Hyundai Says: No Kona Hybrid For U.S. And Canada, Entry-Level Kona Electric Instead
The latest Kona will be gas-powered, or EV powered. No hybrid, sorry.
The 2024 Hyundai Kona certainly is making its rounds on the auto show circuit, with its North American debut happening at this year’s New York International Auto Show. It’s bigger, better, and designed with electrification in mind, said Hyundai. The brand crafted the EV model first, working backward to accommodate the hybrid and regular ICE variants the brand said the Kona would now have.
However, it looks like one of those variants won’t make the jump to North America — the hybrid. Green Car Reports reached out to Hyundai, which confirmed that the hybrid option wouldn’t come here.
In other markets, the forthcoming hybrid Kona appears to use a similar design as the mechanically related Kia Niro. Meaning, a naturally-aspirated engine paired with an electric motor feeds a six-speed dual-clutch transmission to provide power. Power would likely be 139 horsepower; making the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid appear to be downright speedy.
Instead, Hyundai will offer a lower-range, cheaper Kona EV. This variant will have less power (133 horsepower compared to 201 horsepower), and a smaller battery (48.6 kWH compared to 64.8 kWh) good for a preliminary range estimate of 197 miles.
Will it pay off? We don’t know yet. Hyundai certainly isn’t alone in offering only ICE options (aside from the EV version) for its subcompact crossovers. It’s also not the only brand to omit a hybrid option from a popular model; the Honda HR-V, sold as ZR-V in some markets, has an optional hybrid model on tap. Yet, the newly released Corolla Cross hybrid and Dodge Hornet PHEV could signal the start of a new trend of buyers in the segment searching for hybrid options. Hyundai could be missing out on small crossover buyers who aren’t quite ready to make the switch to a full EV.
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Kevin has been obsessed with cars ever since he could talk. He even learned to read partially by learning and reading the makes and models on the back of cars, only fueling his obsession. Today, he is an automotive journalist and member of the Automotive Press Association. He is well-versed in electrification, hybrid cars, and vehicle maintenance.
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The hybrid will be available as the Kia Seltos, a little different body styling is all.
I'm in total agreement with Jeanine Burkman. Hyundai is "missing the boat" on this one. I'm older now and looking for a hybrid. I came across the Kona and I really like the styling and the tech. I've been a life-long Honda owner, only recently giving thoughts to switching auto-brands, however, I'm re-thinking that now since Hyundai will not be offering the Kona model, as a hybrid in the USA. EV's still have a long way to go. Charging station infrastructure technology, nationwide, will not become relevant for several years down the road. Sorry Hyundai, you've lost a potential buyer in me!