Hyundai Kona 2023 review

The new Kona is longer, wider and higher, with a bigger wheelbase than its predecessor, and while its footprint has grown the car’s striking design is destined to stand it apart.

Hyundai’s slim-line LED ‘Horizon’ positioning light at the front, already seen in the Staria, is a big point of difference and the absence of a conventional grille reinforces the car’s EV-led design.

Chunky guards define the wheel arches front and rear while a complex combination of character lines effectively forms a Z-shape along the side of the car.

Worth noting this kind of surfacing is usually confined to premium models because it’s so hard (and more costly) to get the panel shutlines right. 

The rear carries over the futuristic look with a single light band across the car’s width and tail-light clusters embedded in the back of the angular rear wheel arches matching similar combination units in the front guards. They’re a reconfigured design echo of the outgoing model.

There’s a fair bit going on, even on the standard car, before the N Line versions add extra body-coloured cladding, unique 19-inch rims, an unusual ‘split’ roof spoiler and other specific exterior elements.

Inside, the look is clean and geometric with a two-level dash treatment dominated by the sizeable central multimedia screen, with twin displays creating a sleek, driver-focused digital band across more than half the car’s width. 

The N Line Pack adds a sporty vibe inside with dark brushed alloy-effect elements around the cabin. (Premium N Line variant shown)

On all 1.6-litre Turbo models and Kona Premium grades a shift-by-wire gear selector has been relocated from the centre console to a stalk behind the steering wheel, a la Ioniq 6 freeing up space in the centre console, which we’ll get to when looking at practicality, shortly.

As well as a more aggressive exterior the N Line Pack adds a sporty vibe inside with dark brushed alloy-effect elements around the cabin as well as gloss red inserts, red highlights and contrast stitching on the Alcantara and leather-trimmed seats, plus alloy pedal covers and perforated leather grips on the steering wheel.

Three exterior colours - ‘Cyber Grey’, ‘Neoteric Yellow’ and ‘Soultronic Orange’ are N Line exclusive. 

On all 1.6-litre Turbo models and Kona Premium grades a shift-by-wire gear selector has been relocated from the centre console to a stalk behind the steering wheel. (Premium N Line grade shown)

At just over 4.3m long, 1.8m wide and close to 1.6m tall, the technically 'small' SUV is appreciably bigger on the outside and according to Hyundai, roomier on the inside thanks to a 60mm increase in wheelbase length.

At 183cm tall I have plenty of breathing space including ample headroom and in terms of storage there are bins in the doors with room for large bottles and two retractable cupholders in the centre console.

Speaking of which, as mentioned earlier, aside from the entry-level Kona 2.0L the new car swaps out the conventional console transmission shifter a ‘Shift-by’Wire’ stalk behind the steering wheel on the right hand side.

Upfront of the Kona is plenty of breathing space including ample headroom. (Premium N Line grade shown)

Given what would normally be a lidded box between the seats is more of a flip-up armrest (with a lift-out tray then clear air below it), once you’ve retracted the cupholders and removed a small pop-out barrier there’s heaps of space available (especially in terms of length) in that centre area.

You’ve also got a decent glove box as well as a wireless device charging bay, USB-C jacks for media and charging plus a 12V socket.

Move to the second row and you can instantly see where that extra wheelbase length has been put to good use.

According to Hyundai, the Kona is roomier on the inside thanks to a 60mm increase in wheelbase length. (Premium N Line grade shown)

During the launch I had the opportunity to back-to-back test rear seat room in the outgoing Kona and this new model, and the improvement is marked.

Easy access with lots of head- and legroom for two adults and enough space for three compliant grown-ups on a squeezy short trip (the transmission tunnel in the floor doesn't help here), or a trio of up to teenage kids on a longer drive.

For storage there are modest bins in the doors with room for smaller bottles, two cupholders in the fold-down centre armrest and netted pockets on the front seat backs.

Amenities for back seat passengers include adjustable ventilation outlets and USB-C power sockets for their charging needs. (Premium N Line grade shown)

Backseaters are also well taken care of with adjustable ventilation outlets and a pair of USB-C power sockets.

Hyundai claims improved cargo volume of 407 litres (VDA) with all seats up and 1241L with the 60/40 split-folding second row lowered… up appreciably on the outgoing model.

The boot also features a foldable dual-level floor-board and multiple shopping bag hooks as well as a cargo net and tie-down hooks.

A hands-free power tailgate is standard on the Kona Premium, the loading lip is agreeably low and the spare is a 16-inch space saver.

Towing capacity is a handy 1.3 tonnes for a braked trailer and 600kg unbraked.

The Kona and Kona Premium are offered with a naturally aspirated Atkinson-cycle 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine sending 110kW/180Nm to the front wheels through a CVT auto.

The Atkinson cycle design maximises the effective cylinder expansion ratio (compression stroke vs power stroke) for greater efficiency.

Then, a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine pushing 142kW/264Nm to all four wheels via an eight-speed (torque converter) auto is in two N Line-only models across Kona and Kona Premium grades.

The 1.6-litre direct-injection engine delivers its maximum torque across a broad band from 1600 up to 4500rpm.

Under the Kona's bonnet is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. (Entry grade shown)

Hyundai’s official combined cycle fuel economy number for the 2.0-litre CVT FWD powertrain is 6.6L/100km, with the 1.6-litre turbo AWD raising that to 7.6L/100km.

On the launch program we covered 300km worth of urban, B-road and some freeway running, returning an (indicated) average of exactly 6.6L/100km for the 2.0L atmo engine and 7.9L/100km for the turbo 1.6. Pretty impressive results.

Both engines run happily on 91 RON ‘standard’ unleaded, or E10, and the fuel tank holds 47 litres, which translates to a range of just over 700km for the atmo engine and around 600km for the turbo.

The new Kona is yet to be assessed by ANCAP but Hyundai’s comprehensive ‘SmartSense’ safety suite is present and accounted for including active tech like radar and camera-controlled AEB (with car, ‘powered two-wheeler’, pedestrian and cyclist detection), blind-spot view and collision avoidance, ‘Lane-Following Assist’ and ‘Lane Keeping Assist’.

There’s also rear cross-traffic alert and rear AEB, active cruise control, ‘Safe Exit Warning’, ‘Surround View Monitor’ (a 360-degree camera view, front view, rear view, front/rear side view), ‘Driver Attention Warning’ and tyre pressure monitoring. 

The new Kona is yet to be assessed by ANCAP. (Entry grade shown)

There are seven airbags on-board, including a front centre bag to minimise front occupant injuries in a side impact, as well as three top tether anchors and two ISOFIX positions across the rear seat for locating baby capsules or child seats.

‘Multi-Collision Brake’, designed to minimise the chance of additional impacts after an initial crash and an ‘Emergency Stop Signal’ function are also standard.