New Hyundai Kona: Full Australian details

Significant price increases, a substantial lift in standard equipment and a serious challenge to Toyota’s hybrids are key elements of the bigger and more spacious second-generation 2023 Hyundai Kona, which launches in Australia this week.

The all-new replacement for carsales’ reigning Best Small SUV has been priced from $32,000 plus on-road costs, marking an increase of $5100 or nearly 19 per cent compared to the big-selling original Hyundai Kona.

Pricing tops out at $46,500 plus ORCs compared to $43,200 previously – a more moderate increase of 7.6 per cent.

Hyundai Australia says the new Kona’s $32K entry price is competitive with small SUV rivals including the Mazda CX-30 (from $30,210), the Nissan QASHQAI ($33,890), the AWD Subaru Crosstrek ($34,990) and Toyota’s Corolla Cross ($33,715) and C-HR ($31,715), which is also about to be replaced.

“The new, substantially larger KONA is positioned competitively within the market in terms of size, high level of standard features (including tech) and price when considering the main segment competitors (Corolla Cross, CX-30 and the like),” said a Hyundai Australia spokesperson.

However, the new Hyundai Kona is more expensive at base level than its popular Kia Seltos sister model (from $29,500 plus ORCs), the popular Mitsubishi ASX ($23,990) and the aged but top-selling MG ZS ($23,990 drive-away) and other Chinese competition like the new Chery Omoda 5 ($29,900 plus ORCs) and GWM-Haval Jolion ($28,490 drive-away).

Key elements of the upgraded Kona package Hyundai will use to justify the increases include its larger size inside and out, a boost in active safety systems and the inclusion of the Bluelink telematics system with over-the-air updates.

We’ve already covered a significant amount of what’s new about the Kona including its exterior and interior design and features here.

Pricing has so far only been announced for mainstream 2.0-litre front-wheel drive and 1.6-litre GDi turbo all-wheel drive variants, plus the new Kona Hybrid, with details for the new Kona EV coming later.

The 2.0 and 1.6 are available now, but the Hybrid is not due for release until the fourth quarter – alongside the EV.

The 2.0-litre Kona starts at $32,000 and tops out at $42,500. The two-model 1.6 turbo line-up is priced between $40,000 and $46,500. Pricing for all models is at the bottom of this story.

The Hybrid’s pricing starts at $36,000 and tops out at $46,500 for the four-variant range. All are powered by the same 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine that makes a combined 104kW/265Nm and averages 3.9L/100km.

That compares favourably with the Toyota C-HR Hybrid, which is priced from $38,465 plus ORCs, makes 90kW and averages 4.3L/100km.

All up there are 10 different Kona variants across the three powertrains announced so far. The 2.0 and Hybrid are both available in standard Kona and Kona Premium forms, and both will be offered with dress-up N Line packs.

The 1.6 turbo comes in Kona or Kona Premium grades, with the N Line pack standard. Kona and Kona Premium 2.0 N Line packs are available from the third quarter.

Elite, Active and Highlander model designations have been dropped.

Safety system highlights include a blind spot view monitor, the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system’s ability to recognise stationary and moving motorcycles (both claimed segment firsts), a front-centre airbag as part of the seven-airbag suite, junction collision avoidance, direct oncoming traffic collision avoidance, multi anti-collision brake and improved parking guidance including remote parking via the smart key for Premium models.

Bluelink connected car services are progressively being rolled out into the Hyundai range. In the Kona features include automatic collision notification and SOS button for emergency assistance, valet mode, geo-fencing and remote start. Kona Premium adds optimal travel routes, voice control and weather forecasting (among much more).

All models have a new floating horizontal dashboard and 12.3-inch touch-screen. Only the base Kona 2.0 misses out on a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a column-mounted shift by wire gear selector.

An eight-speaker Bose audio system is standard, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity for entry models (wired for Premium models, in which embedded satellite-navigation is also standard). The 2023 Kona retains an AM radio as well as FM and DAB+.

The engines of both non-hybrid variants fundamentally carryover with no output changes for both the 110kW/180Nm 2.0-litre and the 146kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbo. However, Combined fuel consumption climbs from 6.2 to 6.6L/100km for the 2.0 and from 6.9 to 7.6L/100km for the 1.6T.

Much of this can be put down to the extra weight the new Kona is carrying. Minimum kerb weight for the new generation is 1335kg versus 1280kg previously. The heaviest turbo now comes in at 1585kg versus 1504kg previously. The new Hybrid varies from 1410kg to 1525kg.

The Kona now measures up as long as 4385mm, whereas the old model started at 4205mm. It is also 25mm wider at 1825mm and as much as 40mm higher at 1590mm. It has wider tracks and a 60mm longer wheelbase at 2660mm.

Key front and rear passenger room measurements have also improved, while the boot now measures up at 407/1241 litres versus 374L/1156L previously. Kona Premium models get a height-adjustable power tailgate. An equipment highlights list is below.

Base Kona variants come with cloth seat trim, while Kona Premiums offer leather and the N Line pack adds Alcantara inserts, red highlights and N logos. Other N Line interior features include a specific steering wheel.

Mechanically, the Kona is fundamentally familiar. The Atkinson-cycle 2.0 retains a CVT auto (with eight virtual gears and manual changes), while the turbo swaps from a seven-speed DCT to an eight-speed torque converter auto. The hybrid employs a six-speed DCT.

Riding on the stiffer third-generation Hyundai K monocoque platform, all 2023 Konas utilise a combination of MacPherson strut front suspension, while at the rear the 2.0 employs a torsion beam set-up and the other variants a multi-link arrangement. Electric-assist power steering is standard across the range.

Hyundai says the new Kona’s chassis behaviour is tuned for Australian conditions, while refinement has been improved by an array of sound and vibration isolation measures.

All models get bigger front ventilated disc brakes. The turbo’s are the biggest and the 1.6 also comes with Hyundai’s HTRAC on-demand all-wheel drive system.

The standard Kona alloy wheel size is now 18-inch – up from 16- and 17-inch. The N Line pack includes 19-inch alloy wheels for 2.0 and turbo models (up from 18s), while the Hybrid sticks with 18s.

Other N Line pack exterior features include body colour cladding, a front bumper with gloss black inserts, side skirts, a wing-type spoiler, a ‘seamless horizon’ centre LED positioning light.

There are nine exterior paint colour choices for the 2023 Kona, with three reserved for the N Line. There are three solid colours and six metallics and micas, which add $595.

Service intervals for the 2023 Kona are 12-month/15,000km, but capped price service plan costs have yet to be announced. The warranty is five years, unlimited kilometres.

How much does the 2023 Hyundai Kona cost?
2.0 FWD
Kona – $32,000
Kona N Line – $36,000
Kona Premium – $39,500
Kona Premium N Line pack – $42,500
1.6T AWD
Kona N Line pack – $40,000
Kona Premium N Line pack – $46,500
1.6 FWD Hybrid
Kona – $36,000
Kona N Line pack – $40,000
Kona Premium – $43,500
Kona Premium N Line pack – $46,500

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