The unique Hyundai Kona was a cool, angular little factor. Based mostly loosely on the i30 Hatch’s platform and one of many earlier entrants into the correctly compact SUV class, the primary iteration was vastly profitable for the Korean model.

Now, there’s a brand new one. Based mostly on the identical platform because the Kia Niro in addition to the i30 Sedan (Avante or Elantra in different markets), the brand new 2023 Hyundai Kona is larger and higher than ever.

It’s on a extra superior platform with up to date engines and the newest in Hyundai’s infotainment applied sciences, and now has extra space to higher compete with the likes of the Kia Seltos and Nissan Qashqai.

The Kona additionally provides a litany of variants in a time the place most rivals are simplifying their line-ups. By the top of the 12 months there will likely be no fewer than 4 drivetrains obtainable throughout 4 trim ranges and two look packages.

The attention-searingly yellow instance you see right here is the 2023 Hyundai Kona N Line 1.6T AWD.

N Line variations of the brand new Kona are just a little complicated. With the turbo petrol AWD drivetrain, there’s solely N Line and Premium N Line variations obtainable, the place the usual Kona and Premium variations can be found with 2.0 FWD petrol and 1.6 Hybrid (HEV) drivetrains, which might then be optioned with the N Line Bundle.

Maybe extra noteworthy is the very fact the newest Kona 1.6T AWD picks up a brand new eight-speed automated transmission, which needs to be a welcome enchancment over the previous seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT). The N Line Bundle additionally brings a good-looking set of additional options over the bottom Kona specification – is it the Goldilocks variant?

How a lot does the Hyundai Kona N Line 1.6T AWD value?

The automotive you see right here is priced from $40,000 earlier than on-road prices.

It’s positioned about mid-way by way of the vary, and is your most reasonably priced ticket into the Kona with a turbocharged AWD drivetrain. For an additional $6500 you may have a decked-out Kona Premium N Line with the identical engine.

Pricing for the Kona Electrical hasn’t been revealed forward of its launch within the fourth quarter, however we’re anticipating a line-up of variants together with Kona and Premium trim ranges with the N Line possibility bundle on each. Hyundai has additionally confirmed it’ll proceed to supply two battery sizes with the brand new iteration.

There’s numerous steel you may get for round $40,000 within the small SUV class, with sporty alternate options together with the GWM Haval Jolion S ($35,990 D/A), Kia Seltos Sport+ 1.6T AWD ($39,300) Mazda CX-30 G25 Touring SP AWD ($42,510), Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross Exceed AWD ($42,990), Nissan Qashqai ST-L ($42,190), and the VW T-Roc R-Line ($47,090).

Different rivals for comparable cash embody the Honda HR-V (from $36,700 D/A), Renault Arkana Intens ($41,000), Subaru Crosstrek AWD 2.0S ($41,490) and the Toyota Corolla Cross GXL AWD Hybrid ($43,230).

2023 Hyundai Kona pricing:

• Kona
  • 2.0 FWD: $32,000
  • 1.6 HEV FWD: $36,000
• Kona N Line
  • 1.6 HEV FWD: $40,000
  • 1.6T AWD: $40,000
• Kona Premium
  • 2.0 FWD: $39,500
  • 1.6 HEV FWD: $43,500
• Kona Premium N Line
  • 1.6 HEV FWD: $46,500
  • 1.6T AWD: $46,500

Costs exclude on-road prices

What’s the Hyundai Kona N Line 1.6T AWD like on the within?

The brand new Kona is a world away from its predecessor within the cabin, with a better give attention to upmarket design and know-how, in addition to extra space.

All N Line variations characteristic twin 12.3-inch high-resolution shows for the motive force’s instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen, each operating Hyundai’s newest software program interface.

The digital instrument cluster is kind of primary and limits configurability to totally different dial outlines and some totally different menus between the dials, however the added display screen dimension and minimalist design really feel fairly futuristic.

Animations are fluid and the refresh charges are good, which carries over to the central show. On this specification there’s no satellite tv for pc navigation, however it does get wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with DAB radio in addition to Hyundai’s Bluelink linked providers.

The tiles on the primary menu are paying homage to Genesis’s tackle the present Hyundai/Kia software program, and wi-fi smartphone mirroring is snappy and dependable. I did expertise dropouts, however it was way more dependable than older Hyundai and Kia fashions with the characteristic. Plus, the 12.3-inch show’s decision and response occasions really feel properly upmarket.

Consolation up entrance is fairly good, thanks partly to the ethereal and spacious really feel of the brand new mannequin in addition to comfy, shapely seats that in N Line-spec are trimmed in a mix of leather-based and Alcantara with vivid crimson accents and top-stitching.

They’re manually adjustable, however there’s loads of motion to discover a good driving place, each within the seats and steering wheel. In the event you get one of many Premium fashions, you improve to 10-way energy adjustment with reminiscence and Zero Gravity operate – which reclines the seats proper again like a lounge. You additionally get eight-way energy adjustment for the passenger with the identical Zero Gravity characteristic in larger grades.

