Three revelations marked our time with the 2024 Hyundai Kona Hybrid Premium. The first lay in the fact dual energy sources represents the perfect way to fence sit when it comes to electric power.
The other two in the trio; Hyundai’s hybrid tech is a testament to how far we’ve come and, above all, the latest Kona is a tremendous, hard to fault, fit-for-purpose small SUV. Those early Prius days seem like eons ago now.
There’s no denying the average Aussie consumer thinks hybrids are preferable to going fully electric either. We’re a casual bunch, so a gradual transition certainly explains the sheer volume of sales the space is currently experiencing.
Among the small SUV’s on the market, the Kona Hybrid Premium is worth more than a window shop. A name we’re very familiar with, it’s still a small, 5-door SUV, but comes back bigger in both body dimensions and interior space for 2024.
The new version is also smarter, fancier and arguably prettier than last year, with all hybrid variants running on the brilliant Smartstream G1.6 GDi engine, driving the front wheels. Neatly matched to the Kona chassis and set up is a small electric motor.
This is powered by a 1.32kWh lithium-ion battery pack, and renders some staggering fuel economy. Also unique to the hybrid is a 6-speed DCT. You can opt for three variants, the Hybrid, the Hybrid Premium (tested here), or the Hybrid Premium Sunroof.
Starting price for the Hybrid Premium is $43,500 before on-roads, or you can fork out an extra $1,500 for the sunroof version. There’s also the option of adding an N-Line trim package, which adds an extra $3,000.
Now if you’re this far into your 2024 Kona Hybrid Premium browse, that probably means that despite it being a bigger, fancier and cleverer vehicle, you’re wondering how much fuel it saves, and whether it’s less daunting than a full EV – the answer to both is yes.
Hyundai’s fuel consumption figure is a claimed 3.8-litres/100km, which mostly held true, even under our real world testing. Ultimately we hit a combined 4.2-litres/100km, and at the end of a week of testing, we still had a 200km range from a single tank.
With no need to sweat over the nearest fast charger, and apparently no need to pull into a petrol station on the regular either, the Kona Hybrid Premium could be one of the least intimidating vehicles on the market.
Added peace of mind stems from the discreet hybrid drivetrain. When setting off, the 32kW electric motor is the opening act, demonstrating sharp EV responsiveness. As you approach residential speeds the 77kW combustion engine moves in as the main show.
The transition between the motors and alternation between battery charge regeneration and power delivery is, though noticeable, utterly seamless. Combined total output for the powertrain is 104kW and 265Nm of torque.
In everyday driving conditions that is perfectly sufficient. Certainly there’s enough punch to recover from a mistimed merge. It held on to all its dignity on the motorway too. On the downside, a sharp incline will have it straining its little calf muscles.
Your contingency is to whack it in Sport mode, but that mitigates the strain only marginally, although it does give you control over gear selection, allowing you to do a better job than the car under heavy load.
For what it’s worth, Hyundai haven’t lost sight of the fundamental purpose of the small SUV either, even if that’s been achieved by making it bigger. Pleasingly, neither the nimble drivability nor the chance of fitting it inside an inner west garage has been compromised.
Squat as the dash already is, leg room has always been good in the Kona, as has head room. The increased dimensions add a more visceral feeling of spaciousness than before, with the effects flowing through to the back, with decent rear leg room and more space.
This Kona is, in terms of spaciousness, about as good as a small SUV can muster before being forced to play up a grade. Boot space is a workable 407-litres, or 1241-litres with the seats down. One caveat applies to anyone who hasn’t upgraded for a while though.
Things like the sophisticated hybrid system monitoring and relocation of the gear selector to a stalk mounted to the steering column will take some getting used to. Nevertheless, this does speak to the generous array of technology and features.
First of which is the panoramic merge of the 12.3-inch split screen infotainment display with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with two style customisations and themes for the drive mode.
These sweeping screens, a slight angling of the climate control panel, heated leather steering wheel, and column mounted gear selector, ensure your ‘being at the helm’ mindset is reinforced. Visibility is excellent, and augmented by a surround view monitor.
There’s also a six-sensor parking distance warning system and electro chromatic rear vision mirror. Bluelink connectivity and remote functionality is standard on all Kona models, although voice control, weather forecasts and sat-nav are exclusive to the top trim.
More Premium perks include a solid eight-speaker Bose sound system, acoustic laminated windscreen glass and leather seats, the latter of which are exceptionally comfortable. The ride is beautiful, and is a Hyundai speciality these days.
Ambient mood lighting, seat heating, and driver and passenger seat 10-way and 8-way power adjustability further pamper you. In this instance, smart design and a bit of sponginess can’t be undermined.
Rear occupants are similarly looked after with leather appointed seats, rear privacy glass and type-C USB outlets in the rear console. Something this writer found unusual, however, is the front centre console area.
What begins as a sensible layout housing a wireless charging panel, 12V and USB outlets, and a drive mode selector, suddenly deteriorates into a rush job on some weird storage compartments. A lid with a hole would have been fine.
Hyundai continue to be ambitious and successful with their futuristic body styling, with no exception here. The exterior assumes a more capsule aesthetic – both the front and back having been hit with the sandpaper, rounded off, and polished.
Characteristics of the predecessor are vestigial at most, and the change is most noticeable to the oncoming motorist. It’s hard to miss the literal silver lining streaking across the nose in the form of the ‘Seamless Horizon’ LED strip light.
Dual projector headlights and DRLs also cover safety and night time visibility extremely well. Design of the power tailgate is at once minimal and sporty. A smaller rear window between another LED strip light and deep roof spoiler creates an athletic appeal.
In a refined touch, badging is straightforward and without a confetti of series and trim signatures. Some of the smoothness is broken up down the flanks by the grey cladding, and a set of chunky, geometric 18-inch alloys, which, suit the car beautifully.
All Kona variants also come with the SmartSense suite as standard. Added to the Premium trim are blind spot view monitor and rear collision avoidance, bolstering existing active safety features.
Backed by a 5-year unlimited kilometre warranty (with iCare roadside assist also available), you can find out more about the 2024 Hyundai Kona Hybrid Premium by visiting the Hyundai Australia website, or talking to your local dealership.
Our test vehicle was supplied by Hyundai Australia for independent review purposes.
