Trims and Mechanical Details
The trim quartet for the 2023 Hyundai Kona crossover is made up of the SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited. The first two get a powertrain made up of a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and the Intelligent Variable Transmission. The two higher trims are upgraded with a 195 hp turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
SE
The base SE benefits from Hyundai’s expansion of the standard features roster, as it now has heated exterior mirrors with integrated turn-signal indicators and a second-row USB port. Those features join a list that already included two front-row USB ports, comfortable fabric-clad seats, a second-row seat that splits 60/40 and folds flat, a 4.2-inch gauge cluster, wireless smartphone integration, and a 12V power outlet. This trim gets the base infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Bluetooth hands-free phone and wireless audio streaming.
Hyundai’s SmartSense suite of state-of-the-art driver-assist features is also standard. It provides the SE with driver attention warning, forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, lane following assist, lane keeping assist, safe exit warning, and rear occupant alert.
SEL
The SEL adds rooftop rails, Proximity Key, push-button start, an eight-way power driver’s seat, the Bluelink Connected Car System, and 17-inch alloy wheels, plus its infotainment system is upgraded with HD radio and SiriusXM satellite radio. This trim will become truly loaded with the optional Convenience Package, which supplies Hyundai Digital Key, a power sunroof, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, wireless phone charging, a larger (10.25-inch) infotainment touchscreen, automatic climate control, and a convenient and secure hidden storage in the cargo area.
N Line
Besides the powertrain upgrade to the 195 hp turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder and 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the N Line gets all of the features listed in the SEL Convenience Package, along with a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, upgraded upholstery, and these exterior changes: gloss-black and dark-gray elements, a twin exhaust, and special wheels. The 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with dynamic voice recognition and navigation becomes standard, but the smartphone integration reverts to the conventional Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that you must physically plug in (wireless integration isn’t compatible with the larger system).
Limited
The top-of-the-line Limited goes back to the more conventional Kona appearance, dropping the sportier attributes of the N Line, but it goes upscale with some really nice upgrades. Those include leather seats, ambient interior lighting, LED headlights and taillights, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink. In the driver-assist category, it adds automatic high beams, cyclist detection, rear parking sensors, and highway driving assist. It gets the same deluxe infotainment system described for the N Line, but with a further upgrade to a Harman Kardon sound system with eight speakers.