2024 Hyundai Kona Limited is a practical little package of goodies

The Hyundai Kona is often overlooked but undeniably lovable among small SUVs. And now, with a complete redesign for 2024, it exudes more confidence than ever. Its exterior boasts a chiseled, futuristic look, while the interior feels sleek and modern, despite plenty of hard plastics scattered throughout the cabin.

Beyond appearances, the Kona shines as a big seller for Hyundai, offering a feature packed experience at an affordable price. It's no wonder Kelley Blue Book named it the Subcompact SUV Best Buy of 2024. KSL Cars took the 2024 Hyundai Kona Limited for a weeklong test drive to see just what makes this subcompact SUV so likable.

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Photo courtesy Hyundai

Among the best small SUVs money can buy

When you think of brands that offer high value at a relatively low cost, Hyundai is certainly one of the top names on the list. With a starting MSRP of $24,250, the Kona is a bona fide bargain when you consider everything you’re getting in return. Here’s a breakdown of all four available trims and the major differences among them.

• Hyundai Kona SE: $24,250 See listings

17-inch wheels

Intelligent variable transmission

6-way adjustable driver’s seat

• Hyundai Kona SEL: $25,600 See listings

18-inch wheels

Heated side mirrors with LED turn-signal indicators

8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat

• Hyundai Kona N Line: $30,800 See listings

8-speed automatic transmission

Bose premium audio system

Highway driving assist

• Hyundai Kona Limited: $31,800 See listings

Surround-view monitor 

Blind spot view monitor

Parking distance warning

Our line-topping Kona Limited tester came with front-wheel drive instead of the $1,500 all-wheel drive option. That brought the total to $33,645, including freight and handling fees. If you want to maximize your savings, the base SE trim would probably work just fine, as long as you can deal with the less powerful engine and slightly shorter list of amenities. But you still get a 12.3-inch touch screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, blind spot monitoring and other standard tech and safety features, which isn’t bad.

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Photo courtesy Hyundai

Clean and roomy interior 

The Kona may not flaunt opulence, but it's a master at blending luxury into its practicality. Take our Limited tester, for instance, which came with heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel and a hands-free smart liftgate—all unexpected treats in a $33,000 package. 

Hyundai's infotainment system is among the easiest and most straightforward systems on the market. With its sleek layout and a generous 12.3-inch screen, it's a breeze to navigate. And let's talk convenience: Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, although adding navigation calls for a cable connection. Although, you’re probably better off just using the navigation from your smartphone.

Photo courtesy Hyundai

The Kona is also pretty spacious for a subcompact SUV. Thanks to its elongated design, there's now even more legroom in the back. While squeezing in three adults is technically possible, it's not exactly a recipe for comfort on extended journeys.

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Respectable fuel economy

Whether you choose the base engine with front-wheel drive or the stronger turbo-4 with all-wheel drive, you’re going to get pretty good fuel economy. The front-wheel drive 4-cylinder is rated at 29 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. The 1.6-liter turbo-4 with all-wheel drive gets the poorest fuel economy of the lineup, with 24/29 mpg city/highway. But those numbers are still pretty competitive for the class.

Safe and reliable

Anyone carrying around precious cargo in the Kona will be happy to know that the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named it a Top Safety Pick+, which is the highest award it gives. The Kona gets the top ratings in all crash test and safety categories, except for its headlights and LATCH system. These received the second highest rating of Acceptable. The lower LATCH anchors are a little deep in the seats, which can make them slightly difficult to reach. 

The Kona also gets an 82 out of 100 rating for Quality and Reliability from J.D. Power. A grade between 81-90 is considered Great.

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Photo courtesy Hyundai

Can’t beat that warranty

It doesn’t hurt that the Kona is backed by Hyundai's famous America’s Best Warranty. This includes a 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. You hope it’s something you never need to use, but it should provide some peace of mind knowing that it’s there. Note: The 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty only applies to original owners.

One downside: Performance

If there's one gripe about the Hyundai Kona, it's the lack of excitement behind the wheel. Its base 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine churns out 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, adequate for daily commutes but lacking in zest. You’ll want to opt for the turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, which makes 190 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, for a bit more pep. 

If you crave thrill-seeking drives, other options in the segment might better suit your fancy. Still, for most drivers, the Kona delivers a comfortable, competent ride that gets the job done. So, even its biggest downside isn’t a deal-breaker in the long-run.

Photo courtesy Hyundai

Would we recommend the Hyundai Kona? 

The Hyundai Kona gets our enthusiastic stamp of approval for those seeking a reliable daily driver. While it may not boast flashy thrills or a sporty demeanor, this chic crossover packs a punch with its standard features and numerous perks, all at a wallet friendly price tag.

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*KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.