Hyundai Kona 2024 review: Small SUV goes big on tech, space and price, adds hybrid!

The first Hyundai Kona was good, but the new-generation model is exceptional.
It's bigger than ever, with more interior space and practicality, and it has grown up a lot from a design and styling perspective, too.
There's more safety tech, bigger multimedia infotainment screens, lots of standard equipment and, well, bigger prices too.
In a crucial move that will help the Kona better compete in the segment, it will also come with a choice of petrol 2WD, turbo petrol AWD, petrol-electric hybrid (HEV) and fully electric (EV) models.
That means it will now compete with everything from the Kia Seltos, Subaru Crosstrek, Nissan Qashqai and Mazda CX-30, through to the Toyota Corolla Cross, BYD Atto 3 and Kia Niro. Links for my review on a few of those are below!
I haven't had a chance to drive the hybrid or EV models yet, but the petrol versions I drove at the Australia launch event for the new-gen SX2 Kona compact crossover model leaves me full of excitement for the alternative models.
CONTENT NOTE: Sorry, some of the shots provided by the videographer on this event are a bit out of focus. Hopefully my insights and info help you get through the blurry bits.
--
00:00 Intro
00:30 Is it the right price?
02:08 What are the best alternatives?
03:16 Is it the right size?
04:24 Interior
08:36 Under the bonnet
09:33 Driving
13:40 Efficiency
15:08 Is it safe?
16:12 Ownership
17:04 Verdict
--
Check out my Toyota Corolla Cross review: • Fuel efficient and fam...
See my BYD Atto 3 review: • BYD Atto 3 review - Be...
Have a look at my Subaru Crosstrek review: • 2024 Subaru Crosstrek ...
Here's my Kia Seltos review: • This car made me want ...
My Nissan Qashqai review is here, too: • 2023 Nissan Qashqai re...
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#hyundai #kona #review

[@therightcar]

3:56 my bad. Boot space graphic got lost in the edit! It has 407 litres of cargo capacity, which is 33L more than last-gen.

[@austkdang]

Thanks

[@Noogybaga]

Great video Matt Feedback from an avid follower: take a moment to review the tech, even a minutes to see what the Digital dash and menu looks like would be great 💪🏼 Keep up the great content

[@ghostindamachine]

Great review!

[@xXYellie12Xx]

Loving how ambitious Kia and Hyundai are being with their car designs at the moment. This is a pretty polarising design but I love it - so modern and totally unique compared to anything else in the segment.

[@therightcar]

Yep, it is sure to help the Kona stand out, and it is a great evolution of the previous look.

[@bernardhilton3527]

Thanks for your review.

[@therightcar]

My pleasure!

[@terrymichaels306]

Hi Matt, awesome channel. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the 2 litre engine as I’m thinking about that in the Premium for my wife as a city run-about. She only travels less than 10k per year. Keep up the great work!

[@therightcar]

Thanks Terry! I reckon it’ll be a great choice. I was mostly impressed - as you’ll see in the video. Thanks for the compliments!

[@Kassas768]

The speed alert takes 2 seconds to turn off so do t let that worry you if you are considering this car Over all a solid review

[@rimloch3919]

It looks beautiful way better from the previous model

[@karl6203]

Great to see you start your own channel Matt. Always enjoy your reviews.

[@RHetoricallySerious]

Love the review, drove the n line premium with sunroof in the grey and the seltos Gt line back to back. Hard pick but the dealers offered the seltos at under 48k drive away which is tempting me!

[@therightcar]

Interesting conundrum. I’d hope they would be selling you the GT-Line for that. It’s listed on the Kia site for $47,690 d/a?

[@RHetoricallySerious]

@@therightcar have only been able to get the Seltos down to just under 47, about 1k difference between the two. Still playing both off against each other but doubt they’ll move a lot more. What’s your take, will be my day to day car 40 minute drive to work mix of hwy and city driving so needs to be enjoyable to drive but our first child is on the way and we plan on having a second shortly after thus the need to upgrade from one of our current hatchbacks

[@jonpav6224]

Actually looks like a decent package and step up, of course nothing is perfect, seems great to me. When hybrid / all models are available to be tested it will be very interesting!!

[@therightcar]

Thanks mate. Yep, a big step forward. Hope the hybrid is good!

