- 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric variants
- 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric interior
- Digital instrument cluster
- Touchscreen infotainment
- OTA Map Updates
- Premium seating
- Dynamic Voice Recognition
- Digital Key
- 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric specifications
- Battery life & Motor
- 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric price
- Hyundai EV strategy
- 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric FAQs
- What is the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric price?
- What is the 2023 Hyundai Kona EV range?
- What are the 2023 Hyundai Kona EV rivals?
The current Kona Electric that is available in the U.S. will soon be replaced by the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric model. The company has revealed the changes for its most affordable EV’s model year refresh. This story explains what’s new in the 2023 Kona Electric and what’s being carried over.
2023 Hyundai Kona Electric variants
Changes have been made to the EV’s equipment level. The 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric will be available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims. SE is equivalent to the 2022 model’s SEL grade, while SEL corresponds to the 2022 model’s SEL grade with the optional Convenience Package that costs USD 3,500 extra.
Exterior
Hyundai unveiled a series of updates to the Kona Electric in November 2020 and introduced the revised edition for the MY2022 in the United States last year. This design has been carried over into the MY2023.
The 2023 Hyundai Kona EV looks playful and sportier compared to the original edition that was sold until 2021. With the facelift, the company smoothed out the electric SUV’s face, enhancing its character. With its new closed grille, the EV looks purer and understated.
The U.S. market would get the 2023 Kona EV from the plant in South Korea, while the shipments for European customers come from the Czech Republic. Images: Hyundai
As with the 2022 model, the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric features LED DRLs, and sharper LED headlamps with new multifaceted reflector (MFR) technology. The vertical air inlets in front of the wheel arch cladding give it a sporty look. Additionally, an asymmetric charging port breaks the monotony of the EV’s centrally located charging port on the front mask.
With the MY2022 update, the company introduced a new hood that gave the electric SUV a more powerful look. The functional air intake in the lower bumper has satin accent bars that enhance the car’s appearance. Compared to the 2021 model, the facelifted Kona Electric is longer but not noticeably. It is easily recognizable as the facelifted model due to the funkier 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in low rolling resistance tires. These features are carried forward into the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric.
At the rear, the Kona EV received a slightly more aggressive LED taillight and bigger and sharper combination lamps that include new LED turn indicators (instead of PY21W halogen bulbs) split into three vertical bars and wider reverse light. Also new with the minor refresh were the satin accent bars on the bumper. These have also safely made it to the 2023 model.
2023 Hyundai Kona Electric interior
Digital instrument cluster
The 2023 Kona Electric carries over the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and the turbine-shaped outer-end AC vents Hyundai had introduced with the MY2022 update. The former, a color LCD unit, was a replacement for a 7-inch electroluminescent digital instrument cluster. Exclusive to the Limited trim in the 2022 model, it will be available in the SEL trim as well in the 2023 model.
Touchscreen infotainment
Other noteworthy features carried over to MY2023 are wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, upgraded Bluelink with more functions controllable with smartphone/voice, and mood lighting.
Strangely, wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto will continue to be available in the lower-end 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system but not the optional 10.25-inch unit. The 8-inch unit had replaced a 7-inch panel that came with wired Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. In place of the Infinity premium audio system, Hyundai introduced a premium audio system from Harman Kardon, and it is continuing with this supplier for the 2023 model year.
OTA Map Updates
OTA map updates is a new interior feature in the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric. It will be available in the SEL and Limited trims, which will pack the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
Hyundai will sell the 2023 Kona Electric with interior features like wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, a digital instrument cluster and OTA map updates. Image Source: Hyundai
Premium seating
8-way power adjustment with lumbar support for the driver seat, heating for the driver and front passenger seats, and power windows with auto-down/up are standard in the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric. In the 2022 model, the base (SEL) trim doesn’t include these features as standard.
Rear-seat passengers will enjoy more convenience in the 2023 Kona Electric, as Hyundai will include a rear USB port across the range. In the 2022 model, the company kept this feature exclusive to the range-topping Limited trim.
Hyundai redesigned the Kona Electric’s lower center console storage area for more efficient use of space and the switches for climate control and conveniences last year. The company introduced new seating surfaces and materials and new dash/door panel materials and accents as well. It hasn’t changed any of these elements for MY2023.
Dynamic Voice Recognition
Dynamic Voice Recognition was another convenience feature Hyundai introduced in the Kona Electric last year for the U.S. market. We don’t spot it in the features list for MY2023, but that may not mean that the company has discontinued it. We should learn more about its availability when the first units reach dealers.
Dynamic Voice Recognition is essentially a more capable voice recognition system. It allows the user to activate and control various features of the vehicle, such as the climate control system, radio station, rear window and side mirror heating, and steering wheel heating.
