- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
1.6i/32kW Hybrid, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
136kW (comb), 170Nm
- Fuel
Hybrid (91) 3.9L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto (DCT)
- Warranty
5 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
4/5 star (2023)
2024 Hyundai Kona Hybrid N Line review
Toyota has long been the only game in town for a hybrid, but now Hyundai has come to play with its new-gen Kona Hybrid. Is it good enough to compete?
- Fuel-sipping hybrid powertrain
- Head-turning looks
- Very practical for a small SUV
- Sporty looks at odds with unsporting dynamics
- Price puts it above some (smaller) electric cars
- Expensive to service
2024 Hyundai Kona Hybrid N Line
Hybrid cars and Toyota have been synonymous for over 20 years, but finally other brands in Australia are starting to see the appeal of pairing an electric motor with a petrol engine for frugal fuel economy.
Hyundai might be late to the party, but sometimes it’s not about coming first, it’s about looking the best, and the second-generation Kona certainly looks ready to party.
Though the original Kona small SUV was offered with a choice of petrol, turbo-petrol or all-electric powertrains, the new version adds a hybrid into the mix for those ready to take a half-step towards the electric future.
But with so many options in the segment – including the Toyota Corolla Cross and C-HR stablemate, Nissan Qashqai e-Power, GWM Haval Jolion, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV, and Honda HR-V – should the 2024 Hyundai Kona Hybrid be on your consideration list?
How much is a Hyundai Kona Hybrid?
Hyundai’s second-generation Kona has expanded significantly in flavours over the first-generation small SUV that launched locally in 2017.
Now available across 13 variants in five powertrain configurations, the 2024 Kona starts at $32,000 before on-road costs for the unnamed base grade and extends to $68,000 for the Electric Premium extended range.
Powertrains on offer include a 110kW/180Nm 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, a 146kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbo petrol, a 104kW/265Nm petrol-electric hybrid, and a tailpipe emissions-free single-motor version in either a 99kW/255Nm or 150kW/255Nm configuration.
On test this week is the Hybrid N Line, priced at $40,000, which makes it one of the most affordable full-hybrid small SUVs available.
Standard equipment available across the range includes 18-inch wheels, keyless entry, push-button start, automatic LED headlights, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, reverse-view camera, dual-zone climate control, 4.2-inch driver's display, cloth seat trim, and a bevy of safety gear such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Stepping up to a hybrid, however, the Kona gains multi-link rear suspension (versus the torsion beam found in petrol-powered models), alongside a virtual engine sound system, regenerative braking, torque vectoring, a unique centre console, steering wheel-mounted shifter, and steering wheel paddle shifters.
Moving up to the Premium grade, nets buyers a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a powered tailgate, in-built satellite navigation, eight-speaker Bose sound system, leather interior, power-adjustable front seats, heated and cooled front seats, heated steering wheel, interior ambient lighting, rear privacy glass, rear AEB, and a surround-view monitor.
But opting for an N Line, like we have on test, also adds a number of sporty-looking appointments to make the second-generation Kona stand out even more from the sea of samey small SUVs.
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For starters, there are unique 18-inch wheels and a full N Line body kit that includes a more aggressively styled front and rear bumper, road-hugging side skirts, and a rear wing that would make even the most modified Honda Civics jealous.
To round out the exterior styling changes, the side mirrors and rear spoiler are finished in a gloss black hue, while inside, customers are treated to leather and Alcantara seats, a sports steering wheel, alloy pedals, and scuff plates.
Our test car also came finished in the Neoteric Yellow paint colour, a no-cost option for N Line grades.
In terms of rivals, the Kona Hybrid N Line would compete on price against a $40,230 Toyota Corolla Cross GXL, $42,990 Toyota C-HR GXL, and $40,990 GWM Haval Jolion Ultra – the latter featuring drive-away pricing.
You could also throw in the more expensive $47,790 before on-road costs Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross ES PHEV, and $51,590 Nissan Qashqai Ti e-Power into the hybrid small SUV mix – though the two make use of a different hybrid set-up – and the $47,000 drive-away Honda HR-V e:HEV.
Also consider that the Kona Hybrid N Line's $40,000 before on-road costs price tag will also get you into an all-electric GWM Ora, MG 4, and BYD Dolphin, though this trio are hatchbacks and afford much less interior space.
The Kona Hybrid does strike a great balance of cost, features and practicality, though, and if the N Line is a little too gaudy to look at for you, the base grade is $36,000, while the Premium trim is $46,500.
For those after something that stands out from the crowd, though, the N Line is the way to go, especially given a full-fat N performance SUV has not been confirmed for this new-generation model.
