The new Hyundai Kona Electric has been the focus of the design process, with mild hybrid and full hybrid versions adapted from the EV
- Kona will get mild-hybrid petrol, self-charging hybrid and EV versions
- Infotainment taken from larger Ioniq 5
- Due on sale spring 2023
The electric version of the new second-generation Hyundai Kona SUV has been used as the basis for the rest of the Kona range, meaning the more affordable mild-hybrid petrol and self-charging hybrid versions will be adapted from the original fully-electric version’s design. In the past, the reverse has been true.
The latest Kona will be larger than the first-generation model to provide more passenger and boot space, following customer feedback.
The Hyundai Kona is one of the most important models in the South Korean brand’s lineup, and the latest iteration of Hyundai’s small SUV gets a striking exterior design and three different powertrain options: mild-hybrid, self-charging hybrid and fully electric.
Set to go on sale in spring 2023,, the new Hyundai Kona will renew its rivalry with Carbuyer’s Car of the Year, the Kia Niro – which shares the Kona’s underpinnings and is also available in plug-in hybrid form. Other significant competition includes the likes of the Renault Captur and Ford Puma, as well as the all-electric Renault Megane E-Tech and Volkswagen ID.3.
2023 Hyundai Kona: design, interior and technology
Mirroring what we expected from our pre-reveal render images, the new Hyundai Kona gets a revolutionary exterior design, characterised by a full-width front light bar dubbed the ‘Seamless Horizon Lamp’. There’s another light bar at the rear, too, while creases in the bodywork tie the Kona in with larger models in the Hyundai range such as the top-selling Tucson.
While the majority of the lineup will look identical, regardless of the powertrain you opt for, Hyundai has announced that petrol Kona models will also be available in sporty N Line guise; upgrading to this trim level adds a more aggressive bodykit, including a large boot spoiler. N Line cars will also benefit from blacked-out wing mirrors, model-specific 19-inch alloy wheels and a dual-tipped exhaust.
The new Hyundai Kona’s interior is also expected to look and feel more upmarket. It has a light, minimalist design comprising neutral-colour fabrics and padded materials, plus a dual-screen infotainment system dominating the dashboard. Pulled straight from Hyundai’s all-electric range, this comprises a 12.3-inch touchscreen, mounted alongside a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and feels a lot more modern than the setup in the outgoing car.
Other cabin highlights include a ‘single-vent’ dashboard design – like that found in the new Honda Civic – as well as a plethora of ambient lighting, reminiscent of the spectacular light show present in the Hyundai Ioniq 6. One disappointment, however, is the opening sunroof; likely to be an optional extra, this only spans the front seats, making it smaller than found in most rivals.
On a more positive note, the latest Kona is slightly larger than before (175mm longer and with the wheelbase stretched by 60mm). As a result, rear passenger comfort and boot space should be improved over the outgoing car, which were the main gripes from the original model’s owners. In fact, the original Kona’s 332-litre boot space has increased to 466 litres in the new model – that’s almost on par with the Kia Niro EV. The Kona will also get a waterproof storage box under its bonnet that’s ideal for charging cables.
Range, power and specs
Like its mechanical sibling the Kia Niro, the new Hyundai Kona will be available with both self-charging hybrid and fully-electric power. However, unlike the Kia, the Kona won’t be offered as a plug-in hybrid – instead, Hyundai’s small SUV will also be available with a 48-volt mild-hybrid petrol engine, meaning entry-level versions should be much more affordable to buy.
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The fully electric version has a 65.4kWh battery and a 215bhp motor at the front, delivering up to 305 miles of range. Charging times will be slower than that of the Ioniq 5, however, as it’s based on 400-volt tech, compared with the Ioniq 5’s 800-volt system. Hyundai believes buyers at the Kona’s price point will be satisfied with a 10-80% charging time of around 41 minutes.
What does this mean for car buyers?
The arrival of the new Kia Niro left little reason for buyers to choose the Hyundai over its Kia sibling. However, the arrival of a new model with the latest tech and an entry-level mild-hybrid petrol engine means the Kona could be an appealing choice once again, particularly for private buyers.
The mild-hybrid and full hybrid models will go on sale in late spring 2023, with the electric model on which they’re based arriving a few months later. There’s no official word on pricing yet, but entry-level models could cost around £22,500 – undercutting the equivalent Ford Puma. Self-charging hybrid models will likely start from around £30,000 and will appeal to higher-mileage drivers. The electric Kona is expected to cost from £38,000 and will go down especially well with company car drivers, thanks to its very low Benefit-in-Kind tax band.
Keyword: New Hyundai Kona hybrids take inspiration from EV model