As the automotive industry shifts towards electric cars, we can expect more vehicles like the Kona to feature EV-heavy aesthetics. For instance, the Kona's front-end design boasts an aerodynamic nose, active air flaps, a frunk in the electric version for extra storage, and a flat floor in the interior. One of the most notable design elements is the EV's Pixelated Seamless Horizon Lamp, which is the biggest in the industry, aside from the Hyundai Grandeur sedan.

Lee believes that the Pixelated Seamless Horizon Lamp is his favorite design element on the new model, given the complexity of producing such a light, its cost, and the overall effect it has on the car's first impression. The signature profile line, which cuts diagonally across the side and ends in a fine point on the front doors, is another design element that showcases Hyundai's attention to detail. The sculpted wheel arches give the Kona a muscular appearance, even though they don't protrude much over the wheels.

To compete with other crossovers such as the Ford Bronco Sport, Volkswagen Taos, Honda HR-V, and Toyota C-HR, Hyundai has made the 2024 Kona's interior more spacious. The new Kona is 5.9 inches longer, an inch wider, and has a 2.4-inch longer wheelbase than the previous model. The extra space benefits passengers, but it's the cargo area in the rear that gains the most with an additional half-foot of length.

Inside the cabin, the Kona's sporty and playful design has been replaced with a more refined and luxurious look. There are two side-by-side 12.3-inch screens, ambient lighting on the doors and above the glove box, and a Hyundai logo-free wheel, similar to the Ioniq 6. A column shifter also frees up space, resulting in a more modern, ergonomic, and focused cabin.

Hyundai plans to sell the electric and gas models in the United States, while other markets will have the hybrid option. Although exact specifications for the US market have yet to be announced, the Kona's existing powertrains are expected to carry over. The Kona EV should provide about the same range as its predecessor, thanks to its 65.4-kWh battery and 160 kW electric motor that powers the front wheels. While the Kona doesn't charge as fast as Hyundai's Ioniq cousins based on the dedicated-electric EGMP platform, it can charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in 41 minutes. We'll learn more about the Kona when it makes its debut at the New York International Auto Show in a few weeks.