Key details | 2024 Hyundai Kona Hybrid N Line |
Price | $40,000 plus on-road costs |
Colour of test car | Neoteric Yellow |
Price as tested | $40,000 plus on-road costs |
Drive-away price | $44,281 (VIC) |
Rivals | Toyota Corolla Cross | GWM Haval Jolion | Nissan Qashqai |
How big is a Hyundai Kona Hybrid?
For a car classed as a small SUV, the 2024 Hyundai Kona is surprisingly roomy and spacious on the inside.
Measuring 4385mm long, 1825mm wide, 1585mm tall, and with a 2660mm wheelbase, the new Kona is bigger in every dimension – barring wheelbase that is equal – than before, pushing it a little closer to the mid-size SUV segment.
There are a few more segment straddlers like this, such as the Nissan Qashqai and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, which opens the possibilities for small families of one or even two kids to opt for a car of this class rather than going bigger.
The front seats offer plenty of support for drivers and passengers of all shapes and sizes, and the Alcantara inserts offer a premium-looking and feeling material that is especially nice when wearing shorts.
Seat adjustment is also excellent, and the steering wheel is a telescoping variety that significantly ups the in-cabin ergonomic factor.
And I will call out the 4.2-inch driver's display that feels much larger because it is all screen.
The more expensive Premium trims gain a 12.3-inch full-screen cluster that has more functionality, but don't be fooled by the smaller display on this car as even the speedometer and power indicator are digital, making it feel much more expansive.
Storage options are also aplenty in the Kona Hybrid N Line, thanks largely to the slimmed-down centre console with the shifter moved to the right of the steering wheel.
This means a very large central storage area with pop-out cup huggers to secure coffees in place, which still has space for ancillary small items like loose change or keys even with two lattes in the cupholders.
There is also a generous wireless smartphone charging pad found just under the centre stack, which is textured in a grippy material so your latest iPhone doesn’t go flying around the cabin at the first corner.
Again, this area also offers additional storage, and I managed to also fit my wallet (albeit, standing up) into the same area as my phone.
There’s a big underarm storage cubby too to keep items away from prying eyes, and the door pockets are generous enough to accommodate large water bottles.
For a small SUV, the Kona certainly doesn’t feel diminutive from the front seats.
And it’s a similar story in the rear too, with plenty of head, leg and shoulder room for my six-foot-tall (183cm) frame, even behind my driving position.
The middle seat is a little tight, as most small and mid-size SUVs are, but the outboard seats are more than up to the task when transporting full-sized adults.
In my time with the car, I fitted two car seats in the outboard positions for my two gremlins, with door aperture and seat-base space more than accommodating for my needs.
Even the fold-down centre armrest works with the seats in place, and other amenities in the rear include bottle holders in the door, air vents, and net-style back-seat map pockets.
However, buyers should be aware than the N Line’s all-black interior can feel a little claustrophobic given the high window line and lack of natural light.
Open the boot of the Kona Hybrid N Line and there is a 407-litre capacity area, big enough for a full-sized pram and other essentials like a nappy bag and groceries.
Fold down the split-fold rear seats, and that capacity swells to 1241L, making it more than accommodating for kids' bikes, or flat-pack furniture.
It’s so capacious that it nearly matches the boot space offered by the one-size-up Honda ZR-V with 380/1312L and Mazda CX-5, which has a 438/1340L capacity.
2024 Hyundai Kona Hybrid N Line | |
Seats | Five |
Boot volume | 407L seats up 1241L seats folded |
Length | 4385mm |
Width | 1825mm |
Height | 1585mm |
Wheelbase | 2660mm |
Does the Hyundai Kona Hybrid have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
All versions of the 2024 Hyundai Kona come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, outputting to a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. On the base car, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are offered wirelessly, while moving to the Premium and above means you have to plug in a cable.
It is a little odd that the entry-level car has the more premium feature, but in my time using wireless Android Auto in this car, I found the connection rock solid and wouldn't drop out and need to reconnect like in other models.
Regardless, Android Auto functions smoothly and seamlessly with the 2024 Hyundai Kona Hybrid N Line thanks to a big screen and snappy touch controls.
Aside from smartphone mirroring, the Kona’s infotainment system also offers digital radio and Bluetooth audio streaming, while Premium variants score satellite navigation with live traffic updates.
All Konas also come equipped with Hyundai’s Bluelink connected car technology, allowing owners to access data such as tyre pressure, driving range, and the open/close status of doors and windows from a smartphone app.
One of the most handy features, however, is sending destination data from your phone to your car, which saves sitting in the driver’s seat for a few minutes, waiting for the system to load, and punching in a long address using the infotainment touchscreen.
Is the Hyundai Kona Hybrid a safe car?
The second-generation Hyundai Kona was awarded a four-star ANCAP safety rating when it was tested in 2023. And while this falls short of the maximum five stars, this doesn’t mean the Kona is an unsafe car.
