2023 Hyundai Kona N Overview, Pricing, and Specs

2023 Hyundai Kona N

The 2023 Hyundai Kona N is a high-performance subcompact crossover with endless sporty specs and performance features. This smaller SUV model works as the ideal starting vehicle for those in the market wanting something more fun and adventurous, as well as for a fair price.

With things like an active exhaust, adjustable dampers, summer performance tires, N Sport seats, and an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The 2023 Hyundai Kona N is the perfect subcompact for this year and beyond.

What's New for 2023?

For 2023, the Kona N remains relatively unchanged, with many of its features moving over from the previous generation. However, one difference in this four-door model is the integration of over-the-air updates for the navigation system. This technology gives Hyundai drivers an up-to-date mapping system, which is regularly updated and improved.

Besides the navigation improvement, the 2023 Hyundai Kona N will look and drive the same as in 2022. For many, that is great news because of how well this model has been received. We could end up with a much larger revamp for 2024 or 2025 for the Kona N, so Hyundai is not likely going to play it safe for much longer.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The 2023 Hyundai Kona N is plain by design, but that's not to say people won't enjoy its ability to embrace ruggedness and everyday driving. This vehicle features the Kona's signature interior color palette, as well as easy-to-clean plastic elements between the dash, flooring, and inside cabin of your crossover.

In addition, passenger space is tight in the back seat, but two adults can fit comfortably in the front. The Kona N will also hold the same amount of luggage behind its rear seats (four carry-on-sized suitcases) as the regular Kona, which is good news for those planning to use it for travel.

Since its inception, the Kona N has been focused on performance. This results in a minimal, lightweight interior to keep performance at its peak.

2023 Hyundai Kona N Exterior Design

Moving outside the Hyundai Kona N, there are a few exterior features worth mentioning. This crossover SUV has thin front headlamps, giving the car a more modern appearance. The front grill also feels reminiscent of a sporty and outdoorsy design. The 2023 Kona N is simple yet made for exploring.

Here are some other exterior specs to be aware of:

19-inch N Design alloy wheels
Pirelli P Zero 235/40R19 high-performance tires
LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
Heated gloss black exterior mirrors
Body-color exterior door handles
Rear privacy glass rear quarter/back glass

These features will come standard on a 2023 Kona N SUV. As we covered, this model did not see a significant redesign inside or out, so there shouldn't be a striking difference between 2022 and this model year.

Performance and Powertrain

Regarding its performance, this is where the Hyundai Kona N has always shined. Featuring the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that motivated the sportiest Veloster, the 2023 Hyundai Kona N is ready for speed. You can expect the engine to consistently push 276 horsepower; however, when you press the red button on the steering wheel, you'll call up an additional ten ponies for a 20-second burst.

The fast and enjoyable driving capabilities make the N-Series Kona a common choice over the standard model. Although the Kona N doesn't offer the Veloster N's manual transmission, it's still a superb choice for those wanting an upgrade from the less-equipped Kona crossover.

The eight-speed dual-clutch automatic in the 2023 Kona N handles shifting and sends torque to the front wheels alone. The 0-60 MPH test time for Kona N sits around 4.8 seconds, which is impressive for a car retailing under $40,000.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Regarding the safety and driver assistance features inside the Hyundai Kona N this is another reason the crossover SUV shines. Here are some of the standard safety/DA features you can expect inside this year's Kona N:

Rearview camera
Forward automated emergency braking
Forward-collision alert
Pedestrian detection
Rear cross-traffic warning
Blind-spot monitoring
Lane-keeping assist
Lane departure alert
Rear-seat warning
Driver-attention monitoring

So, you can see how this smaller-sized SUV packs a punch in the safety and driver assistant tech category. Hyundai repeatedly wins awards for its safe models, with the Kona no different. It's also worth noting that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the 2023 Hyundai Kona a five-star overall rating, its highest award for safety.

