2023 Hyundai Kona

Is the 2023 Hyundai Kona a Good SUV?

Yes, the 2023 Kona is a great SUV. In fact, we named it our 2023 Best Subcompact SUV for the Money because it has the best combination of quality and value in its class. It comes loaded with standard features, has a fuel-efficient base engine and offers both confident handling and a smooth ride. It’s also available with potent turbocharged engines and some upmarket options like leather and suede upholstery. The only major downsides are a cramped second row and a small cargo area.

Should I Buy the 2023 Hyundai Kona?

Anyone shopping for a well-priced and feature-rich subcompact SUV should consider the Kona. Depending on the engine you choose, the Kona takes on the personality of a fuel-efficient and city-friendly small SUV or a powerful lifted hot hatch. If you need more passenger or cargo space, the Honda HR-V and Kia Soul are worth considering. For a more off-road-capable subcompact SUV, the Jeep Renegade might do the trick.

Find a 2023 Hyundai Kona for sale near you »

2022 vs. 2023 Hyundai Kona: What's the Difference?

For 2023, Hyundai adds a rear USB port, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert to the Kona's standard features list. Otherwise, the new Kona is unchanged from the 2022 model.

Compare the 2022 and 2023 Kona »

Here are the key changes for the Hyundai Kona over the last few years:

• 2023: gains some additional standard features
• 2022: performance-oriented N and N-Line trims debut; 8-inch touch screen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay join standard features list; 10.25-inch touch screen became available
• 2021: Night Edition trim introduced
• 2020: revamped trim lineup; adaptive cruise control made available
• 2019: all-electric Kona EV debuted; forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, pedestrian detection, forward automatic emergency braking and driver-attention monitoring became standard

If you're considering an older model, be sure to read our 2020 Kona, 2021 Kona and 2022 Kona reviews to help make your decision. Also, check out our Best New Car Deals and Best New Car Lease Deals pages to learn about savings and discounts you can find on new vehicles.

Pricing

How Much is a 2023 Hyundai Kona?

The 2023 Kona starts at $22,140 for the base SE model with front-wheel drive. Stepping up to the SEL adds niceties like 17-inch wheels, Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics system and push-button start, and this trim starts at $23,950. If you're interested in gaining the 195-horsepower engine and features like a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and upgraded cloth upholstery, go for the N Line trim and its $27,850 starting price. The Limited trim (MSRP: $28,950) adds amenities like an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The top-tier N trim begins at $34,950 and boasts a stronger 276-horsepower engine and niceties like leather and suede upholstery, a sport-tuned suspension and exhaust, paddle shifters and a limited-slip differential.

Which Is the Best 2023 Hyundai Kona Model to Buy?

Unless one of the stronger engines is a priority, the base SE model is a good choice for most shoppers thanks to its lengthy list of standard tech and driver-assistance features. These include an 8-inch touch screen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Hyundai dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Hyundai deals page.

2023 Hyundai Kona Versus the Competition

Hyundai Kona vs. Honda HR-V

The Honda HR-V is redesigned for 2023. It offers a more upmarket interior and more cargo room than the Kona, and like its Hyundai rival, it offers balanced driving dynamics and comes standard with plenty of tech features. However, the Kona bests the HR-V in terms of performance thanks to its two peppy turbocharged engine options (the Honda is only available with a 158-horsepower four-cylinder). 

Compare the Kona and HR-V »

Hyundai Kona vs. Hyundai Venue

The Hyundai Venue is the brand’s latest subcompact SUV, and it shares some positive traits with its corporate sibling. Both come standard with a healthy number of tech and driver-assistance features, and both offer great maneuverability and fuel economy. The entry-level Venue costs about $2,000 less than the base Kona, but it has fewer available features and less cargo space. Also, the Venue is only available with a poky 121-horsepower engine, making it more of a low-speed city car.

Compare the Kona and Venue »

Compare the Kona, HR-V and Venue »

Kona Interior: Big on Tech, Slim on Space

2023 Kona Interior Quality

The 2023 Kona has a well-built and tech-centric cabin. Premium materials are scattered throughout in higher trims, but critics complain about the abundance of visible hard plastics.

