The 2024 Hyundai Kona is significantly bigger than its first-generation predecessor. That is greatest seen and appreciated within the again seat the place the Kona goes from cramped to family-friendly, and within the cargo space that balloons by 6.3 cubic-feet to 25.5. Meaning the cargo space has gone from simply in regards to the smallest within the phase to one of many largest.
After all, the purpose of those checks is to place these cargo volumes to the take a look at. Fortunately, I baggage examined the previous-generation Kona, so you will be discovering out precisely how the 2 examine. I do know, proper, tremendous thrilling. I’ve additionally examined the Kia Niro, which shares a platform with the Kona, and consequently has very comparable dimensions.
Now, contemplating the widespread platform with the Niro Electrical, I’m just about sure that what you are about to see right here may also apply to the Hyundai Kona Electrical. The principle distinction can be gas-powered Konas just like the one right here have a spare tire, whereas the Electrical doesn’t.
It certain does not look huge at first look, however there’s additionally loads happening right here that may not be apparent at first look.
Like the unique Kona and the Niro, there’s a dual-level cargo flooring. Additionally like the 2 of them, the ground is barely angled on the base of the again seat when in its lowered place. Due to the other angle of the seatback above that already blocks baggage from transferring any deeper, this is not the issue you may suspect.
Now, because the excessive flooring exists solely to offer a flat load flooring with the again seat lowered, I solely take a look at with the decrease flooring top. Additionally, not like the final Kona, there is not a ineffective foam bin factor sandwiched between the higher and decrease flooring heights you must chuck so as to use the decrease top.
There’s a huge, hatchback-style, inflexible cargo cowl. Often that is dangerous information for cargo capability since you’re caught with it in case you want max area and may’t discover someplace to stash the massive, hatchback-style, inflexible cargo cowl. This may be the airport pickup doomsday state of affairs and the rationale I take a look at with and with out cargo covers.
BUT! Have a look at the image on the correct. There are two little nubbins on the cargo space partitions that the cargo cowl is designed to lock into. One up prime (completely regular) and one down beneath (completely bizarre). It took me a second to determine what was happening, however then I spotted the cargo cowl is supposed to lock into the underside nubbin so it may be saved vertically towards the seat again contained in the Kona. Good! At first look, airport pick-up doomsday state of affairs solved!
I believe I’ve seen one thing like this earlier than, however dude, I do not know what it was. I do, like, 50 of these items a yr. The final Kona did not have this and my Niro did not actually have a cowl to check.
The place does this go away my testing routine? I nonetheless examined with the cargo cowl simply to see what can match beneath (the Corridor & Oates Memorial Prying Eyes take a look at) in addition to with the duvet stowed vertically. I might take away it fully if mandatory.
As with each Baggage Take a look at, I take advantage of two midsize curler suitcases that might must be checked in on the airport (26 inches lengthy, 16 extensive, 11 deep), two roll-aboard suitcases that simply barely match within the overhead (24L x 15W x 10D), and one smaller roll-aboard that matches simply (23L x 15W x 10D). I additionally embody my spouse’s fancy in a single day bag simply to spruce issues up a bit (21L x 12W x 12D).
This may be the 4 largest baggage beneath the cargo cowl. Now, the cargo cowl did grow to be dislodged, however no matter, it nonetheless lined the luggage and the liftgate closed.
That is yet one more bag (the most important one) than the final Kona may handle and precisely the identical quantity because the Chevy Trax.
OK, now lets stow the cargo cowl.
All the luggage match plus there was room left over for a bit of duffel bag. In different phrases, that is precisely the identical because the Kia Niro hybrid and electrical fashions (the PHEV does not have the low flooring possibility as a result of there’s not sufficient room after sandwiching in each a battery pack and gasoline tank).
You may see the Niro and last-gen Kona beneath.
The previous Kona wasn’t capable of match the most important grey bag and needed to swap that blue duffel bag for the flowery bag. It is also fairly apparent that it wasn’t straightforward to load. So yeah, manner worse.
As for a way the brand new Kona compares to the phase, it is properly above common. Having the ability to match all baggage plus one places it above all subcompact SUVs however the Bronco Sport, Volkswagen Taos and, simply barely, the Seltos.