2023 Hyundai Kona

The 2023 Hyundai Kona is a subcompact crossover SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) manufactured and marketed by South Korean manufacturer Hyundai. The 2023 Hyundai Kona is the best competitor among small SUVs, thanks to its optional powerful turbocharged engine, sharp handling, and many features at an affordable price. Hyundai’s powertrain updates have further enhanced the driving experience, but there are still some drivability issues. There are a few shortcomings that prevent the Hyundai Kona from being an easy winner, such as a smaller-than-average cargo capacity and a plastic cabin.

2023 Hyundai Kona EV

Overall, the 2023 Hyundai Kona seems to be a solid bet, combining a powerful engine and sound performance, with a higher-than-average safety rating. The good news here is that this sleek little crossover SUV doesn’t break the bank either—the price tag for the 2023 Hyundai Kona, according to Edmunds.com, is $23,000-$37,000. This moderate price tag, coupled with the fact that Hyundai is a popular car brand, means consumers can find and compare affordable auto insurance plans easily, without any hassle. Moreover, the maintenance costs of the 2023 Hyundai Kona should be significantly cheaper than other brands.

Inside, Kona gets a redesigned instrument cluster and a few new optional items, including a new digital instrument cluster, wireless smartphone charging, and heated rear seats. The standard 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen has grown to a larger 8.0-inch diameter, and a new 10.3-inch unit is now available as an upgrade. Alongside all these changes, a sporty N Line trim was added to the range, with a 195 hp version of the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine. There is no news yet about the performance-oriented Hyundai Kona N model expected soon.

2023 Hyundai Kona : Interior

Inside, the 2023 Kona interior materials quality is good ergonomics and comfortable seats are grown and refined by the Kona’s funkadelic exterior, but not out of step. The steering wheel is covered in fine-grained leather with contrast stitching and offers integrated controls for cruise control and audio settings. Those upgrading from a compact hatchback or sedan will find the Kona’s cargo space perfectly convenient, but buyers downsizing from a larger SUV will likely feel the tightness. The 2023 Kona narrowly beat the undersized Mazda CX-3 in our tests to see how many carry-on suitcases could fit. The Hyundai 2023 Kona EV managed to hold our 14 hand luggage, two more than the Mazda CX-3, but eight less than the Honda HR-V.

Above the Kona’s instrument cluster is a touchscreen infotainment system flanked by simple shortcut buttons that allow you to easily switch between common menus. An 8.0-inch touchscreen is standard, but supporters who want a larger display can change to a 10.3-inch unit. Driving instructions can be projected onto the optional head-up display, which opens up from the instrument cluster and also displays the vehicle’s speed and other information. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard and wireless connectivity is optional for such features.

2023 Hyundai Kona : Engine

The standard engine of the Kona SE and SEL trims powered with a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is adequate for daily commuting purposes and is now paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission. The 195-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine found in the N Line and Limited trims provides faster acceleration, but its seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission may hesitate to shift at times. The Kona N comes with a much more powerful 280 horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Hyundai claims this mill will drive the car from 0 to 60 mph in about five seconds, with a top speed of about 150 mph.

2023 Hyundai Kona Interior

Hyundai Kona 2023 Hybrid

With its standard engine, the 2023 Kona delivers an EPA-estimated 30 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. Those are huge points for a subcompact SUV. Adding all-wheel drive lowers those estimates to 28/33 mpg city/highway. Surprisingly, models with the upgraded 1.6-liter engine deliver nearly the same fuel economy as models with the base engine. Front-wheel-drive models with this upgraded engine get 29/35 mpg city/highway return, while all-wheel-drive models get 27/32 mpg city/highway. Fuel economy estimates for the Kona N are below average for the class at 20/27 mpg city/highway.

2023 Hyundai Kona : Safety

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the 2022 Hyundai Kona the highest Good grade in all six crash safety tests. IIHS uses a different scale to rate collision evasion features. Kona received the highest rating of Superior for the optional vehicle-to-vehicle front collision avoidance system, while the optional vehicle-to-pedestrian system received the intermediate Advanced rating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the Hyundai Kona an overall safety rating of five out of five stars, including five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover tests. Hyundai Kona 2023 model has standard driver assistance, Blind spot monitoring, Highway driving assist, emergency braking, high beam assist, pedestrian detection, rear parking sensors, rearview camera, lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic warning, front collision warning, and lane follow assist, driver drowsiness monitoring, rear passenger alert, and safe exit alert.