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Starting price Hyundai Kona Hybrid 2023

With a starting price of 33,995 euros, the 2023 Hyundai Kona Hybrid is a total of 4,000 euros more expensive than the Kona mild-hybrid. The starting price of the Kona Electric(first impression) is logically above that. Think 40 grand for the smaller battery and 44 grand for the larger battery pack. The mild-hybrid is not very relevant to the Dutch market. The Dutch importer has greater expectations for the full hybrid and battery-electric Kona.

Lease Kona Hybrid

Of course, the Hyundai Kona Hybrid can also be driven via a lease arrangement. With Hyundai Operational Lease, this is possible from 455 euros per month, excluding VAT based on a term of 60 months and 10,000 kilometers per year. The private lease rate starts at 529 euros per month including VAT based on a 60-month term and 10,000 kilometers per year.

Hyundai KONA Hybrid 2023: PLUS POINTS & MINUSES – REVIEW – AutoRAI TV

Standard equipment

What about the Kona Hybrid’s standard equipment? The basic version is called Comfort. Already you get cruise control with speed limit, a rearview camera with dynamic assist lines, parking sensors, a 12.3-inch multimedia screen with navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, audio controls on the steering wheel, Bluetooth with voice recognition, Over-The-Air (OTA) software updates, air conditioning and active lane-keeping assistant (LKA) as standard.

Upgrade to Comfort Smart: sensible

In the case of the Comfort, the KONA does not yet feature the attractive “Seamless Horizon LED headlight strip” on the front. You only have that from the Comfort Smart version (from 36,495 euros). It’s worth the extra price because you also get an immediate 12.3-inch fully digital instrument panel, blind spot monitoring and parking assist. The top versions are the N Line and the Premium, both with a price tag of 39,995 euros. On request, you can also order both versions with a sliding/tilting glass roof. The car tested is a Premium Sky with a price tag of about 42,000 euros.

The powertrain of the Hyundai Kona Hybrid

Hyundai delivers the Kona Hybrid with a 1.6-liter T-GDI gasoline engine mated to a six-speed DCT dual-clutch automatic transmission and a 43.5 hp (32 kW) electric motor. This electric motor in turn draws its energy from a 1.56 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery. The Kona Hybrid’s system output is 141 hp (104 kW) with system torque of 265 Nm. The 2023 Hyundai Kona Hybrid accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.9 seconds and its top speed is 165 km/h. On paper, this car has an average fuel consumption of 4.5 liters per 100 kilometers. But what remains of that in practice? Of course, this depends heavily on factors such as your own driving style, tire pressure and outside temperature. We quite easily achieve a fuel consumption of 1 in 20 during our test drive with a combination of highway and downtown driving. So economical driving is quite possible.

Energy recovery

Depending on driving conditions, the KONA Hybrid drives smaller distances fully electric, for example in the city when speeds are not too high, or is powered by the gasoline engine. Or by both at the same time. As part of the regenerative braking system, the electric motor also assists in deceleration to recharge the battery. Using the “shift paddles” behind the steering wheel, you control the intensity of recuperation: the higher the level, the stronger the car brakes on the electric motor. By anticipating well, you can thus recover additional energy. Switching between the gasoline engine and electric motor is extremely smooth in practice, without annoying bumps.

Energy Streams

The regenerative braking system recharges the battery by also using the electric motor to slow the car down. The resulting energy is stored in the battery, which in turn feeds the electric motor to support the fuel engine during acceleration, uphill driving and to power the car at low speeds. On the display you have insight into all energy flows, should you find that interesting.

Hyundai Kona Hybrid dimensions

The Kona Hybrid has a length of 4,350 mm (N Line: 4,385 mm), a height of 1,570 mm with 17-inch wheels and a width of 1,825 mm. The wheelbase comes out to 2,660 mm. This makes it considerably larger than its predecessor. The interior also feels much more spacious. The high center console of the previous version is gone. This is nice because now your knee has been given plenty of room. All driver controls, including the electric shift-by-wire transmission lever, are placed around the steering wheel, resulting in an open and sleek console structure with swivel cup holders and even more space for personal items.

View all around

All-round visibility is basically good. However, there is an annoyingly large black plate behind the interior mirror. In situations where the traffic light is on the right side of the road, the traffic light module drops out completely, forcing you to sit up for a moment. Perhaps this black plate – which houses various sensors – could have been a bit smaller. Other than that, there is little to complain about. Also, the C-pillars are not too thick, allowing a good view around the car. In addition, this Hyundai also has a 360-degree camera system with excellent camera quality.

Significantly more spacious

Thanks to the 60 mm longer wheelbase compared to the previous generation, the new Kona is very roomy. You benefit from 77 mm more legroom and 11 mm more headroom in the second row of seats. Shoulder room in the second row of seats is also on the large side at 1,402 mm. Even in the back seat, by the way, this Kona has seat heating. Up front, you even have seat heating, seat ventilation and steering wheel heating in the Premium.

With the rear seats up, cargo space is 466 liters. With the rear seats folded down, luggage space grows to 1,300 liters. Notable details include the optional front reclining seats, the slimline seats that are 30 percent less thick, the flat floor and the so-called Curve-less Bench Seat – a “bench seat without curves. The new Kona is one of the roomiest cars in its segment. It is one of the cars with the best equipment anyway. That’s what they do incredibly well at Hyundai: offer value for money.

Colors

Hyundai will deliver the Kona Hybrid in ten different colors, namely Denim Blue Pearl, Mirage Green, Abyss Black Pearl, Atlas White, Cyber Gray Metallic, Ecotronic Gray Pearl, Ultimate Red Metallic, Meta Blue Pearl, Soultronic Orange Pearl (mass production start scheduled for August 2023) and Neoteric Yellow.

Conclusion review Hyundai Kona Hybrid 2023

We are impressed with the new Hyundai Kona Hybrid. It is more mature than ever and is also unprecedentedly spacious for a car in this segment. The equipment can compete with cars like a BMW 5 Series or Mercedes-Benz E-Class, even when it comes to driver assistance systems. Some systems you prefer to turn off before leaving, such as the sensor behind the steering wheel that checks that you have your eyes on the road all the time. Furthermore, the speed alert also beeps regularly. If you drive even slightly above the speed limit, warning tones sound. It is required by law, so Hyundai can’t do anything about it. But at least know that it can also be off. You just have to do this every time you start the car.

Rides wonderfully!

In addition, the hybrid Kona drives very pleasantly. There is a nice balance between comfort and dynamics. However, the advice is to choose wheels that are not too large. With a smaller wheel size, you have a larger tire cheek which means you benefit from extra comfort and cushioning. With a few points of attention here and there, there is really little to complain about the new-generation Kona. It is one of the best cars in its segment. And that’s enough!