2023 Kona Infotainment, Bluetooth and Navigation

The Kona’s touch-screen infotainment system is a pleasure to use thanks to an intuitive menu, crisp graphics and a robust set of features. There are also plenty of redundant physical controls for climate and audio functions. The system can be a bit laggy, but there are no major issues otherwise. It's worth noting that while wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard with the base system, those smartphone integration apps require a wired connection with the larger touch screen.

• Standard infotainment features: an 8-inch touch screen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, a six-speaker stereo and three USB ports
• Available infotainment features: a 10.25-inch touch screen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, navigation, wireless device charging, satellite radio, HD Radio, voice recognition, Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics system and the Hyundai Digital Key 
• Additional standard features: remote keyless entry
• Other available features: interior ambient LED lighting, automatic climate control, proximity keyless entry and push-button start

For more information, read What Is Apple CarPlay? and What Is Android Auto?

2023 Kona Cargo Space

The Kona offers slightly less cargo space than most subcompact SUVs. There’s 19.2 cubic feet of room behind the second row and 45.8 cubic feet with the back seats folded down. The cargo area’s low liftover height and wide opening make it easier to load large or heavy items.

How Many People Does the 2023 Kona Seat?

The Kona is a two-row SUV that seats five people. The front row offers supportive and comfortable seats, as well as plenty of head- and legroom. The second row has less wiggle room and can feel cramped for adults.

2023 Kona and Child Car Seats

There are two complete sets of LATCH connectors for the Kona’s rear outboard seats and a tether anchor for the rear middle seat. The lower anchors are difficult to maneuver around, and they’re set too deeply in the seats.

Read more about interior »

Kona Performance: Eager to Please

2023 Kona Engine

The 2023 Kona takes on a different personality depending on which engine you choose. The base 147-horsepower engine is sufficient but not especially powerful. It’s paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

The next step up is a 195-horsepower turbocharged engine that offers a noticeable boost in power while remaining remarkably fuel-efficient. It comes with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The most potent engine is exclusive to the performance-oriented Kona N, and it produces a healthy 276 horsepower. Paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic, it helps propel the Kona from zero to 60 mph in a Hyundai-estimated 5.1 seconds.

2023 Kona Gas Mileage

The 2023 Kona’s fuel economy depends on which engine you choose. With the base engine and front-wheel drive, the Kona gets an EPA-estimated 30 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. Those are fantastic estimates for the class. All-wheel-drive models get 28/33 mpg city/highway.

Models with the 1.6-liter turbo-four engine and FWD achieve 29/35 mpg city/highway. This figure drops to 27/32 mpg if you opt for AWD. 

The Kona N’s 2.0-liter turbo-four gets below-average estimates of 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

2023 Kona Ride and Handling

The Kona won’t outdo a Porsche around a sharp curve, but it’s one of the better-handling subcompact SUVs on the market. The Kona’s confident and sure-footed handling is paired with a smooth ride and good braking action. It’s also easy to maneuver in tight parking lots and urban streets, thanks to its small footprint and turning radius.

Read more about performance »

Kona Reliability

Is the 2023 Hyundai Kona Reliable?

The 2023 Hyundai Kona has a predicted reliability score of 83 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average, and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.

2023 Hyundai Kona Warranty

Hyundai covers the 2023 Kona with a five-year/60,000-mile limited warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Read more about reliability »

2023 Hyundai Kona Safety

Score: 9.9/10

2023 Kona Crash Test Results

At the time of writing, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has crash tested the 2023 Kona, but both organizations tested the mechanically similar 2022 model. 

The IIHS gave the 2022 Kona the highest rating of Good in all six crash tests, as well as a Superior rating for its optional vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system. The optional vehicle-to-pedestrian system received the midtier rating of Advanced.

NHTSA gave the 2022 Kona an overall safety rating of five out of five stars, with five stars in the frontal and side crash tests and four stars in the rollover test.

