Need a fuel efficient, run-about-town compact SUV? Check out the 2023 Hyundai Kona.

By Colin Ryan

Prices start at $21,990 and climb to $34,700 for the sporty Hyundai Kona N.

Pros

Cons

What's new?

The 2023 Hyundai Kona subcompact SUV offers a broad range of variants to please many types of buyers. Prices start at $21,990 and climb to $34,700 for the Hyundai Kona N.

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. The lineup stretches from economical to energetic, with higher trim levels diverging in either a sporty or a more luxurious direction.

The all-electric Hyundai Kona Electric (with 258 miles of range) is reviewed separately

2023 Hyundai Kona pricing

The 2023 Hyundai Kona starts at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $21,990, plus a destination charge. This is for the base SE version with front-wheel drive.

All the variants from SE to Limited can be ordered with all-wheel drive, which is an extra $1,500. That's about the only option for the plushest Limited model, which tops out at $30,300.

The sporty and specialized Kona N starts at $34,700.

The starting price of the Hyundai Kona puts it in a good light compared with the Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30 , Honda HR-V, Toyota C-HR (7203.TO), and Subaru Crosstrek -- all of which begin in the low-to-mid $20K range. The Crosstrek and CX-30 both come with all-wheel drive as standard.

Before buying a new Hyundai Kona subcompact SUV, check the KBB.com Fair Purchase Price to find out what others in your area paid for theirs. Despite some resale-value heavyweights like Subaru (7270.TO) and Honda (7267.TO) in this class, the Kona should still perform well here.

See: Which is better? The Subaru Crosstrek vs. the Hyundai Kona

Driving the 2023 Hyundai Kona

People new to the whole driving thing could climb into the SE or SEL versions of the 2023 Kona and be happy with their modest 147 horsepower and decent fuel economy. This setup is hardly thrilling, but not many thrill-seekers put a budget-priced subcompact SUV at the top of their must-have list.

Some enthusiasts seeking pace and poise with a dash of practicality, however, could find the 276-horsepower Kona N intriguing. It's built for back-road blasts, not freeway comfort. But if a 300-plus-horsepower Honda Civic Type R is seen as excessive, give the Kona N a test drive.

Sitting between these two extremes is the 195-horsepower turbocharged engine found in the N Line and Limited variants. Spicy, but not too fierce. And not too thirsty, either.

Interior comfort

The cabin of the 2023 Kona is roomy enough for average-sized adults up front. But this is a subcompact SUV, so generous rear legroom isn't really expected.

The two lower trims have an 8-inch infotainment screen. This is replaced by a 10.25-inch item in the top three variants. A general over-reliance on low-grade plastics is a bit disappointing, though.

The Kona N Line comes with sport seats and contrasting red stitching that also extends to the dashboard, steering wheel, and shift knob. The even sportier Kona N (not to be confused with the N Line) has its own interior design touches, like blue stitching on its well-bolstered front seats.

Behind the rear seats is a luggage area of 19.2 cubic feet. These seats fold flat to create a maximum cargo volume of 45.8 cubic feet. That doesn't compare so well to the new 2023 Honda HR-V, which enjoys between 24.4 and 55.1 cubic feet.

Check out:The redesigned 2024 Chevy Trax: a roomy, affordable crossover SUV with zippy driving dynamics

Exterior styling

There's a lot going on with the Kona's exterior design -- shapes and lines going this way and that, without any apparent theme to unite them all. Nevertheless, some of our editors rank it among the best-looking subcompact SUVs.

The SE model starts out with 16-inch alloy wheels. These are replaced by 17-inch rims on the SEL, going up to 19-inch alloys of exclusive design on the N. The SEL offers the option of a black roof, as long as there isn't a sunroof.

Favorite features

1. All-wheel driveThis is optional in most 2023 Kona variants, providing optimum grip and traction in the wet and dry. It also means that Hyundai fits a multi-link rear suspension, improving the ride quality into the bargain.

2. Hyundai BluelinkA free 3-year subscription to these connected services includes automatic collision notification, roadside assistance, remote start/climate settings, stolen vehicle location/slowdown, and panic notification. Offered in the SEL trim and up.

3. Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android AutoCable-free smartphone integration is standard in the two lower trims with the 8-inch infotainment touchscreen. Irritatingly, it's not available with the 10.25-inch display in the higher trims. But wired Apple (AAPL) CarPlay/Android Auto is still included.

4. SEL Convenience packageWorth spending $2,400 for extras that include an upgraded infotainment system with wireless charging, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a hidden storage compartment in the cargo area.

5. Digital driver information displayA 10.25-inch instrument cluster goes into both the sporty-looking Kona N Line and the actually sporty Kona N. It can be configured to show various types of information.

6. Kona NThe only Kona to come with the combination of front-wheel drive and a multi-link rear suspension, this one's tuned for agility. The N is the most powerful Kona, and a fantastic little driving machine.

Also see: It looks like fun, and it is: Subaru has redesigned the Crosstrek for 2024

Engine and transmission

SE and SEL versions of the 2023 Kona subcompact SUV have a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. This connects to an automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional.

A perkier turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine propels the N Line and Limited trim with 195 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. Once again, front-wheel drive can be replaced by an optional all-wheel drive system. But there's a different transmission in these vehicles, a 7-speed automated unit. It's known technically as a dual-clutch setup -- quicker-shifting and more efficient than a traditional automatic -- but the driver only has to deal with the usual two pedals.

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Front-wheel drive is the sole configuration for the sportiest Kona, the N. This machine employs a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine developing 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque. An overboost function adds 10 horsepower temporarily.

An 8-speed dual-clutch automated transmission is fitted here, along with shift paddles mounted beneath the steering wheel.

The Kona N requires premium gasoline, the rest are okay with regular. All Hyundai powertrains carry a warranty of 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

2.0-liter 4-cylinder (SE, SEL)147 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm132 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpmEPA city/highway fuel economy: 30/35 mpg (FWD), 28/33 mpg (AWD)

1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder (N Line, Limited)195 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm195 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-4,500 rpmEPA city/highway fuel economy: 29/35 mpg (FWD), 27/32 mpg (AWD)

2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder (N)276 horsepower @ 5,500-6,000 rpm289 lb-ft of torque @ 2,100-4,700 rpmEPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/27 mpg

KBB's car review methodology.

This story originally ran on KBB.com.

-Colin Ryan

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06-06-23 0503ET

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