[@watcher7793]

Great review. I am looking at getting the EV model if it's like you said....not too expensive. Otherwise the hybrid might be the way to go. Love the look and design but the n-line spoiler is a bit too much for my liking. Can't wait for the hybrid and EV reviews!

[@therightcar]

Thanks! Yeah, the N Line is a bit too at odds for me, too. EV and hybrid reviews hopefully early October.

[@user-bu5gv2dn7c]

Really like this car, but the Speed Sign recognition and Speed Alert chime would drive me crazy. Do NOT understand why manufacturers can't/won't offer the option of either a) Activate or deactivate the feature entirely, or b) Set the system up once and have the vehicle remember those settings. How simple can it be? As it stands you have to turn it off EVERY time you drive. No way. Literally, a deal breaker.

[@TMoney76]

I own one. It can be turned off. Simple.

[@sachah2400]

Hi Matt. Looking forward to the video, can you ask Hyundai why they will not release service costs for the new Kona. We looked at the car this week at the dealer and he also has issues with Hyundai over this. We might get a hybrid but as you know the service costs for the 2nd and 4th service can be expensive as kia niro hybrid has the same drive train. The dealer wants $1000 deposit but will not tell us service costs.

[@LukeJarrett]

Thank you for mentioning the incessant speed warning - that’s a deal breaker for me! Looks like you can turn it off but it’ll come back on every time you start the car.

[@therightcar]

Precisely. It is a frustration that has lead buyers to cancel orders and ask for refunds.

[@Swoolley63]

Agree, along with the weird looking ‘spoiler’ above the rear windscreen, both turn me off this car unfortunately.

[@garrickoates9424]

Would be good to test the Niro as the HEV competitor to the Kona HEV. Same engine?

[@01nig57]

Am thinking Nissan (Qashqai) will need to be very on point with its pricing and servicing costs as this market gets more intense competition. Plus the lag in their hybrid model getting here is really dragging out the rollout to the point, these models will be due a refresh not long after landing here. A great review as you always do :-)

[@mindfreeze0838]

The hybrid Nissan isnt going to save you that much money and is way more expensive especially if you look at the cost of the non e power vs the standard and recouping that cost. Take a look at the Suzuki S Cross, its pretty fuel efficient out of the box(even without the hybrid) and its very practical and has a turbo and AWD if you want it. It may not be as plush as the Nissan though, but that car is more expensive.

[@JustIdeas000]

Matt how does the Kona hybrid compare with the Honda HRV hybrid?

[@hooch7528]

Hiya Matt Nice house!!

[@therightcar]

Haha! My Hunter Valley getaway ... :P

[@pauld6556]

Also it’s direct competitor is the Mazda CX-30.

[@worrywart1311]

Decent specs and size and I like the light grey colour option BUT it has looks I doubt even its mother could love. Ugly is an understatement!

[@therightcar]

Haha harsh but you’re entitled to your opinion!

[@genedobbins9511]

The Kona turbo has the shifter on the column I wish you had pointed that out and shown how it is used.

[@therightcar]

Thanks -- I had very limited time to make this video, but I realised after the fact that I didn't get a chance to talk about it (literally shot the lot within 90 mins!!)

[@here_we_are1427]

I am looking Dash camera review for 2023. Been following your video on previous channel.

[@therightcar]

Thanks for the comment! I haven’t done a dash camera test on this channel yet. Not sure if I will have time to!

[@here_we_are1427]

@@therightcar nws Matt , if you get a time in future please make it, I know many people in friend circle watched your dash camera video before purchasing one .

[@atan5207]

Mat being an honest straight shooter, which do you prefer Kia Seltos 2Lt or new Kona 2Lt after you have driven both. Take their cost out of your assessment.

[@Anonymous-dq4if]

Keen to hear thoughts on this comparison. Seems both have the same annoying traffic alert issue.

[@anthonyabdo5364]

I think in blk all the plastics will blend into the car but get the trim restore ready

[@09ydoow]

In relation to the speed limit alert, would it need to be turned off each time the car is turned on or will it stay off if that is the preference?

[@toniastevie1585]

Yes I believe so, I asked at the dealership the other day and they seemed to think it’s most likely the case. It is definitely the case with the driver attention thingy.

