With 31 MPG combined, the 2024 Hyundai Kona FWD 2.0L is a fuel-conscious choice among subcompact SUVs. It’s not built for high-speed thrills, but its fuel economy makes the Kona attractive to city dwellers and commuters who want practicality and affordability. These buyers are likely okay with slower acceleration since they get a stylish, well-equipped vehicle that doesn’t use much fuel, especially compared to larger SUVs.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates are 28 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway for the 2024 Kona. These numbers show where the Kona excels and where it lags. The city MPG is good, showing its nimble handling and reasonable weight make it suitable for stop-and-go traffic. The automatic transmission’s operation helps efficiency in cities. The 35 MPG highway number shows the engine can maintain a consistent speed using less fuel. While not the highest, 35 MPG on the open road allows for comfortable, money-saving long trips.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2024 Hyundai Kona FWD 2.0L at $1,400. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year, a mix of city and highway driving, and the national average fuel price when it was calculated. This annual fuel cost gives a clear way to compare the Kona’s running costs to other cars. It’s important information for many Kona buyers wanting an affordable vehicle. Remember, your actual fuel costs will change based on your driving and gas prices.

Real-world expectations

While the EPA provides a good estimate, consistently achieving the official MPG requires careful driving. Driving aggressively and braking hard will negatively affect fuel consumption, and the Kona powertrain doesn’t respond well to that anyway. Hilly roads and frequent air conditioning can also reduce MPG. But with careful driving and properly inflated tires, matching or slightly exceeding the EPA estimates is realistic with this Kona.

How it compares

The subcompact SUV segment has many fuel-efficient cars, and the Kona competes well. For example, the Nissan Kicks gets around 31 MPG combined. However, the Kicks can feel slow compared to the Kona, even with similar MPG. The Kia Seltos, on the same platform as the Kona, typically gets around 29 MPG combined with its base engine. Some buyers might choose the Kona over the Seltos because of its styling or slightly better fuel economy. The Mazda CX-30, known for its driving, typically gets around 28 MPG combined in its base version. Drivers who prefer better handling might accept the CX-30’s worse MPG, but the Kona is better for those focusing on saving money. You can see KONA MPG across all years to see how the KONA FWD 2.0L has performed compared to the current model.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Gentle acceleration is key to getting the most miles per gallon. The Kona’s 2.0L engine isn’t made for fast starts, so avoid pressing hard on the gas, especially from a stop. Accelerating gradually helps the engine operate most efficiently.

Maintaining a constant speed on the highway also helps. When possible, use cruise control on open roads to reduce speed changes, which can hurt fuel consumption. Avoiding changing lanes and maintaining a safe distance also helps.

Proper tire inflation is important for fuel economy. Regularly check your tires and make sure they are at the recommended pressure, which is on the driver’s side doorjamb. Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance, causing the engine to work harder and use more fuel. If you check all Hyundai fuel economy data, you’ll note tire pressure is mentioned on almost every model.

Reducing weight inside the car can help. Remove items you don’t need from the trunk or backseat. Extra weight strains the engine, increasing fuel consumption. A few pounds can make a difference over time.

Regular maintenance is important. Change the engine oil as recommended. Using the right oil also helps engine performance and fuel economy. Regular air filter replacement is also important for airflow.