As a journalist, I often receive requests for recommendations on vehicles that are safe and suitable for teenage drivers. Recently, a close friend reached out to me seeking advice on such a vehicle for his sons. This prompted me to reflect on my own daughter’s impending departure for college and consider what type of car she should drive as an adult.
In search of answers, I decided to test drive the 2024 Hyundai Kona from Silicon Valley to Santa Barbara. During this trip, I found that the Kona met all of our criteria – it was safe, not too large, and ideal for a teenage driver or college-bound young adult. Here are some key takeaways from our experience with the Kona and a breakdown of what we appreciated, enjoyed, and disliked about this vehicle.
Overall, the 2024 Hyundai Kona is a great choice for those seeking a safe yet not overly large car. It has plenty of features that make it ideal for driving around town or long distances. One thing we particularly appreciated was the car’s safety features, which include advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking (AEB), and blind spot monitoring (BSM). These features helped us feel more confident in our ability to navigate busy roads safely.
Another aspect of the Kona that we enjoyed was its interior design. The cabin is spacious and comfortable, with plenty of legroom even for tall passengers. Additionally, the seats were supportive and provided good lumbar support for long drives. We also liked how easy it was to find information through the infotainment system – everything was intuitive and easy to navigate.
However, there were also some things we didn’t like about the Kona. For one thing, we found that the ride quality wasn’t as smooth as some other cars we’ve tested in this class. Additionally, while the trunk space is decent enough for daily use, it may not be sufficient for longer trips or moves involving larger items like furniture or luggage bags. Finally, while the exterior design of the Kona is stylish enough, it may not be as eye-catching as some other cars in its class.
Overall though, if you are looking for a safe yet not overly large car that is suitable for teenage drivers or college-bound young adults then Hyundai Kona could be worth considering as they have many positive qualities but also few downsides making them great option overall.