Name: Hyundai Kona (2023 - present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Hyundai Kona
Rating: 69

Summary

The Hyundai Kona is a small SUV/crossover that sits between the smaller Bayon and larger Tucson in Hyundai’s SUV line-up. This is the second-generation model which is now available as a petrol or petrol-electric hybrid model.

While its predecessor shared its foundations with the petrol-powered Kia Stonic, the new Kona is based on the latest version of the battery-powered Kona Electric, and has been adapted to appeal to customers more interested in traditional petrol and hybrid cars.

Reviewers agree that the crossover is a certain improvement over the previous iteration. Parker‘s Alex Ingram says that the Kona’s “physical growth in size compared with its predecessor means it’s now big enough to comfortably cover typical family-car duties”, while the What Car? team concludes that Hyundai has turned the SUV into “an efficient, spacious and very well-equipped small SUV with lots of appeal.”

That said, some outlets assert that the hybrid version is rather underpowered, while others take issue with the crossover’s ride quality. The Kona’s styling is unlike anything else in this segment, which has delighted some reviewers while leaving others less impressed. It will certainly be a significant factor in customer buying decisions.

As of March 2024, the Hyundai Kona holds a New Car Expert Rating of B, with a score of 74%. This is largely based on the Kona’s media reviews, safety rating and running cost data, as the model is too new to have any meaningful reliability data. Check back soon.

Kona highlights

Spacious and well-equipped interior
Competitive pricing
Intuitive infotainment

Kona lowlights

Rivals are more fun to drive
Value will depreciate faster than other small SUVs
Hybrid model feels slow

Key specifications

Body style: Small SUV/crossover
Engines: petrol, petrol-electric hybrid
Price: From £25,725 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2023
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Reviews, road tests and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Range overview (including Kona Electric)
Score: 10 / 10
“Hyundai has grown its small SUV sensibly, delivering just enough additional practicality in this model to satisfy those looking for their next family car and to go along with a far more polished cabin feel compared with the original Kona.”
Author: Ellis Hyde
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Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol automatic N Line
Score: 7 / 10
“Like so many semi-performance editions, the 1.6-litre Hyundai Kona N Line S delivers extra pace but no more enjoyment compared with cheaper versions. Its two biggest problems are the Ford Puma ST, which is a proper small hot baby SUV and cheaper, and the fact that the Kona’s perfectly acceptable 1.0-litre powertrain is also available in this trim level, for a few thousand pounds less. If you’re really sold on the sporty styling pack, we’d advise you to save cash and spec it with the cheaper engine.”
Author: John McIlroy
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual Advance
Score: 9 / 10
“Well equipped, decent to drive and almost reassuringly simple, the entry-level Hyundai Kona petrol is a very capable all-rounder which retains the qualities that earned its pricier stablemates our top award. It should be at the sharp end of your shortlist if you’re in the market for a small family SUV.”
Author: John McIlroy
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Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric hybrid Ultimate
Score: 9 / 10
“The Hyundai Kona isn’t quite as accomplished in hybrid form as the EV version, but it’s still a solid contender in the small SUV sector. Its physical growth in size compared with its predecessor means it’s now big enough to comfortably cover typical family-car duties, and it does so with generous equipment levels, plenty of comfort and superb efficiency – especially on short trips around town. This more affordable Kona is a great SUV.”
Author: Alex Ingram
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Autocar+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The new Kona excels at what really matters in this class: style, comfort, ease of use and value.” (Illya Verpraet)
Read review

Business Car+

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric N Line
Score: 7 / 10
“The new Hyundai Kona was developed as an EV first. So, you might ask, have other powertrain options in the range been compromised? In terms of running costs, the hybrid can’t compete with the 2% BIK company car tax rate of the electric variant, but on a cost-per-mile basis it does work out cheaper thanks to its lower P11D. However, despite being more expensive, overall we’d say the Kona Electric is indeed the more convincing choice.”
Author: Sean Keywood
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Car+

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric hybrid
Score: 6 / 10
“We just couldn’t fully get on with the Hyundai Kona Hybrid. The powertrain is uninspiring, not economical enough, and reluctant to use its electric power to the best effect. The busy ride will also destabilise some families. The good news is that the interior is very usable, and its B-road poise, distinctive looks, capable chassis, and technology on offer mark it out as being nearer the front end of the B-SUV grid.”
Author: Keith Adams
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Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 10 / 10
“We’ve been truly dazzled by the all-electric version of the new Hyundai Kona, thanks to its tempting mix of comfort refinement, practicality and quality. It has to be said the combustion-engined versions of the car don’t have quite the same level of wow-factor, but if you’re looking for a compact family car that’s stylish, practical, easy to live with and packed with tech, we can’t think of many cars that’ll suit you better than the Kona.”
Author: Ivan Aistrop, Andy Goodwin
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Carwow+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Hyundai Kona looks great and is more spacious than ever, but alternatives are more comfortable over bumps.”
Read review

Honest John+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The new Hyundai Kona is bigger and better than before, while still devent value for money. You get a lot of equipment for your money, while the Hyundai Kona Hybrid is efficient.”
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol/electric hybrid
Score: 7.6 / 10
“The Hyundai Kona in 1.6-litre hybrid form is a bit of a mixed bag. The powertrain is uninspiring, it’s not powerful or economical enough, and reluctant to use its electric juice to the best effect. The busy ride will also destabilise some families. The good news is that the interior is very usable, and its B-road poise, distinctive looks, capable chassis, and technology on offer mark it out as being nearer the front end of the B-SUV grid.” (Keith Adams)
Read review

The Sunday Times+

Model reviewed: Range overview (including electric models)
Score: 9 / 10
“Perhaps more impressive even than the Kona Electric is the model at the other end of the scale. Having driven the EV, we sampled a petrol model, and it was just as loveable as the one with no tailpipe emissions.”
Author: Matt Robinson
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What Car?+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“Hyundai has worked some magic with the Kona’s refresh, turning it into an efficient, spacious and very well equipped small SUV with lots of appeal.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: December 2023
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 80%
Child protection: 83%
Vulnerable road users: 64%
Safety assist: 60%

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of March 2024, the Hyundai Kona has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of March 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the latest iteration of the Hyundai Kona to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as we have sufficient data on the second-generation Kona, we’ll publish the score here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	46 mpg	C	44 – 49 mpg	C – C
Hybrid models	60 mpg	A	60 – 60 mpg	A – A

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Petrol models	143 g/km	B	131 – 150 g/km	A – B
Hybrid models	107 g/km	A	106 – 107 g/km	A – A

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	19	A	16 – 28	A – B

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£204	B
Year 2	£543	B
Year 3	£888	B
Year 4	£1,113	B
Year 5	£1,436	B
Overall	£4,184	B

The Hyundai Kona is a pretty affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Petrol models average fuel consumption of 46mpg (44 to 49mpg) which sits around the market average, while hybrid models are much more fuel efficient, offering 60mpg on average. The car’s servicing and maintenance costs should be fairly affordable over the course of the first five years of ownership, and the Kona has fairly low insurance premiums.