The 2024 Hyundai Kona might be some of the reasonably priced vehicles with over-the-air updates

It’s no secret that Hyundai’s design division is form of the one to beat proper now. However when the redesigned 2024 Hyundai Kona goes on sale this summer season, this compact crossover’s upgrades might be extra than simply pores and skin deep.

The 2024 Hyundai Kona may also characteristic over-the-air updates — the power to wirelessly transmit software program updates identical to a smartphone. That may not appear particular in an period when Tesla provides video video games and fart sound results through OTA. Except for these kind of gimmicks, OTA updates generally is a very important method so as to add new options and repair bugs that substitute and even surpass mechanical repairs.

OTAs are largely seen as the important thing to unlocking the software-focused future automakers need. So it’s notable that Hyundai has picked the standard Kona — the outgoing mannequin began at simply $22,140⁠ — for this OTA honor, making it some of the reasonably priced vehicles on sale to supply it as an ordinary characteristic.

Forward of the automotive’s North American debut on the 2023 New York Worldwide Auto Present, Hyundai officers mentioned OTA software program updates on the Kona will permit for “a handy, upgradable expertise” the place homeowners will obtain new options, firmware upgrades, maps and multimedia functions wirelessly and with out having to go to a supplier. The brand new Kona is available in gasoline or electrical kinds and OTA updates might be customary for each.

Picture credit score: Hyundai

The transfer places Hyundai forward of different rivals nonetheless working to roll out OTA updates throughout their total lineups. The brand new Kona does be a part of its company cousins at Kia, which debuted this characteristic throughout all of its automobiles earlier this 12 months, however just for their infotainment techniques. The Kona options updates that impression many areas of the car.

Whereas OTA updates have been part of Tesla’s vehicles for a few years — that’s how the electrical automaker sends out new variations of Autopilot, the so-called “Full Self-Driving” system, and lots of different new options and bug fixes — the remainder of the auto business remains to be catching up.

Largely, this characteristic has made it to luxurious vehicles and costlier EVs up to now. BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Polestar, the electrical Ford fashions, Rivian and a few Toyota and Lexus fashions provide OTA updates; many others nonetheless don’t. Even Volkswagen’s much-vaunted ID.4 EV despatched homeowners to the supplier for its software program replace, not wirelessly.

However that’s quickly beginning to change. After years of speaking about it, the auto business is beginning to make OTA updates customary throughout complete lineups of vehicles in order that new software program options may be rolled out on the fly. Electrical automobiles might be particularly depending on this characteristic, as they often require much less upkeep and fewer elements than inside combustion automobiles — however may have extra tweaking to higher optimize their battery administration, repair bugs, improve automated driving features or add new options.

Hyundai Motor Group, which incorporates Hyundai, Kia and luxurious newcomer Genesis, has mentioned its aim is to have all of its vehicles able to OTA updates by 2025. Some already are, such because the Kia lineup, the brand new Hyundai Ioniq 6 sedan popping out this spring and the Kia EV9 crossover, which can also be making its debut in New York this week. The up to date 2024 Hyundai Sonata additionally now gives OTA updates.

Extra are coming quickly, and the truth that OTA updates are coming to the cheap Kona says rather a lot about how ubiquitous this know-how is more likely to change into throughout your complete business.

What we don’t know but is the pricing for the brand new Kona. A Hyundai spokesperson mentioned that data might be launched nearer to its launch this summer season. For now, we do know the crossover will include a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine or a completely electrical powertrain good for a Hyundai-estimated 260 miles of vary. (A hybrid model can also be out there in different markets, however Hyundai has not mentioned if will probably be offered in North America; its predecessor was not.) Extra particulars might be out there nearer to the automotive’s launch.