√2023 Hyundai Kona 2.0 MPi review
The second-generation Hyundai Kona has arrived. The new model has a premium exterior with electric styling, but have the interior design and tech features had the same standard of upgrade?
2023 Hyundai Kona
I think I missed my small SUV era. I’ve been both the urban-living single gal about town and now the suburban mum and during both of these life cycles, a small SUV has not been fit for purpose. They’re neither quite big enough for families nor dinky enough for singles, so I think they actually have to work harder to prove themselves than many other categories of car.
In June this year, Hyundai launched the second generation of its small SUV, the Hyundai Kona.
Bigger than its predecessor in both width and length, the car has also had a design overhaul, comes with an updated suite of tech and safety features and… yep, a hefty price increase too.
But with the price now pretty much on par with its main competitors in the segment, I don’t think people will baulk at the cost. I think it’s the other features of the car that are going to have to stand out in order for this iteration of Kona to prove itself as the new must-buy SUV.
How much does the Hyundai Kona cost in Australia?
The new-generation Kona starts at $32,000 before on-road costs. I’m in the base model of the range, the Hyundai Kona 2.0, and this is $5100 dearer than the base model in the previous generation, which sounds a bit eye-watering.
But put an approximate drive-away cost of $36,000 in context with rivals in the same segment, and you’re seeing similar prices. The Toyota Corolla Cross is close to $41,000, the Subaru CrossTrek is almost $40,000, and the Mazda CX-30 is around $35,000 in on-road terms – give or take a few dollars depending on which state you live in.
And bear in mind, too, that you are literally getting more car for your money. To be precise, the new model is 145mm longer, 25mm wider, 20mm taller and 60mm longer in wheelbase. The boot space has also increased from 33L to 407L (with the rear seats up).
The initial Hyundai Kona model line-up is listed below (prices exclude on-road costs).
- Hyundai Kona 2.0: $32,000
- Hyundai Kona 2.0 N Line pack: $36,000
- Hyundai Kona 2.0 Premium: $39,500
- Hyundai Kona 2.0 Premium N Line pack: $42,500
- Hyundai Kona 1.6 turbo N Line pack: $40,000
- Hyundai Kona 1.6 turbo Premium N Line pack: $46,500
The hybrid and electric versions of the whole range are due in Australia by the end of the year and prices start at $36,000 before on-road costs for the hybrid.
On the inside, the base model comes with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, support for Hyundai’s Bluelink smartphone app, a rear-view camera, proximity-key entry and start, six speakers, cloth seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, dual-zone auto air conditioning, and front and rear parking sensors. Compared to its predecessor, which had an 8.0-inch touchscreen, manual air con and no parking sensors, it’s a stark difference.
On the outside, the new Kona has 18-inch alloy wheels (16-inch in the outgoing model), reflector beam LED headlights (halogen headlights before), a power tailgate, and quite simply a new design that gets more than a few stares.
Straight off the bat, I have to admit that initially I didn’t like the exterior of the car. It felt glaringly futuristic, and parked on my street, I felt a bit showy-offy. That being said, it only took one quick whip round in the office and in my own home to learn that I was very much in the minority (or maybe I just surround myself with show-offs?). After a few days with the car, however, I’d had a change of heart. I started to see it as smart rather than flashy, and undeniably premium-looking for an entry-level model.
My own tastes aside, I can’t fault Hyundai for its rationale: it designed the car to look like an electric vehicle so that it will blend in better with other cars on the road in the near future. Kudos to Hyundai for thinking about longevity!
| Key details | 2023 Hyundai Kona |
| Price | $32,000 plus on-road costs |
| Colour of test car | Ecotronic Grey Mica |
| Options | Premium paint – $595 |
| Price as tested | $32,000 plus on-road costs |
| Drive-away price | $35,785 (Sydney) |
| Rivals | Toyota Corolla Cross | Mazda CX-30 | Subaru Crosstrek |
How much space does the Hyundai Kona have inside?
Aesthetically, this car is a tale of two halves as certain aspects of the interior feel dated compared with the flashy exterior. But I’ll get to those in a moment – first the more contemporary elements.
The digital driver’s display in this variant shows the fundamentals: trip data, speed, fuel, and also changes colour based on which driving mode you’ve chosen. The higher grades offer more information, but for me, what is offered in the base model is plenty enough. The display blends with the infotainment screen without buttons or panels dividing the two, which looks neat.
The infotainment screen was a standout feature for me. It’s 12.3 inches, which is standard in a larger car but feels enormous in this small SUV. I was really impressed with the size and quality of the screen.
The leather-trimmed steering wheel was light underhand and gave the car a sportier feel, again aligning nicely with the modern-looking dash and exterior of the car.
I thought the brushed silver finish on the main dash looked a bit dated, but other than that, I was only too happy to see the centre console was more traditional in its format. The buttons were all push-down rather than touchscreen, and there was a good old-fashioned gearstick rather than a dial.