Having been tested on more stringent 2023 standards – which now includes testing the AEB and lane-support systems for motorcycle detection, the AEB system for head-on and junction crossing mitigation, child presence detection, vehicle submergence, and an increased emphasis on pedestrian and cyclist protection – the 2024 Kona is so far the only car in its class to be put through the new tests.
Toyota’s Corolla Cross and Kia’s Niro both scored five stars on 2022 standards, while the Nissan Qashqai achieved a five-star result in 2021. Mitsubishi’s Eclipse Cross scored five stars in 2017, but that rating expired at the end of 2023.
Still, the Kona scored well in the adult and child occupant protection tests, notching an 80 and 84 per cent result respectively. The vulnerable road user protection examination yielded a middling 64 per cent, while the safety assist category was the lowest test score at 62 per cent.
Keep in mind, however, these tests are different from the ones that rival models have been put through, and it is unclear how well the new Kona would have performed on older test standards.
2024 Hyundai Kona Hybrid N Line | |
ANCAP rating | Four stars (tested 2023) |
Safety report | Link to ANCAP report |
What safety technology does the Hyundai Kona Hybrid have?
Despite the four-star ANCAP score, the 2024 Kona is equipped with a long list of active and passive safety equipment.
As standard, there are front and rear parking sensors, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian, cyclist and motorcycle detection, intersection support, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, lane-following assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, a driver attention monitor, automatic high beams, and a tyre pressure monitor.
There are also seven airbags littered throughout the cabin, though it is noted the second row misses out on a side, chest protecting inflating unit.
Stepping up to the Premium also adds an a blind-spot camera, rear AEB, a surround-view camera, and remote parking capabilities.
In my time with the car, I found the driver attention alert and speed limit warning systems to be the most intrusive and frustrating.
The former will beep and bong the second you take your eyes off the road ahead, maybe to do something like check your side mirrors or do a head check, while the latter will trigger as soon as it thinks you are speeding.
Now, I get some of you will be saying, 'just don’t speed then', but the traffic sign recognition system can be inaccurate at reading Australian road signs, and every time you drive through a school zone after hours, it will think the limit for that road is 40km/h.
Luckily, both these systems can be deactivated by diving into the infotainment menu, and will default to 'on' when the car is restarted.
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) | Yes | Includes cyclist, motorcycle, and pedestrian detection |
Adaptive Cruise Control | Yes | Includes stop-and-go function |
Blind Spot Alert | Yes | Alert only, monitoring available on Premium grades |
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert | Yes | Alert and assist functions |
Lane Assistance | Yes | Lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist |
Road Sign Recognition | Yes | Includes speed limit assist |
Driver Attention Warning | Yes | Includes leading vehicle departure and forward attention alerts |
Cameras & Sensors | Yes | Front and rear sensors, rear-view camera |
How much does the Hyundai Kona Hybrid cost to run?
Like all new Hyundai models, the Kona Hybrid N Line comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty that matches the industry standard also offered by Toyota, Mazda, Ford, and more.
However, it trails Kia’s seven-year/unlimited-kilometre assurance period, as well as Mitsubishi’s 10-year conditional warranty.
Service intervals for the Kona are every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first.
Hyundai’s lifetime service plan pricing means customers have full visibility on the expected cost of each service – barring consumables like wipers, tyres, and batteries, of course.
The first five services will set buyers back $399, $579, $399, $579, and $579 respectively, totalling $2535 for the first five years or 75,000km of ownership.
This makes the Kona Hybrid significantly more expensive to service over five years than a Honda HR-V ($995) and Toyota C-HR ($1000) – both also hybrid models.
And to insure the Kona Hybrid N Line, it will set you back $1514 per year based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.
This makes it more affordable than a Honda HR-V ($2280) and Toyota Corolla Cross ($1920).
At a glance | 2024 Hyundai Kona Hybrid N Line |
Warranty | Five years, unlimited km |
Battery warranty | Eight years, 160,000km |
Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
Servicing costs | $1377 (3 years) $2535 (5 years) |
Is the Hyundai Kona Hybrid fuel-efficient?
As a hybrid, the Hyundai Kona excels in fuel efficiency, evidenced by the claimed consumption figure of 3.9 litres per 100 kilometres. However, test results and real-world usage usually vary wildly.
Not here, though, as I averaged a very respectable 4.4L/100km figure in my week with the car through a mix of inner-city and freeway driving.
Efficiency could be further improved by using the ‘B’ gear and Eco driving mode too, but as it stands a real-world figure of 4.4L/100km makes the Hyundai Kona Hybrid a very fuel-frugal vehicle that matches the likes of the Toyota C-HR and Honda HR-V.
With a fuel tank of 38 litres, it means the theoretical driving range in the Hyundai Kona Hybrid N Line is 974km, but using my average that figure is trimmed to around 867km.
