Extensively reworked Kona hits all the right notes

This review first appeared in the February 2024 edition of the Cruisin' News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

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Sacramento, California --Maybe it was because I'd driven a string of large, pricey sport-utility vehicles of late. Maybe I just needed to unwind a little bit.

Whatever the reason, I took to the tested 2024 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD like a duck to a pond.  And delighted in it.

I didn't so much drive it as whip it around the roads of Northern California.

It didn't hurt that Hyundai reworked its subcompact SUV from bumper to bumper for the new model year.  And there's a lot to like on that front.

Topping that list on the tester was an enthusiastic 1.6-liter turbo-4 engine rated at 190 horsepower.  Even better, peak torque kicks in at a mere 1,700 rpm.  Paired with a firm suspension, the power package jets the Kona around with nimble authority.

Yet I never felt on the edge of control, even on aggressive starts off the line.  Fun to drive?  You bet.

And fairly fuel-efficient in the bargain: 24 miles per gallon in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

The new exterior look only added to the sporty feel.  The Kona's sleek roofline makes it stand apart from other SUVs that certainly offer convenience but lack the Kona's saucy sportiness.

As for those 19-inch alloy wheels that look like mounted throwing knives ... need I say more?

From the cockpit, the tester was stuffed with features, certainly more than I'd expect from a vehicle wearing a sticker of 34,695.

Besides the lengthy list of state-of-the-art safety technology, the Kona had a 12.3-inch, multi-functional, panoramic display screen; heated side mirrors; a power sunroof; a heated steering wheel; heated/ventilated front seats and a hands-free smart liftgate.

Did I mention that the new Kona is bigger -- inside and out -- than its predecessor.  Well, it is.  And while it's a subcompact, the Kona has 63.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats folded down.

One thing that might take some getting used to is the shifting mechanism, sort of an attached switch mounted on the right side of the steering column.  Longtime drivers might equate it to a permanent car key that stays in the vehicle.  Just saying.

All in all, Hyundai is presenting a loaded vehicle for folks looking for a practical-size sport-ute at a fair price.  Given current prices consumers are paying from grocery stores to car dealerships, there's an appeal there.

Hyundai's ability to anticipate what buyers want -- and where automotive trends are heading -- explains its emergence as a major player on the global automotive stage.  No longer a seller of cheap cars, Hyundai is delivering in all segments.  Among subcompact SUVs, the Kona has moved to the head of the class.