Hyundai Kona Hybrid 2023 Review

The 2023 Hyundai Kona Hybrid is available in two model grades: the base Kona Hybrid on test here, which starts at $36,000 plus on-road costs, and the more upmarket Kona Hybrid Premium, priced from $43,500 plus ORCs.

Both are available with an optional N Line package, which adds $4000 to the base model and $3000 to the Premium.

Each Kona Hybrid model is positioned $4000 upstream of the equivalent 2.0-litre petrol-engined version – the petrol range opens at $32,000 plus ORCs – while the 1.6-litre turbo (with all-wheel drive, the rest are 2WD) opens at $40,000 as an N Line only. The 1.6T Premium N Line starts at $42,500.

The Kona was named carsales’ Best Small SUV earlier this year, and recently backed that up with Highly Commended and People’s Choice awards in carsales’ 2023 Car of the Year.

The first-ever petrol-electric Kona is aiming squarely at the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid (from $36,480) and C-HR (from $38,465), just as GWM Australia is pitching its Haval Jolion Hybrid from a keen $36,990 drive-away.

Other hybrids in the fast-growing small SUV segment are combined with more expensive model grades, most notably the new Honda HR-V e:HEV (from $47,000 drive-away) and the soon-to-launch Nissan QASHQAI e-POWER (from $51,590 plus ORCs).

The Kia Niro Hybrid, which is closely related to the Kona, also starts higher at $44,930 plus ORCs.

As we’ve seen with the petrol-engined models already on sale, the 2023 Hyundai Kona Hybrid makes an immediate impression with the second-generation small SUV’s bigger body and roomier cabin, improved safety systems, Bluelink telematics system and over-the-air update capability.

Then there’s the more efficient and lower-emitting new hybrid powertrain that’s now available, after the first-generation was offered with conventional engines or as an EV.

Key standard features on the Kona Hybrid include dual-zone climate control, a smart key with push-button start, remote start and remote front window opening, three driver profiles to preset preferences, power lumbar adjustment for the driver’s seat, and heated and power-folding exterior mirrors.

The Kona Hybrid comes with the five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and requires a service every 12 months or 15,000km.

The capped-price service scheme at participating Hyundai dealers is $399 per service over the first five years, and includes continuation of roadside assist for 12 months with each annual service.

The 2023 Hyundai Kona Hybrid comes with an exhaustive list of safety and driver assistance equipment.

Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane keeping/following assist and blind spot collision avoidance assist are part of the safety suite, while forward collision warning’s ability to detect stationary and moving motorcycles is new for the second-generation Kona.

Other features include front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and rear collision warning, but a 360-degree camera is only available on the Premium model.

The steering has haptic feedback, and there’s driver attention warning for leading vehicle departure and forward attention.

Speed sign recognition is also part of the package, and the audible warning – which beeps every time the system detects the car is travelling above the posted limit – can be switched off, but does reset on ignition start.

A centre front airbag is new to this Gen II Kona, helping avoid head knocks between front seat passengers in the event of a collision. This combines with dual front, front side and curtain airbags.

Beyond the surround-view camera, the Kona Hybrid Premium features side sensors, remote smart parking and reverse parking collision avoidance.

LED headlights incorporating high beam assist are standard across the range, however the entry Kona Hybrid lacks projector beams and full-width ‘seamless horizon’ positioning LED lighting found on the Premium.

Bluelink connectivity and the smartphone app provide peace of mind for safety back-up with automatic collision notification and an SOS button for emergency assistance.

As for an ANCAP safety rating, the Kona is as yet untested; ANCAP is awaiting the results of a Euro NCAP test and will study these to work out a local rating.

The 2023 Hyundai Kona Hybrid has a 12.3-inch infotainment system with an embedded SIM offering Hyundai Bluelink and over-the-air (OTA) update capability and voice recognition.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wireless) are integrated into the system, but there’s no embedded sat-nav at this entry level, or any head-up display.

The dash is also digital, but only its 4.2-inch centre section is configurable at this entry point.