[@robertceroli3512]

corolla x if you can get one sure if your prepared to wait 2 years and cop price increases along the or alternatively deal with a scalper with a 8k premium over recommended retail pr

[@mindfreeze0838]

To a rational person that makes no sense. If youre a Toyota fanatic, then thats the cost of doing buisiness.

[@sageallenneil]

Ive seen gxl go over 50k lol and some gx over 42k over 5k premium plus buying from these private sellers youll need stamp duties extra on top of say a 50k gxl.

[@mindfreeze0838]

@@sageallenneil for all of that, is it really worth it?

[@lebxwski]

Is there any word on the Kona Hybrid review? :)

[@clementkwong7250]

Hi Mat, love your review format. Just wondering were you able to test out the hybrid kona yet? Really interested in your thoughts when comparing the hybrid and petrol.

[@markdillon9588]

You can turn the speed notification off though right? Is there a heads.up display?

[@therightcar]

Yes you can. But you NEED to do it every single time you drive the car.

[@markdillon9588]

@@therightcar oh :o

[@larpy]

What’s reliability like? Heard of Any issues with it?

[@therightcar]

Nothing as yet.

[@Thunderstruck871]

is this a kona 2.0L premium?

[@markuc]

Big on price doesn't sound so brilliant 😅

[@techpappee]

The price increased around 2k, inline with nearly every other manufacturer btw. Considering how much more you get plus better tech.

[@anonanon6678]

Marginal improvement in technology and space, but higher price and more annoying alerts...🤔. It does not seem attractive to me. I have a 2019 Kia Cerato and its alerts are quite annoying (e.g. outdated speed limits on old GPS maps, despite regular servicing), so I don't think I could tolerate more sensitive sensors.

[@therightcar]

You’d HATE this car if that’s the case 🤪

[@youcanthandlethetruth1]

i'm considering buying this car but not sure about the speed beeping. can you permanently turn off the annoying beep? or do you have to turn it off every time?

[@therightcar]

Hi! Sadly you MUST turn it off every single time you drive the car. There is no way to permanently disable the system.

[@youcanthandlethetruth1]

@@therightcar Thank you! I'll stick with my 2012 car for now :(

[@leedaq7767]

looks like the previous spotage rear design has moved to Kona

[@GlowingTube]

I'm not a fan of the exterior styling, the increase in size is welcome, the standard drivetrain is lame with a CVT that has had a terrible run in the reliability stakes. The 1.6T AWD is a much better drivetrain however, the price increases really rule it out out consideration for me.

[@nikstudio1886]

Is there any way of turning off the speed beeping noise permanently? I hate it.

[@therightcar]

No. It’s a permanent fixture for now. There is a lot of pushback from Hyundai Australia to the Korean headquarters (and from other markets too!) that this is an overbearing technology that isn’t well implemented. It may be fixable at a later date, but I’m talking years not months. Until then it’s a thing you need to do every time you drive the car.

[@serenemoons6371]

Is this price in USD?

[@anakinskywalker4113]

I prefer the gear shifter in the entry level model. I really dislike when manufacturers move the gear leaver into other positions. They are just unnatural too me. Leave it alone where it is easy & intuitive.

[@therightcar]

You’re not alone there!

[@CrawfordDalee]

6 months after recalling 3.4 million vehicles that suddenly catch fire, Hyundai and Kia haven’t fixed most of them. Fact.

[@stendecstretcher5678]

Regarding dealer servicing. I have experience of both Hyundai and Toyota servicing. My experience with both is the quality of workmanship is not good from both dealers. Oil over filled things missed . I am looking for a good independent mechanic happy to pay for quality over quantity.

[@therightcar]

Sorry to hear that, though it is not uncommon as far as I can tell. The potential warranty and roadside assistance implications if you don’t service with the brands can mean it’s still worth doing. But each to their own!

[@MrDuncl]

To me here in the U.K. the major attraction of Toyota is the free years warranty each time you get your Toyota serviced. I was happily paying £300 a year for warrantee on my VW Golf until it went past 100000 miles so was ineligible.

