2023 Hyundai Kona price and specs

There’s a new Hyundai Kona in Australia.

The new Kona will be more expensive than its predecessor at the bottom end. But it brings new technology, a new hybrid option, and more interior space to the table.

Four trim levels will be offered, two of which can be had with a choice of three engines. Hybrid power features for the first time in the Kona locally, with an electric version also on the way Down Under.

The petrol-only Kona range will roll out over the coming months; 2.0-litre models without the N Line Pack or 1.6-litre turbo models have already arrived, with 2.0-litre N Line models to follow in the third quarter of 2023.

The Hybrid will touch down in the fourth quarter of 2023, as will the Kona Electric.

Pricing

• 2023 Hyundai Kona
  • 2.0 petrol: $32,000
  • 1.6 hybrid: $36,000
• 2023 Hyundai Kona N Line
  • 2.0 petrol: $36,000
  • 1.6 hybrid: $40,000
  • 1.6T AWD: $40,000
• 2023 Hyundai Kona Premium
  • 2.0 petrol: $39,500
  • 1.6 hybrid: $43,500
• 2023 Hyundai Kona N Line Premium
  • 2.0 petrol: $42,500
  • 1.6 hybrid: $46,500
  • 1.6T AWD: $46,500

All prices exclude on-road costs.

Powertrains

The entry-level engine in the Kona remains a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol four-cylinder making 110kW of power and 180Nm of torque. It runs the Atkinson Cycle, and is mated with a CVT – known in the Hyundai world as an IVT – with eight virtual steps.

New for Australia is a hybrid powertrain in the Kona. It combines a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with an electric motor, hooked up to a 1.32kWh battery pack.

The electric motor makes 32kW of power and 172Nm of torque; combined system outputs are 104kW and 265Nm. It’s hooked up to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission

The range-topping 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine makes 146kW of power and 265Nm of torque, mated with an eight-speed torque converter automatic.

Efficiency

Claimed fuel economy in the base 2.0 petrol is 6.6 litres per 100km on the combined cycle. That jumps to 7.6L/100km in the 1.6 turbo, and drops to 3.9L/100km in the hybrid model.

Dimensions

The new Kona measures 4350mm long, 1825mm wide, and 1585mm tall in base or Premium guise – the N Line is 35mm longer thanks to its unique bodykit. All models have a wheelbase measuring 2660mm.

Boot space in the Kona has improved from 374L to 407L with the arrival of the larger new second-generation car here. With the rear seats folded there’s 1241L of space.

Servicing and Warranty

The Hyundai Kona will be backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

Maintenance will be required every 15,000 kilometres or 12 months in the 2.0-litre petrol and 1.6-litre hybrid, and every 10,000 kilometres or 12 months in the turbocharged petrol.

The first five services in both the 2.0 and the 1.6T will set you back $399 each – although that’s good for 75,000km of motoring in the 2.0, and 60,000km in the 1.6T due to their different distance requirements.

Safety

The new Kona hasn’t been crash-tested by Euro NCAP or ANCAP.

Seven airbags will be standard, including a front centre airbag.

Standard safety equipment will include:

• Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Driver attention monitoring
• Blind-spot monitoring and assist
• Lane-keep assist
• Reverse/parking autonomous emergency braking
• Safe exit warning
• Parking sensors

Standard Equipment

Standard equipment on the Kona includes:

• 18-inch alloy wheels with 215/55 tyres
• LED headlights and daytime running lights
• LED tail lights
• Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors
• Keyless entry and start
• Dual-zone climate control
• Rear air vents
• 4.2-inch digital instrument display
• 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Bluelink connected services

Moving to the Premium brings:

• Blind-spot view monitor
• Reverse autonomous emergency braking
• 3D surround-view camera
• Side parking sensors
• Acoustic front windscreen
• Rear privacy glass
• Dark grey cladding/silver skid plates
• LED dual-projector headlights
• LED front/rear indicators
• ‘Seamless Horizon’ full-width LED front light strip
• Power tailgate
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• Factory satellite navigation
• Bose eight-speaker sound system
• Leather upholstery
• 10-way power driver’s seat
• 8-way passenger seat
• Premium relaxation front seats
• Heated/ventilated front seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Heated rear seats
• Auto-dimming interior mirror
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Ambient lighting
• Leather-appointed door trim inserts, door armrests and dashboard tray

Opting for the N-Line Package brings:

• Exterior
  • Unique bumpers/skid plates/side skirts
  • Gloss black rear spoiler
  • N badging/wheel caps
  • 19-inch wheels with 235/45 tyres (18-in on hybrid)
  • Chrome twin exhaust
  • Black mirror caps/beltline
  • Body coloured cladding

• Interior
  • Leather/Alcantara trim
  • N steering wheel
  • Red air vents/seat highlights
  • Dark metal trim highlights
  • Black headlining
  • Alloy pedals
  • Sports scuff plates

For 2.0MPi models, it also adds:

• LED dual-projector headlights
• LED front/rear indicators
• ‘Seamless Horizon’ full-width LED front light strip
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Leather-appointed door trim inserts, door armrests and dashboard tray

Colours

MORE: Everything Hyundai Kona