Digital Key
The 2023 Kona Electric will be available with a shareable Digital Key in the SEL and Limited trims. This feature allows users to lock and unlock the vehicle, start the vehicle, and activate the panic alert using their smartphone. Using the BlueLink app, owners can remotely manage and monitor their vehicle, access real-time vehicle data, and perform specific commands. For people with different electric rates at off-peak times, it is possible with the BlueLink app to schedule charging.
Safety
Hyundai hasn’t introduced safety-related changes to the Kona Electric for the 2023 model year. The EV grew safer in MY2022 due to improvements in the driver assistance systems department. The first change was that Hyundai introduced four new features: Highway Driving Assist, Lane Following Assist, Rear Occupant Alert, and Safe Exit Warning. Moreover, the company made Forward Collision Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection standard. Both Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist became capable of applying brakes in addition to giving a warning.
2023 Hyundai Kona Electric specifications
Battery life & Motor
The 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric uses the familiar front permanent-magnet synchronous motor that produces 201 horsepower at 3,600 rpm and 291 lb.-ft. of torque. It has a top speed of 104 mph.
A 64.0 kWh water-cooled battery pack consisting of LG Chem-made prismatic lithium-ion cells is standard, and it provides a range of 258 miles, presumably an EPA-est. rating. We expect Hyundai to continue offering the 10-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery pack. The energy consumption ratings, also presumably EPA-est., are 132 MPGe in the city, 108 MPGe on the highway, and 120 MPGe combined.
Charging
When Hyundai lent the Kona Electric the MY2022 update, it reduced the 10-100% Level 2 charging time by 20 minutes to ~9 hours 15 minutes. The company made 10-80% Level 3 charging quicker as well, by 11 minutes when plugged into a 50 kW charger (~64 minutes) and by 7 minutes when plugged into a 100 kW charger (~47 minutes).
A battery warmer system (heat pump) will be available in the SEL and Limited grades of the 2023 Kona Electric. In Winter Mode, the system helps minimize battery-power losses due to low winter temperatures.
Also new for MY2022 was improved ride quality and comfort, thanks to the Hydraulic Rebound Stopper that improves suspension rebound shock when driving over rough terrain, rear torsion beam reinforcement, and body valve shock absorber. Hyundai engineers reduced NVH levels by adding acoustic windshield glass, instrument panel insulation, and cargo insulation. In the 2023 model year, these features will be carried over.
Aspect2023 Hyundai Kona EV specificationMotor Power150 kW (201 hp)Motor Torque395 Nm (291 lb.-ft.)Battery Pack Capacity64 kWhBattery Pack Power Output170 kWBattery Pack Voltage356 VOnboard Charger7.2 kWTop Speed167 km/h (104 mph)Range (presumably EPA est.)258 milesEnergy Consumption (presumably EPA est.)132 MPGe (city)/108 MPGe (highway)/120 MPGe (combined)Level 2 Charging Time (10-100% SoC)~9 hours 35 minutesLevel 3 Charging Time (0-80% SoC)~75 minutes (50 kW charger)/54 minutes (100 kW charger)
2023 Hyundai Kona Electric specs. Source: Hyundai
2023 Hyundai Kona Electric price
The 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric prices aren’t out yet. Currently, the SEL trim costs USD 34,000, while the Limited trim is USD 42,500, and we don’t expect much difference in prices for the new model.
Hyundai EV strategy
Hyundai Motor Company (HMC), which sells Hyundai and Genesis brand cars, delivered some 20,000 EVs in the U.S. market in 2021, CEO Jaehoon Chang revealed at the 2022 CEO Investor Day (March 2, 2022). By 2026, HMC aims to increase EV sales in the U.S. to 220,000 units, which would be an eleven-fold growth from 2021. Its sales target for 2030 is a whopping half a million units, 530,000 to be precise. Aiming to be a dominant player in the EV market, this company aspires EVs to account for 58% of its total sales volume and take 11% of the total EV market share in America.
The ambitious goals will need a lot of changes at HMC, most importantly, a significant expansion of its EV line-up. The company plans to introduce 17 new pure-electric vehicles by 2030, and 11 will be Hyundais. The 11 upcoming Hyundai electric vehicles will include the next-gen 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric.
2023 Hyundai Kona Electric FAQs
What is the 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric price?
The 2023 Kona Electric prices should start at around USD 34,000. The official announcement is awaited.
What is the 2023 Hyundai Kona EV range?
The U.S.-spec new Hyundai Kona EV returns a range of up to 258 miles (presumably EPA est.).
What are the 2023 Hyundai Kona EV rivals?
The 2023 Kona Electric will rival the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV and the 2023 Kia Niro EV.
Featured image: Hyundai
Sagar Parikh Web Editor
With a Master’s Degree in Business Management & Administration, I’ve been working as an International Automotive News Editor since 2014, and have gained a wealth of knowledge and insight into hybrid and electric vehicles.
Keyword: 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric: Everything we know in July 2022