[@Nobrainer19073]

This is the car that I have been waiting for so long. It goes head to head to Corolla cross. the premium hybrid model will be more expensive than the GXL hybrid but a lot cheaper than the atmos hybrid. If Hyundai can drop the price closer to the GXL, will be a no brainer to get a Kona premium hybrid Unfortunately I would need a car soon that I won’t be able to wait for the hybrid to come out in Sep. Matt, may I ask which side is the signal indicator of this car?(different trim)

[@mindfreeze0838]

Take a look at the Suzuki S Cross, its pretty fuel efficient even without the hybrid(which it has now). Its available now and is cheaper than this. You can also look at the Haval Jolion Hybrid if you want something plusher on the inside.

[@sageallenneil]

Corolla cross though take a while to get one.

[@henrytoussaint7]

@@mindfreeze0838 The S-Cross is expensive for what it is, and quite dated inside.

[@mindfreeze0838]

@@henrytoussaint7 that is the main criticism of it but it only shows how expensive things have gotten. Its no secret that Suzuki dont use the flashiest of interiors, they are a more form over function kind of company while not being cheap for being cheap's sake, they give you what you need and a little bit more. In short you can see where your money is going. The main draws in terms of the spend on the Scross is the Boosterjet engine, the new infotainment system and the new hybrid system, tangible things. I dont see that in the Kona, its alot of flash with very little substance that best believe youre going to pay for.

[@patrickgagnon9662]

Have you checked consumers reports on the Kona ....YIKES!!!....run !

[@Reddylion]

Kone ev 👍

[@panth5501]

are the prices in USD ?

[@therightcar]

No sir, AUD.

[@TheHayabusa09]

Looks just like the old Ford XR5 from early 2000...

[@MohsenHaji_Au]

Thanks for your honest review. But the price changed to $35500 for the basic non_hybrid😢😢 what do you recon about mitsubishi cross?

[@therightcar]

That would be the drive-away price not the before on-roads cost, or MSRP, tag price that I included. The Kona is a better car than the Eclipse Cross. But the Eclipse Cross has low pricing and a bigger cabin on its side. Long warranty if you service with Mitsubishi too (10 years / 200,000km)

[@gtl9899]

N.1

[@andrewlucan9017]

I'm trying hard to like this car but I can't get past that front end. It looks like the front bumper has dropped off and it's waiting for a new one to be fitted. And that rear spoiler contraption on the N Line is an abomination.

[@purplepandaguy9887]

I really like the look of the Kona, it’s a little bit expensive for the premium but for what you get I think it justifies the price The n line package is not to my liking, it’s not enough of a change, the previous model’s n line was much better looking. I also don’t like the spoiler of the line line and the red trim it adds to the interior makes it look a bit cheap and tacky

[@user-hx7fl3oh5u]

Nice review ....I drove corolla cross and C-HR both drives shitty and very noisy engines (I know being a reviewer u have to suger quote it and not angry any one keep the meter on) ! Kona 1.6Turbo is amazing and so smooth! Yeah Its softer on suspension and sharp corners ! But not sure why would someone want to buy C-hr over Kona and which is also almost 8k over priced! Kona is best bang for the buck at the moment! But is this the same engine that had huge reliability issues and had to be recalled and class action in the US?

[@austkdang]

no booth size on screen as said, by the way.

[@therightcar]

Isn’t there? Pinned a comment. Thanks.

[@mindfreeze0838]

This car epitomizes car size creep. The previous generation competed with the Vitara which is 4175mm long. Now this thing is is competing with the other 4300mm+ suv's, S Cross, Seltos, Jolion etc(but its barely taller than a sedan). What gets me is that its gotten bigger(wider than some 7 seat MPV's in some markets) and the trunk space is still crap compared to vehicles like the Scross which is shorter(if youre going by that litres nonsense but looking at the boot, the Kona looks less spacious). This vehicle has gotten bigger and way more expensive. I do get however that they had two cars in that small SUV market(Venue being the other one) and you guys dont get the Creta in your market so I guess you get the upmarket hulked up Kona. Finally the safety is annoying to people who actually drive the car but it gets ANCAP all hot and bothered, they just check the boxes that its there and they could care one whit if its actually livable, but hey, people only buy 5 star cars eh?

[@garycusack9247]

think it looks fugly like the front of the iload van

[@kevinchng2491]

Pain in the ass!!! 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@therightcar]

I’m honest!

[@actualfacts1055]

I would go the Seltos, better value.