If you want to charge a smartphone, there’s the 15W wireless charging pad, plus two USB-C data/charging ports in the front and another two USB-C outlets in the back.

Hyundai says that the Type-C power outlets are designed around Power Delivery 3.0 standard and deliver an output of 27W/3A for rapid charging.

What you get under the bonnet of the 2023 Hyundai Kona Hybrid is a powertrain that employs an Atkinson-cycle 1.6-litre GDi four-cylinder petrol engine with 77kW of power and 144Nm of torque.

This set-up has assistance from a 32kW/170Nm electric motor, which brings total output to 104kW/265Nm combined.

The hybrid system mostly uses the petrol engine, with the electric motor – drawing energy from a 1.32kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack – providing motivation as required.

Four-stage selectable regenerative braking helps to recharge the high-voltage battery.

The front wheels are driven via a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The 2023 Hyundai Kona Hybrid returns economy of 3.9L/100km on the official combined-cycle test.

On the launch drive, we averaged 5.1L/100km in mixed city/country driving.

On our average figure, you’d get around 745km out of a full 38-litre tank.

In the wide range of conditions in which Australians need to drive, the 2023 Hyundai Kona Hybrid has what it takes to sign off most roads, sealed or unsealed, with a good degree of competence.

In short, this is a small SUV that won’t send a tingle down your spine as you reel in loops of a mountain pass but certainly will tick off the drive with accurate steering, minimal body roll and with very compliant and fairly quick-to-settle suspension.

The Kona Hybrid not only lapped up the varying quality of the ACT’s backroads without fuss, it also had reasonable get-up-and-go while doing it.

This is not the enthusiast’s powertrain of choice, sure, but it has that nice hybrid blend of mostly silent urban operation and a quiet hum in easy country driving.

It is worth mentioning that this is contrasted by a coarse-sounding petrol engine when using full throttle – but it’s the contrast from the otherwise-mute engine bay more than the sheer decibels that make you notice it.

The 2023 Hyundai Kona Hybrid shares its interior with the petrol-engined models introduced in June, so much of the same comments apply.

The first impressions for this writer were the sense of up-to-the-minute tech and design on the digital dash, and with features like the column-mounted gear lever wand and really practical, useful large centre tray storage.

The sense of quality takes a bit of a knock when you see the hard plastic door cards, and in the test vehicle at least, a rather dull, unimaginative dark interior.

At least there’s multiple driver’s seat and steering adjustment to find a comfortable driving position, aided by the strong adjustable lumbar support.

The view to the instruments and out to the front and sides is very good, and you have the multiple storage compartments in doors and the large centre tray already mentioned.

The rear seat area is roomy, while outboard ISOFIX child restraint mounts and three top tether strap points cover off child seat requirements. It’s worth noting the shape of the back seat, too: it’s a useful flat design allowing for better, safer child seat stability and placement than with a heavily contoured rear seat.

The boot, which hides a space-saver spare wheel under the floor, offers 407 litres of cargo space. With the 60/40-split folding rear seats down, there’s 1247L available.

That the 2023 Hyundai Kona Hybrid is offered at a more affordable price point compared to some key competitors – Honda, Nissan and even Kia among them – is a great thing for those on a budget.

There are some compromises to get to this point, with items such as sat-nav and the new Kona’s signature LED strip lighting missing on the entry model. It’s also a shame that a slightly more premium feel to cabin materials couldn’t be achieved.

But from this opening launch drive, Hyundai’s first-ever petrol-electric Kona proves to be light on fuel, offering decent if not exhilarating performance and a very good ride and handling compromise.

Combine that with a roomy interior for a small SUV, plus the standard features that are included, and the Hyundai Kona Hybrid is a welcome addition that deserves close attention next to offerings from Toyota and any other mainstream brand you’d care to name.

2023 Hyundai Kona Hybrid at a glance:
Price: $36,000 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric
Output: 77kW/144Nm (electric motor: 32kW/170Nm)
Combined output: 104kW/265Nm
Transmission: Six-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 3.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 89g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested