The New Hyundai Kona – Is It a Good Car?

Enter the 2023 Hyundai Kona. With a bold, futuristic new look and more space – a welcome addition to what had been a comparatively cramped interior – as well as an electric-first design, this car is generating a stir in the small SUV sector. But is the Hyundai Kona a good car?

The Hyundai Kona 2023 – what’s new?

The Hyundai Kona builds on the brand’s Seven Concept, which first launched in 2021 and outlined the company’s commitment to sustainability and innovations to make car travel more enjoyable.

Exterior

Design-wise, the Kona genuinely looks different from past models. Its slim wrap-around front LED bar adds a futuristic aesthetic (headlights are hidden on the edges of the front bumper), with different models offering distinct style elements – the N Line has an open-plan grille, for example, whilst the electric Kona features pixel graphic details.

Interior

Inside, the Hyundai Kona is about as contemporary as it gets – the rear has a ‘curveless seat bench’, which the brand positions as more modern and user-friendly than traditional rear seats, and the boot has been expanded. Practical features like a dual-screen display – much like in the brand’s Ioniq 5 – and a relocated gear shifter work to improve the overall driving experience. Plus, with 150mm more length and 25mm more width than the current Hyundai Kona, there’s also slightly more space for passengers (height remains the same).

Specification

Hyundai have kept quiet about engine specs for the Kona – we do know that it has been built as an electric vehicle first and foremost, but the model is also available in petrol and hybrid engines. The Hyundai Kona is the sister car of the Kia Niro, using the same ‘K3’ platform – as such, it can be expected to function to a similar degree.

The more affordable Kona is anticipated to house a 1.0litre turbo engine, averaging around 47MPG and producing around 120PS. The hybrid-electric (HEV) model, meanwhile, will have a 1.6litre petrol engine as well as an electric battery, averaging around 64MPG and 139PS. Expect the electric Kona to have a range of around 285 miles, and charge to 80% capacity in around 45 minutes with a rapid charger.

So, is the Hyundai Kona a good car?

More space, a genuinely eye-catching design, different engine choices, and an overall improved driver experience make the new Hyundai Kona a genuine contender in the competitive small SUV market. Whether or not the car lives up to its promise will become clear on its release, which is expected in the summer of 2023.

Finance your new Hyundai Kona

At over £30,000 for the petrol engine, the Hyundai Kona is expected to cost more than the existing model. But that’s still affordable with the help of car finance. Use My Car Credit’s car loan calculator to find out how you can own the small SUV of the future.