Whereas the design and presentation is sweet, with brushed metal-look bits and a pop from the crimson accents, the fabric high quality is in want of enchancment within the Kona. The surfaces lining the dashboard and doorways are arduous and scratchy, although high-contact factors like front-centre armrest and door inserts are padded with an identical leather-suede mixture because the seats.

Storage is sweet, although. The relocation of the gearshift to behind the steering wheel in all however the base petrol Kona imply the centre console is freed up with heaps of area for storage nooks and cubbies. There’s a spot for all the things actually.

There’s a modular cupholder space that may accommodate smaller cups, and there’s a shelf with a wi-fi telephone charger below the centre stack that has a rubberised base to cease issues from sliding round.

There are additionally a pair of USB-C ports and a 12V outlet below the centre stack, forward of the Drive/Terrain mode selector and buttons for Auto Maintain, parking digicam and sensors.

Solely the AWD model will get terrain settings as a result of extra succesful underpinnings, although all variations of the Kona get a number of drive modes – Eco, Regular and Sport – which tailor the steering, throttle response and transmission accordingly.

I additionally admire the door bins that may accommodate bigger bottles – this has been a grip of mine with Hyundai and Kia fashions of late.

One other key enchancment with the brand new era is the rear seat which, due to the longer physique and wheelbase, has affordable room for passengers bigger than youngsters.

The physique is 150mm longer (4355mm lengthy) whereas the wheelbase as elevated by 60mm to 2660mm. A 25mm enhance in width rounds out the important thing dimensional modifications.

All because of this an above-average grownup like 6’1 me can sit behind my very own driving place with out urgent my knees up in opposition to the seat backs, and there’s higher area for bulkier rear cargo like rear-facing youngster seats. Talking of youngsters, there are ISOFIX anchors on the outboard positions and top-tethers behind all three.

There are additionally route air vents behind the centre console and an additional set of two USB-C ports again there, in addition to netted map pockets behind the entrance seats and a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders.

Just like the second row of seating, the boot space has grown over the earlier era. There’s now 407 litres with all seats in play, up 33L on the previous Kona.

Additional, Hyundai quotes 1241 litres with the rear seats folded. That’s rather more aggressive with the likes of the Kia Seltos (433L-1428L) and Nissan Qashqai (429L-1524L). An area saver spare lives below the boot ground.

What’s below the bonnet?

In Australia, the Kona is accessible with no fewer than two petrol engines, a petrol-electric hybrid, and shortly there will likely be a pair of pure-electric choices too.

On take a look at we’ve got the up to date 1.6 T-GDi AWD, which generates 146kW (6000rpm) and 265Nm (1600-4500rpm) from a four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. Drive is distributed to an on-demand all-wheel drive system through a brand new eight-speed automated transmission, which replaces the previous seven-speed dry-clutch DCT.

The turbo is the thirstiest Kona drivetrain variant, with a mixed gasoline economic system declare of 7.6 litres per 100 kilometres. Of notice is the city cycle determine of 10.0L/100km, whereas CO2 emissions are rated at 174g/km.

Hyundai nonetheless doesn’t match stop-start know-how to most of its native vary, which little doubt would assist to convey down city gasoline use in visitors. The Kona remains to be Euro 5-certified, although all variations with petrol tanks (together with HEV) are appropriate with cheaper 91 RON unleaded gasoline.

All variations of the Hyundai Kona quote a most braked towing capability of 1300kg, with a max tow ball obtain of 130kg.

How does the Hyundai Kona N Line 1.6T AWD drive?

The Kona has at all times been one of many sportier choices within the phase. This new one, significantly on this specification, picks up the place the previous one left off.

Hyundai and Kia’s dry-clutch DCT by no means felt significantly sporty in on a regular basis driving, relatively feeling fairly elastic and torpid when getting off the road and when driving at low speeds round city.

The brand new eight-speed automated, intently associated to the unit used within the Tucson and Santa Fe, is way smoother and extra responsive, and brings a welcome raise in general refinement.

In regular driving the turbocharged torque down low will get you getting in a easy and relaxed method, with the eight-speeder shifting rapidly and intuitively balancing response with effectivity.

The turbocharged Kona has a buzzy, burbly exhaust notice too, extra on the skin than the within, which is in step with the N Line’s sportier bent.

Regardless of sporting greater 19-inch alloy wheels and low-profile 235/45 Kumho Ecsta efficiency tyres, the Kona N Line rides fairly properly even over pimpled internal metropolis tarmac.

There’s passive damping commonplace throughout the vary, however AWD and HEV fashions additionally get a extra subtle multilink rear suspension system over the usual 2.0 FWD’s torsion beam axle.

Whereas in isolation you most likely wouldn’t discover a lot of a distinction, it helps make the automotive extra settled over bumps and likewise retains the rear extra tied down in bends.

This doesn’t have sufficient grunt or soundtrack to really feel like a correct sub-in for the Kona N, which to this point hasn’t been confirmed for a brand new era as but, however it definitely looks like one of many extra dynamic small SUVs on the market.

