2023 Hyundai Kona Review

Name: 2023 Hyundai Kona
Brand: Hyundai

Price Range: $15,377 - $28,998

Hyundai Kona Limited 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

Good

7.9

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The 2023 Kona is an appealing pick among subcompact SUVs thanks to a strong optional turbocharged engine, sharp handling, and lots of features for the money. Hyundai's powertrain updates have further improved the driving experience, though it still has some drivability issues. A few shortcomings keep it from being an easy winner, such as a smaller-than-average cargo capacity and a plasticky cabin.

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Average price: $22,079

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Hyundai Kona model years

Hyundai Kona for Sale

Hyundai Kona types

Pros

Optional turbocharged engine provides quick acceleration
Nimble handling makes it enjoyable to drive
Lots of features for your money
Exciting performance from the Kona N

Cons

Weak base engine
Interior is trimmed with a lot of hard plastic panels

What's new

Blind-spot intervention and rear cross-traffic intervention made standard
Heated mirrors now come standard
Kona N Line gets many features from previous Tech package as standard
Part of the first Kona generation introduced for 2018

Overview

Written by automotive expert Ryan ZumMallen

2/3/2023

As a subcompact SUV with a reasonable price, the Kona is one of our favorite little runabouts. It offers a lot of features for the money, a city-friendly footprint, and quick acceleration from two optional powertrains. In 2022 the Kona was refreshed with new exterior styling, added power for the optional turbocharged engine, and a new sporty N model. The changes were a big step forward for the Kona, which is probably why the updates for 2023 are minimal.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

1,273 listings

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2023 Hyundai Kona
SEL 4dr SUV
$15,394
great price
$3,614 below market
- 56,878 miles
- 1 accident, 2 owners, rental vehicle
- 5 Seats, 30 City / 35 Hwy MPG
- Koons Kia of Owings Mills (47 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Blind Spot Monitorin...
Close
Located in Owings Mills, MD
**2023 Hyundai Kona SEL 56,878 Miles**Take on your day in this **2023 Hyundai Kona SEL** with **56,878 miles** a stylish, fun-to-drive SUV that bl...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
32 Combined MPG (30 City/35 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: KM8K32AB8PU061994
Stock: KOMP230214
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 01-13-2026
2023 Hyundai Kona
SEL 4dr SUV
$16,200
great price
$1,495 below market
- 59,565 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use
- 5 Seats, 28 City / 33 Hwy MPG
- Koons Westminster Toyota (46 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Blind Spot Monitorin...
Close
Located in Westminster, MD
2023 Hyundai Kona SEL **** Balance of Factory Warranty **** Apple Carplay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, Hands-Free, Keyless Entry, Blind Spot Monitor, Allo...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
30 Combined MPG (28 City/33 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: KM8K6CAB9PU951790
Stock: KTWP232793
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 01-24-2026

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These are some small sins, such as an underpowered base engine and lots of hard plastic throughout the interior, but they're easily forgiven in the grand scheme. Though the Kona is one of the better extra-small SUVs around, you might also want to look at the Volkswagen Taos, Chevy Trailblazer, Mazda CX-30 and Buick Encore GX. These models are a bit newer and can offer a few advantages over the Kona.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Good

7.9

out of 10

We drove the 2023 Hyundai Kona on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

8/10

How does the Kona drive? The Kona is a sporty subcompact SUV with snappy acceleration and playful handling. In Edmunds' testing of a Kona with the turbocharged engine, we measured 0-60 mph in just 7.2 seconds, very quick time for this class of car. Hyundai has also made incremental improvements over the years to the dual-clutch automatic transmission that's paired with the turbocharged engine. It's simply one of the better transmissions in the class. But there is the occasional hesitation when pulling away from a stop.

Around turns, the Kona is surprisingly composed and grippy. The steering doesn't give you much feel for the road, but on the whole this is an enjoyable little SUV to drive. The brakes bring the Kona to stop smoothly in town and provide average emergency-braking power.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the Kona? The Kona rides a bit stiffer than competitors, and that makes this little Hyundai feel a bit busy over rough pavement. But overall it's a worthwhile trade-off to get the car's tight handling. Road noise is a bit intrusive, but that's not uncommon for the class. Overall, the Kona is pretty quiet.

The Kona's front seats are supportive and have plenty of adjustability, but they lack side bolsters for extra comfort. The back seats are flat and broad but not too upright. The climate control is a simple two-knob system that doesn't require the touchscreen to operate. The seat heaters in our test vehicle worked promptly on cold mornings.

Interior

8/10

How’s the interior? It's hard to ignore the Kona's plasticky feel, but overall the interior is very easy to live with. The buttons are grouped logically and clearly labeled, and Hyundai's infotainment interface has an intuitive menu structure. The relatively narrow roof pillars allow for good forward and side visibility. The backup camera's wide, clear picture fills in the gaps when you're reversing.

There is a suitable amount of space for the driver and front passenger. Rear headroom is decent for the class — more than enough for average-size adults — but legroom is tight, especially behind a tall driver. Fortunately, there is generous space under the front seats for the rear passengers' toes and feet. The relatively short doors can be opened wide even in tighter parking spaces, making for good access.