[@melvinjacobs2328]

Just don't park it in your garage. BOOM!

[@StanLeeknowJustDoIt]

Wdym?

[@pauld6556]

Just priced one up…. $52k drive away for top spec 😂😂😂

[@BrEmail]

Uhhh let's see should I buy the Kona or the Land Cruiser? 😅

[@RHetoricallySerious]

47.5 first offer without negotiation from hyundai dealer near me for fully spec

[@resoslideguitar]

The tail lights are terrible! They look like an afterthought.... Sheesh we forgot the taillights let's just bang em on 😅

[@therightcar]

Haha if you say so

[@alteclan2007]

Too pricey

[@mrz1281]

is it just me or does it look like this model has no face to the front?

[@BeingReal1]

Hahaha, I love the car, test drove it and I fell in love. But my hubby’s not convinced. He can’t get away from what he describes the front of the car as looking like a gummy shark😅

[@mrz1281]

@@BeingReal1 hes right ya know lolol

[@techpappee]

To sell a vehicle because of a feature you can *turn off* is just silly imo. Really??

[@therightcar]

Yes. If you get into the car, say, three times a day, that’s three times you have to waste time to fix a problem that shouldn’t be your problem.

[@BeingReal1]

1st World problem😂 I reckon that’s not such a bad thing if you travel through areas that have different speed zones, especially unfamiliar areas.

[@george2916]

Oh no. Disappointing. $32K seems to be before on roads ($36K drive away). And styling? They’ve managed to make it look more awkward, and at the same time less adventurous. Excited for the increase in rear passenger space (was the deal breaker in the last model) but l’m not convinced it’s worth the extra over its Ssangyong Korando rival. Still, a test drive might prove me wrong. Great review, as always.

[@therightcar]

Thanks, George. I encourage you to take it for a spin. The looks aren’t as enticing in the video as they are in person!

[@buncha5651]

Kia Sport + AWD much better .

[@harold1901]

Saw the price, clicked off.

[@jovanilijevski6873]

It's my opinion ssangyong korando is much better end cheaper 👍

[@henrytoussaint7]

The Korando is great value for sure! But the drive experience is a little underdone and the interior quite outdated in today's market, especially compared to this.

[@ljacobs357]

More tech, more problems, more expensive.

[@therightcar]

You must hate progress

[@myokimaru]

cx-30 and hrv at $26,000 are better than kona

[@therightcar]

Where you shopping bro - nobody getting a CX-30 or HR-V for $26k in Australia unless it has 80,000km on it.

[@myokimaru]

@@therightcar im sorry. at US dollar. im planning to buy this category for my kids at value for money. almost all cars are up by $5,000 after covid and 9-12% interest rate from 3.5%. our Fpresident here destroy our economy.

[@therightcar]

Good luck mate!

[@brianconley1705]

Rear end looks like crap

[@therightcar]

It’s certainly divisive, particularly N-Line.

[@CrawfordDalee]

They build junk. Look at their number of recalls...it's in the milliions.

[@patrickgagnon9662]

Nobody cares about the horrible recalls for the last 4 years for Hyundai ?

[@therightcar]

I'm sure people do care.

[@patrickgagnon9662]

@@therightcar Yet you don't mention it , just tell the good ?

[@therightcar]

@@patrickgagnon9662 It's not my job to tell people about recalls for existing models. I do new car reviews. And surely you see in my videos that I'm not "just telling the good". I'm honest - if something's shit, I'll say it's shit.

[@patrickgagnon9662]

@@therightcar It is your job to tell people if the company has a really bad record of recalls ....others do , I guess that why I tune into the more responsible reviewers on the tube ...see-ya

[@simonvancoevorden295]

I think the recalls are mainly in the USA for the 2.4 litre engine’s , which I believe are built over there . I’ve had a 2018 Kona 1.6 t Highlander for 5 years & not 1 recall .

[@anandkothari99]

Already it has a bad design, this is even uglier.

[@therightcar]

Everyone has their own preferences…

[@umbrawitchx1943]

I just need to add big eyelash 😮‍💨 itll be so cute

[@paultrgnp]

Mate, If it's not electric, it's not relevant.

[@sageallenneil]

Electric coming up. Dont cry already.😊

[@sunnykharbanda7397]

Overpriced!