On the open street the added grunt of the turbocharged powertrain helps the Kona to really feel extra at house at triple figures, however there’s a little bit of street noise to take care of which dulls refinement.

The sleek roads in South Korea clearly don’t warrant an excessive amount of sound deadening, in order that’s a knock within the Kona’s all-round armour.

Wind noise is pretty properly suppressed, and the motive force help programs are fairly useful too. Adaptive cruise management with cease/go performance take the load off visitors jams on highways, whereas the Lane Following Help operate retains you centred in your lane which might be useful on longer journeys – although it might really feel just a little over-assisted for some

Commonplace blind-spot and rear cross-traffic help additional help visibility when negotiating gaps or reversing out of tight areas, the latter augmenting the reversing digicam with dynamic pointers in addition to entrance and rear sensors.

What do you get?

Kona highlights:

• 18-inch alloy wheels with 215/55 tyres
• LED headlights, daytime operating lights
• LED tail lights
• Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors
• Keyless entry and begin
• Twin-zone local weather management
• Rear air vents
• 4.2-inch digital instrument show
• 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• Bluelink linked providers
• DAB+ digital radio

Kona Premium provides:

• Blind Spot View Monitor
• AEB in reverse
• 3D surround-view digicam
• Aspect parking sensors
• Acoustic entrance windscreen
• Rear privateness glass
• Darkish gray cladding, silver skid plates
• LED dual-projector headlights
• LED entrance, rear indicators
• Energy tailgate
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• Bose 8-speaker premium sound
• Leather-based upholstery
• 10-way energy driver’s seat
• 8-way energy passenger seat
• Premium leisure entrance seats
• Heated, ventilated entrance seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Heated rear seats
• Auto-dimming inside mirror
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Ambient lighting

Is the Hyundai Kona N Line 1.6T AWD protected?

There may be presently no ANCAP or Euro NCAP score for the brand new Hyundai Kona.

Commonplace security tools contains:

• 7 airbags incl. front-centre airbag
• Adaptive cruise management with cease & go
• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
  • Pedestrian, Bicycle owner detection
  • Ahead, Reverse
• Driver consideration monitoring
• Blind-spot help
• Excessive-beam help
• Lane Following Help
• Lane maintain help
• Main Car Departure Alert
• Parking sensors entrance, rear
• Rear cross-traffic help
• Rear occupant alert
• Reversing digicam
• Secure exit warning
• Tyre stress monitoring

How a lot does the Hyundai Kona N Line 1.6T AWD value to run?

The Hyundai Kona is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.

Upkeep will likely be required each 15,000 kilometres or 12 months within the 2.0-litre petrol and 1.6-litre hybrid, and each 10,000 kilometres or 12 months within the turbocharged petrol.

The primary 5 providers in each the two.0 MPi and the 1.6 T-GDi will set you again $399 every – though that’s good for 75,000km within the 2.0 MPi, and 60,000km within the 1.6 T-GDi resulting from their totally different distance necessities.

I noticed an indicated return of 8.5L per 100km over 485km of combined circumstances over every week of commuting, and a little bit of freeway driving thrown in too. It’s up on the official mixed declare, and on the upper aspect for the phase – one cause to go for the upcoming Kona Hybrid for a similar cash.

CarExpert’s Tackle the Hyundai Kona N Line 1.6T AWD

Hyundai has made the Kona a complete lot extra aggressive in one of the hotly-contended segments in market.

With its additional dimension, know-how and drivetrain refinements, the brand new Kona is among the high picks at school due to its extensive selection of variants and breadth of capabilities.

Sure the appears to be like are polarising, however that’s at all times been a Kona trait. Now, it’s now not hampered by a tiny again seat and an absence of electrification choices. There needs to be a Kona for nearly everybody at this level, particularly as soon as the Hybrid and Electrical arrive on the finish of the 12 months.

As for whether or not that is the specification to go for, I feel the 1.6 T-GDi AWD is simply too costly and thirsty to essentially make lots of sense. You’re not going to be taking this off-road so the AWD solely makes when you really need traction for opposed climate or the odd stint down a gravel path.

For me, the Kona Hybrid shapes as the best choice – even when it’s important to wait till the fourth quarter to get it – given it’s the identical value as this turbo all-wheel drive possibility if you would like the N Line bits. In any other case it can save you $4000 whereas reducing gasoline use by nearly 50 per cent based mostly on official figures.

On a base Kona 2.0 FWD or Kona 1.6 HEV FWD, the N Line bundle brings fascinating objects similar to projector LED headlights and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, in addition to an influence tailgate and rain-sensing wipers. As a pseudo mid-range variant, it is smart if you would like these objects with out spending up on the Premium.

However there’s a couple of months wait earlier than we are able to have a attempt of the electrified Kona variants. If the associated Kia Niro is something to go by, nevertheless, the Kona Hybrid and Kona Electrical ought to form as compelling choices in a phase nonetheless restricted by way of electrified alternate options – keep tuned.

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