All new 2023 Hyundai Kona arrives to take down Haval Jolion, Mazda CX-30 and MG ZS

A new small SUV, entering one of the most hotly contested segments in the Australian new car market is always a big deal and Hyundai’s all-new Kona is a critical arrival for the South Korean giant in its quest to claw back market share from MG’s segment-leading ZS and other top sellers like the Haval Jolion, Mazda CX-30 and Mitsubishi’s evergreen ASX.

Launching from $32,000 before on-road costs with two internal combustion models, each available with an ‘N Line’ option pack, the Kona and Kona Premium will be joined by hybrid and pure EV variants in the fourth quarter of this year.

That said, pricing for the Kona Hybrid has been confirmed, but cost-of-entry for the pure-electric version to be set closer to its launch.

The new Kona is longer (+185mm), wider (+20mm), higher (30mm) with a bigger wheelbase (+60mm) than its predecessor, a likely by-product of the car’s EV-first design and engineering development.

No surprise Hyundai claims improved passenger space with cargo volume of 407 litres (VDA) with all seats up and 1241L with the second row folded up appreciably on the outgoing model.

Distinctive design features include Hyundai’s slim-line ‘Horizon Lighting’ already seen in the Staria, and the absence of a conventional grille again reinforces the car’s EV-led design.

The new Kona is longer (+185mm), wider (+20mm) and higher (30mm).

A drag coefficient of 0.30 is fractionally slicker than the outgoing model’s Cd of 0.32.

Inside a new ‘floating’ horizontal dashboard is a design highlight along with a 12.3-inch multimedia screen and ‘shift-by-wire’ drive selector.

Prices start at $32,000 for the entry-level Kona, powered by a 2.0-litre (110kW/180Nm) naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine driving the front wheels through a CVT auto, or $36,000 with a fuel-sipping 1.6-litre (104kW/265Nm) hybrid, FWD, six-speed dual-clutch combination.

Distinctive design features include Hyundai’s slim-line ‘Horizon Lighting’ already seen in the Staria.

An N Line pack (available on both versions) adds $4000. Then, an N Line-only variant, powered by a 1.6-litre (146kW/265Nm) turbo-petrol engine, sending drive to all four wheels via an eight-speed (torque converter) auto, weighs in at $40,000.

Step up to the Kona Premium and the same powertrain combinations are priced at $39,500 (2.0L), $43,500 (1.6L hybrid), with the N Line package adding $3000. Here the N Line-only AWD 1.6-litre turbo-petrol sits at $46,500.

All models feature 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail-lights as well as dual-zone climate control. The Premium model picks up a Bose eight-speaker premium audio system, a power tailgate and more. 

Inside a new ‘floating’ horizontal dashboard is a design highlight along with a 12.3-inch multimedia screen.

The N Line pack brings body-coloured cladding and other specific exterior elements including the front bumper (with gloss black insert), side skirts, spoiler, rear bumper and gloss black mirror caps. Also included are unique 19-inch alloy rims (18-inch on hybrid variants), sports exhaust, dual projector beam headlights and more. 

Then, inside there’s a sports steering wheel, leather-appointed / Alcantara seats and a host of other accents and highlights. Three exterior colours - ‘Cyber Grey’, ‘Neoteric Yellow’ and ‘Soultronic Orange’ are N Line exclusive. 

Hyundai’s comprehensive ‘SmartSense’ safety suite is present and accounted for including active tech like radar and camera-controlled AEB (with pedestrian and cyclist detection), blind-spot view and collision avoidance, ‘Lane-Following Assist’, ‘Lane Keeping Assist’, rear cross-traffic alert and rear AEB, active cruise control, a 360-degree camera view and (much) more.

The N Line-only AWD 1.6-litre turbo-petrol sits at $46,500.

There are seven airbags on-board, including a front centre bag to minimise front occupant injuries in a side impact.

2023 Hyundai Kona pricing before on-road costs