line cosmetics... Except for the wheel arch cladding here. We will just have to pick a dark colour.

[@davidtaylor3]

@@HuyTranimal yeah if you go for the dark grey it hides the plastic cladding pretty well. We went with the dark blue because we wanted the light grey interior which is not available with the dark grey exterior unfortunately.

[@HuyTranimal]

@@davidtaylor3 thanks! Enjoy your Kona. We will likely get the black interior to save a bit of coin. We already have a light interior EV, so time to mix it up 😁

[@The-Wise-One]

Nice, not don't like the shape. Or the drive shift.

[@therightcar]

Oh. Okay.

[@Greggie_D]

Yes on my first test drive my fingers hit on it when turning. Seems too close to the steering wheel. Not a fan.

[@yyyngyyyong1285]

It seems like Hyundai wants to make more money by selling head lights and rear ramps.

[@therightcar]

Hahaha the positioning of the lights could be a carpark-bump issue!

[@scraverX]

@@therightcarI say if you can bump the corners and break the lights while parking this, with all the cameras and parking aids you need to work on your parking skills. And maybe to get your eyes checked.

[@FlamencoOz]

I'm not liking the designs of these new Hyundai's... the new Santa Fe looks awful and this one as well. I like the Ioniq 5 and the current Tucson design... but this new stuff is awful.

[@GlowingTube]

I agree, it looks amateurish.

[@radissimo1]

I agree, design is all over the place (same for KIA), they went just too far

[@HuyTranimal]

Not for everyone. But it's for me! We'll be buying this next year.

[@FlamencoOz]

It will age badly i think. But it's your money.@@HuyTranimal

[@FlamencoOz]

I like the Kia Sportage though.@@radissimo1

[@BackLyndon-d1d]

Shields Cape

[@therightcar]

Knifes Hat. Are we playing that game?

[@warwickharty172]

I agree - The N Line looks awful

[@therightcar]

It’s an eyeful, that’s for sure.

[@chrisqiu6774]

Qashqai ePower has better design, better quility and probably better for driving. It is just tooooo expensive.

[@therightcar]

I'll be reviewing it soon. Can't wait to see if it lives up to its lofty price.

[@infeltk]

Za dużo zużywa benzyny.

[@gort3969]

Personally i would never buy a new car with this technology designed for imbeciles unless I can get rid of it. Very disappointing but hopefully the aftermarket guys will figure out ways to get around it

[@buncha5651]

Sorry, Matt. But another little piece of crap, i can't stand those unsafe so-called safty features. With these hybrid cars, I'd like to see the efficiency on a 1000 km run, say Gold Coast to Sydney. 😊

[@therightcar]

Ha! You’re never short of a critical comment. LOL. I’d love to do that run, just for fun, too.

[@buncha5651]

​@therightcar I bet it would blow there claimed efficiency out .

[@Die-Sideways]

I don’t understand why you’d want to see the efficiency of a hybrid on a long highway run. That’s not what they’re designed for. Hybrids excel in stop-start urban driving. In fact they get better fuel consumption in the city than on the highway. So if you mostly do highway driving don’t even bother considering a hybrid.