And the Kona Hybrid will also take 91RON petrol, meaning costs will be meagre at the bowser.
Fuel efficiency | 2024 Hyundai Kona Hybrid N Line |
Fuel cons. (claimed) | 3.9L/100km |
Fuel cons. (on test) | 4.4L/100km |
Fuel type | 91-octane unleaded |
Fuel tank size | 38L |
What is the Hyundai Kona Hybrid like to drive?
Before you even get into the Kona Hybrid N Line, the sharp styling has already taken you for a ride.
With an aggressive body kit, and sharp angles and edges, the Kona looks like it will be a blast to drive, but get behind the wheel and the truth is very different.
As a hybrid, the Hyundai Kona is geared towards efficient and comfortable driving, so luckily the petrol-electric system is a winner.
Despite being a similar series-parallel set-up that Toyota pioneered for decades, the Hyundai Kona Hybrid feels more refined and quieter than its big-name rival.
Even when the petrol engine kicks on to keep things moving along, there is little engine noise to disturb the interior ambience.
In fact, there is very little to clue you in that the engine is thrumming along with no noticeable jerks or jolts in power delivery – just the rev counter climbing and a slight hum to let you know the engine has come to life.
And when the system is working on electric-only power to keep things coasting along, the driving experience is quiet, comfortable and – dare I say – feels premium.
With a combined 104kW/265Nm, the Kona Hybrid is certainly not fast or even that zippy off the line, but there is enough oomph on hand to navigate inner-city streets without feeling underpowered.
Getting up to freeway speeds can take a beat, though, and weaving in and out of slow-moving traffic at triple-digit speeds does require more room than required in an electric car.
However, the six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is excellent, feeling smooth and seamless in up and down shifts, and not suffering the usual DCT foibles of a low-speed lurch and hill-start jankiness.
In terms of steering, the Kona Hybrid offers enough feedback and feel to feel fun, but does stray on the lighter side of things to keep it manageable around town.
There are also a number of driving modes on offer, Normal, Sport and Eco, which adjust throttle response and steering feel accordingly.
Sport mode does feels at odds with the car's capabilities, even if the N Line version features a more sophisticated independent multi-link rear suspension set-up, and I found myself sticking to the Normal setting for the best balance of driving engagement and comfort.
Speaking of suspension, the Kona Hybrid does a great job absorbing Melbourne’s bump and rut-infested streets, leaving occupants happy and cossetted inside, also aided by the thick sidewalls on the 18-inch wheels.
Overall, the driving experience in the Kona Hybrid N Line is a great one – it’s comfortable, efficient, and fun enough for a fuel-conscious small SUV – given you aren’t expecting the dynamics to match the sporty exterior, of course.
Key details | 2024 Hyundai Kona Hybrid N Line |
Engine | 1.6-litre four-cylinder hybrid |
Power | 77kW @ 5700rpm petrol 32kW electric 104kW combined |
Torque | 144Nm @ 4000rpm petrol 170Nm electric 265Nm combined |
Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
Transmission | 6-speed dual-clutch automatic |
Power-to-weight ratio | 68.2kW/t |
Weight (kerb) | 1525kg |
Spare tyre type | Space-saver |
Payload | 425kg |
Tow rating | 1300kg braked 600kg unbraked |
Turning circle | 10.6m |
Can a Hyundai Kona tow?
The Hyundai Kona Hybrid features a braked towing capacity of 1300kg and an unbraked capacity of 600kg, while the maximum tow ball weight is 130kg.
While this means that the Kona can technically tow, hitching a trailer is at odds with its efficient intentions and paltry (by towing standards) 265Nm output.
I imagine towing anything large in a Kona Hybrid would be a difficult task, but it is possible.
Owners should also keep in mind the payload capacity of 425kg, which should be more than enough for four average-sized adults, or a family.
Should I buy a Hyundai Kona Hybrid?
Toyota finally has competition in the petrol-electric hybrid space, and the Hyundai Kona serves up a worthy rival.
Blending useful practicality with a frugal powertrain means the Kona Hybrid is easy to recommend for those after something that will get them from A to B comfortably.
The styling is up to interpretation, and the yellow exterior colour makes it look like a lovechild of Robocop and a tennis ball, but the Hyundai Kona Hybrid is definitely a winner.
For those that want to tone down the look a bit, maybe opt out of the N Line grade that would still afford a lot of fruit without the needless sporty accoutrements, or spend the money saved for the Premium grade with more nice-to-have equipment.
How do I buy a Hyundai Kona Hybrid? The next steps.
The next step in buying a Hyundai Kona is to go out and test-drive one to see if this small SUV offers enough for your needs.
Hyundai Australia has indicated it has plentiful stock of the Kona, but it is still best to contact your nearest dealer.
Otherwise, you can also check out all the Hyundai models for sale, while also keeping up to date with all the latest news from the brand here.