2023 Kona Safety Features

Standard driver-assistance features:

• Rearview camera
• Forward collision warning
• Forward automatic emergency braking
• Pedestrian detection
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Lane-keep assist
• Lane-departure warning
• Driver-attention monitoring
• Rear-seat alert (reminds you to check the back seats for kids or pets before you exit the vehicle)

Available driver-assistance features:

• Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control
• Cyclist detection
• Rear parking sensors
• Lane-centering assist
• Vehicle exit warning (alerts exiting passengers of vehicles approaching from behind)
• High-beam assist

2023 Kona Dimensions and Weight

The Kona is 13.8 feet long. Its curb weight ranges from 2,899 to 3,340 pounds.

Where Is the 2023 Hyundai Kona Built?

Hyundai builds the 2023 Kona in South Korea.

2023 Hyundai Kona Models and Trims

The 2023 Hyundai Kona comes in five trims: SE, SEL, N Line, Limited and N. The SE and SEL are equipped with a 147-horsepower engine and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). N Line and Limited models gain a 195-horsepower turbo-four and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The performance-oriented Kona N comes with a 276-horsepower turbo-four and an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. All but the Kona N are available with all-wheel drive for an additional $1,500.

Hyundai Kona SE

The SE has a base MSRP of $22,140. Standard features include cloth upholstery, 16-inch alloy wheels, an 8-inch touch screen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, a six-speaker stereo, three USB ports and remote keyless entry.

Standard driver-assistance features include a rearview camera, forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, driver-attention monitoring and rear-seat alert.

No notable options or packages are available for the SE.

Hyundai Kona SEL

The SEL has a starting price of $23,950. It gains 17-inch alloy wheels, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, HD Radio, satellite radio, Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics system, proximity keyless entry and push-button start.

The available Convenience package ($2,400) adds a 10.25-inch touch screen (with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), navigation, voice recognition, wireless device charging, Hyundai’s Digital Key, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a sunroof and automatic climate control.

Hyundai Kona N Line

The N Line has a base price of $27,850. In addition to the stronger engine and special N Line exterior and interior styling elements, this trim gains the contents of the SEL’s Convenience package, upgraded cloth upholstery, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Hyundai Kona Limited

The Limited trim has a base MSRP of $28,950. It comes with all of the N Line’s standard features but does away with the N Line’s trim-specific styling. It also gains leather-trimmed seats, LED headlights and taillights, an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and interior ambient LED lighting.

Additional driver-assistance features for this trim include stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, high-beam assist, cyclist detection, rear parking sensors, vehicle-exit warning and lane-centering assist.

Hyundai Kona N

The performance-oriented Kona N starts at $34,950 and features a 276-horsepower turbo-four engine. Other trim-specific features include unique interior and exterior styling, 19-inch alloy wheels, leather and suede upholstery, a sport-tuned suspension and exhaust, paddle shifters and a limited-slip differential. Most tech and driver-assistance features from the Limited trim carry over, though the N loses stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, cyclist detection, rear parking sensors and lane-centering assist.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Hyundai dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Hyundai deals page.

See 2023 Hyundai Kona specs and trims »

Why You Can Trust Our Reviews

U.S. News & World Report has been ranking the best cars, trucks and SUVs since 2007, and our staff has more than 75 years of combined experience in the auto industry. 

This 2023 Kona review combines 29 professional reviews with concrete data like performance specs, fuel economy estimates and safety ratings and incorporates applicable research for all models in this generation, which launched for 2022. 

Check out excerpts from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.

• "Let’s assume that people looking to buy a good, reasonably priced, new subcompact SUV have already worked out how much rear space they’re going to need for passengers and cargo. And the answer is 'not much.' They have probably decided to get something that’s easy on gas as well. And a good runabout around town. Ta-da, here’s the 2023 Kona." -- Kelley Blue Book
• "I've had more fun in this front-wheel-drive crossover than any sports car or supercar I've had the pleasure of driving, with even grocery runs sending me into a fit of giggles. The Kona N is, in a word, sublime." -- CNET (2022)
• "The Kona is a top competitor among subcompact SUVs thanks to a strong optional turbocharged engine, sharp handling and a usable interior. But there are a few shortcomings that keep it from being an easy winner, such as inconsistent transmission shifting and a plasticky cabin." -- Edmunds (2022)