Technology

8.5/10

How’s the tech? The Kona is a feature-rich vehicle, with a lot of standard and available technology that all works well. We also like the available Harman Kardon stereo system that provides plenty of bass response and good sound quality across a lot of musical genres. The navigation system gets the job done with an easy-to-read display and useful turn-by-turn prompts. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is standard. Wireless charging is available.

The Kona's driver assist systems are consistently accurate, not triggering false alarms in our time with the vehicle. We were especially impressed with the optional adaptive cruise control and semi-automated drive mode (Hyundai calls it Highway Driving Assist). It's better at keeping the Kona centered in its lane than many rival systems in SUVs costing twice as much.

Storage

7/10

How’s the storage? The Kona really only falters in terms of utility when compared directly to class leaders. Thanks to a low liftover height and a wide load floor, the trunk is easy to use. But compared to similar SUVs such as the Chevrolet Trailblazer and Volkswagen Taos, the Kona comes up short on maximum cargo space.

You'll find lots of water bottle-size pockets in all four doors and a diminutive cellphone tray up front as well as a small center console and glovebox. So while small-item storage is decent, other small SUVs do it better. The car seat anchor points are clearly marked and close to the surface, but they're tucked between firm cushions.

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The 1.6-liter Kona with all-wheel drive, which is what we tested, gets an EPA-estimated 29 mpg in combined driving. That's roughly on par with AWD-equipped competitors, but this engine provides more power than most. On our 115-mile evaluation route, our test Kona averaged a very respectable 31.1 mpg, so drivers should be able to match the EPA estimates in real-world driving. As a bonus, the Kona doesn't require premium gasoline.

Value

8.5/10

Is the Kona a good value? The Kona has a good set of features at an affordable price. Models with the turbocharged engine can get a bit pricey, but you're still getting your money's worth for sure. Everything feels robustly built, but only a few interior surfaces have been treated with soft or padded materials. The alternating surface textures and good fit and finish go a long way toward making the Kona look less bargain-basement, but there's no hiding the neverending plastic. The Mazda CX-30 sets the standard with its upscale interior.

Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty is an industry standout, and the five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty is also better than the coverage for the other vehicles in this class. Added value comes in the form of three-year/36,000-mile free maintenance.

Wildcard

7.5/10

No one will ever accuse the Hyundai Kona of being dull. A recent styling refresh has added some much-needed refinement to its appearance, while the available turbocharged engine and engaging handling make the Kona a fun standout in its class. Easy to use, easy to drive and easy to park, the Kona is a solid option if you're looking for a little extra performance without commiting to a larger and more expensive hot hatch. Only an interior full of hard plastics and a smaller-than-average cargo capacity are real demerits of this funky little SUV.

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2023 Hyundai Kona trim level differences

The 2023 Hyundai Kona is a subcompact crossover with space for up to five passengers. It comes in five trim levels: SE, SEL, N Line, Limited and N. Front-wheel drive comes standard, with all-wheel drive optional on all models except for the Kona N (which sticks with front-wheel drive). Compare the 2023 Hyundai Kona trim levels in-depth.

Which Kona trim does Edmunds recommend?

We suggest going with the N Line. It gets you the more powerful turbocharged engine and includes options from lower trims as standard. It's also got flashier styling and more functionality in the form of a power-adjustable driver's seat.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$128/mo

$183/mo

Avg. Compact SUV

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Reliability

The 2023 Hyundai Kona has a 5 years / 60,000 miles basic warranty and 2 recalls. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Recalls

2 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 24V528000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 262-023G
Manufactured from:: 2021-09-15 to 2023-11-23
Number of vehicles affected:: 54647
Defect Description:: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2022 Veloster N, 2019-2023 Genesis G70, 2022-2023 Elantra N, and Kona N vehicles. The fuel pump may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.
Defect Consequence:: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will update engine control module software. In addition, dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pump assembly, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning September 9, 2024. Some interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 3, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 262 and 023G.

Recall Number:: 23V526000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 246
Number of vehicles affected:: 52109
Defect Description:: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Palisade Tucson, 2023 Sonata, Elantra, and Kona vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump controller to overheat.
Defect Consequence:: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Corrective Action:: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starting September 7, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 246.

Warranty

5 years / 60,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 10 years / 100,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 7 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Free maintenance Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles

Hyundai Kona Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.1

36 reviews

5(59%)

4(14%)

3(11%)

2(8%)

1(8%)

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2023 Kona Features & Specs

Type:

SUV

Trim:

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$22,140
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	32 MPG
Cost to Drive	$128/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	19.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Kona models:

Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist: Warns if a front collision is imminent and applies the brakes if the driver doesn't react in time.
Driver Attention Warning: Uses sensors to determine if the driver is becoming fatigued, then triggers an alert with a suggestion to stop for a rest.
Blind-Spot Collision Warning: Alerts the driver if another vehicle is lurking in or approaching the blind spot. If the turn signal is activated in that direction, a warning is triggered

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover14.1%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2023 Hyundai Kona Review

Price & Payment

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

For sale near Ashburn, VA

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

2023 Hyundai Kona trim level differences

Which Kona trim does Edmunds recommend?

Cost to Drive

Reliability

Recalls

Warranty

Hyundai Kona Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2023 Kona Features & Specs

Safety

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