2023 Hyundai Kona detailed, on track for Australia with hybrid power

More details of the second-generation 2023 Hyundai Kona small SUV have been revealed, ahead of first Australian showroom arrivals later this year – now confirmed to include hybrid power for the first time.

The first photos of the new Kona were released late last year – previewing its larger body, new interior and improved technology – but Hyundai has now gone into depth about the specifications and features for the new model.

Hyundai Australia has confirmed hybrid power will be available locally for the first time – after it was introduced overseas for the previous model – alongside petrol-only and electric versions.

MORE: 2023 Hyundai Kona revealed, due in Australia next year

First deliveries in Australia are due in the middle of this year for petrol versions, ahead of hybrid and electric models between October and December.

N Line versions of the petrol, hybrid and electric models are available overseas – however it is unclear which will be offered in Australia.

Drive understands there is unlikely to be a new Kona N performance model, amid tightening emissions regulations overseas.

As reported previously, the new Hyundai Kona has undergone a significant growth spurt, with increases of 145mm in overall length, 25mm in width 15mm in height, and 60mm between the front and rear wheels for a roomier interior.

The exact dimensions (for a petrol model with 17-inch wheels) are 4350mm long, 1825mm wide, 1580mm wide, and 2660mm between the front and rear wheel axles (the wheelbase).

The new Kona's styling takes inspiration from the Staria people mover and latest Tucson mid-size family SUV, with blocky shapes, sharp creases, and the triangular body lines on the doors (similar to the i30 Sedan small car).

There are Staria-like front and rear LED light bars – with the main headlight and tail-lights beams placed in seperate units below. Alloy wheels sized up to 19 inches in diameter are available.

Hyundai claims the Kona's design started with the electric version, and was adapted for petrol and hybrid variants – rather than the other way around.

Petrol and hybrid models feature black wheel arches and unique front and rear bumpers with silver faux skid plates, while the Kona Electric opts for body-coloured arches and a largely closed-off front end.

Exclusive to the electric version are what Hyundai calls Parametric Pixels, the dots visible in the front and rear LED light bars and lower bumpers – inspired by its range of Ioniq electric cars.

The N Line sports variant will carry into the new generation, with more aggressive front and rear bumpers, twin exhaust pipes, silver side skirts, and on top-of-the-range versions, a black roof and 19-inch N Line wheels.

MORE: 2023 Hyundai Kona N Line spied

Inside, the new Kona upgrades to a pair of 12.3-inch screens for the instruments and infotainment system, expected to run the latest in Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Hyundai highlights a column-mounted gear selector that reduces space in the centre console, which has largely been replaced by an open storage area the car maker says "can be used for cupholders or storage for big bags".

Available features confirmed by Hyundai thus far – and visible in its images – include heated front seats with memory, a heated steering wheel, wireless phone charger, ambient cabin lighting, power tailgate, dual-zone climate-control air-conditioning, and satellite navigation.

The 60mm increase in wheelbase – combined with slimmer 85mm-thick front seats – has resulted in 77mm more rear legroom and 11mm more rear headroom than the old model, Hyundai says, plus rear shoulder room claimed to be "the largest in its class".

Boot space is rated at "up to" 723 litres – but this is measured to the more optimistic SAE standard not used in Australia, and it is unclear if this is with the rear seats folded or upright.

The outgoing model claims 374L behind the rear seats according to the stricter VDA boot-space measuring standard.

The infotainment system includes over-the-air updates – while there is support for Digital Key 2 Touch, which allow drivers to unlock, lock and start their car using their smartphone.

N Line-specific interior treatments include metal pedals and an N-branded shifter.

Powering the new Hyundai Kona in South Korea will be a range of carry-over petrol and hybrid engines – also shared with its non-identical triplets, the Hyundai i30 Sedan and Kia Niro.

Petrol engines comprise a 2.0-litre non-turbo four-cylinder with 110kW/180Nm and a continuously-variable automatic transmission (CVT), and a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 146kW and 265Nm.

Meanwhile, the hybrid combines a 1.6-litre non-turbo four-cylinder with an electric motor for outputs of 104kW and 265Nm.

Details of the new Kona Electric won't be confirmed until March, but expect it to match the 150kW/255Nm electric motor and 64kWh battery pack of the electric Kia Niro.

More details on which engines are bound for Australia – along with further local-market specifications are due to be released in March, however it is expected all of the South Korean options will come here.

Advanced safety technology available in the new Hyundai Kona include autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane-keep assist, lane following assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic assist, speed sign recognition, and auto high beam.

There is also a door exit warning, speed limiter, 360-degree camera, front, side and rear parking sensors, low-speed rear AEB for car parks, and the Blind-Spot View Monitor, which projects a camera feed from the side mirrors into the instrument cluster when changing lanes.

Also available is Hyundai and Kia's Remote Smart Parking Assist feature, which allows drivers to stand beside the car, and move it backwards or forwards in or out of a parking space from buttons on the key fob.

The 2023 Hyundai Kona is due in Australian showrooms from the middle of this year. More details are due in March.

Prices are yet to be confirmed.