Back to 2023, though, and there is dual-zone climate control for the front seat passengers, and two separate USB-C ports and a 12-volt socket for tandem charging. There’s also a wireless charging pad for your phone should you want to use Bluetooth to connect to the system.
In-cabin storage is on par with other small SUVs in this category, but that for me is a let-down. Given the whole model has increased in size, I would have liked to have seen overall storage increase a wee bit. The convoluted design of the cupholders compromised storage space in the front, and in the back of the car the two bottle holders in the doors just aren’t enough.
Now, where the size increase does come into play is around leg room, head room and overall comfort. I had plenty of leg room in the front seat and in the back. I’m 175cm in height and had ample headspace – to be expected, sure, but our videographer Lucas is a more impressive 189cm tall and found the same.
The middle seat in the back pulls down to reveal two cupholders and an armrest, and there are two air vents and two separate USB-C ports in the back for charging.
Importantly for parents, there is plenty of room for the car seat without compromising on space for the front seat passenger. In order to fit child seats, there are three top-tether points and two ISOFIX anchorages in the outboard seats.
The seats, along with the dash and doors, are covered in a basic cloth material and hard plastic. My ideal would be that the whole seat was a leather-like material as I need something as toddler-proof as possible, but that’s a personal preference for practicality and is available in the Premium version of the model. The material of the seats and surrounds isn’t by any means unattractive, but it lacks a luxurious quality that I think I’d expect given the exterior of the car.
Having said all that, the seats are perfectly comfortable and the driver’s seat comes with in-built two-way lumbar support, which is ideal if you’re on a long journey.
Even though the boot is just a touch bigger than the previous iteration at 407 litres, it really makes a difference. I thought getting the pram into the boot was going to be a game of Tetris, but that was easy enough and there was still space for a couple of bags (although precariously balanced on said pram) without fuss. It’s worth noting that other competitors in the segment offer similar boot sizes.
The included cargo net is also a practical addition that I appreciated. I chuck everything from cleaning products to water bottles in the boot, and to not hear them clatter against the sides on bends and hills was a welcome change. The boot comes with a space-saver spare wheel and tyre, as is standard for most small SUVs.
| 2023 Hyundai Kona | |
| Seats | Five |
| Boot volume | 407L seats up 1241L seats folded |
| Length | 4350mm |
| Width | 1825mm |
| Height | 1585mm |
| Wheelbase | 2660mm |
Does the Hyundai Kona have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
The Hyundai Kona 2.0 does have wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and it was incredibly easy to sync up via Bluetooth, even for a technophobe like me. There were several USB-C ports around the central console if you’d rather connect your phone to the car in that way.
The base Kona comes with AM, FM, and digital radio, inbuilt ‘Sounds of Nature’ ambient noises to help you unwind, and a six-speaker audio system. It does miss out on satellite navigation, which is available in the Kona Premium.
I’ve already touched upon it, but the infotainment screen in the Kona is, in my opinion, a game-changer. The 12.3-inch landscape touchscreen is bigger than most other small SUVs in the market, and this is where the Kona stands shoulders above its competitors. While it does look sleek, it’s not just an aesthetics thing – it serves a helpful purpose too. When I’m driving a route I don’t know and need to rely on smartphone-mirrored maps, the clarity of the graphics gives me a greater peace of mind.
In addition, the camera in the car gave an excellent view of the surrounding areas. Reverse cameras are a non-negotiable for me in a new car these days, and the Kona’s 360-degree reverse camera on the big screen makes reversing a doddle.
Is the Hyundai Kona a safe car?
The new Kona generation hasn’t yet been ANCAP-tested, nor tested by the equivalent Euro NCAP overseas.
| 2023 Hyundai Kona | |
| ANCAP rating | Untested |
What safety technology does the Hyundai Kona have?
I want a car brimming with safety features for several reasons. For one, like many drivers I have come to expect a high level of safety equipment as a standard these days as more and more brands are raising the bar. For two, I’m responsible for a small human these days, and if you’re selling me something that will keep him safer, you bet I’m buying it. And three, I want a car that’s going to give me as much support as possible. Like a digital hand-hold or support dog.
So I was more than happy to see that the base model of the Hyundai Kona 2.0 comes with SmartSense technology, which is Hyundai’s extensive suite of safety features.
I found some features a little too sensitive, which ironically made me more jumpy. For example, the lane-keeping assist was very overzealous, as was the speed sign recognition. Driving around a suburban area that jumped from school zone to 25km/h to 40km/h was a buzzing, dinging nightmare even when school zones were not applicable.
But there were other safety features that I gladly relied on: 360-degree cameras and front and rear sensors to assist with parking, lane-departure alert, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, safe exit warnings to name but a few.
Becoming more mainstream but still limited to only a handful of car manufacturers, Hyundai also has the Driver Awareness Warning system. This technology works by recognising a driver’s behavioural patterns and pinging alerts to help in moments when you might be fatigued or distracted.
Now, hopefully this is a safety feature that you rarely have to interact with, but I have to admit I was grateful for the alert when I was momentarily distracted by my son in the back of the car while in a queue. To hear a gentle buzz is much less alarming than the car behind me impatiently honking.
