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: