2023 Hyundai Kona Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The popular Hyundai Kona subcompact SUV is fresh off its 2022 re-design, and it gets more driver-assistance features for 2023.

The 2023 Hyundai Kona is a well-balanced and refined subcompact SUV. It has a well-equipped interior and is also available in performance-oriented variants.

What’s New for the 2023 Hyundai Kona

The Kona is one year removed from a 2022 design update. For 2023, more driver-assistance tech is now standard equipment.

Design

Trims for the 2023 Kona are SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited. Hyundai also offers the exciting Kona N, which is covered in a separate preview article. The Kona SE comes equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels. The SEL trim features 17-inch alloy wheels and adds roof rails. The N Line and Limited come with 18-inch alloys. The N Line features unique sporty styling elements and the Limited includes upgraded LED headlights.

Powertrain

The base powertrain in the Hyundai Kona is a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The N Line and Limited trims come with a 195-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This turbocharged engine routes power through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard and all-wheel drive (AWD) is available.

The most efficient version of the Kona is the base engine with FWD. It returns fuel economy of 30 mpg city, 35 highway, and 32 combined. Adding AWD brings fuel economy to 28 mpg city, 33 highway, and 30 combined. The 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with FWD returns fuel economy of 29 mpg city, 35 highway, and 32 combined.

Interior

With the rear seats folded, the Kona provides 45.8 cubic feet of cargo space. With the rear seats in use, it has 19.2 cubic feet of cargo space. These are low figures even for the subcompact SUV segment.

If you want a power-adjustable driver’s seat and push-button start, you’ll have to move from the SE up to the SEL trim. The N Line adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, and a power sunroof. The Limited trim adds leather upholstery.

Technology

The Kona SE comes equipped with three USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto. The SEL adds satellite radio, HD radio, and Hyundai’s BlueLink telematics system. The SEL is available with a Convenience Package that adds wireless device charging and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The N Line adds a fully digital instrument panel and the Limited adds a Harmon Kardon premium stereo system.

Safety

Standard driver-assistance features include forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and driver-attention monitoring. For 2023, Hyundai has added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert as standard equipment. Also newly standard is Hyundai’s Safe Exit warning system, which will alert occupants about approaching vehicles when parallel parked.

Pricing

At the time of this writing, the 2023 Hyundai Kona has a base MSRP of $22,140 for the SE trim. The SEL trim starts at $23,950, and the N Line starts at $27,850. The range-topping Limited trim starts at $28,950. The Hyundai Kona is backed by a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.