When you shop at Hyundai, you know you and those riding in the vehicle will be safe. That alone makes the Kona or Kona N a perfect family vehicle.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The 2023 Hyundai Kona N crossover boasts plenty of fun bells and whistles to enjoy. More notably, this vehicle uses a digital gauge cluster measuring 10.3 inches, although many people claim not to look much at it (there's a head-up display to show you how fast you're going).

In addition, the Kona N offers a 10.3-inch infotainment screen that will present racetrack-minded Kona N owners-with track maps and lap-monitoring information on request. That's a sporty addition we appreciate in the Kona N, and it adds to a somewhat basic interior.

Other features of note: Harman/Kardon brings the noise with an eight-speaker setup, and buyers can charge their phones wirelessly.

You'll also have Bluetooth connectivity to your Kona N to make phone calls, use maps, or play music from your smartphone.

Fuel Economy and MPG

The EPA estimates the 2023 Kona N gets 23 MPG overall, with 20 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway. Again, for a performance vehicle, drivers can always expect a little less fuel economy than non-performance models. The basic Hyundai Kona has a fuel rating of 32 combined MPG, with the electric version even seeing 120 MPGe.

Across the board, the Kona family does well at saving you gas each time you're in a short or long-distance range. However, the Kona N sees the least fuel economy of the bunch. You get a faster, more exhilarating experience, but at a cost.

If you refrain from using the boost mode on your Kona, you're likely to see an improved fuel economy in the long term.

Hyundai Kona N Trim Spotlight

Now, with the Hyundai Kona N offered in only one trim, there are some other ways to make a comparison between it and the broader Kona family. The N Line trim is your one selection when shopping for Kona N, boasting the standard features mentioned throughout this article.

However, there are still things that make it different between the regular and even electric Kona configurations. We'll go over the features of each Kona below to give you an idea of their similarities and differences.

N Line: Starting at $34,950

2.0L turbo-GDI flat power inline 4-cylinder engine
276 horsepower
289 pound-feet
Standard FWD
N 8-speed DCT (Wet friction) with paddle shifters and rev-matching
Drive Mode Select (ECO, Normal, Sport, Snow, N, Custom)
10.3-inch digital instrument cluster
18-inch N Line alloy wheels
N Line sport seats

SE: Starting at $22,140

2.0L MPI 4-cylinder engine
147 horsepower
132 pound-feet
Standard FWD
EPA-estimated 30 city and 35 highway mpg
8-inch color touchscreen display audio
Gray or black cloth seating surfaces
Android Auto or Apple CarPlay connectivity
Forward collision avoidance assist with pedestrian detection
Rear Occupant Alert

SEL: Starting at $23,950

2.0L MPI 4-cylinder engine
147 horsepower
132 pound-feet
EPA-estimated 30 city and 35 highway mpg
17-inch alloy wheels
8-way power driver seat
Proximity Key with push-button start
Bluelink Connected Car System

Limited: Starting at $28,950

1.6L turbocharged GDI 4-cylinder engine
195 horsepower
195 pound-feet
EPA-estimated 29 city and 35 highway mpg
18-inch alloy wheels
Leather-trimmed seating surfaces
LED headlights
Highway Driving Assist

Therefore, you can see some differences between what gives the N Line trim an advantage over some of the other non-N series Kona's. When shopping for a Kona N, you can expect greater horsepower, torque, and driving performance above the other trim selections.

That said, for the 2023 Hyundai Kona Limited model, drivers still get close to 200 horses, as well as an equal amount of torque. The Kona N boasts 276 horsepower and roughly 289 pound-feet of torque, so that blows even the premium trim on the Kona out of the water.

If you don't mind splurging on your Kona, we'd say the N is worth it.

Get Your 2023 Hyundai Kona N at Granite Hyundai

Now that you know what the 2023 Hyundai Kona offers, there's no better time to shop at Granite Hyundai. With impressive horsepower, torque, engine configuration, and the ability to press a button and go even faster, the 2023 Hyundai Kona N is a fun, speedy crossover worth considering. Visit us at Granite Hyundai today to speak with our expert sales team and to schedule a test drive.