Hybrid and Electric Car Features

The Hyundai Kona Hybrid Makes Sense for the Canadian Car Market

On an unrestricted section of the German autobahn, the gloves are off. No speed limits. Stick to strict lane discipline, but feel free to unleash every horsepower in your arsenal. The speedometer clicks higher: 170 km/h, 171, 173, 173 … 172.

Apparently, that's all the steam the European-spec Hyundai Kona Hybrid can muster up. Still, these speeds are enough to get your car confiscated in Canada, and to its credit, the little economy-minded Kona doesn't feel out of its element at max velocity. Zipping along the highways outside Frankfurt, it feels stable and doesn’t get in the way of the various fast-moving Audis and BMWs.

In Canada, the 2024 Kona only comes with three powertrains: the base 2.0L four-cylinder, the peppier 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder, or a pure EV with the Kona Electric. Pause for a moment's silence here for the now-discontinued, riotous Kona N, a tiny 286-hp barbarian that would have eaten up the autobahn like a bowl of bibimbap.

However, on the east side of the Atlantic, consumers can option their compact Korean crossover with a hybridized 1.6L four-cylinder with a total output of 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, the same powertrain available in the Elantra Hybrid.

So, are Canadians missing out on the Kona Hybrid option? The answer is a bit of a mixed bag.

Torque of the Town

The first hybrid system you encountered was probably a Toyota product or a similar one with a continuously variable gearbox or planetary gear transmission. These transmissions make the most of the available power but can drone under load and feel a bit mushy, especially early versions.

Hyundai's attempt is different and utilizes a six-speed dual-clutch transmission to get the power to the ground. Shifting is thus both quick and crisp, and the 195 lb-ft of torque feels up to the task. Comparing it to its two conventional combustion stablemates, the Hybrid has nearly as much torque as the turbo Kona, with roughly the same power as the base engine.

So, the Hybrid has relatively snappy off-the-line performance but runs out of steam on the highway. As hybrids work best the more city miles you drive, these are not necessarily complaints, but tradeoffs for excellent fuel economy (more on that in a bit).

Just One Compromise, but a Big One

As a compact but practical city crossover, it’s easy to recommend the Kona over the Elantra. Hyundai stretched the Kona 171 mm (6.7 in) for the 2024 model year, which results in an airy feeling cabin and useful rear passenger space. Despite being a hybrid, the 1.32-kWh lithium-ion battery pack doesn't eat into cargo space.

Further, at least in European packaging, you don't need to skimp on the options for the Hybrid. Pricing will never be an apples-to-apples comparison because of the way markets differ worldwide, but the Kona's hybrid option roughly prices out as a similar premium to opting for the 1.6L turbocharged engine over the base. In the Australian market, which does get the Kona Hybrid, a mid-range Kona N-Line is exactly the same price Hybrid or turbocharged model (the base engine is 10 per cent less expensive).

With a claimed fuel consumption of around 4.5 L/100 km on the European testing cycle or as low as 3.9 L/100 km for the Australian combined test, the Hybrid should theoretically save its owners 3 L/100 km in mixed use. In practice, observed fuel economy at fast-moving highway speeds was only 1 L/100 km off what the regular 2.0L's combined average is rated in Canada (7.5 L/100 km). The savings are really only there if your driving is weighted more towards urban stop-and-go.

The only real problem for Canadian consumers is that it is front-wheel drive only. Buyers might find that acceptable in a small sedan like the Elantra, but crossover shoppers tend to favour all-wheel drive, even if they won't use it.

The Right Environment

Overall, the Kona Hybrid suits the smooth, well-engineered European roads and crowded urban areas. It's not too big on the outside, nicely comfortable on the inside, and doesn't use too much fuel.

These attributes work well in most Canadian cities as well, particularly on the West Coast. You can't fault Hyundai, however, for not wanting to bring a hybrid version of the Kona to market if it doesn't come with all-wheel drive as an option. More customer choice is always a good thing to argue for, and the Kona hybrid feels like a well-resolved product. But, as will surprise no one, the unrestricted autobahn is hardly the right stomping grounds for a 139-hp, front-wheel-drive hybrid crossover. And, perhaps, neither is the perpetual slush and snow of a Canadian winter.