Hyundai Kona SX2

Hyundai's kicking off the new year with the arrival of the second-generation Kona crossover, packed with new and improved features fit to become your first ride for the first day of your driving life, whatever the reason.

2024 Hyundai Kona

Priced at 24,680,000 Korean Won (around $25,000) plus additional costs, the all-new, second-generation Kona is the evolution of Hyundai's first-ever compact SUV sold in the Korean market and although no longer as compact as it looks because its youngest brother, the Casper, takes the spot, it's still worth enough to humiliate crossovers like the Nissan Kicks and the Toyota Yaris Cross in a heartbeat.

2024 Hyundai Kona

2024 Hyundai Kona

Beginning with the design, the new Kona adopts the Staria's front face, which is rather unorthodox because with Hyundai took a liking to the Staria's front face, they've decided to plaster it on newer and future models like this and last year's Grandeur GN7. Apart from the face, the sleek side view and the rear lamps inspired by the IONIQ 6 really made a clear statement about the all-new Kona, and when kitted with the N Line variant, it's the first impression in a nut shack.

2024 Hyundai Kona interior

Inside, the new model matches the theme of today's Hyundai interiors while jam-packed with heaps of gadgets to play with. On the driver's side, you will be greeted by the massive split horizontal monitor where the 12.3-inch instrumental cluster and the 12.3-inch touchscreen mean business for the all-new Kona. The gear lever is positioned near the steering wheel rather than below, just like the new Grandeur, it's got dual full-auto aircon, ambient lighting, and other stuff you can find on the new model. In terms of spacing, the all-new Kona is slightly more spacious compared to the previous model thanks to the added wheelbase provided by its new platform. It's packed with smart features such as the Digital Key 2 Touch and the Smart Power Tailgate for added convenience.

2024 Hyundai Kona

Petrol and hybrid are the only powertrain choices offered in the all-new Kona at launch. On the petrol side, it's offered with a choice of a Smartstream G 2.0L and the powerful Smartstream G 1.6T engine. The one with the Smartstream G 1.6T engine produces 198PS of power and 27kgf-m of torque. They're all mated to an 8-speed AT and can be fitted with an HTRAC All-Wheel-Drive system for better driving on and off the road. Handy if you're itching to have a picnic at Hannibal's.

The FF-only Kona Hybrid's Smartstream G 1.6 petrol engine is bolted into a 32kW electric motor and Li-ion battery as well as a regenerative braking system, producing 141PS of power output. The only gearbox offered in the hybrid is a 6-speed DCT. Despite being FF-only, the Kona Hybrid comes with e-Motion Drive and rear multilink suspension for a dramatic driving feel that can upset the Nissan Kicks full stop.

Coupled with the Hyundai Smart Sense and parking assist features, the all-new Kona is by no means the safest compact crossover in its class, which is rather surprising and annoying at the same time for the yuppies behind the wheel.

The second-generation Hyundai Kona truly is all-new from top to toe and it really is a class apart compared to the likes of the Nissan Kicks and the Toyota Yaris Cross. Like it or not, this is the Kona that everybody deserves, and looks like Hyundai is doubling down on the all-new Kona. That's the new normal for you.

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company