Hyundai’s popular Kona small SUV impresses on a broad range of fronts, but does that include the entry-level model?
- How much does the Hyundai Kona cost?
- What equipment comes with the Hyundai Kona?
- How safe is the Hyundai Kona?
- What technology does the Hyundai Kona feature?
- What is the Hyundai Kona like to drive?
- What is the Hyundai Kona like inside?
- Should I buy a Hyundai Kona?
The Hyundai Kona is one of the Korean car-maker’s best-selling models and worth paying close attention to in this class, not least because it’s received top billing in carsales’ Best Small SUV awards in recent years. It’s sold in a broad range of model grades that includes highly specified cars and even an EV. But how does it stack up at the entry level, where the starting price is less than $30,000 and the equipment levels are pared back?
How much does the Hyundai Kona cost?
The 2023 Hyundai Kona is priced from $26,900 plus on-road costs for the entry-level model tested here.
It relies on a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that drives the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
A 1.6-litre turbo with all-wheel drive is available in higher model grades, a high-performance 2.0-litre turbo is reserved for the manic Kona N and there’s an EV powertrain, too, further up the line.
But this base 2.0-litre engine serves as the foot soldier in the Kona range, sold across all trim levels – as well as the base Kona, it’s in the higher-tier Active, Elite and Highlander – and providing adequate performance and economical motoring for a small SUV.
There’s a bigger second-generation Kona coming later this year, which is sure to bring higher pricing in conjunction with a higher spec, so let’s see whether the car as it stands today makes for canny buying at the end of its first model lifecycle.
What equipment comes with the Hyundai Kona?
A significant update was introduced in 2021, providing a fresh exterior and extra equipment that remains in place for the 2023 Hyundai Kona.
Only available with an automatic transmission, the base-model Hyundai Kona comes standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, an electric handbrake with auto hold, LED daytime running lights, boot luggage net, wireless phone charging and a tyre pressure monitoring system, to name a few headline items.
The front seats get manual tilt and height adjustment, while the seats are covered in fabric upholstery and a vinyl steering wheel does the job.
Cabin materials in this entry-level Kona, despite being mostly hard plastic touch points, feel good quality.
As for storage up front, there’s two central cup holders with another phone-sized tray to one side, a decent-sized lidded centre console and room for a 1.5L bottle in either front door bin.
Hyundai covers the Kona with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and says the 2.0-litre model needs to be serviced every 12 months or 15,000km.
How safe is the Hyundai Kona?
The Korean car-maker’s SmartSense safety suite is fitted standard to the 2023 Hyundai Kona and includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane keep assist, lane following assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, rear occupant alert and driver attention warning.
The smart cruise control works well in built-up traffic where cars are crawling at low speeds, however it’s not as user-friendly in high-speed situations. It recognises slower vehicles in front easily but takes too long to speed up again once you’ve passed the slower vehicle.
It’s a bit of a first world problem though, as we’re conscious that the previous entry-grade Kona didn’t have adaptive cruise at all.
On the highway, lane keeping assist was promptly switched off. It’s not bad around town, but at speeds higher than 80km/h it’s too intrusive for my liking, constantly nudging you from left to right until the SUV’s dead-centre in the lane.
Other standard safety features on the Kona include ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, four-wheel disc brakes, downhill brake control, hill start assist, electronic traction and stability control, and a rear-view camera.
There are also six airbags on board – dual front, side (thorax) up front too, plus curtain airbags along the front and rear side window.
The Kona received a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating when it was tested in 2017, under a less-stringent assessment regime than the one that’s in place today.
What technology does the Hyundai Kona feature?
As for the rest of the tech on the 2023 Hyundai Kona, there’s no complaints.
A 4.2-inch screen in the instrument cluster displays key information clearly and the base-spec model’s 8.0-inch central touch-screen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay (which works wirelessly) and Android Auto is simple, clear and responsive.
While using wired Apple CarPlay on the move, the Kona lost iPhone connection on multiple occasions, reverting back to the home screen and making you select the (CarPlay) media source again. However, that could’ve be an Apple tech glitch.
There’s no digital radio at this entry level, but a six-speaker audio unit with radio data system (RDS), USB input and AM/FM bands are provided.
‘Quiet Mode’ on the touch-screen is also a handy feature, minimising noise in the rear seat for sleepy children.
What is the Hyundai Kona like to drive?
Refined and relatively quiet even under hard acceleration, the 2.0-litre SmartStream four-cylinder petrol engine in the 2023 Hyundai Kona is a great little donk.
Producing 110kW of power and 180Nm of torque, the engine provides good performance for the small SUV, and the continuously variable transmission (CVT) helps keep a lid on fuel consumption.
The CVT is seamless in its shifts, and over 300km of highway and country road driving we averaged just under 8.0L/100km. That’s not too bad considering the conditions, although it’s well off the official claim of 6.2L/100km.
There are four drive modes available – Eco, Comfort, Sport and Smart – as well as three traction modes – Snow, Mud and Sand – which are selected via a rotary dial on the centre console.
While there aren’t any shift paddles on the steering wheel, flicking the gear shifter to the right on the move means you can rifle through ‘gears’ via the stick yourself.
This makes for a more engaging drive, particularly in Sport drive mode where revs are heightened.
Minimal road and tyre noise filters into the cabin, and the Kona rides well on all surfaces, feeling sure-footed with sporty and direct steering.
Suspension is on the firmer side too, yet the Kona soaks up potholes and road imperfections without quarrel.
It’s small enough to manoeuvre in tight spaces with ease yet tackles the open road with confidence.
What is the Hyundai Kona like inside?
From the driver’s seat of the 2023 Hyundai Kona, all the main controls are within easy reach and most people should be able to find a comfy driving position.
The Kona’s seat height can be lowered a substantial amount, so if you like sitting low, you can. It goes high too, and the steering wheel can be adjusted to match, whatever your seating preference, with a telescopic reach and tilt steering column.
Lumbar support would be nice, and those doing long stints in the flat-backed seat will likely want for the same.
For children in restraints, the rear bench seat includes three top tether strap points and two ISOFIX anchors in the outboard positions.
Elsewhere in the rear compartment, there’s a bottle holder in either door pocket and a single USB outlet for the kids (or adults) to fight over.
No air vents for rear passengers is a disappointment, however the front air vents blast enough air to cover those in the rear seat too, so they shouldn’t be too uncomfortable on a hot day.
You wouldn’t want to regularly carry taller people in the rear seat though, as even with the front seats set up for humans of average height (around 170cm), there isn’t a great deal of legroom, but headroom is fine all round.
The 60/40-split rear seat folds down to produce 1156 litres of cargo space (374L with rear seats in place), while a lift-up floor reveals another section to hide relatively flat items.
A space-saver spare tyre is also located underneath the floor, while a cargo net, shopping bag hook and side-mounted pocket all help secure smaller items.
Should I buy a Hyundai Kona?
It’s easy to get pushed up higher in a model range, where extra bling and features such as keyless entry/start or an electric tailgate are found, but the 2023 Hyundai Kona covers many bases at the entry level.
Overall, it’s a well-rounded package and, importantly, offers plenty of safety and tech features that aren’t often seen at this price point.
Most importantly, it’s enjoyable to drive, so if the budget’s tight and the body style’s right, the Kona should definitely be on your short-list.
2023 Hyundai Kona at a glance:
Price: $26,900 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 110kW/180Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 6.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 148g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2017)
Keyword: Hyundai Kona 2023 Review