The other important stuff: there are seven airbags, including a front centre airbag that is designed to stop passengers’ heads clashing, autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control.
For those who don’t want such rambunctious safety warnings, you can turn these off, but frustratingly that setting doesn’t last when you turn the car off and back on again. It’s a manual exercise every time to turn off those buzzes and chimes.
How much does the Hyundai Kona cost to maintain?
This base-level Kona has a 2.0-litre engine and requires a service every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first, which is on par with the industry standard. However, the 1.6-litre engine that is available in the N Line variants of the model requires a service every 10,000km, which feels short.
Individual servicing price was $399, and Hyundai offers a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and added roadside assist with each annual dealer service.
A year of comprehensive insurance coverage costs approximately $1014 (from one leading insurer) based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.
| At a glance | 2023 Hyundai Kona |
| Warranty | Five years, unlimited km |
| Service intervals | 12 months/15,000km (2.0-litre) 12 months/10,000km (1.6-litre turbo) |
| Servicing costs | $1197 (3 years) $1995 (5 years) |
Is the Hyundai Kona fuel-efficient?
Hyundai claims the Kona will consume 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres. I found it used 7.5L/100km during my week with the car, so not far off. In layman’s terms, over the course of a typical week I drive about 250km and that used just under half a tank of fuel. Again, I find this to be in line with other models in the segment.
As I mentioned at the top of this review, the electric and hybrid versions of the whole Kona range are due in Australia by the end of the year. When these options are introduced, Hyundai claims they will be able to improve fuel economy to 3.9L/100km, though the drive-away costs of these models themselves will be more expensive, so it’s up to the individual to weigh up what feels like the more efficient option.
Fuel Consumption – brought to you by bp
| Fuel Useage | Fuel Stats |
| Fuel cons. (claimed) | 6.6L/100km |
| Fuel cons. (on test) | 7.5L/100km |
| Fuel type | 91-octane regular unleaded |
| Fuel tank size | 47L |
What is the Hyundai Kona like to drive?
As soon as I hopped into the driver’s seat of this car, I felt at ease. I’m used to driving a mid-size SUV, and I found the Kona to be a little bit lighter to the touch but perfectly sturdy on the road. As I’ve previously mentioned, the sensitivity of the safety warnings did interrupt driving slightly, but they didn’t impact my overall driving experience. I generally found the cabin quiet, too, which is a nice little bonus comfort on the road.
The engine revs flared a bit at points when I needed to accelerate, which took a little getting used to, but broadly speaking it felt nifty driving through the city, slotting into tight parking spots (aided of course with the car’s rear parking sensors), and when I’m doing a dreaded three-point turn out of the kiss-drop at daycare.
Visibility is spot on thanks to good old-fashioned large windows, but equally modern technology helps thanks to blind spot and rear cross-traffic alert systems in place.
| Key details | 2023 Hyundai Kona |
| Engine | 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol |
| Power | 110kW @ 6200rpm |
| Torque | 180Nm @ 4500rpm |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
| Transmission | CVT automatic |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 82.4kW/t |
| Weight (kerb) | 1335kg |
| Spare tyre type | Space-saver |
| Tow rating | 1300kg braked 600kg unbraked |
| Turning circle | 10.6m |
Should I buy a Hyundai Kona?
The catalogue of safety features had me completely at ease when driving. Yes, I called some of them out for being a tad oversensitive but – lightbulb moment – I can always turn them off. And frankly I’d rather have them be oversensitive than under.
With my parent hat on, I was disappointed by the storage space throughout the cabin. The storage is standard for a small SUV, but as the increased size of this generation of Kona is its unique selling point, I can’t help but be critical of what I assumed would be a given.
From an aesthetic point of view, I think it’s fair to say the exterior design of the Kona looks extremely premium, even if it’s not your cup of tea. But inside the car, once you’ve looked past the dash, there’s no denying you’re very much in a base model.
All in all, do I think the Hyundai Kona 2.0 is worth the new price tag? Yes, I do. Would I buy a Hyundai Kona? If I were looking for a small SUV, then yes, I think this is a very compelling option. It depends what your priorities are when it comes to a small SUV, but I think Hyundai has ticked enough boxes, even if only by the skin of its teeth in some cases, to suit the interests of any buyer.
How do I buy a Hyundai Kona – next steps?
If your budget is limited, then this entry-level Kona is the right model for you. A higher-grade model comes with different interior materials, some added interior luxuries and exterior paint options, but Hyundai’s SafeSense technology comes as standard even in the base model, so you’re not compromising on safety.
You can find a range of Hyundai Kona models for sale at Drive.com.au/cars-for-sale or you can find your local Hyundai dealer here.
Worth bearing in mind, too, is that hybrid and electric versions of the range – in all variants – will be available by the end of the year, so hold out if you’d rather your next car be hybrid or electric.
If you want to stay across the latest Kona updates since this review went live, you can find the latest news here.
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