2023 Hyundai Kona new car review
One of the best selling small SUVs has had a wild makeover that delivers huge upgrades in all key areas, and it now comes with a hybrid option.
Sharper style, roomier, safer and smarter, but does the all-new pricier Hyundai Kona cut it as a small family SUV? We sample the entry-level petrol model.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
IAIN: I’m face-to-face with the new Hyundai Kona and all I’m seeing is Robocop.
JULES: Snap out of the 80s. It’s such a cool design. Giant LED light strips front and rear, and big slice-like creases along its sides.
IAIN: I like its front and rear smooth edges, bold alloys and low-mount headlights, but spare me the giant slabs of grey plastic around the wheel arches.
JULES: But they’re for protection and ruggedness, as this is a go-anywhere SUV, right?
IAIN: Oh, totally. Two-wheel-drive, 170mm ground clearance and skinny road tyres. Anyway, you need the $4000 N-Line pack to get body-coloured side bits, but that also adds leather inside. I’d tick that box.
JULES: The new Kona’s already increased around $5000 over old. Ours eclipses $36,000 drive-away with red metallic paint, and it’s just the entry-level.
IAIN: Life gets ever pricier. Key rivals, for similar money, are the Kia Seltos, Toyota Corolla Cross and Mazda CX-30 – quality competition.
THE LIVING SPACE
JULES: Ah. I see why the price rise. The dashboard is incredibly hi-tech.
IAIN: Two 12.3-inch panels merge into one large, curved screen. These house infotainment and a smallish customisable digital driver display.
JULES: It’s a strong selling point. As are a smart rubber pad for wireless charging, wireless CarPlay/Android Auto and user-friendly climate buttons.
IAIN: Before I put the boot in, I like the giant Boeing 747 throttle-like gear shifter, Hyundai’s new simple steering wheel logo and handy shelf in front of the passenger for a phone, sweeties or the vape confiscated from your kids.
JULES: And the bad stuff?
IAIN: Hyundai really should have done better with the seat material and too-hard cabin plastics. They feel way too entry-level and basic.
JULES: Zero padding for door armrests, and the centre rest has wafer-thin padding. My elbows weren’t happy.
THE COMMUTE
IAIN: Familiar old 2.0-litre non-turbo four-cylinder petrol here. You need to spend more for a zestier 1.6-litre turbo or hybrid.
JULES: It’s noisy when pushed, and the CVT auto was jittery and lazy at low speeds on occasion.
IAIN: But it’s fun in town, handles well and, wind noise aside, a hugely comfy and competent highway cruiser.
JULES: Until Nanny pipes up.
IAIN: Ah yes. Its lane keep system is too aggressive and beepy as it tries to keep you in lane, but then this car seemed to beep at me non-stop.
JULES: That’s the speed warning. Any new speed limit sign it sees, it beeps to alert you. In a 60 zone, go 1km/h over and it starts flashing; 3km/h over and the beeping begins.
IAIN: We shouldn’t be speeding, but it occasionally gets the speed sign wrong. Infuriating. I counted seven maddening steps through the menu to turn it all off.
JULES: I managed to make it the shortcut button to save our sanity.
THE SHOPPING
IAIN: The Kona’s mad looks means it’s at home outside fancy boutiques.
JULES: Really good boot size for a small SUV too. And two handy plastic bins in there to stop groceries rolling around.
SUNDAY RUN
IAIN: Its 110kW and 180Nm hardly mean a thrilling drive, but the new Kona is a peach through corners. For more fun, you need the turbo model.
JULES: It’s pretty wonderful on long road trips. The radar cruise control’s excellent, but the serenity is oft disturbed by more beeps.
IAIN: I discovered peak Nanny. I kept looking down at the driver display to work out why I was being beeped at, then it beeped at me some more as it detected my eyes were off the road. Noise cancelling earphones are required.
THE FAMILY
JULES: Excellent safety, including key stuff I want like blind spot warning and rear traffic alert. Brilliant features.
IAIN: Our entry-level misses a 3D surround monitor and the handy live footage of your blind spot. The pricier Premium models bring those.
JULES: We returned 6.6L/100km after 500km; bang on Hyundai’s figures.
IAIN: But there’s a Kona Hybrid giving 3.9L/100km. It’s worth the $4000 extra if you do a lot of town driving and plan on keeping the car a while.
JULES: Unlike many small SUVs, this Kona’s back seats are nice places to travel.
IAIN: Agreed. Plastics still are rental car cheap, but head, leg and toe room are great and there’s a central armrest, air vents, two USB-C ports and a slot for mobile phones. The kids were well accommodated.
JULES: But it’s not a cheap SUV to buy, and it’s $1995 for five years servicing.
THE VERDICT
IAIN: No revolution, but the Kona remains one of the best small SUV choices. For the money I’d want a better cabin finish and turbo engine, but the excellent inclusions and standout style compensate.
JULES: I’d happily own one. Those dramatic LED light bars are fantastic. It’s roomy and safe for the family; I just wish the nannying beeps would give me some peace.
HYUNDAI KONA
PRICE: About $36,000 drive-away
WARRANTY AND SERVICING: 5 years/unlimited km warranty, $1995 for 5 years/75,000km plan
ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4-cyl petrol, 110kW/180Nm
SAFETY: 7 airbags, rear camera, AEB, blind spot avoidance, attention warning, junction assist, speed limit assist, rear cross traffic assist, safe exit warning, radar cruise control, park sensors front and rear.
THIRST: 6.6L/100km
SPARE: Space saver
BOOT: 407L
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